s office taking him away. How was it with
them to-night?"

"What I should call arrant coquetry, such as even Camilla never
indulged in. The girl kept out of his way--was absolutely chill and
repelling half the evening--throwing herself at the officers from
Backsworth, till at last Frank obtained a waltz, and after that they
were perfectly inseparable."

"If she coquets, she will soon disgust him! Did Cecil enjoy
herself?"

"Oh yes: Phil Bowater opened the ball with her, and she dances very
nicely--so quietly, Mrs. Bowater remarked it. As to Rosamond, she
was in her native element--_is_ indeed, for she would not hear of
coming away when we did."

"And Julius?"

"Standing in a doorway, with others of his kind, absently talking,
and watching Rosamond out of the tail of his eye. I say, mother,"
lowering his voice, "can't you give Rosamond a hint about her dress?
Cecil says she can't go out with her again like _that_. Ah," as he
heard a sigh, "I should not have worried you at night."

"No, you have not. Tell Cecil I will see about it. Rosamond will
take it best from an old woman like me."

Mrs. Poynsett was quite conscious that Cecil had more high breeding
and refinement than Rosamond, who was essentially the Irish
Colonel's daughter, and that the cold temperament of the one
irritated the warm nature of the other. More than one flash had
revealed Rosamond's contempt for Cecil's assumptions and intolerance
for her precision--besides, she was five years older, and had not an
ideal in Dunstone.

After revolving what form of remonstrance would be least offensive
during half the night and day, Mrs. Poynsett was not prepared for
the appearance, about noon, of her son Julius, when, coming to what
she termed the confidential side of her couch, he asked
hesitatingly, and colouring, "Mother, I want you to tell me, was
there anything amiss in Rose's dress last night?"

"You did not perceive--"

"I'm not used to the style of thing. Is it not the way with what
you call full dress?"

"To a certain degree--" she began.

He caught her up. "And here has Cecil been putting my poor Rose
into a perfect agony! It is only woman's censorious nonsense, isn't
it, mother? Mere folly to think otherwise! I knew you would set my
mind at rest; and if you would tell Cecil that you will not have
Rosamond insulted, it would be as well."

"Stay, Julius," as he was walking off complacently, "I grieve, but I
must confess that