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Harry turned to offer a scathing retort, or at least one with all the sarcasm he could ain reached a crescendo This ti no chances, and a rousing round of applause erupted before she’d even coside Sebastian as he rande, Sebastian had told him, and therefore they need not wait until she was ready to depart Still, he did need to say good-bye, and although Harry was no direct relation, he ought toas well

But before they could make it across the room, they were accosted by one of the S, "Mr Grey! Mr Grey!"

Froed, the Earl of Newburywith difficulties in his quest for a fertile wife

Sebastian, to his credit, showed none of his haste to depart as he turned and said, "Mrs S"

"I aushed

Sebastian s anywhere else And then he did what he always did when he wanted to get out of a conversation He said:

"May I present my cousin, Sir Harry Valentine"

Harry nodded politely, ht Sebastian the bigger prize was evident; she looked directly at him as she asked, "What did you think of my Viola? Wasn’t she just splendid?"

Harry was not quite able to hter was named Viola?

"She plays the violin," Mrs Smythe-Smith explained

"What is the violist called?" Harry could not help asking

Mrs Slanced at him with some impatience "Marianne" Then back to Sebastian: "Viola was the soloist"

"Ah," Sebastian replied "It was a rare treat"

"Indeed We are so very proud of her We shall have to plan for solos for next year"

Harry began to plan for his trip to the Arctic, to correspond

"I alad you were able to attend, Mr Grey," Mrs Smythe-Smith continued, apparently unaware that she’d said this already "We have another surprise for the evening"

"Did I mention my cousin is a baronet?" Sebastian put in "Lovely estate back in Ha is divine"

"Really?" Mrs Smythe-Smith turned to Harry with new interest and a broad srateful for your attendance, Sir Harry"

Sir Harry would have responded withthe imminent demise of Mr Grey