BELTRAVERS CASTLE
Beltravers Castle was a blaze of lights. At the head of the old oak
staircase (a magnificent example of the Selfridge period) the Lady
Beltravers stood receiving her guests. Magnificently gowned in one of
Rumpelmeyer's latest creations and wearing round her neck the famous
Beltravers' seed-pearls, she looked the picture of stately magnificence.
As each guest was announced by a bevy of footmen, she extended her
perfectly-gloved hand, and spoke a few words of kindly welcome.
"Good evening, Duchess; so good of you to look in. Ah, Earl, charmed to
meet you; you'll find some sandwiches in the billiard-room. Beltravers,
show the Earl some sandwiches. How-do-you-do, Professor? Delighted you
could come. Won't you take off your goloshes?"
All the county was there.
Lord Hobble was there wearing a magnificent stud; Erasmus Belt, the
famous author, whose novel "Bitten: A Romance" went into two editions;
Sir Septimus Root, the inventor of the fire-proof spat; Captain the
Honourable Alfred Nibbs, the popular breeder of blood-goldfish--the
whole world and his wife were present. And towering above them all stood
Lord Beltravers of Beltravers Castle, Beltravers.
Lord Beltravers stood aloof in a corner of the great ball-room. Above
his head was the proud coat-of-arms of the Beltraverses--a headless
sardine on a field of tomato. As each new arrival entered Lord
Beltravers scanned his or her countenance eagerly, and then turned away
with a snarl of disappointment. Would his little country maid never
come?
She came at last. Attired in a frock which had obviously been created
in Little Popley, she looked the picture of girlish innocence as she
stood for a moment hesitating in the doorway. Then her eyes brightened
as Lord Beltravers came towards her with long swinging strides.
"You're here!" he exclaimed. "How good of you to come. I have thought of
you ever since this morning. There is a valse beginning. Will you valse
it with me?"
"Thank you," said Gwendolen shyly.
Lord Beltravers, who valsed divinely, put his arm round her waist and
led her into the circle of dancers.