She is a very good player, and your opponents will be Nora Brent and Mr.Carlyon." "We are under orders, Herrick," observed David with mock humility; and then the introduction was made and the little white and blue fairy walked off demurely enough with Malcolm.
Tina Ross was certainly a very pretty girl; she had one of those babyish sort of faces that appeal so strongly to some men; her manners were kittenish and full of vivacity, and she had a way of glancing at a person from under her long curling lashes that was considered very alluring.

"Do please be good and kind to a poor little harmless thing like me," they seemed to say to each fresh comer, "for you are such a nice man;" but Malcolm, who saw plenty of girls in town, took no notice of a little country chit's airs and graces; indeed, he thought Nora Brent far more attractive--human kittens not being to his taste.
"I don't think much of the fine gentleman from London," whispered Tina rather venomously to Nora when the game was finished.

"I hate a town prig like poison." "Anyhow he played splendidly, and has given us a regular beating," returned her friend, who would willingly have exchanged partners.

There was nothing exciting in playing with an old friend like David Carlyon, who was a sort of connection of the Brents, indeed, a distant, a very distant cousin: but Malcolm's dark intellectual face and rather melancholy eyes somewhat attracted Nora.
Nora had her wish presently, and again Mr.Carlyon was Malcolm's opponent; this time a Miss Douglas was his partner.

It was a well-contested game, but again Malcolm was the victor; but he wore his honours meekly.
"Bravo, Mr.Herrick, and you too, Nora," exclaimed Elizabeth, clapping her hands, "you both played splendidly; now come into the hall and let me give you some claret cup;" but she lingered a moment until Mr.
Carlyon came up with his partner.
"I am not in good form to-day," he said, sinking into an easy-chair as though he were tired.