"Since there will be three gentlemen, Ginevra," Miss Roberta said on
Saturday morning when they sat together in the Italian parlor after
breakfast, "do you not think we had better have Halcyone down to dinner
to-night? I know," she added timidly, "it is not in the proper order of
things, but we could make an exception."

Miss La Sarthe frowned. Roberta so often was ready to upset regulations.
She was difficult to deal with. But this suggestion of hers had some
point.

They would be two ladies to three of the other sex--and one of their
guests appeared to be quite a young man--perhaps it might be more
prudent to relax a rule, than to find themselves in an embarrassing
position.

"I strongly deplore the fact of children ever being brought from their
seclusion except for dessert, but as you say, Roberta, three
gentlemen--and one a perfect stranger--might be too much for us. I
hardly think our Mamma would have approved of our giving such an
unchaperoned party, so for this once Halcyone had better come down. She
can have Mr. Miller for her partner, you will be conducted by the
Professor--and the new guest will take me in."

Miss Roberta bridled--the Professor was now a hero in her eyes.

"And Sister," she said, "I think we might bring six of the chairs from
Sir Timothy's bed- and dressing-room just for to-night, instead of those
Windsor ones. It would give the dining-room a better look, do you not
think so?"