"My dear, this is a pleasure at
last; I have so much to say to you. Can't you give us a day?"
"I am going to town to-morrow," said Elvira, never gracious to any
Gould.
"To-morrow! I heard the family had put off their migration."
"I go with Lucas. I am to stay with Mrs, Evelyn, Lord Fordham's
mother, you know, who is to present me at the Drawing-room," said
Elvira, magnificently.
"Oh! if I could only see you in your court dress it would be
memorable," cried Mrs. Gould. "A little longer, my dear, our paths
lie together."
"I must get home. My packing-—"
"And may I ask what you wear, my dear? Is your dress ordered?"
"O yes, I had it made at Paris. It is white satin, with lilies-—a
kind of lily one gets in Algiers." And she expatiated on the fashion
till Mrs. Gould said—-
"Well, my love, I hope you will enjoy yourself at the Honourable Mrs.
Evelyn's. What is the address, in case I should have occasion to
write?"
"I shall have no time for doing commissions."
"That was not my meaning," was the gentle answer; "only if there be
anything you ought to be informed of-—"
"They would write to me from home. Why, what do you mean?" asked the
girl, her attention gained at last.
"Did it never strike you why you are sent up alone?"
"Only that Mrs.
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