Mr. Hirsch's eyes were almost starting out of his head, partly in admiration of the girl whom he now discovered to be exceedingly beautiful. "Gott in Himmel!" he muttered, "I believe I have half a crown an' two shillings."
"Capital!" cried Ned. "Simmonds, take the plate round, and then bring it to Miss Graham."
"Admirable! Admirable! Blackborough, mon cher! You have imagination!" exploded Mr. Hirsch, fumbling excitedly in his pockets. "What luck! I have a two-florin bit, and I swore at them when they gave it me! Ah! young lady! one does not often meet one so old--a thousand pardons, mademoiselle, but at your age one need not be so afraid." His good-natured face was brimful of kindliness and honest enjoyment, and Aura responded to it.
"You needn't be in the least afraid," she smiled, "I shall be twenty-one on New Year's Day."
The information was welcome to at least two of the party, and the others, carried away out of the conventional for the time, applauded the confidence.
"Soh!" exclaimed Mr. Hirsch, who was now busy with coins and a silver salver, while the butler and two footmen stood behind him sniggering. "Aha! young lady, you began a new era; ah! we must all send you a--what do you call étrennes in English to commemorate this extraordinary--Mein Gott! Has any one a three-penny bit?"
So with much laughter, Lady Smith-Biggs absolutely contributing from a very small purse a whole five-shilling piece, a complete set of coins was handed to Aura.
"With the company's compliments, Miss," said the butler.
"That ends your hours of innocence, Miss Graham," remarked Ned Blackborough gravely, as the ladies left the room.
It did not end Aura's ordeal, however, for, once in the drawing-room, Lady Smith-Biggs begged to be introduced in form.