At ten o'clock that same evening Clay began to prepare himself for the ball at the Government palace, and MacWilliams, who was not invited, watched him dress with critical approval that showed no sign of envy.
The better to do honor to the President, Clay had brought out several foreign orders, and MacWilliams helped him to tie around his neck the collar of the Red Eagle which the German Emperor had given him, and to fasten the ribbon and cross of the Star of Olancho across his breast, and a Spanish Order and the Legion of Honor to the lapel of his coat.MacWilliams surveyed the effect of the tiny enamelled crosses with his head on one side, and with the same air of affectionate pride and concern that a mother shows over her daughter's first ball-dress.
``Got any more?'' he asked, anxiously.
``I have some war medals,'' Clay answered, smiling doubtfully.
``But I'm not in uniform.''
``Oh, that's all right,'' declared MacWilliams.``Put 'em on, put 'em all on.Give the girls a treat.Everybody will think they were given for feats of swimming, anyway; but they will show up well from the front.Now, then, you look like a drum-major or a conjuring chap.''
``I do not,'' said Clay.``I look like a French Ambassador, and I hardly understand how you find courage to speak to me at all.''
He went up the hill in high spirits, and found the carriage at the door and King, Mr.Langham, and Miss Langham sitting waiting for him.They were ready to depart, and Miss Langham had but just seated herself in the carriage when they heard hurrying across the tiled floor a quick, light step and the rustle of silk, and turning they saw Hope standing in the doorway, radiant and smiling.She wore a white frock that reached to the ground, and that left her arms and shoulders bare.Her hair was dressed high upon her head, and she was pulling vigorously at a pair of long, tan-colored gloves.The transformation was so complete, and the girl looked so much older and so stately and beautiful, that the two young men stared at her in silent admiration and astonishment.