CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
| CHAPTER | PAGE | |
|---|---|---|
| XIV. | A Social Godmother | [1] |
| XV. | Mr. Jessop does his Duty | [10] |
| XVI. | Two Visits and a Letter | [40] |
| XVII. | Gone to Ireland | [67] |
| XVIII. | Wanted—a Reason | [82] |
| XIX. | A Disagreeable Interview | [102] |
| XX. | Not “A Happy Couple” | [115] |
| XXI. | An Interruption | [132] |
| XXII. | Mr. Wynne’s Visitor | [148] |
| XXIII. | A Bold Step | [172] |
| XXIV. | An Unexpected Honour | [185] |
| XXV. | Plain Speaking | [196] |
| XXVI. | Mr. Wynne makes a Statement | [219] |
| XXVII. | A Promise Postponed | [227] |
| XXVIII. | A Portière which Intervened | [241] |
MARRIED OR SINGLE?
CHAPTER XIV.
A SOCIAL GODMOTHER.
The next day Lord Tony’s only sister, Lady Rachel Jenkins, arrived to call—but not for the first time—upon Miss West. She was an extremely vivacious and agreeable little woman, with dark eyes and flashing teeth. She took Madeline out with her in her own brougham, and—oh, great favour!—introduced her to her pet dressmaker. This august person viewed Miss West’s stone-coloured costume with an air of amused contempt; it was not good style; the cut of the skirt was quite “out,” and she finally wound up by uttering the awful words, “Ready made.” It was not what Madeline liked, or even thought she would like, but what Lady Rachel suggested and Madame Coralie approved, that was selected.
“Your father, my dear,” patting the girl’s hand confidentially, “met me on the stairs, and we had a few words together. I’m going to show you what we do in London, and what we wear, and whom we know; and what we don’t wear, and whom we don’t know, my little country mouse!”
So the country mouse was endowed with half a dozen fine dresses chosen entirely by Lady Rachel—dresses for morning, afternoon, and evening.
“I only order six, my dear,” said her chaperon cheerily, “as the season is getting over, and these will carry you on till August, if you have a good maid. Madame Coralie, we can only give you five days,” rising as she spoke.
But Madame Coralie threw up eyes and hands and gesticulated, and volubly declared that it was absolument impossible! She had so many gowns for Ascot and the royal garden party. Nevertheless, Lady Rachel was imperious, and carried her point.