Evening star., 1923-07-23
CHAPTER XXXIII.

| .ept, perhaps, Lady Cynthia herself, TO
have detected the slightest alteration
| in Sir Timothy's demeanor during the
following day. when he made fitful
| appearances at the Sanctuary, or at
| the dinner which was served a little
earlier than usual. before his final
! departure for the scene of the fes
| tivities. Once he paused in the act
of helping himself TO some dish and
| listened for moment to the sound
| of voices in the hall, and when Il
| taXicab drove up he set down his
glass and again betrayed some inter
| est.
THE maid with my frock. thank
heavens" Lady Cynthia announced,
glancing out of the window. MY
ing forward now TO wonderful night"
You may Very easily he diSap-
pointed" her host warned her MY
| entertainments appeal more. as a
rule. to men.
Why don't you be thoroughly
| original and issue no invitations to
women at all?" Margaret inquired.
For the same reason that you
adorn your rooms and the dinner
table with flowers" he answered.
One needs them as relief. Apart
from that. l am really proud of my
see. your sex is necessary"
We are fattered." Margaret de-
clared. with a little bow. 1T does
! seem queer to think that you should
own what Cynthia's cousin. Davy
Hinton, once told me was the best
floor in London. and that have
never danced on st."
Nor l." Lady Cynthia put in.
There might have been some excuse
for not asking you. Margaret, hut
why an ultra Bohemian like myself
has had to beg and plead for an invi-
taton. | really cannot imagine"
You might find" Sir Timothy said.
you may even now-that some of my
man guests are not altogether to your
liking"
quite content to take my risk"
Lady Cynthia declared cheerfully.
THE man with the best manners |
ever nett was at one of Maggie s
studio dances. too-was a bookmaker.
And a retired prizefighter brought
me home once from an Albert Hall
dance"
How did he bchave?" Francis
ask ed.
He was wistful but restrained :
Lady Cynthia replied. quite the
gentleman. in fact.
You encourage me to hope for the
best" Sir Timothy said. rising to his
feet. You will excuse me now? I
have few final preparations t"
make.
Are we to be allowed" Margaret
inquired. Ito come across the park"
You would not find il convenient.
her father assured her. You had
better order a car. say for 10 O'Clock
Don't forget to bring your cards OF
invitation. and find me Immediately
you arrive. wish to direct your
proceedings TO some extent.
Lady cynthia stroIled across with
him to the postern gate and stood by
his side after lie had opened it. Sew
eral of the animals. grazing in differ
tnt parts of the park. pricked np
their ears at the sound. An old mare
came hobbling toward him: a flea
bitten gray came trotting down the
field. his head in the air. neighing
loudly.
You waste great deal Of tender
ness upon your animal friends dear
host" she murmured.
He deliberately looked away from
her.
The reciprocation. at any rate. has
| its disadvantages" he remark ed.
glancing a little disconsolately at the
brown hairs upon his coat sleeve. Il
shall have to find another coat before
I can receive my guests-which is a
further reason" he added, why I
must hurry"
AT the entrance to the great gates
OF the Walled House two men in
examined with care the red cards of
invitation, and soon as he was
satisfied. the gates were opened by
some unseen agency. The moment
the car had passed through they were
closed again
Father seems thoroughly medieval
over this business" Margaret re-
marked, looking about her with in
terest. What quaint courtyard,
too! 1t really is quite Italian"
you have never been herer Lady
Cynthia exclaimed. Curiosity would
have brought me if had had to climb
over the wall!'
1T does seem absurd in one way
Margaret agreed, but, as a matter of
fact, my fathers attitude about the
place has always rather set me
against it. ] didn't feel that there
was any pleasure to be gained by
coming here. ! won't tell you really
what l did think. We must keep to
our bargain. We must not antici-
pate"
At the front entrance under the
covered portico the white tickets
which they had received in exchange
for their tickets of invitation were
carefully collected by another man,
who stopped the car few yards from
the broad. curving steps. After that,
there was no more suggestion of in
hospitality. The front doors, which
were of enormous size and height
seemed to have been removed, and in
! the great domed hall beyond Sir Tim
| othy was already receiving his guests.
Being without wraps, the little party
i made an immediate entrance. Sir Tim
l othy, who was talking to one of the best
known of the foreign ambassadors
took a step forward to meet them.
Welcome" he said. you the most
unique party, at least among my
guests. Prince, may / present you to
my daughter. Mrs. Hilditch? Lady
Cynthia Milton and Mr.. Ledsam you
| know, ! believe"
| Your father has just been prepar-
1 ing me for this pleasure" the prince
remarked, with a smile. "I am de-
l lighted that his views as regards
| these wonderful parties are becoming
| q little more-would 1t be correct to
| say latitudinarian? He has certainly
| been very strict up to now"
"It is the first time 1 have been
| vouchsafed an invitation" Margaret
| confessed.
"You will find much to interest
| you," the prince observed. For my
| self, love the sport of which your
| father Is so noble a patron. That
without doubt, though, is a side OF
| his entertainment of which you will
! know nothing"
| Sir Timothy, choosing a moments
respite from the infowing stream OF
| guests, came once more across to
| them.