THE TRIUMPH Lady Harriet's lorgnettes were brought piercingly to bear upon the bride-elect that night, and her thin, refined features never relaxed during the operation.

She was looking upon such youth and loveliness as seldom came her way; but the sight gave her no pleasure.

She deemed it extremely unsuitable that Stella should dance at all on the eve of her wedding, and when she realized that nearly every man in the room was having his turn, her disapproval by no means diminished.

She wondered audibly to one after another of her followers what Captain Dacre was about to permit such a thing.

And when Monck--Everard Monck of all people who usually avoided all gatherings at the Club and had never been known to dance if he could find any legitimate means of excusing himself--waltzed Stella through the throng, her indignation amounted almost to anger.