"And nothing on earth sickens you, and you know
it, like this godless modern materialism...."

But who could smile more unaffectedly than Cally Heth at the bitter
little peckings with which the dying order ever seeks to avenge itself
on its brilliant supplanters? She passed on down the long room, stunning
admirer in her train. High hope beckoned imminently to-night. By the
subtle intuitions of her sex she had been notified that the steady
approach of the symbol of her happiness consummate now quickened toward
its shining end....

Mr. Hugo Canning, having returned for a week at most, had already
remained for a fortnight. And it was obviously for her sake that he had
lingered. Day by day, emerging from his Payne barricades, he had sought
her out: loud his feet had thundered behind, with no more promptings of
hers. Of the genuineness of his interest she could feel no trace of
doubt: a score of "passages" since the interesting moment in Willie's
sitting room rose to the eye of memory. And the prince of partis
attracted her no less compellingly. On nearer view, he had revealed
himself as full of a fascinating contrariety, various as a woman. Moods
played up and down upon him, charming mysteriously. He could be distrait
and silent, the portrait of distinguished boredom. And then, as by the
turning of a sudden page, he was gay again, tender, witty, all
ardors....

More than the strains of the lovesick waltz beat in the girl's veins
to-night. For this present there was no hope even of connected
conversation. In the midst of the gay company the invasions of privacy
were constant.

"All these nice people, and all so eager to be friendly with you!"
laughed Carlisle, with some want of naturalness, as she for the dozenth
time detached herself and him from a little surrounding group. "And yet
you've complained to me of _loneliness_!"

"There are times, Miss Heth, when one is never so lonely as in the midst
of the crowd."

"Oh!... Then to save you from loneliness to-night I must remove you from
the crowd?"

"You grasp my meaning. I want a lodge in some vast wilderness."

"That is rather rude, isn't it? Where should I come in?"

"You come into the lodge," said Canning, and smiled faintly.

Though the smile was faint, her eyes fell before it. When she raised
them, they ran upon another interruption.

"This is Mrs. Mason, Mr. Beirne's sister. You will like to meet her, Mr.
Canning."

"Delightful," murmured Mr. Canning.