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and the blondes’ look sallow. Most of them greeted him with their eyes on his shoes, so he did not even know what they looked like. How was he going to put a name and a face together to ask one to dance?
    There was no need to worry yet, he was relieved to learn as the receiving line dwindled. The first dance was arranged for him w i th his cousin Margaret since, the Duchess explained, that seemed the most comfortable way to open the ball, without having to bother about titles and ranks. She squeezed his arm and left him to go make introductions among the young people. He could see his own chums and many of the fellows in scarlet uniforms already paired off, ready to do their duty as soon as he took the floor. Ave Caesar , he repeated silently to himself as he crossed the room to his aunt and Margaret by her side. He had time to notice how fine his cousin looked, even if she w a s wearing white lace, and told his aunt so, winning at least two friends in the lion’s den.
    “No, Maggie, I meant it,” he went on as she took his arm and they walked to the centre of the floor. “Damn, but my own cousin is the prettiest girl here! What luck!”
    “Have you seen Robert this evening?” Margaret grew serious as the music started.
    “Your brother Robert?”
    “Of course my brother Robert! Don’t be dense. Have you seen him?”
    “Yes, his collar is too high. The boy is turning into a regular Tulip. But what is this all about?”
    “Well, I have to ask a favour, for him, since he obviously has not. Do you mind?”
    “How should I know if I mind until I know the favour? Come, Maggie, out with it; what scrape are you two involved in now?”
    “No, Cousin Alexander, it’s nothing like that! It’s about a girl, a Miss Sophie Devenance. Robert wishes—prays—that you please not ask her to dance with you this evening.”
    “Goodness, child, is my reputation so bad? I don’t even know Miss Sophie Devenance!”
    “Yes, but Robert does! He is going to offer for her soon, and that is why you mustn’t dance with her!”
    “I may be dense, Maggie, but why shouldn’t I dance with Robert’s intended? I would like to know the girl who is to become my cousin.”
    “But, Alexander, don’t you see; if you ask Miss Devenance to dance, she will never be permitted to accept Robert until you marry. If there is the least possibility of your offering for—”
    Carleton missed a step. “My God, is it as bad as that? Do they all know? I must be a laughing-stock!”
    “No one is making fun, Cousin Alexander, but only a fool would not see the opportunity, so please, will you do Robert this favour? It means a great deal to him.”
    “Surely, Margaret, and with my blessings, if you could just point her out for me—No, I take it she is the blonde beauty dancing with Robert now, for the looks they are exchanging are positively sickening.”
    “Yes, that is Miss Devenance, and Robert will be much relieved. I told him he could count on you, if you only knew how things stood.”
    The music stopped and Carleton took Margaret’s arm to lead her back to her mother. Margaret looked up to see one corner of his mouth twitching with a smile, and the merriment returned to his blue eyes. “Of course,” he said, “just as I know I can count on you, for I have a favour to ask in return—Maggie, will you marry me?”
    “But, Cousin, this is my engagement ball!” Margaret replied, then giggled in a manner quite unsuitable for an affianced lady, as her mother’s reproving expression reminded her. “Poor Cousin Alexander, is it so awful?” she asked seriously. “I am sure I must know some one or two women you could—” She turned to scan the room but was interrupted by Carleton’s, “Oh, no, you don’t! I have enough matchmakers around me now. I’ll pick my own partners, thank you.”
    Even that amount of dignity was to be denied him, he realised as his mother appeared at his elbow, making him known to Miss Althea Chasmont, at which his