way through the
crowd and approached the piano, and then stood staring on every side,
to find out his friend. Though he saw the Major, his eye only rested
passingly on him, as it ranged eagerly to catch the features of another.

"He's very amusing, though not in the least what you led us to expect,"
whispered Mrs. Trafford. "Who is it of whom you are speaking?" "Your
friend yonder, the Count Caffarelli." "What--that man?" cried Maitland,
as he grew pale with passion; and now, pushing forward, he leaned over
the back of the music-stool, and whispered, "Who are you that call
yourself Count Caffarelli?"

"Is your name Maitland?" said the other, with perfect coolness.

"Yes."

"Mine is M'Caskey, sir."

"And by what presumption do I find you here?"

"This is not the place nor the moment for explanations; but if you want
or prefer exposures, don't balk your fancy. I 'm as ready as you are."

Maitland reeled back as if from a blow, and looked positively ill; and
then laughingly turning to the company, he said some common-place words
about his ill luck in being late to hear the last song.

"Well, it must be the last for to-night," said Mr. M'Caskey, rising. "I
have really imposed too much upon every one's forbearance."

After a little of the usual skirmishing,--the entreaties and the coy
refusals, the recollection of that charming thing you sang for us at
Woodpark, and the doubts lest they had brought no music with them,--the
Misses Graham sat down to one, of those duets which every one in England
seems able to compose and to sing; lackadaisical ditties adapted to the
humblest musical proficiency, and unfortunately, too, the very narrowest
intelligences. While the remainder of the company, after a brief moment
of silence, resumed conversation, Major M'Caskey stepped unobserved from
the room,--by all, at least, but by Maitland, who speedily followed him,
and, led by the sound of his footsteps along the corridor, tracked him
through the great hall. M'Caskey was standing on the lawn, and in the
act of lighting his cigar, as Maitland came up.

"Explain this intrusion here, sir, now, if you can," cried Maitland, as
he walked straight towards him.

"If you want any explanations from me, you 'll have to ask for them more
suitably," said the other, coldly.

"I desire to know, under what pretence you assume a name and rank you
have no right to, to obtain admission to this house?"

"Your question is easily answered: your i