Beyond the Rocks

This Whitsuntide party was perhaps the smartest of the year.

By Saturday evening over thirty people would be gathered together under

the Beechleigh roof.

Josiah, though exceedingly proud and pleased at the invitation, felt

nervous at the thought of the visit. Not so Mr. Toplington, who,

although he knew he should probably have to blush for his master, and

might get a very secondary place in the "room," still felt he would hold

his own when he could let it be known what magnificent wages he received

from Mr. Brown.

"A long sight more than I'd get out of any lord," he thought. "And money

is money. And all classes feels it."

Theodora, on the contrary, was neither proud nor pleased. She looked

forward to the visit with excitement and dread.

Hector would be there, among all these people whom she did not know. And

her awakened heart had begun to tell her that she loved him wildly, and

to see him could only be alternate mad joy and remorse and anguish.

It was still drizzling on the Saturday afternoon when they arrived. So

tea awaited them in the great saloon which made the centre of the north

side of the house. Several of the rest of the guests had come down in

the same train, but they did not know them, nor did any of them trouble

themselves much to speak to them on the short drive from the station. A

few words, that was all, addressed to Theodora. Josiah was ignored.

Sir Patrick had always been an excellent host. His genial Irish smile,

when in action, concealed the ill-tempered lines of his thin old face.

He greeted his guests cordially, and made them welcome to his home.

Lady Ada had the inherited bad manners of her family, the De

Baronsvilles, who had come over with the Conqueror, and when one has a

cachet like that there is no need to trouble one's self further. Thus,

while Mildred flashed brilliant witticisms about, plain Barbara saw

after the guests' tea and sugar, and if they took cream or lemon, and

tiresome things like that. And as every one knew every one else, and the

same party met continuously all over England, things were very gay and

friendly.

Only Theodora and Josiah were completely out of it all, and several of

the guests, who resented the intrusion of these strangers into their

charmed circle, would take care on every opportunity to make them feel

it.

Hector did not get there until half an hour later, in his automobile,

which was the mode of arrival with more than two-thirds of the company.