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156. Don't ask Waveryng what it means, or he will think I have married a"

"An Australian girl, who doesn't know anything about your fashionable London life," put in Elsie hotly. "You had better prepare Lord and Lady Waveryng, Horace, for the depth of barbarism they'll be plunged in here, otherwise they mightn't survive the shock of an introduction to Ina and me."

"When do the Waveryngs arrive?" asked Blake.

"Lady Stukeley told me at the Opening to-day that she had heard from my sister, and that they would very likely be here for the May ball. They are going to stay at Government House," said Lord Horace, a little sulkily. He was annoyed because Lady Stukeley had not taken quite kindly to Ina, and that was Elsie's fault, for Lady Garfit had prejudiced the lady of Government House against these forward Australian belles.

Elsie got up. At that moment Frank Hallett entered the gallery. She turned to him. "What is going to happen? I am tired, I want to get back; Ina is tired, too. If Horace likes to stay, I daresay somebody will see us across the river."

"I wish I could," exclaimed Hallett, "but Leeke is going to speak; I ought not to leave the House."

"Since I am not so anxious to hear Mr. Leeke, Lady Horace, please let me take you to Fermoy's," said Blake.

Lord Horace announced his intention of going to the club. It was Frank Hallett who escorted Ina down the stairs. She turned her pale face to his with a sisterly smile. "Frank, I haven't had an opportunity of saying a word. You did speak splendidly."

"Thank you, Ina; you don't mind my calling you Ina just once, do you ? I feel horribly down to-night. I'm nowhere beside Blake. He is the coming man."

"Is it Elsie who has vexed you, Frank?"

"Oh, no; not Elsie, not at least any more than usual. But she has altered somehow lately. Don't you see it?"

"Yes, I see it. But Elsie was always capricious."