"I'm afraid we're much of a muchness," she said; "but your sister here, I'm disappointed in her. I think she has a headache, poor child. It isn't as if she had a lover now."
Pamela did not answer, but walked meekly by Miss Spencer's side, with Sir John Beaumont murmuring his old-world compliments in her ear.
Sylvia went on before, surrounded by a phalanx of black coats, which escorted her to Miss Spencer's carriage.
Pam listened to all the gay good-nights with a throbbing head and an extreme flatness and dulness of spirit.
"Graydon'll be up all night," said Miss Spencer as they rolled away. "He enjoyed himself immensely and added to the enjoyment of others. Your father's well-fitted to shine in society, girls. 'Tis a pity, as Beaumont says, he should be shut up here."
"Didn't he propose Mr. Vandaleur's health beautifully after dinner?" said Sylvia. "I sat where I could see him, and all the time he had a twinkle in his eye."
"He ought to be in Parliament himself," said Miss Spencer emphatically. "Vandaleur isn't worth a rush."
"But what was the matter with Pam?" asked Sylvia. "Why, Pam's asleep!"
Her kindness of heart was aroused.