The Doctor was wise in his generation, and he did not invite any of the tutors to meet the boys.  He pretty shrewdly guessed that their meetings were quite as frequent as could be desired on either side, but he always invited a few lady friends to join the party.

The Doctor had often been heard to say that while he would not declare that either Greek or Hebrew was absolutely necessary for an ordinary education, he was prepared to assert that no boy was educated unless he knew how to feel at home and to behave with propriety in the society of ladies.

Moreover, the Doctor was a great lover of music.  Many of the boys also loved it, and, when ladies were invited, those were generally selected who could contribute to the pleasure of the evening.

Among the guests was one who will meet us again in the course of this story.  It was Madeleine Greenwood, the Doctor’s niece, and Martin Venables’ cousin.  I should like to describe her, but I will only say that she was a young and very pretty sunshiny girl, and that everybody who knew her liked her.

After tea, there were portfolios to examine, and books to turn over; there was a bagatelle board in one corner of the room, a little group busy upon some game of guessing in another corner, and another group eagerly arranging specimens in a microscope, while the Doctor seemed to be at each group at once.

“Now, come here,” said Mrs. Brier to a little knot of boys who could not find room by the Doctor and his microscope.  “I will show you some of my curiosities.”

And she produced a little case, containing a curious old watch, set in pearls; a snuff-box which had been in the possession of the family for ages, and a variety of similar treasures.  Among them was a miniature painting, on ivory, of exquisite workmanship, and set in a gold frame, which was studded with precious stones.  It was as beautiful as it was costly.  The portrait was that of a young and lovely girl.

“What a sweet face,” said Howard to Martin; “and how marvelously like your cousin, Miss Greenwood!” And with a boyish enthusiasm joined to boyish fun, he turned aside, so that Mrs. Brier should not see him, and pretended to clasp the image to his breast.

“Oh, I have caught you, have I?” said Digby Morton, with his disagreeable sneer, as, turning away from the Doctor’s group, he came abruptly upon Howard.

If Alick Fraser, or Martin, or McDonald, or any one of half a dozen boys near him had made this observation, Howard wouldn’t have minded the least in the world, but coming from Digby, it made him nervous and confused, especially as it was almost certain Mrs. Brier must have heard it.

“Please let me see it,” said Alick, who had only caught a passing glimpse of it.  “Surely it must be meant for Miss Greenwood?” he said, after he had duly admired it.

“You are not the first who has thought so,” said Mrs. Brier, “but it is really a portrait of her grandmother, taken in her young days.  But look at this; I think it will interest you all.  It is a curious ivory carving, and is a puzzle which I should like to challenge any one to explain.”