"I liked that part about the fleas," murmured the millionaire.
"What's that? Didn't catch that," said Nelly, looking round in the direction of the voice.
"Good gracious, father, haven't you gone?" cried Lillie, no less startled. "It's too bad. You are spoiling one of my best epigrams. Couldn't you lean against something else?"
Before the millionaire could be got rid of, Turple the magnificent reappeared.
"A lady who gives the name of a gentleman," he said.
The assemblage pricked up its ears.
"What name?" asked Lillie.
"Miss Jack, she said."
"That's her surname," said Lillie, in a disappointed tone.
Turple the magnificent stood reproved a moment, then he went out to fetch the lady. The gathering was already so large that Lillie thought there was nothing to be gained by keeping her waiting.