"Oh, Miss Janet, it's Miss Hilda--Miss Lessways, I mean!"
Alicia shrieked. The first cab drew forward to make room for Hilda's, and Hilda stepped down into the glare of the porch, and was plainly beheld by all three girls.
"Will they notice anything?" she asked herself, self-conscious, almost trembling, as she thought of the terrific changes that had passed in her since her previous visit.
But nobody noticed anything. Nobody observed that this was not the same Hilda. Even in the intimacy of the affectionate kiss, for which she lifted her veil, Janet seemed to have no suspicion whatever.
"We were just off to Hillport," said Janet. "How splendid of you to come like this!"
"Don't let's go to Hillport!" said Alicia.
Janet hesitated, pulling down her veil.
"Of course you must go!" Hilda said positively.
"I'm afraid we shall have to go," said Janet, with reluctance. "You see, it's the Marrions--Edie's cousins--and Edie will be there!"
"Who's Edie?"