Adrien Leroy

But she showed no signs either of understanding or misunderstanding his

allusions to Adrien, and began to discuss a ball which Miss Penelope was

trying to arrange.

"Mr. Shelton, I am counting on you to help us," she said, turning to the

gentleman on her other side. "Auntie has been besieging uncle for the

last two months; and has, I think, carried the citadel."

"What is the motive of the attack?" inquired Mortimer Shelton.

"Aunt Penelope wants a fancy dress dance in the ball-room in the east

wing," she returned gaily, adding, as she looked across at her cousin,

who was listening attentively: "Adrien, if you would add your word, we

should get it. Won't you do so?"

"A fancy dress ball here?" he replied. "But if my father has refused

you, it is scarcely likely that I shall have any more influence." He

turned to his aunt. "Why not have Barminster House, Aunt Penelope?" This

was the town house, supposed to be given up almost exclusively to the

young man's use, though he generally inhabited his own chambers in

Jermyn Street. "I will hand it over to you from cellar to attic, and

will bind myself to be your faithful slave from early morn to dewy eve."

His aunt laughed.

"No, thank you, Adrien, I know your idea of slavery," she said. "You

would hand it over to Mr. Vermont, and he does quite enough of your work

already." Vermont was a favourite with Miss Penelope, owing chiefly to

his frequent gifts of marron glaces--a great weakness of hers.

"Besides," she continued, "Barminster House is too modern. I want to

revive a ball, just as it happened two or three centuries ago. It must

be Barminster Castle or nothing."

Adrien smiled across at her.

"Your word is law, my dear aunt; but if I were you, and it comes off at

all, I'd leave the arranging of it to Jasper."

Mr. Vermont beamed. Nothing seemed to please him so much as the idea of

work, especially when it involved the spending of money other than his

own.

"I am at your service, dear lady," he said amiably.

Miss Penelope rose, and gave the signal for the ladies to retire.

"I shall take you at your word, Mr. Vermont," she said graciously, as

she passed out.

After the ladies had gone, the wine circulated freely, and in the merry

badinage that followed it must be admitted that Jasper Vermont was the

life and soul of the party. He had the newest scandal at his

finger-tips, the latest theatrical news; and all was related in a witty

manner that kept his listeners in a perpetual roar of laughter.