and massive throat, and the stately head crowned with the famous five
stars, whose flashing made the eye wink, and which yet were
dimmed by the light of her dark eyes. She surveyed herself with full
content when the last touch had been given her, and her slow sweep
a-down corridors and grand staircase was a triumphal march. She knew
that her entrance into the crowd downstairs could no more fail of its
customary effect than could the appearance of the sun next morning--
or, one should rather say, the announcement of dinner to the tired and
hungry shooting men.

She was met at the foot of the grand staircase by her host, and
immediately surrounded. In the close press of friends she did not
notice the strangers; time was too short and they were too many. A lord
of her acquaintance, who still hoped to make her his lady, took her
into dinner, and called upon all her powers of wit and repartee to meet
his conversational tactics during the meal. It was an exhilarating
encounter, and of sufficient interest to keep her "eyes in the boat".
Moreover, the table was immense, and the chief of the strangers sitting
on her side of it, a long way off.

After dinner there was little comedietta played on the boards of the
toy theatre belonging to the house. Many of the ladies were in their
places before the men, still craving repose after their hard day's
work, could hoist themselves from their chairs in the dining-room. Deb,
having helped to coach one of the amateur performers, was early in her
seat in front. Some of her admirers did manage to squeeze in beside and
behind her from time to time, but the particular stranger haughtily
held aloof.

Then, when the play was over, there was an impromptu dance, for the