The party dining there consisted of Silverbridge, Dolly Longstaff, Popplecourt, and Tifto.

Nidderdale was to have joined them, but he told them on the day before, with a sigh, that domestic duties were too strong for him.

Lady Nidderdale,--or if not Lady Nidderdale herself, then Lady Nidderdale's mother,--was so far potent over the young nobleman as to induce him to confine his Derby jovialities to the Derby Day.

Another guest had also been expected, the reason for whose non-appearance must be explained somewhat at length.

Lord Gerald Palliser, the Duke's second son, was at this time at Cambridge,--being almost as popular at Trinity as his brother had been at Christ Church.