Ford had the sensitive conscience of many
imaginative people ; an unfailing monitor, it
was always calling his whole moral being
into play to evade it.
As he crossed the passage he came upon
Mrs. Tripp hooded and elaborately attired
in a white ball dress, which however did
not, to his own fancy, become her as well as
her ordinary costume. He was passing hei-
with a bow, when she said, with complacen*
consciousness of her appearance, " Are n'»
you going to the ball to-night ? "



CRESS r. 113

He remembered then that "an opening
ball " at the Court-house was a part of the
celebration. " No," he said smiling ; " but
it is a pity that Rupert could n't have seen
you in your charming array."

"Rupert," said the lady, with a slightly
coquettish laugh ; " you have made him as
much a woman-hater as yourself. I offered
to take him in our party, and he ran away
to you." She paused, and giving him a
furtive critical glance said, with an easy
mingling of confidence and audacity, " Why
don't you go ? Nobody '11 hurt you."

" I 'm not so sure of that," replied Mr.
