” Why yes … I think so.”

” I thought you looked a little startled when you saw me.”

” Oh no not really.”

” It was something. You must tell me later. I’d better pass on now.”

More guests were approaching, and Roc was introducing me. I took the outstretched hands, still thinking of the vision I had seen in the mauve dress.

I danced with Roc and with many others that night. I was aware of my grandfather’s eyes, which never seemed to leave me. I think I was a successful hostess.

I was grateful to Deborah, who was determined to put me at my ease since I had shown her that I was disturbed.

She took the first opportunity of talking to me. Roc was dancing with Althea Grey and I was standing by my grandfather’s chair when she came up.

” While you have a moment, Favel,” she said, ” I’d like to chat. Tell me, why were you startled when you saw me?”

I hesitated, then I replied: “I thought I’d seen you earlier in the evening at the east window—before we left Pendorric … in the mauve dress.”

There was silence for a few seconds and I went on: “I was dressed and waiting for Roc when I looked out of the window and saw someone in the mauve dress.”

” And you didn’t recognise who it was?”

” I couldn’t see a face. I only saw the dress and that someone was wearing it.”

” What ever did you think?”

“I thought you’d decided to wear it.”

” And when I came in the pink surely you didn’t think you’d seen … Barbarina?”

” Oh no, I didn’t think that really. But I wondered who …” She touched my hand. ” Of course you wouldn’t think it. You’re too sensible.” She paused and said: ” There’s a simple explanation. I had a choice of two dresses. Why shouldn’t I try on the mauve and finally decide on the pink?”

” So it was you.”

She did not answer; she was staring dreamily at the dancers. I realised that I didn’t believe what she was hinting. She had not said that she had tried on the mauve dress, she had put it differently. ” Why shouldn’t I* try on the mauve …?” It was as though she did not want to tell a lie but at the same time was trying to set my mind at rest.

That was just a fleeting thought which came into my head as I looked at her kind, gentle face.

Almost immediately I said to myself: Of course, Deborah tried on the mauve first. It was natural. And moreover it was the only explanation.

But why should she go to the east wing to do it? Because Carrie would have put the dress there, was the obvious answer.

I dismissed the matter from my mind. Deborah saw this and seemed contented.

Grandfather said that I must not remain at his side, as he liked to see me among the dancers. I told him I was rather anxious about him, as he looked more flushed than usual.

” I’m enjoying it,” he said. ” I should have liked to have done more of this in the past. Perhaps we will now, eh, now you’ve come home?

Where’s your husband? “

He was dancing with Nurse Grey and I pointed him out. They were the most striking couple in the room, I thought; she with her fair looks, he so dark. ” He ought to be dancing with you,” said my grandfather.

” He did suggest it, but I told him I wanted to talk to you.”

” Now that won’t do. Ah, here’s the doctor. Nice to see you unprofessionally. Dr. Clement.” Andrew Clement smiled at me. ” It was good of you and Mrs. Pendorric to ask me.”

” Why don’t you ask my granddaughter to dance? Dont want her to be glued to the old man’s chair all the evening.” Andrew dement smiled at me and we went on to the floor together. t> Do you think this is too much excitement for my grandfather? ” I asked.

” I wouldn’t say he was too excited. No, I think it’s doing him good.

I’ll tell you something, Mrs. Pendorric; he’s been much better since you’ve been here. “

“Has he?”

” Oh yes, you’ve given him a real interest in life. There were times when I was afraid he’d die of melancholia … Sitting in that room day after day, staring out at the sea. Now he’s no longer lonely. I think he’s changed a great deal; he’s got something to live for, and you know he’s a man of immense energy. He’s always gone all out for what he wants, and managed to get it. Well, now he wants to live.”

” That’s excellent news.”

” Oh yes, he’s told me how delighted he is with you. He wanted me to witness his signature on some important documents the other day, and I said to Nurse Grey afterwards that I hadn't found him so well for a very long time. She said it was all thanks to that granddaughter of his on whom he doted.”

” I cant tell you how happy I am if I can be of help to him. Is your sister here tonight?”

” Oh yes, though ballroom dancing isn't much in her line. Now if it were folk-dancing…”

He laughed, and at that moment he was tapped on the shoulder by a dark, handsome young man. Andrew Clement pretended to scowl, arid said: “Oh, is it that sort of dance?”

” Afraid so,” said the young man. ” I’m claiming Mrs. Pendorric.” As I danced with this young man he told me he was John Poldree and mat he lived a few miles inland.

” I’m home for a bit,” he went on. ” Actually I’m studying law in London.”

” I’m so glad you were home for the ball,” I told him. “”

“Yes, it’s good fun. All very exciting too—your turning out to be Lord Polhorgan’s granddaughter.” ** Most people seem to think so. “

” Your grandfather has a striking-looking nurse, Mrs. Pendorric.”

” Yes, she’s certainly very beautiful.”

” Who is she? I’ve seen her somewhere before.”

” Her name is Althea Grey.”

He shook his head. ” Can’t recall the name. The face is familiar, though. Seem to connect her with some law case or other … I thought I had a good memory for such things, but it seems I’m not so good as I thought.”

” I should think if you’d met her you’d remember her.”

” Yes. That’s why I was so sure. Well, it’ll come back I expect.”

” Why don’t you ask her?”

” As a matter of fact I did. She absolutely froze me. She was certain she had never met me before.”

There was a tap on his shoulder, and there was Roc waiting to claim me.

I was very happy dancing with my husband. His eyes were amused and I could see that he was enjoying himself.

” It’s fun,” he said, ” but I don’t see half enough of the hostess. I expect she has her duties, though.”

” The same thing applies to you.”

” Well, haven’t you seen me performing? I’ve had my eyes on every wallflower.”

” I’ve seen you on several occasions dancing with Althea Grey. Was she wilting for lack of attention?”

“At things of this sort, people like Althea and Rachel could be at a disadvantage. The nurse and the governess! There’s a certain amount of snobbery still in existence, you know.”

” So that’s why you’ve been looking after Althea. What about poor Rachel?”

” I’d better keep an eye on her too.”

” Then,” I said lightly, ” as you’re going to be so busily engaged elsewhere I’d better make the most of the time that belongs to me.”

He squeezed my hand. ” Have you forgotten,” he asked, his lips touching my ear, ” that the rest of our lives belong together?”

Supper was very gay. We had arranged that it should be served in three of the larger rooms which adjoined the hall; they all faced south and the great trench windows opened on to terraces which looked over the gardens to the sea. There was plenty of moonlight, and the view was enchanting.

Trehay’s flower scheme was as beautiful in the supper rooms as it was in the ballroom; and no effort had been spared to achieve the utmost luxury. On the overladen table were fish, pies, meats and delicacies of all description. Dawson and his under-servants in their smart livery took charge of the bar while Mrs. Dawson looked after the food.

I shared a table with my grandfather, John Poldree and his brother, Deborah and the twins.

Lowella was as silent as Hyson on this occasion; she seemed to be quite overawed, and when I whispered to her that she was unusually subdued. Hyson answered that they had made a vow not to call attention to themselves, in case someone should remember that they weren’t really old enough to go to balls and tell Rachel to take them home.

They had escaped Rachel, they told me, and their parents; and so would I please not call attention to them in case Granny Deborah noticed?

I promised.

While we were talking together, some of the guests strolled out on to the terraces and I saw Roc and Althea Grey walk by the window. They stood for a while looking out over the sea and seemed to be talking earnestly, and the sight of them threw a small shadow over my enjoyment.

It was midnight when several of the guests started to leave, and finally only the Pendorric party remained.

Althea Grey hovered while we said good-bye and congratulated each other on the success of the evening. Then she wheeled my grandfather’s chair to the lift which he had had installed some years before when he had first been aware of his illness, and he went up to his bedroom while we went to our cars.

It was half-past one by the time we reached Pendorric, and as we drove under the old archway to the north portico, Mrs. Penhalligan opened the front door.

” Oh, Mrs. Penhalligan,” I said, ” you shouldn’t have stayed up.”

“Well, madam,” she said, “I thought you’d like a little refreshment before settling down for the night. I’ve got some soup for you.”

” Soup! On a hot summer’s night!” cried Roc.

“Soup! Soup! Glorious Soup!” sang Lowella.

” One of the old customs,” Morwenna whispered to me. ” We can’t escape them if we want to.”

We went into the north hall and Mrs. Penhalligan led the way into the small winter parlour where soup plates had been set out; and at the sight of them Lowella danced round the room chanting: “’ There was a sound of revelry by night’.”

” Oh Lowella, please,” sighed Morwenna. ” Aren’t you tired? It’s after one.”

” I’m not in the least tired,” insisted Lowella indignantly.

“Oh, isn’t this a wonderful ball!”

” The ball’s over,” Roc reminded her.

” It’s not-not till we’re all in our beds. There’s soup to be had before that’s over.”

” You’d better let them sleep late tomorrow, Rachel,” said their mother.

Mrs. Penhalligan came in with a tureen of soup and began ladling it out into me plates.

” It was always like this in the old days,” said Roc. ” We used to hide in the gallery and watch them come in; do you remember, Morwenna?”

Morwenna nodded.

“Who? ” asked Hyson.

“Our parents, of course. We couldn’t have been more than …”

” Five,” said Hyson. ” You’d have to be, wouldn’t you, Uncle Roc? You couldn’t have been more, could you?”

” What memories these children have!” murmured Roc lightly. ” Have you been coaching them. Aunt Deborah? ” “What soup’s this?” asked Lowella.

” Taste it and see,” Roc told her.

She obeyed and rolled her eyes ecstatically. We all agreed that it was not such a bad custom after all, and that although we should not have thought of hot soup on a summer’s night there was something reviving about it and it was pleasant to sit back and talk about the evening.

When we had finished the soup no one seemed in a hurry i go to bed, so

we talked about Polhorgan and the people we had met there, while the twins sat back in their seats, desperately trying to keep awake, looking like daffodils which had been left too long out of water.

” It’s time they were in bed,” said Charles.

“Oh Daddy,” wailed Lowella, “don’t be so old fashioned I”

” If you’re not tired,” Roc pointed out, ” others might be. Aunt Deborah looks half asleep and so do you, Morwenna.”

” I know,” said Morwenna, ” but it’s so comfortable sitting here and it’s been such a pleasant evening I don’t want it to end. So go on talking, all of you.”

“Yes do, quick,” cried Lowella; and everyone laughed and seemed suddenly wide awake. ” Go on. Uncle Roc.”

” This reminds me of Christmas,” said Roc obligingly, and Lowella smiled at him with loving gratitude and affection.

” When,” went on Roc, ” we sit around the fire, longing for our beds and too lazy to go to them.”

“Telling ghost stories,” said Charles.

“Tell some now,” pleaded Lowella. Do, please. Daddy. Uncle Roc. “

Hyson sat forward, suddenly alert.