Grosvenor Square, and my Lady Rule, in full ball dress, a grey domino over her arm, and a loo-mask dangling by its strings from her fingers, came out of the house, tripped down the steps, and got into the coach. She had thoughtfully left a message with the porter for Lord Rule. “If his lordship should inquire for me, inform him that I am gone to Ranelagh,” she said airily.
Her first view of Ranelagh made her delighted to have come, quite apart from the original object of the exploit. Thousands of golden lamps arranged in tasteful designs lit the gardens. Strains of music floated on the air; and crowds of gay dominoes thronged the gravel walks. In the various rotundas and lodges that were scattered about the ground refreshments could be had, while in the pavilion itself dancing was going forward.
Horatia, observing the scene through the slits of her mask, turned impulsively to Lethbridge, standing beside her with a scarlet domino hanging open from his shoulders, and cried: “I am so g-glad we came! Only see how pretty! Are you not charmed with it, R-Robert?”
“In your company, yes,” he replied. “Do you care to dance, my dear?”
“Yes, of course!” said Horatia enthusiastically.
There was nothing to shock the primmest-minded person in the demeanours of those in the ballroom, but Horatia opened her eyes a little at the sight of a scuffle for the possession of a lady’s mask taking place later beside the lily-pond under the terrace. The lady fled with most ungenteel shrieks of laughter, hotly pursued by her cavalier. Horatia said nothing, but thought privately that Rule might have reason for not wishing his wife to attend public ridottos.
However, to do him justice, Lord Lethbridge steered his fair charge carefully clear of any low-bred romping, and she continued to be very well pleased with the night’s entertainment. In fact, as she said over supper in one of the boxes, it was the most delightful adventure imaginable, and only wanted one thing to make it perfect.
“Good God, Horry, what have I left undone?” asked Lethbridge in mock dismay.
She dimpled. “Well, R-Robert, I do think it would be quite the n-nicest party I have ever been to if only we c-could play cards together!”
“Oh, rogue!” Lethbridge said softly. “You will shock the solitary gentleman in the next box, my dear.”