Page:By order of the Czar.djvu/214



202 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

Lady Forsyth, in a grey Irish poplin, was ubiquitous, and it must be confessed that she was a very agreeable hostess. Selwyn wandered about more at his ease with Philip Forsyth than with Dolly Norcott. He thought Dolly tried to avoid him ; he was sure Philip did ; but he was not in the humor to be avoided by anybody who, as he said, was anybody.

" Will you forgive me for saying you look charming ? " he said to Dolly, with whom after several efforts he was enabled to have a word.

11 1 would forgive you for even saying something much more disagreeable," said Dolly, in her liveliest manner.

" Then forgive me for congratulating you of course, I am delighted at anything that pleases you, or Walter, or Mrs. Milbanke ; but of course every young fellow in Lon- don will be jealous."

" What are you trying to say, my dear Mr. Selwyn ? " Dolly asked, knowing, of course, exactly what he was try- ing to say.

" I was trying to congratulate you on your engagement to Mr. Forsyth," he answered.

" Oh, thank you," she said, slightly discomfitted at Sam's prompt reply.

" Of course, he is the one to be congratulated," he went on, wondering all the time at his own temerity.

" I hope so," said Dolly, defiantly. " You seem to think it a good joke."

" It is no joke for your other admirers."

" Nor to Mr. Forsyth, nor to me, Mr. Selwyn," said Dolly, drawing herself up to her full height and passing on.

" There now, what a fool I am," said Sam to himself. " I have offended her ; determined to be bold I have over- done it, I suppose. Here comes her sister, I'll apologize. Awfully sorry/' he said to Jenny, " I think I have offended