he drawing-room of
Buckingham Palace.

Mr. Dapper was several years the senior of Lord Upperton, so
intelligent, agreeable, polite, courteous, and of such humor, that
he was ever welcomed in the drawing-room of my lady the Countess
of Epsom, the Marquise of Biddeford, and at the tables of my Lady
Stamford, and of her grace the Duchess of Alwington. The doors of the
London clubs were always wide open to one who could keep the table in
a roar by his wit. Lord Upperton had chosen him as his companion
during his visit to his majesty's Colonies.

"It will indeed be an honor to entertain Lord Upperton and his
friends," said Mrs. Newville, with sparkling eyes. It was not only the
anticipated pleasure of their company at dinner that set her pulses
throbbing, but the thought that it might in the end make her
day-dreams a reality.

Mr. Newville thought it would be eminently fitting to invite the
commander of his majesty's fleet, Admiral Montague, and also the
rector of King's Chapel, Reverend Mr. Coner; together they would
represent the crown and the church.

Mrs. Newville did not intend that any bevy of beautiful girls should
assemble around her table and be a cluster of diamonds to dazzle his
lordship by their brilliancy. She would have but one brilliant, her
own daughter. The other ladies should be of mature years. She would
invite Miss Milford, who made it a point to read every new book; Miss
Artley, who could paint in oils, and Miss Chanson, who would sing a
song after dinner, and accompany herself upon the harpsichord; Mr.
John Adams, the able lawyer, and his accomplished wife.

From her chamber window, Ruth saw a lumbering coach drive up the
street. The footman in blue livery opened the coach door, and a young
man, tall, handsome, wearing a blue velvet coat, the sleeves slashed
with gold, an embroidered waistcoat, buff breeches, lace ruffles, and
powdered wig, walked up the path accompanied by a gentleman several
years his senior, faultlessly dressed, with crimson velvet coat and
costly ruffles. The other guests had previously arrived. Ruth, in
accordance with her mother's wishes, wore a rich brocaded silk of pure
white. She needed no adornment of silver, gold, or precious stones to
set forth her loveliness as she entered the parlor.

"My lord, shall I have the pleasure of presenting my daughter?" said
her mother.

Lord Upperton bowed. Mrs. Newville saw a look of surprise upon his
face, as if he had not expected