The record-union., 1897-04-11

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with the set"
''Oh, that's Miss Belmont, the Ola
maid who came suddenly into for
tune the other day. put in a thiro
man. "Vapid, rapid Jane, as some peo-
pie call her She's a pretty tough
hen, you know-over 80 by her own
account But she's coming out Win
a vengeance. Shouldn't wonder IL she
married a Duke in the end. Shes got
the. dibs to do it,
What does she look like?" inquired
another man.
"Oh, not half bad. I wouldn't nina
marrying her myself, provided she let
me have my own way afterward.
A laugh went around the room, 1ol-
lowed by a moments silence.
Are these James cigars?' SAID an
other languid, drawing voice presently.
IF so, she knows how to choose a gooo
brand. Wonder If she smokes?
They laughed again.
II suppose she's in with the 'royaf-
ties at supper" was the next re-
mark.
Not a bit of it," eagerly exclaimed
the first man who had spoken. Little
Maddenham knows better than that'
The royalties don't know her any
more than Adam-why should they
What on earth should royalty want
with Jane?"
The laugh this time was prolonged
and boiSterous.
Rum old girl she must be- SAID an
other of the speakers at last, but she
got a first-class establishment. Rather
tempting to me. don cherknow; L could
do with it very comfortably. Pom my
word | think I'll have a try for Jane.
l should like to see her first, though
At that very moment Jane, COM
posed and queenly in her demeanor'
appeared in the doorway.
You see her now, sir she said quiet
1y. Il am Miss Belmont
There was q sudden pause-a horrifled
pause-in which each man in the smok-
ing-room looked painfully conscious OF
feeling more or less of a fool.
Il am Miss Belmont" pursued Jane,
speaking firmly and with most unruf-
fled composure. This house, the ar
rangements of which you are good
enough to approve, is mine. And being
mine, I have to request you all to leave
it,
The silence grew more deadly. The
men hastily put down their half
smoked cigars and stared helplessly at
one another The rum old girl was
rum indeed!
My dear Miss Belmont" began one
man feebly, surely you are too sensible
to take offence at a few words spoken
hastily and without thought
Il have not taken offence, SIR said
Jane, calmly. L have simply been
under a misrepresentation. 1 imagined
1 was entertaining gentlemen whose
code of honor was such that nothing
could have have persuaded them to
make vulgar testing out of the name and
fame of any woman in whose house they
were being Hospitality received. l have
now perceived my error | must there
fore again request all of you to leave the
premises"
by Jovel" gasped one young man,
turning quite pale in the extremity of
his amazement She means it,"
But my dear Miss Belmont" urged
another man, in deepening consterna-
ton, Mrs. Maddenham'--
Mrs. Maddenham is not mistress
here" said Jane. Il am. Have the
goodness. if you please 20 understand
that 1 am in earnest. Go quietly and
at once"
And turning to a staring turnkey, who
stood listening agape in wonderment,
and questioning within himself wheth-
er the heavens We're not going to fall
upon him and crush his pink-stock
inged calves out of shape and existence,
she said:
Go into the supper-room and tell
Mrs Maddenham l must see her di-
rectly. If she will not come to me,
say that I shall come to her and ex-
plain everything I have to say before
Their Royal Highnesses.'
The turnkey departed in haste ana
agitation, and Jane stood calmly watch
ing the proceedings, while some of her
other men servants assisted the dis
comfited 'swells'' in the smoking room
to find their hats and coats and get
rapidly ready for departure. In two
or three minutes the Hon. Mrs Mad
denham, flushed with champagne sup
per. appeared. exclaiming:
What's the matter? What on earth
is the matter? Why is anybody going
away?"
For all answer Jane took a firm hold
of her arm, and with a dexterous
movement gently hustled her into a
small boudoir leading out of the hall
and closed the door on them both.
Now" said Jane. her eyes sparkling
with unwonted excitement, Il don't
want TO make a scene or a scandal if I
can help ii, but this supper party must
be cut short. You have invited snobs;
and ruffians here under the pretence of
meeting royalty, and as / do not like
snobs and ruffians they must go. This
house must be cleared of your social
riff-raff go you understand? l give
you half an hour to do it,
Mrs Maddenham's Jaw almos, dron-
ped in the excess of her rage and
amaZement
Have you gone mad. Jane?" she ex-
claimed. What are you talking about ?
What do you mean"
Il mean what l say" returned Jane
imperturbably; Il am resolved to have
no more of this. / thought you were
inviting a select party OF the noblest
and best bred men and women in Eng
and to meet the royal guests: you have
got together the choicest collection OF
vulgarians ever found out of Thack-
eray's Book Of Snobs.' I do not choose
to entertain such persons a moment
longer. nor VIII / be treated as a
stranger in my own household. | have
let you have your full way because it
amused me to do SO; I wanted to see
what sort of woman. in fact. is toll
Grated nowadays among the upper
ten: and / wanted to find out for my
self what 'swagger' society is like. |