But your
guests won't let you! We love you too well, and we want a bit of you
left for to-morrow. Never mind! You offered us a dance--you bring us a
vision--and a poem!--Friends!"
He turned to those crowding round him, his white hair glistening in the
lamplight, his delicate face, so old and yet so eager, the smile on his
kind lips, and all the details of his Dean's dress--apron and
knee-breeches, slender legs and silver buckles--thrown out in sharp
relief upon the dark....
"Friends! you see this pedestal. Once Hebe, the cup-bearer of the gods,
stood there. Then--ungrateful Zeus smote her, and she fell! But the
Hours and the Graces bore her safe away, into a golden land, and now
they bring her back again. Behold her!--Hebe reborn!"
He bowed, his courtly hand upon his breast, and a wave of laughter and
applause ran through the young group round him as their eyes turned from
the speaker to the exquisite figure of Kitty. Lady Edith smiled kindly,
clapping her soft hands. Mrs. Winston, the Dean's wife, had eyes only
for the Dean. In the background Lady Tranmore watched every phase of
Kitty's looks, and Lord Grosville walked back into the dining-room,
growling unutterable things to Darrell as he passed.
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