Nevertheless he took the most profound interest in the building up of
his suit, and constantly invented excuses to drop in upon Mr. Lucas and
see how the work was getting on.
Meanwhile, at home he, with the Browne girls, especially with Lily, the
youngest, often discussed the coming "At Home." Lily wondered what Lady
Charlton was like, if she had any daughters, whether there would be
dancing. Everett had never seen his hostess; thought, however, he had
heard there were daughters, but sincerely hoped they wouldn't dance;
for, although the Browne girls had taught him to waltz, he was conscious
he did them small credit as pupil.
"I'm sure it will be a splendid party!" cried Lily the enthusiastic.
"How I wish some good fairy would just transport me there in the middle
of the evening, so that I might have a peep at you in all your glory!"
"I wish with all my heart you were going too, Lil," said Everett; "I
shan't know a soul, I'm sure." And though he spoke in an airy,
matter-of-fact tone, qualms were beginning to shake his bosom as he
pictured himself thus launched alone on the tide of London society.
He began to count the days which yet remained to him of happy obscurity;
and as Time moves with inexorable footsteps, no matter how earnestly we
would hurry or delay him, so at length there remained but a week's
slender barrier between Everett and the fatal date.
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