They talked after dinner about a grand fancy ball that Miss Byrton intended giving at her mansion in Grosvenor Square. She was one of those who believed implicitly in the engagement between Lord Arleigh and Miss L'Estrange.
"I have a Waverley quadrille already formed," said Miss Byrton--"that is de rigueur. There could not be a fancy ball without a Waverley quadrille. How I should like two Shakesperian ones! I thought of having one from 'As You Like It' and another from 'Romeo and Juliet;' and, Miss L'Estrange, I wish you would come as Juliet. It seems rude even to suggest a character to any one with such perfect taste as yours--still I should like a beautiful Juliet--Juliet in white satin, and glimmer of pearls."
"I am quite willing," returned Philippa. "Juliet is one of my favorite heroines. How many Romeos will you have?"
"Only one, if I can so manage it," replied Miss Byrton--"and that will be Lord Arleigh."
She looked at him as she spoke; he shook his head, laughingly.
"No--I yield to no one in reverence for the creations of the great poet," he said; "but, to tell the truth, I do not remember that the character of Romeo ever had any great charm for me."
"Why not?" asked Miss Byrton.
"I cannot tell you; I am very much afraid that I prefer Othello--the noble Moor. Perhaps it is because sentiment has not any great attraction for me. I do not think I could ever kill myself for love. I should make a sorry Romeo, Miss Byrton."
With a puzzled face she looked from him to Miss L'Estrange.
"You surprise me," she said, quickly. "I should have thought Romeo a character above all others to please you."