'And to think she is going to waste her time with that dissipated young
man, Mr. Scully!' thought Mrs. Barton. Then Olive stood up. She was all
rose, and when, laughing, with a delicious movement of the arms, she
hitched back her bustle, she lost her original air, and looked as might
have done the Fornarina when not sitting in immortality. It was the
battle of blonde tints: Olive with primroses and corn, May with a
cadmium yellow and red gold.

'And now, Alice, get up and let's see you!' she cried, catching hold of
her sister's arm.

Still resisting, Alice rose to her feet, and May, who was full of good
nature, made some judicious observations.

'And how different we all look from what we did at the convent! Do you
remember our white frocks?'

Alice's face lit up with a sudden remembrance, and she said:

'But why, Lady Sarah, haven't we seen Cecilia? I've been thinking of her
during dinner. I hope she is not ill?'

'Oh, dear me, no! But poor Cecilia does not care to come down when there
is company.'

'But can I not see her?'

'Oh, certainly! You will find her in her room. But you do not know the
way; I will ring for my maid, she will show you.'