"Off with you to dress, young woman.

It's past seven, and we must be there early.

I still have the wine to order." The dinner party was in its way a complete success.

Prince Karschoff was there, benign and distinguished; Chalmers and one or two other young men from the American Embassy.

There was a sprinkling of Maggie's girl friends, a leaven of the older world in Nigel's few intimates,--and Naida, very pale but more beautiful than ever in a white velvet gown, her hair brushed straight back, and with no jewellery save one long rope of pearls.