Where is our host?
I thought that I was late." Lord Arranmore entered as she spoke.

His evening dress, as usual, was of the most severely simple type.

To-night its sombreness was impressive.

With such a background his pallor seemed almost waxen-like.
He offered his arm to Lady Caroom.
"I was not sure," he said, with a lightness which seemed natural enough, "whether to-night I might not have to dine alone whilst you poor people sat and played havoc with the shreds of my reputation.

Groves, the cabinet Johannesburg and the '84 Heidsieck--though I am afraid," he added, looking down at his companion, "that not all the wine in my cellar could make this feast of farewells a cheerful one." "Farewell celebrations of all sorts are such a mistake," Lady Caroom murmured.