I trembled. I tried to explain gently to Carlotta the
undesirability of such a costume for outdoor wear in London; but
with tastes there is no disputing, and I saw that she was but
half-convinced. She will require training in aesthetics.

She is very submissive. I said, "Run away now to Antoinette,"
and she went with the cheerfulness of a child. I must rig up a
sitting-room for her, as I cannot have her in here. Also for the
present she must take her meals in her own apartments. I cannot
shock the admirable Stenson by sitting down at table with her in
that improper peignoir. Besides, as Antoinette informs me, the
poor lamb eats meat with her fingers, after the fashion of the
East. I know what that is, having once been present at an
Egyptian dinner-party in Cairo, and pulled reeking lumps of flesh
out of the leg of mutton. Ugh! But as she has probably not sat
down to a meal with a man in her life, her banishment from my
table will not hurt her feelings. She must, however, be trained
in Christian table-manners, as well as in aesthetics; also in a
great many other things.


Mrs. McMurray arrived with a tape-measure, a pencil, and a
notebook.

"First," she announced, "I will measure her all over. Then I
will go out and procure her a set of out-door garments, and
tomorrow we will spend the whole livelong day in the shops. Do
you mind if I use part of the 100 for the hire of a private
brougham?"