"If I send you a bouquet one night, will you wear it?"
"Certainly, with pleasure, if it matches my dress, and it won't be a matter of great difficulty to arrange that, for my dresses are not so various or so numerous."
"You couldn't have anything prettier than the one you are wearing to-night. Everyone is saying that you look lovely."
Trant's conversation was this evening carried on in the strain of somewhat extravagant compliment. Perhaps Elsie was wanting in fine discrimination, anyhow she preferred it to his more tragic mood. She was having her fill of admiration just now. Frank Hallett was the only drawback to her enjoyment. He looked sad, she fancied, reproachful, and he did not very often ask her to dance, but devoted himself to Ina. "Oh, why hadn't he fallen in love with Ina?" Elsie said to herself. "That would have settled everything and she would have suited him far better than I ever shall." ······· One of the riding parties came off. Before the second could take place the Ministry had gone out, and Mr. Torbolton had formed a new cabinet.
It was no surprise to any one that Blake was offered an important place in it. Certainly to secure a seat in the Government, after having been in the House only a few weeks, was an achievement, but Mr. Torbolton was only too glad to gain such an acquisition to his ranks.
The re-elections occasioned a temporary absence from town on the part of the new Ministers. Blake was, however, returned without a contest.
And meanwhile the little whirligig went round. Elsie was very gay. She had several new admirers, and the verandah receptions became a feature of the day. Lord Horace started a four-in-hand, and was in boisterous spirits. Mrs. Allanby was usually on the box seat. Poor Ina looked paler than ever and more anxious; but she was a loyal little creature and said nothing of her domestic trials, even to Elsie, During Blake's absence at Goondi, Frank Hallett
