"That is a part _I_ could play to perfection," put in Miss
Lestrange's brother.

"Oh, no," Lady Adela remonstrated. "You may be wanted for Palæmon. You
see, this is how it stands. The young shepherd was originally played at
Drury Lane by a boy--and in Dublin by an actress; it is a boy's part,
indeed. Well, you know, we thought Cis Yorke would snap at it; and she
was eager enough at first; but"--and here Lady Adela smiled demurely--"I
think her courage gave way. The boy's dress looked charming as Rose
sketched it for her--and the long cloak made it quite proper, you
know--and very picturesque, too--but--but I think she's frightened. We
can't count on her. So we may have to call on you for Palæmon, Mr.
Lestrange."

"And I have taken the liberty of cutting out the song, for it's rather
stupid," said Lionel Moore, "so you've only got a few lines to repeat."

"The fewer the better," replied Mr. Percy Lestrange, who was possibly
right in considering that, with his far-from-regular features and his
red hair and moustache, his appearance as a handsome young swain should
not have too much prominence given it.

Notwithstanding that it had been Miss Lestrange's audacious proposal
that they should go masquerading in the open air, she was a wise young
virgin, and she took care before going out to thrust a soft silk
handkerchief into the square opening of her dress; the Ladies Sybil and
Rosamund followed her example by drawing lace scarfs round their necks
and shoulders; it was the young matron who was reprehensibly careless,
and who, when the French windows were thrown open, went forth boldly,