answered, gravely. "He must have been reading up about the clans."

At this moment Lady Beauregard, who had been receiving some other late
visitors, came up and said she wished to introduce him to--he could not
make out the name. He followed her. He was introduced to a stout elderly
lady, who still had beautifully fine features, and a simple and calm air
which rather impressed him. It is true that at first a thrill of
compassion went through him; for he thought that some accident had
befallen the poor lady's costume, and that it had fallen down a bit
unknown to herself; but he soon perceived that most of the other women
were dressed similarly, some of the younger ones, indeed, having the
back of their dress open practically to the waist. He wondered what his
mother and Janet would say to this style.

"Don't you think the Princess is looking pale?" he was asked.

"I thought she looked very pretty--I never saw her before," said he.

What next? That calm air was a trifle cold and distant. He did not know
who the woman was, or where she lived, or whether her husband had any
shooting, or a yacht, or a pack of hounds. What was he to say? He
returned to the Princess.

"I only saw her as she was leaving," said he. "We came late. We were at
the Piccadilly Theatre."

"Oh, you saw Miss Gertrude White," said this stout lady; and he was glad
to see her eyes light up with some interest. "She is very clever, is she
not--and so pretty and engaging. I wish I knew some one who knew her."