Mrs.Mountjoy could not but acknowledge that Florence was in the room, and then Harry passed on in pursuit of his quarry.
"Oh, Mr.Annesley, when did you come to Cheltenham ?" "As soon as I heard that Mrs.Armitage was going to have a party I began to think of coming immediately." Then an idea for the first time shot through Florence's mind--that her friend Mrs.Armitage was a woman devoted to intrigue.

"What dance have you disengaged?
I have something that I must tell you to-night.

You don't mean to say that you will not give me one dance ?" This was merely a lover's anxious doubt on his part, because Florence had not at once replied to him.

"I am told that you are going away to Brussels." "Mamma is going on a visit to her brother-in-law." "And you with her ?" "Of course I shall go with mamma." All this had been said apart, while a fair-haired, lackadaisical young gentleman was standing twiddling his thumbs waiting to dance with Florence.

At last the little book from her waist was brought forth, and Harry's name was duly inscribed.