Mrs. Villars wore a marvellous shimmering gown, an air of easy and assured self-confidence, and as she swept away with a dragging grace of movement, Mallender realised that there went a lady habitually accustomed to admiration, homage, and wealth.
CHAPTER VII
The ladies—sixteen in number—streamed forlornly into the drawing-room, where they broke up into groups—like gravitating to like. The General's wife and Mrs. Tallboys embarked on congenial topics, local charities, and an imminent bazaar; the wearer of the jaunty green feather was captured by Mrs. Fiske, eager to hear the latest news of Barbie's prospects. Barbie and Miss Sim, drawn to one another by mutual sympathy, left the room together, to seek a secluded corner of the verandah, and popular Nancy Brander on her way to a beckoning friend was waylaid by her recent neighbour.
"Do stop and talk to me for a moment!" urged Mrs. Villars, leading her aside. "I want to ask your opinion of my new frock?"
"Ravissante! Ravissante!" pronounced Nancy, throwing up her hands. After a pause she added: "I must confess that my chief sentiment is envy!"
"It arrived to-day from Mervéille—there is nothing," complacently viewing herself in a long mirror, "like a well-cut new gown for giving a woman an air of superiority—is there?"
"Do you feel so superior?" enquired Mrs. Brander in a bantering voice. "No doubt there is something in what you say. I certainly feel twice as important in a pair of Morkoph's smart shoes as I do in my wobbly goloshes!"
"Good gracious, fancy wearing them!"
"Fancy not wearing them in the rains," rejoined Nancy. "I expect your superior gown cost a pretty penny."