The Ordway new era., 1909-07-16
CHAPTER Ix.-con,inuec.

Such dancing. 1t was OF the kind
that was fashionable before the Amer
ican war, and introduced so many cuts. .
capers, pigeon-wings slips. slides and
pirouettes. that II was really an art
in itself. And her agility was sur
prising. With her train over her arm.
her tiara blazing. and her bird OF para
disc nodding violently. Lady Hawk
shaw's small. high-bred feet twinkled.
She was a large woman. too. and she
proved that her boast about her legs
was well founded When she came
face to face with Sir Thomas Vernon
in the dance. instead OF turning him.
she folded her arms and sailed around
him. carefully avoiding touching his
hand. And he. the old sinner. being
acquainted with that ancient style OF
dancing. made 4 caper so exactly like
her ladyship's. with so grave a coun.
tenance. that the whole ballroom was
In a litter. But although the people
might laugh at Sir Thomas excellent
mimicry. the sentiment was totally
against him. and he found difficulty in
getting gentlemen TO notice him or
ladies TO dance with him. With Lady
Hawkshaw. on the contrary. 1t was
every mans desire to dance. she was
besieged with partners young and old
but having shown what she could do.
she rested upon her laurels. and sat
in state the rest OF the evening. fan.
ming herself with vast dignity and com.
posure. and occasionally swapping at
Sir Peter. who. It must he admitted.
made no great figure at a ball
At last It was over. and We returned
to our lodgings. The next day but
one We were on our way to the assize
hall for the trial OF Giles Vernon.
A tremendous crowd was present. and
there was difficulty in gaining an en-
trance; some one. however in the mul-
titude set up shout OF Way for Lady
Hawkshav," and the people fell back.
leaving us a clear path to the door.
and into the hall itself.
Within that place OF judgment all
was dignity and decorum. The lords
justices in their robes and wigs sat
like statues: and. presently. when we
were all seated and the crier had pro-
nounced the court open, Giles Vernon
was brought in and placed in the pris.
oners' dock. He looked pale from his
confinement, but thought had never
seen his plain features so nearly hand
some. His fine figure was nobly set
off by the identical brown and silver
suit which the poor fellow had bought
for his wedding with Lady Arabella
and, in a flash, came back to me that
strange vision l had had at his Lon.
don lodgings on the night that this un.
fortunate elopement was first talked
of between US. My heart stood still.
and I grew sick and faint at the recol.
lection of the rest of that dream, or
revelation, or whatever 1t was.
Giles. meanwhile, had bowed re-
spectfully to the judges. then to the
assembled people, who very generally
returned his salutation with every
mark Of politeness. Turning to where
We sat, he bowed and smiled. We all
rose, and Lady Hawkshaw and Daphne
made him deep curtseys. jury was
soon selected and sworn. and the first
witness called was Lady Arabella
Stormont.
In q moment she entered. leaning
upon the arm Of Sir Thomas Vernon.
and was by him escorted to her place
in the witnessbox.
Her beauty was almost unearthly.
She wore . black gown and Q simple
white cap. under which the curls of
her rich hair shone like FURNISHED
gold. ~ was perfectly composed.