ble
solicitor, and even Mayor of Devonport I have heard, but Mr.
Simpson's taste in _badinage_ is such as I cannot always approve.
It is very well in Troy here, where everybody knows them, but the
Goodwyn-Sandys are certain to be most particular, and, Lavinia, that
crimson gown of hers!"

"It _is_ bright," assented Miss Lavinia.

"And the Saunders! What a pity the girls cannot be invited without
the boys."

"The boys have always come before, Priscilla."

Miss Limpenny groaned. "To meet an Honourable, Lavinia!"

The leaven was working.

However, on the following Monday everybody was assembled in the
little drawing-room. The Vicar was there in evening dress; the
doctor and his wife; Mr. Simpson and Mrs. Simpson in the crimson
gown; the Saunders boys in carpet slippers (at sight of which Miss
Limpenny went hot and cold by turns); the Misses Buzza in
book-muslin, with ultramarine sashes and bronze shoes laced
sandal-wise; their mother in green satin and deadly terror lest the
Admiral's voice should penetrate the party-wall. Mr. Moggridge was
frowning gloomily in a corner at some humorous story of Sam Buzza's
telling. In short, with the exception of their Admiral, all Trojan
society had gathered to do honour to the new-comers.

Miss Limpenny, nervously toying with her best brooch, rose in a
flutter as the door opened and admitted them.

"So afraid we are late! but the clocks at 'The Bower' have not yet
recovered from their journey."

Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys gazed calmly about her. There was a rustle
throughout the room; two pink spots appeared on Miss Limpenny's
cheeks; she stumbled in her words of welcome. The Vicar frowned and
looked puzzled.

Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys wore a low-necked gown!

It was a shock; but it passed. She was wonderfully pretty, all
admitted, in her gown of a rich amber satin draped with delicate
folds of black lace; around her white throat a diamond necklace
glistened. How well I can remember her as she stood there toying
with a button of her glove! And how mean and dowdy we all looked
beside this glittering vision!

The Honourable Frederic Augustus Hythe Goodwyn-Sandys meanwhile
stared at us all calmly but firmly through his eye-glass. I saw
young Horatio Saunders meet that gaze and sink into his carpet
slippers. I saw Mr. Moggridge frown terribly, and cross his arms.
Sam Buzza came forward--

"Ah, how d'ye do? How d'ye do, Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys? Looking round
for the governor