of a great London square. The reception-rooms upon the first floor, five of them, and all en suite, and gorgeously decorated in white and gold, were brilliantly

nger-tips, and a buffo singer from the opera roared out his "Figaro la, Figaro quà," with all the strength of his brazen lungs;

ing of heads. Lady Essendine posed as a charitable person, always anxious to do good, and this singer was a protégée of hers-an interesting but

the object of her remarks was at her elbow. "A most engaging person;

had remarked, also ignoring the

all, exquisitely-proportioned head, crowned with a coronet of deep chestnut hair, was well poised upon a long, slender neck; she had a refined, aristocratic face, with clear-cut features, a well-shaped, aquiline nose, with slender nostrils; a perfect mouth, great lust

, to take her seat at the piano. Her figure was tall and commanding, full, yet faultless in outline, as that of one in the pri

e French song in a pleasing, musical voice, without much compass, but well trained; before the applause ended she broke into a Spanish ballad, tender and passionate, which gained her

o Lady Essendine went up to

don't know when I have h

ries of approval, the beautiful singer was engaged a

ne least of all, thought for one moment of her protégée's fatigue, and the poor singer mig

y you would like a little refreshment? Let me take you to the tea-room," and, offerin

poor relation, in fact, commonly called by them "Cousin Bill"-a hale, hearty, middle-aged man, with grey hair he was not asha

ed the blunt soldier, evidently cord

place to take her to the tea-room, and I am much annoyed. Will

dyship's commission. He found the pair chatting pleasantly togeth

ydstone undutifully. "What

fraid of his cousin, the female head of the house. "I will take

me introduce you. Madame Cyprienne-my cousin, Colonel Wilders, of the Royal Ra

t foreign accent. "It is for her to command, me to obey. She has been very kind, you know," she went

l. "Was it so bad as that? How did

el, wondering, looked up, to find

an idiot I am! Of cour

ck dress, edged with c

forgive me," stammered the colonel,

suddenly alone, unprotected, without resources, in this strange country-to f

he colonel, his symp

rd of me. I was trying to dispose of some lace-some ver

, although, as a matter of fact, he did

not always as you see me-poor; we belong to the old nobility. My husband was highly born, but

e," replied the colonel,

a countess a pauper

tender confidences, accompanied by an occasional encouraging glance fro

"but I do not assume the title now. I do not choose it to be known th

d you a decent price," sai

shook her head, w

ngly kind-but she knows how to

it all? You had better entrust

could not think of giv

are in Ryder Street; or, better still, I will call for i

Saint Clair should receive in. But I am not ashamed of it; it is in F

olonel, who at the moment would have approved of

giving lessons. But come, we have lingered here

to have hindered her son from paying marked attention to a person in Madame Cyprienne's doubtful position. Now she found that person exercising her fascinations upon Colonel Wilders, and it annoyed her, although Cousin Bill was surely old enough to take care of himself. Alrea

plainly that it was her own fault for haggling over the price. Her ladyship's disgust was heightened when she found the best piece

has a dozen devoted, unpaid attachés, ready to do any little commi

lord, "I am afraid Colonel Wilders is v

there's no fool like an old fool," said Lord Essendi

s an adventuress," cried

But for you, no one would ever have hear

e with her now. I

ess I am much mistaken, s

dame Cyprienne exercised. Before six months were out, Colonel Wilders came, with rather a sheepish air

Lord Essendine had the usual contempt of the respectab

r the moment it is in abeyanc

Wilders! have you fallen i

to speak more respectfully of the

! I warn you while

gainst her?" asked

to the family. Lady Essendine will be furious. If I had any authority over you I would forbid

, Lord Essendine. I thought it my duty to inform you of my

I tell you frankly; but I don't want to quarrel. Is there anything

ough Lord Essendine's interest that he obtained a snug staff appointment in one of the large garrison towns; and

n the war-clouds gathered dark upon the horizon, and, thanks again to the Essendine interest, he f