“ What, am I to appear in all my vanities?” And he laughed shortly.
“ Of course you are. We want to see you,” said the white girl.
“ Indeed we do! We shouldn't mind all appearing in such vanities—what, Lady Franks!” boomed the Colonel.
“ I should think not,” replied his hostess. “When a man has honours conferred on him, it shows a poor spirit if he isn't proud of them.”
“ Of course I am proud of them!” said Sir William. “Well then, come and have them pinned on. I think it's wonderful to have got so much in one life-time—wonderful,” said Lady Franks.
“ Oh, Sir William is a wonderful man,” said the Colonel. “Well—we won't say so before him. But let us look at him in his orders.”
Arthur, always ready on these occasions, had taken the large and shining British star from its box, an
