Litchfield enquirer., 1878-10-03

that his Majesty the Shah of Persia would honor her reception at Evelyn Lodge on Tues day next with his imperial presence.
 From her point of view she well might be so for his promised visit had broken down the barriers between herself and the highest in the land. I do not know how much she paid to procure the honor, or in what proportions the bFibe was divided between the gentlemen in the Foreign Office and the Ministers of the Shah, but have heard that the expenses of the entertainment itself were as nothing compared with what the acceptance of the invitation cost. The ball, however, must have cost something for in the first place the Baroness 'threw out" the drawing room so as to extend half over the garden, and in the second she drove archways through all the partition walls, so that the whole floor should be en suite. But what were few trifing alterations to Evelyn Lodge when taken in connection with the al teration in the feelings of good society as re- spected it's mistress? It is scarcely too much to say that for whole week there was no wo- man in London more sought after" than the Baroness Patterini. She adopted her rightful title on the instant, and issued her cards of in- vitation with Baron's coronet embossed upon them in blue and silver. So far from there being any doubt of filling her largely increas- ed ballroom, her only difficulty was to say ''No'' to those of her own personal acquain- tances whose Rs were too pronounced Cor un- pronouneed), and whose ps were too obvious ly Ds. The whole fashionable world was at her feet. Ladies of title (English) intrigued for an invitation; the Duchess of Doldrum sig nifed. through certain lady, herself of dis tinctfon, that she would come if she were ask ed. Her future hostess talked of her from that moment as her tdear Duchess" term which had more truth in it than her friends imagined who had not seen MT. Patterinis check (drawn ''to bearer," you may be sure), which Cyril Clarke had disposed of in the proper quarters. Not shilling of it had soil ed his hands, though if trouble be worth pay ment, he deserved all that could have been given him. He worked like slave Persian, and passed his days between Buckingham Palace, where H. I. M. was located, and the Lord Chamberlain's office. For the fact is, that the august sovereign of Persia was every bit as slippery as he looked His word was never to be depended on, though at that time there were some people who believed in his bonds, and he did not know his own mind and no wonder, for it was not to be detected by the microscope two hours together It was true he had promised, or his chief Min ister and chibouk-carrier had promised for him that he would be at Evelyn Lodge on Tues day but rumors were flying about that he proposed to quit England earlier than he had intended, and indeed on that very day. The mere report caused tortures to the Baroness, and (what was very rare) made her lose her temper.
 Cyril, have you seen this ?" cried she, point Ing to the paragraph in the morning paper which stated that, in consequence of special dispatch from lspahan, it was more than prob able his Imperial Majesty would be compell- ed to leave the shores of England on the en- suing Tuesday. 'Is it possible it canbe true ?''
 ''Of course it is possible, Baroness; but l do not believe it. have done everything ''I don't care what you have done," cried the infuriated woman; 'but if this villain so she spoke of her expected imperial guest
 ''should break his word to me- after all, mind, break mine to you. You,. penniless adven- turer that you are, shall never marry Myra." If it were possible for such handsome young fellow as MT. Cyril Clarke to look ug- ly, such was the expression of his countenance at this speech; but he instantly recovered his good looks, and bowed profoundly. It is a very foolish thing in a vulgar person to take advantage of a gentleman's necessities to in | suit him. The successful black should be l careful not to make the white man dangerous.
 II didn't mean to say anything offensive, Cyril" continued the Baroness, whose native ! sagacity had returned to her; "but the fact is,
 scarcely know what say. The bare idea | of that odious monster throwing us over at the last moment almost depriving me of my senses. I positively believe everything that has been said against him, about his smothering peo- pie in blankets and saving them asunder, and about his nine hundred and ninety-nin wives. D
 'tI believe them all," said Cyril cooly. ''I hope you won't let him have Myra for the thousandth, if he should happen to ask you"
 'Upon my word, won't," said the Baron ess earnestly, yet in manner that convinced hot ho tN
 ''She is of age, and of course, therefore, her own mistress but you know on which side my influence would be exerted, Cyril. In- deed, look upon her, if all goes well, as en- gagged to yourself.
 'tAnd the Baron ?" demanded Cyril.
 ''The Baron's views are my views" an- swered the lady, in the tone of M. Augustc l Comte, when addressing his disciples it was the whole science of Positivismin single sen- tence.
 On the day before the ball Cyril received formal news while breakfasting at Evelyn Lodge, that the Shahs appointment would be kept, and in her extasy the Baroness kissed him.
 ''You are duck and darling exclaimed she; ''and don't wonder that our Myra is de- voted to you. 1 look upon you from this mo- ment as our son-in-law."
 Under these circumstances l think Mir. Cv- Til Clarke was justified in ratlfying the agree ment by kissing Myra. It was the first time he had ventured upon upon it-in public-and the young lady playfully remonstrated with him.
 'Remember, Sir, the Shah has not come yet"
 'Pshaw! !" answered Cyril; Che is as safe as the bank"
 sI don't quite agree with you there," said +1o kop lnol ho iU which he was studying the prospects of the Persian Loan.
 ''Cyril means he is safe to come tomorrow night" observed the Baroness in explanation. ''To tell you the honest truth, my dear," con tinued she, with frankness, Eff he had not come, I think it would have been the death of me. When he has once been, don't care what happens. Persia may burst up and the Shah be bow-stringed on Wednesday morning; but he will, so to speak, have consecrated Eve lyn Lodge forever, and the Duchess must ask us back again to Doldrum House."
 The preparations for the ball, which includ- ed a fete in so much of the garnedas the throw ing out of the ballroom hadspared, were com pleted in ample time. A whole army of work people had occupied the house for days, and absolutely nothing was omitted which could insure the success of an entertainment which the fashionable papers had described before hand as of unique magnifcence;" and yet the Baroness was consumed with anxiety lest l there should be screw loose, the least screw anywhere. The greatness of the occasion was too supreme for positive enjoyment. She wished in her heart-as hostess generally does in similar circumstances--th the whole thing was over, and that she might begin to talk about it. ''Would it were supper-time and all were well l" is an inspiration that most persons in her position are prone to echo; only in her case the supper was difficulty, Decanse no one could give her any certain information as to what his imperial Majesty liked in the way of food, or how he chose to eat it, except l that he used his imperial fingers instead of a fork. A little table was put apart for him, just as one is placed for conjurers at juvenile entertainments, and everything rich and rare that earth and air could furnish was provided to tempt his imperial palate. Some wicked wags Griends, am sorry to say, of Cyril's), had suggested that nautch girls were indispen- sible, to dance before him as he sat at the ta- ble; and the Barones would have taken the matter into her serious consideration, and had '