"Were some of these young ladies at the Mischienza? And who were they that rewarded the gallant knights?" he asked.
"Well, the Chew girls, and my sisters, and Miss Franks. There was Miss White, and Miss Craig," she repeated the list one after the other as her eyes searched the company assembled in the hall. "And that girl in the corner, Miss Bond, and beyond her, her sister: then there was Miss Smith. Miss Bond I am told is engaged to one of your best Generals, Mr. John Robinson."
"We are accustomed to call Mr. Robinson, General Robinson in the army," he ventured with a smile.
She blushed slightly. "We call him Mr. Robinson in society, or sometimes Jack."
"And who might have been your gallant knight? May I ask?"
"The Honorable Captain Cathcart," was her proud reply.
"And who has the good fortune to be your knight for this occasion?" he questioned, seeking in their hands the billet of the evening.
"We do not know," Marjorie murmured. "We have not as yet met the Master of Ceremonies."
He looked about him, in search evidently of some one. "Colonel Wilkinson!" he called to a distinguished looking officer on his right, "have these fair ladies been assigned to partners?"
The Colonel advanced and presented them with their billets, which were numbered and which bore the name of the partner that was to accompany them during the entire evening. Peggy opened hers and found the name of Colonel Jean Boudinot, a young French Officer. Marjorie saw written upon hers a name unknown to her, "Captain Stephen Meagher, aide-de-camp."