n, nor light brown--it is a distinct and fiery red. His
nose is "poor, but honest," and he has a thorough and most apparent
appreciation of himself.

As I said before, Lady Stafford greets him warmly; he is one of her
special pets.

"How are you getting on?" he asks, mysteriously, when the first
questions and answers have been gone through. "Old boy evidently worse
than ever. The wine theory would not suit his case; age does anything
but improve him. He has gone to the bad altogether. I suppose you've
been putting in an awful bad time of it?"

"We have, indeed," says Lady Stafford; "he has been unbearable all
through dinner, though he was pretty well yesterday. I think myself it
must be gout; every twinge brings forth a caustic speech."

By this time every one had shaken hands with the newcomer, and welcomed
him heartily. He seems specially pleased to see Tedcastle.

"Luttrell! you here? Never had a hint of it. So glad to see you, old
man! Why, you're looking as fit as even your best friend could wish
you."

"Meaning yourself," says Luttrell. "Now, let's have a look at you. Why,
Planty, what an exquisite get up! New coat and--etc. latest tie, and
diamonds _ad lib_. Quite coquettish, upon my word. Who gave you
the diamonds, Potts? Your mother?"

"No; I got tired of hinting there," says Potts, ingenuously, "so gave
it up, and bought 'em myself. They are fetching, I take it. Luttrell,
who is the girl at the piano? Never saw anything so lovely in all my
life."

"Miss Massereene."

"Indeed! Been received, and all that? Well, there's been nothing this
season to touch on her. Introduce me, Ted, do!"

He is introduced. And Molly, smiling up at him one of her own
brightest, kindliest smiles, makes him then and there her slave
forever. On the spot, without a second's delay, he falls head over ears
in love with her.

By degrees he gets back to Lady Stafford, and sinks upon the sofa
beside her. I say "sinks" unadvisedly; he drops upon the sofa, and very
nearly makes havoc of the springs in doing so.

"I want to tell you who I saw in town the day before I left--a week
ago," he says, cautiously.

"A week ago! And have you been ever since getting here?"

"No; I did it by degrees. First, I went down to the Maplesons', and
spent two days there--very slow, indeed; then I got on to the Blouts',
and found it much slower there; finally, I drove to Talbot Lowry's
night before last, and stayed there until this evening. You