"You are out of spirits," declared Lady Sophia, rapping his knuckles with her lorgnette. "I prescribe a round of pleasure. To-night you shall escort me to two dances and four musical parties."
"But I haven't done anything to deserve such punishment."
"How absurdly you talk. These festivals——"
"I agree with the man who said that life would be endurable were it not for its festivals."
"Nonsense. He could not have been in Society."
"He just was, and so made a profoundly true observation. I renounce Society and all its play. Besides," added Prelice inconsequently, "I am going to a masked ball to-night at Mrs. Dolly Rover's."
"That woman!" cried Lady Sophia, with disdain.
Prelice looked up, surprised. "I thought you liked her?"
"As Constance Newton, not as Mrs. Rover," she informed him swiftly.
"They are one and the same," he urged.