for him that he would not have required from a Lady Clara Vere-de-Vere. This Elsie resented. What right had he to expect that her sister would act as his valet? Ina did everything that he asked her, and was patient and sweet as far famed Grizzel. But she always said that she was happy.
Frank Hallett took Elsie in to dinner. Lord Horace naturally conducted Mrs. Jem, and Mr. Blake was given to Lady Horace. Mrs. Jem had waived the rules of strict etiquette so far as to give Lady Garfit the precedence over some time Ina Valliant. Blake and Ina were seated opposite Elsie and Frank. Somehow, whenever she glanced across the table, Elsie seemed to meet Blake's eyes. He had such odd eyes—so deep and piercing. She could never forget their wild gleam on that strange night at Goondi. Blake had a stephanotis flower in his buttonhole. So had Frank Hallett. She remembered having said to Blake one day at Goondi—the day after the declaration of the poll, when they had walked down the street of the township while waiting for the coach, and to hear the latest news of Moonlight—or rather to hear the news of Moonlight's vain pursuers—that the stephanotis was her favourite flower. Blake's voice enchained her attention, and made her listen carelessly to what Frank Hallett was saying. She wondered what Blake was talking about to Ina. She felt almost certain from the way they both looked at her that she herself was the subject of conversation.
She was the subject also of Mr. Dominic Trant's regard. He was on her other side, and devoted much more consideration to her than to his legitimate partner. He would insist upon discoursing about Blake in what Elsie felt to be rather a crude fashion.
"You remember what I said to you the other night, Miss Valliant?"
"I am not sure that I do, Mr. Trent."
"I told you that my partner was rather a dangerous customer. You know there's such a thing as the biter getting bit. Any woman who plays with Blake will find that she is playing with fire."
