at least, one of the most agreeable."

"Ah, ah!" said the monsignore. "Let me ring for some toast."

On the I night of the drawing-room a great ball was given at Crecy
House, to celebrate the entrance of Corisande into the world. It was a
sumptuous festival. The palace, resonant with fantastic music, blazed
amid illumined gardens rich with summer warmth.

A prince of the blood was dancing with Lady Corisande. Lothair was
there, vis- -vis with Miss Arundel.

"I delight in this hall," she said to Lothair; "but how superior the
pictured scene to the reality!"

"What! would you like, then, to be in a battle?"

"I should like to be with heroes, wherever they might be. What a fine
character was the Black Prince! And they call those days the days of
superstition!"

The silver horns sounded a brave flourish. Lothair had to advance and
meet Lady Corisande. Her approaching mien was full of grace and
majesty, but Lothair thought there was a kind expression in her glance,
which seemed to remember Brentham, and, that he was her brother's
friend.

A little later in the evening he was her partner. He could not refrain
from congratulating her on the beauty and the success of the festival.