, in a different tone. "Ah!
it is your first appearance, is it not? Go and rest now, and you will be
all right when the time comes. I have a vision of a great success, and a
call before the curtain, and bouquets, and other delights. Only go and
rest now." And he went to light a candle for her. He seemed very
thoughtful for Evelyn.

It was the signal for all of us to disperse, the ladies to their rooms,
the men to the only retreat left to them, the smoking-room. As Aurelia
went up-stairs I saw her beckon Ralph and whisper to him:

"Am I really to wear them?"

"Wear what, my angel? The jewels! Why, good gracious, I had quite
forgotten them. Of course I want you to wear them."

"So do I, dreadfully," she replied, with a killing glance over the
balusters. "Only if I am, you must bring them down in good time, and put
them on in the greenroom. I hope you have got them somewhere safe."

"Safe as a church," replied Ralph, forgetting that in these days the
simile was not a good one. "Father has them in his strong-box. I will
ask him to get them out--at least all that could be worn--and I will
give them a rub up before you wear them."

"Ah!" said Charles, sadly, as we walked up-stairs, "if only I had known
Sir John!"

CHAPTER VII.

It was nearly eight o'clock when I came down. The play was to begin at
eight. The hall, which was brilliantly lighted, was one moving mass of
black coats, with here and there a red one, and evening-dresses many
colored--the people in them, chatting, bowing, laughing, being ushered
to their places. Lady Mary and Sir George Danvers side by side received
their guests at the foot of the grand staircase, Lady Mary, resplendent
in diamond tiara and riviere, smiling as if she could never frown; Sir
George upright, courteous, a trifle stiff, as most English country
gentlemen feel it incumbent on themselves to be on such occasions.

Presently the continual roll of the carriages outside ceased, the lamps
were toned down, the orchestra struck up, and Sir George and Lady Mary
took their seats, looking round with anxious satisfaction at the hall
crowded with people. People lined the walls; chairs were being lifted
over the heads of the sitting for some who were still standing; cushions
were being arranged on the billiard-table at the back for a covey of
white waistcoats who arrived late; the staircase was already crowded
with servants; the whole place was crammed.

I wondered how they were getti