My finery, then, was part and parcel of my salary--my salary in guineas already allotted; so it came about that I moved in a loose and cynical society, untainted only through force of circumstance and a pride that accepts nothing which it may not return at interest.
* * * * *
When I descended to the dining-room I found all seated, and so asked pardon of Lady Coleville, who was gay and amiable as usual, and, "for a penance," as she said, made me sit beside her. That was no penance, for she was a beauty and a wit, her dainty head swimming with harmless mischief; and besides knowing me as she did, she was monstrous amusing in a daring yet delicate fashion, which she might not use with any other save her husband.
That, as I say, was therefore no penance, but my punishment was to see Elsin Grey far across the table on Sir Peter's right, and to find in my other neighbor a lady whose sole delight in me was to alternately shock me with broad pleasantries and torment me with my innocence.
Rosamund Barry was her name, Captain Barry's widow--he who fell at Breeds Hill in '76--the face of a Madonna, and the wicked wit of a lady whose name she bore, sans La du.
"Carus," she said, leaning too near me and waving her satin painted fan, "is it true you have deserted me for a fairer conquest?"
"The rumor nails itself to the pillory," I said; "who is fairer than you, Rosamund?"
"You beg the question," she said severely, the while her dark eyes danced a devil's shadow dance; "if you dare go tiptoeing around the skirts of the Hon. Miss Grey, I'll tell her all--all, mind you!"
"Don't do that," I said, "unless you mean to leave New York."
"All about you, silly!" she said, flushing in spite of her placid smile.
"Oh," I said, with an air of great relief, "I was sure you could not contemplate confession!"
She laid her pretty head on one side. "I wonder," she mused, eying me deliberately--"I wonder what this new insolence of yours might indicate. Is it rebellion? Has the worm turned?"
"The worm has turned--into a frivolous butterfly," I said gaily.
"I don't believe it," she said. "Let me see if I can make you blush, Carus!" And she leaned nearer, whispering behind her fan.
"Let me match that!" I said coolly. "Lend me your fan, Rosamund----"