IN SILK ATTIRE - 1893 - CONTENTS - VII.-BAL A UITPLHA CP . . a VII1.--JULIET . . 1X.-THE COUNTBS ROTHBR . X.-MISS BBUNEL AT HOME XI.--IN THE PARK . . XI1.-GOOD-BYE . . . . XII1.- MIT D EINEN SCH NEN A UGE N X1V.-THE OUTUAST . . . . XV.-S ilre-Ro sam . . V XVL-SOHONSTE . S XVI1.-THE COUNT D I TINQUISHES HIMSELF XVII1.-ONE MORE UNFORTUNAT . E . XIX.-FLIGET . m PAGB l . 7 . 11 . 17 CONTENTS IN - SILK ATTIRE. CHAPTER I. OVER, AND SAFE. I AM gathering myself together for a great leap, Jack. Dont look so sad about it, then, my dear lord. Take it as you would one of your Berkshire fences, with a firm seat and a cool hand. If I only knew what was on the other side, Jack-that bothers me. By the way, did ou hear of the dinner at old on Tuesday I dec T a re evefybody was drunko bld u tT thhoer ndhoigllss and they mere turned out at night to find their way home by themselves. The Squire got very, very bad port and brandy alternately tumbled twice off his horse before he got out of the gate and then, half an hour after, when the rest of us rode home, we found him sitting in the middle of the road, in the dark, trying to ward off the dogs that had gathered round him and were for licking his face, while he hiccuped to them G-go away, my good peop1e-g-go away-Ive really nothing for you pon my soul, Ive forgotten my p-purse. But whats the matter You havent heard a word of my story and youre looking as glum as a parson. Jack, Im going to marry. Nonsense, man I am, though. Its all over with me, Jack. I told you I was gathering myself together for a great leap. Max one ask-no indiscretion, I hope-the-the ladys name Miss Annie Napier. There was an interval of dead silence. Mr. John Palk was on srdliciently intimate terms with this club-companion of his but he knew that there were certain subjects it was not safe to iest about and also he was well aware of the eomewhat ckpricious and fiery temper of Henry C hart eris Ormond, 5th Marquis of Rnottingley. Oh, really, he said, after this momentary pause. Not that any one should be surprised, he added, with a certain mudence. No-not at all-every one has known for ears back that vou were the close arid fast friend of Annie hapier- iss gapier, I mean-I beg your pardon. But to end in a marriage -well, there mill be some sacrifice- Yes, on herpart, said the young peer, calmly-6b if she leaves the stage. Leaves th stage repeated the other. Why, man, the ublic wont stand it There mould be a general riot All E ondon would be swearing to have your blood. rHioot w many rivals are you prepared to fight-one after the other --on Calais sands But, joking a-part, Knottingley, I must congratulate you. There are plehty who would say she was the most beautiful woman in London- One word dont you speak of this thing to any human soul, Jaclc for I havent even asked her yet but she, or nobody, will be my wife. John Palk went home to order supper for a little party of card- laversw ho mere to meet at his house that night V and o i gdn ottingley had promised to call in during the evening-that is, the card-playing evening, which began when the men rot home from the theatre. Knottingleyuwas himself at the theatre that evening. From his box he sent round the following note to the lady who, at that time, held London captive with the fascination of her genius and her personal beauty. DEARES A T N NIE,-I shall await your coming home, I hare something particular to say to my little sister... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.