Then she called for Janet, and hastily proceeded to make her own
toilette. She chose a white silk muslin, dotted with tiny pink
rosebuds, and further ornamented with fluttering ends of pale pink
ribbon. The frock was cut a little low at the throat, and had
short sleeves, and very cool and sweet Patty looked in it. Her
gold curls were piled high on her head, and kept there by a twist
of pink ribbon. She wore no jewelry, and the simple attire was
very becoming to the soft, babyish curves of her neck and dimpled
arms.

Mona appeared in rose-coloured chiffon, richly embroidered. The
gown, though beautiful of itself, was not appropriate for such a
warm night; but Mona had not Patty's sense of harmony, and had
added a heavy necklace and bracelets of wrought Roman gold.

"You'll melt in all that toggery!" said Patty, bluntly, and Mona
sighed as she saw Patty's diaphanous frock. Then, led by Mrs.
Hastings, they went down to the drawing-room. They put Susan
through a few lessons in introductions, practised calling her
"Aunt Rachel," and bolstered up her failing courage by telling her
how well she looked.

The first guest to arrive was Jack Pennington. Being a graceful
mannered boy he acknowledged his introduction to Mrs. Hastings
with just the correct blending of deference and cordiality. "Isn't
it warm?" he said, and as this required no answer save, "It is,
indeed," Susan acquitted herself creditably, and even refrained
from saying "indade." Then the others came, and being a merry
crowd of young people, they merely paused for a word or two with