Before it was ended the gentlemen appeared, and once more Lord Ellerton found himself taken captive and seated beside Rose--how, he hardly knew.

How that tongue of hers ran! And all the time Lord Ellerton's eyes were wandering to Kate.

Like Sir Ronald, pretty Rose's witcheries fell short of the mark; the stately loveliness of Kate eclipsed her, as the sun eclipses stars.

When at last he could, without discourtesy, get away, he arose, bowed to the young lady, and, crossing the long, drawing-room, took his stand by the piano, where Kate still sat and sung.

Stanford was leaning against the instrument, but he resigned his place to the viscount, and an instant later was beside Rose.
"Exchange is no robbery," he said.