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168 "So Ina tells me. Well, you can give me up. Frank, I sometimes think that there is an evil spirit in me, and that you are right—that I am under a spell. It's true that I am eaten up by a demon of vanity, and selfishness, and reckless pride. I want to be first. I cannot bear that any man should get the better of me. It is horrid, I know it. Very well, but I am myself. I want to do something wild; I want to feel, I want to know. Ah!"

She gave a sudden start, and then drew back and kept very still, for at that moment Blake entered.

They were spending the evening in Lady Horace's sitting-room at Fermoy's. Lord Horace and some choice pals were in the verandah smoking. There was whiskey on the table. Ina was sewing, and Trant had just gone to the piano.

He began his song as Blake came in, "Ninon, Ninon, que fais tu de la vie," and only nodded at the sight of his partner, and went on singing. It was a song that always affected Elsie curiously. Blake shook hands silently with Lady Horace, and seated himself beside Elsie. Hallett moved away.

When the song was over, Blake said, "I came to tell Lord Horace that the Ullagong is signalled."

Ina, who had moved towards them, gave a little start, "Then the Waveryngs will be here to-night."

"Not to-night, Lady Horace," said Blake, pitying her evident alarm—"at least not till the small hours of the morning."

"Oh! do you think," said Ina tremulously, "that I need go with Horace to meet them?"

"No," he said, "why should you? It will be far too early."

"I am so nervous about them," said poor Ina, "and it may make a great difference to Horace their liking or disliking me. That is what Horace says."

Ina was off her balance, or she never would have so betrayed herself.

"They are quite sure to like you," said Blake; "and you