Why, Christmas morning, when I read the home letters, I felt as if I had
betrayed my parents' confidence, as if I'd robbed them of their child by
changing into such a lovely creature. Then I laughed; they won't mind my
getting rid of freckles and a pug nose. And then I cried, almost, and felt
so lonely, for even Kitty had gone off with Pros.; and so far away and so
happy, and a good deal troubled with it all; for John had sent me some
roses and a ring, and I knew I should find him at my Aunt's, eager to see
whether I wore them.

John's such a problem. All that day I sat alone in the den, trying to
think, and trying to let down the hem of my waterproof, for it was snowing
and I have only one good dress; and every few minutes I would slip on the
ring and pull it off, watching the rainbow lights that flashed and paled
in the heart of the stone, and smiling because John had chosen an opal; I
wonder if he knows it's the gem of the beautiful woman.

In the end I let it stay on my hand, of course, for, after all, I suppose
I am betrothed to him.

So it happened that I was almost late for dinner at the Bakers', and quite
late when I really got inside the house; for I walked past the door two or
three times before I could muster up courage to ring the bell. When I
finally ran up the steps, my umbrella was powdered white, and snow and
water were dripping off my skirts. My heart was beating fast with dread
and expectation; I was sure no one would know me.

"I--I'm too wet for the parlour," I said to the maid who came to let me
in; and after a single startled, puzzled look, she went to tell some one
of my arrival. There I stood in my shabby mackintosh, looking at a huge,