David reached Beechcroft on the day of the ball.

Relations between the cousins seemed to the servants to be cool, though the coolness lay rather with the baronet, and David, a year older, it may be here stated, was evidently taken by surprise by Sir Alan's attitude.
"The three young people went to the ball, and shortly after midnight there was something in the nature of a scene.

Sir Alan had been dancing with Miss Layton.

They were in the conservatory when the young lady burst into tears, hurried to find David, and asked him to take her at once to her carriage.

Mrs.Eastham was acting as chaperon to the girl, and some heated words passed between her and the two young men.
"Evidence showed that Sir Alan had bitterly upbraided Miss Layton on account of her engagement, and hinted that David had taken an unfair advantage of his (Alan's) absence to win her affections.