before you go to town to-morrow. The opera troupe seem to have not
exactly understood the invitation, sir."

"How? I gave it myself."

"The chorus and supernumeraries thought themselves invited too, sir, and
have come, I believe, sir. At least Signora Pegrelli and Madame Denise
said so, and that they would speak to you about it, but that meantime I
could put them up anywhere."

"And you made no distinction, of course?"

"No, sir, I put them in the corresponding rooms opposite, sir. I don't
think the prima donnas like it."

"Ah!"

"Yes, sir."

Whatever was in their minds, the two men never changed their steady,
practical gravity of manner. The major-domo's appeared to be a subdued
imitation of his master's, worn, as he might have worn his master's
clothes, had he accepted, or Mr. Rushbrook permitted, such a
degradation. By this time they had reached the door of Mr. Rushbrook's
room, and the man paused. "I didn't include some guests of Mr. Leyton's,
sir, that he brought over here to show around the place, but he told me
to tell you he would take them away again, or leave them, as you liked.
They're some Eastern strangers stopping with him."

"All right," said Rushbrook, quietly, as he entered his own apartment.