The name of Rooke signified nothing one way or the other to him.

Then there was the Dowager, who had proved the most patient and considerate of chaperons, sitting wide-eyed and cheerful till her charge had danced through the programme if it so pleased her; going hither and thither to crowded At Homes, attending first nights at the play--doing, in fact, everything to give Nelly a good time.

To be sure, the Dowager attached no importance to the name of Langrishe any more than the General did to that of Rooke.
Mrs.Rooke gave a good many dances after Christmas, and Nelly was at them all.

Sometimes Robin was there, sometimes that was not possible.
And Robin was out of his element at such gatherings, since he did not dance and could find no conversation to his mind while he leant against the wall of the ball-room or hung about the doors.

Life was so full of work for him that it seemed unreasonable to keep him where there was nothing he could do.
Captain Langrishe turned up at the dances as unfailingly as Nelly herself.