But all the same, the three girls did run, seeing an anxious look on the butler's face as they entered the hall.
The door was thrown open for them, and, as Toney had predicted, the two Hamiltons made a sensation, especially Jeanie, whose face was so full of pathos, and who looked especially beautiful. Toney crept in behind them, but was seen by her aunt.
"Toney, how dreadfully late you are! The musician--what's his name--has not come down yet. Tell Thomas to fetch him at once." Toney nodded.
"It's all right, Aunt Dove; I've done it. You know musical people are not like others."
Sir Evas knew he had to obey orders, and got hold of Jeanie. He held the list of the other pairs in his hand, but several gentlemen came up to talk to this vision of beauty. Maud kept close to Toney; she could not talk, she could hardly see. What would Jeanie do? and what would he do? Why had Toney done this? How terrible; suppose there was a scene; suppose----
The door flew open and Mr. Frank Weston was announced, but Jeanie was at the other end of the room and did not hear the name.
Toney flew up to the genius and introduced him right and left till dinner was announced; then she paused.
"You remember about--my friend, Mr. Weston?" The genius had bowed right and left in rather a formal manner. He was so often introduced that he barely listened to the names of the people introduced. He was thinking of Miss Whitburn. The big-wigs were pairing off, and solemnly marched away like a regiment of newly-trained recruits, when Sir Evas suddenly introduced him to a lady whose name he did not hear. He held out his arm mechanically; ladies were nothing to him, and he only saw a beautiful dress. A symphony was floating through his brain, he was only acting in a dream, till suddenly he felt the arm he held tremble. He was recalled to earth. They were crossing the hall, and the noise of voices was great Various scraps of conversation about hunting and the weather reached him, and his own name--the great Frank Weston; what a surprise, no one expected him! He looked down and exclaimed--he knew not what.
"Let me go away," she murmured, "you----"
"Impossible! Miss Hamilton, pray remember we are both guests--no one knows. If my presence is so--distasteful to you----"