"What in the world is it, Crow?" she said. "When you laugh like that, I
always know some diabolically cynical idea is floating in your head,
and it is not good for you. Tell me at once what you mean!"

But Colonel Lowerby refused to be drawn, and presently took Tristram off
into the billiard-room.

It was arranged that all the men, even the husbands, were to go down
into the great white drawing-room first, so that the ladies might have
the pleasure of making an entrance _en bande_, to the delight of every
one. And when this group of Englishmen, so smart in their scarlet hunt
coats, were assembled at the end, by the fireplace, footmen opened the
big double doors, and the groom of the chambers announced,

"Her Majesty, _Queen Guinevere_, and the Ladies of her Court."

And Ethelrida advanced, her fair hair in two long plaits, with her
mother's all-round diamond crown upon her head, and clothed in some
white brocade garment, arranged with a blue merino cloak, trimmed with
ermine and silver. She looked perfectly regal, and as nearly beautiful
as she had ever done; and to the admiring eyes of Francis Markrute, she
seemed to outshine all the rest.

Then, their names called as they entered, came Enid and Elaine, each
fair and sweet; and Vivien and Ettarre; then Lynette walking alone, with
her saucy nose in the air and her flaxen curls spread out over her cream
robe, a most bewitching sight.

Several paces behind her came the _Three Fair Queens_, all in