is. Where is Mr. Mangles? An under-secretary was asking for him a moment
ago."

"Mangles is listening to the music in the library--comparatively happy
by himself behind a barricade of flowers."

"And that preposterous woman?"

"That preposterous woman is in the refreshment-room."

Thus they spoke of the great lecturer on Prison Wrongs.

"You have seen the Bukatys?" inquired Lady Orlay. "I called on them the
moment I received your note from Paris. They are here to-night. I have
never seen such a complexion. Is it characteristic of Poland?"

"I think so," replied Deulin, with unusual shortness, looking away
across the room.

Lady Orlay's clever eyes flashed round for a moment, and she looked
grave. It was as if she had pushed open the door of another person's
room.

"I like the old man," she said, with a change of tone. "What is he?"

"He is a rebel."

"Proscribed?"

"No--they dare not do that. He was a great man in the sixties. You