"Of course you ought," said Ashe, with smiling decision, and turning to
the lady whom he had brought in he left her free.

* * * * *

When the ladies rose, Lady Grosville led the way to the large
drawing-room, a room which, like the library, had some character, and a
thin elegance of style, not, however, warmed and harmonized by the
delightful presence of books. The walls, blue and white in color, were
panelled in stucco relief. A few family portraits, stiff handlings of
stiff people, were placed each in the exact centre of its respective
panel. There were a few cases of china and a few polished tables. A
crimson Brussels carpet, chosen by Lady Grosville for its
"cheerfulness," covered the floor, and there was a large white sheepskin
rug before the fireplace. A few hyacinths in pots, and the bright fire
supplied the only gay and living notes--before the ladies arrived.

Still, for an English eye, the room had a certain cold charm, was
moreover full of _history_. It hardly deserved at any rate the shiver
with which Kitty Bristol looked round it.

But she had little time to dwell upon the room and its meanings, for
Lady Grosville approached her with a manner which still showed signs of
the catastrophe before dinner.

"Kitty, I think you don't know Miss Lyster yet--Mary Lyster--she wants
to be introduced to you."

Mary advanced smiling; Kitty held out a limp hand, and they exchanged a