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186 They went on again. In the next pause Lord Waveryng talked of Lord Horace. "I'm going up to see the Dell," he said. "I hear Horace's works have come to a dead stop for want of funds. Well, if he is likely to keep out of mischief—and he ought to with such a charming wife—I might see if I couldn't do something. He is my wife's favourite brother, though I can't say I ever had a great opinion myself of Horace's capabilities, but he is a good-hearted chap, and I had a lucky haul with the Two Thousand. I suppose you know that I go in for racing a bit, Miss Valliant; and I might give Horace a helping hand. He'll not get another penny from his father."

For Ina's sake Elsie rejoiced at Lord Waveryng's benevolent intentions, and thought how pleased her mother would be to hear of the excellent impression Ina had made. That was very evident. Lady Waveryng was sitting now beside her sister-in-law, and they were on the most affectionate terms.

Frank Hallett came next on the list of Elsie's partners. "Why are you not dancing with Blake this evening?" he asked abruptly.

"I don't know," said Elsie simply, and it hurt him to hear the note of pain in her voice. "Frank," she said hurriedly, "please don't talk to me about Mr. Blake. Let us talk of other things—of how I am enjoying myself, for instance."

"Are you enjoying yourself, Elsie?"

"Of course I am. I have had a success. Every one has been telling me that I look very well. Lord Waveryng has been charming. I have been honoured by an offer of marriage." She laughed hysterically.

"An offer of marriage?" he said anxiously.

"I did not accept it." She still laughed—"But it was—exciting. Come, Frank, don't let us lose any of this lovely waltz. I am in wild spirits to-night."

Poor Elsie! And yet when she went into the cloak room in the early dawn it seemed to her as though her heart must break, so agonizing was the pain of it. All the pretty