Whether that was so or not, the result appeared to satisfy him, and in due time, and not till after several of the guests had already arrived, he descended in state to the drawing-room.
It was the first festive gathering at Maxfield since the death of the late Squire, and a good deal of curiosity was manifest on the part of some of the guests both as to the heir and his new guardian.
Roger, nerved up to the occasion by his own spirit and the encouragement of his tutor, bore his inspection well, and won golden opinions from his future comrades and neighbours.
Captain Oliphant also acquitted himself well; and anything lacking in him was amply forgiven for the sake of his charming daughters, the elder of whom fairly took the "county" by storm.
Quite unconscious of the broken hearts which strewed her way, Rosalind, with the duties of hostess unexpectedly cast upon her by Mrs Ingleton's illness, exerted herself for the general happiness, and enjoyed herself in the task.
Despite Tom's forebodings, the evening went off brilliantly.

The music was excellent, the amateur theatricals highly appreciated, and the dance all that could be desired.

The loyal youth found no difficulty in palming his young sister off on half a dozen partners delighted to have the opportunity, and his head was fairly turned by the sudden popularity in which he found himself with visitors anxious for an introduction to the fair Rosalind.
"Oh, all serene," said he confidentially to one of those glowing youths.
"She's booked six or seven deep, but I'll work it for you if I can.
You hang about here, and I'll fetch her up." But the luckless ones hung about in vain.

For Tom's progress was intercepted by other candidates for the same favour, amidst whom the young diplomatist played fast and loose in a reprehensible manner.
"Promised _you_, did I ?" demanded he of one.

"Well, you'll have to square it up with that sandy-haired chap at the door.