e whirling
along in the waltz, coming into innumerable collisions with all the
celebrated folk who ever lived in history. And who were these gentlemen
in the scarlet collars and cuffs, who but for these adornments would
have been in ordinary evening dress? he made bold to ask the friendly
clown, who was staring in a pensive manner at the rushing couples.

"They call it the Windsor uniform," said the clown. "_I_ think it mean.
I sha'n't come in a fancy dress again, if stitching on a red collar will
do."

At this moment the waltz came to an end, and the people began to walk up
and down the spacious apartment. Macleod entered the throng to look
about him. And soon he perceived, in one of the little stands at the
side of the hall, the noble lady who had asked him to go to this
assembly, and forthwith he made his way through the crowd to her. He was
most graciously received.

"Shall I tell you a secret, Lady ----?" said he. "You know the children
belonging to the charity; they are all below, and they are sitting doing
nothing, and they are all very tired and half asleep. It is a shame to
keep them there--"

"But the Prince hasn't come yet; and they must be marched round: they
show that we are not making fools of ourselves for nothing."

A sharper person than Macleod might have got in a pretty compliment
here: for this lady was charmingly dressed as Flora Macdonald; but he
merely said:--

"Very well; perhaps it is necessary. But I think I can get them some
amusement, if you will only keep the director of them, that is, Mr.
----, out of the way. Now shall I send him to you? Will you talk to
him?"

"What do you mean to do?"

"I want to give them a dance. Why should you have all the dancing up
here?"

"Mind, I am not responsible. What shall I talk to him about?"

Macleod considered for a moment.

"Tell him that I will take the whole of the girls and boys to the
Crystal Palace for a day, if it is permissable; and ask him what it will
cost, and all about the arrangements."

"Seriously?"

"Yes. Why not? They can have a fine run in the grounds, and six pipers
to play for them. I will ask them now whether they will go."

He left and went downstairs. He had seen but few people in the hall
above whom he knew. He was not fond of dancing, though he knew the
elaborate variations of the reel. And here was a bit of practical
amusement.

"Oh, Mr. ----," said he, with great seriousness, "I am desired by Lady
---- to say