Adele received the guests in the ballroom, with Mona by her side. Adele was gorgeous in her best evening gown, a rose-coloured velvet, and Mona, in white net, looked like a débutante.
Patty took especial pains with her toilette, though it was not entirely necessary, for Patty looked well in anything. She chose a white crêpe, whose bewildering masses of tulle ruchings veiled a skirt of silver lace. The bodice of silver lace was ruched and draped with the soft crêpe, and Patty’s pretty throat and dimpled arms emerged as from a wave of sea foam. Her golden hair was massed in the prevailing fashion, caught with two pins of carved jade.
“Verra good, Eddie!” Patty remarked to Sarah, as she viewed her completed self in the mirror.
“Miss?” said the maid, unfamiliar with Patty’s nonchalant use of catch phrases.
“I said you done noble,” Patty returned, absently, as she rearranged the jade pins. She wore no other ornaments, and catching up a long floating scarf of white tulle spangled with silver, she ran downstairs.
But, remembering the occasion, she made a most dignified entrance to the reception room, and bowed exaggeratedly to Adele. “So pleased!” she murmured, offering her fingertips. “And Miss Galbraith. May I wish you all joy and felicity and happiness and good——”
“Come, come, Patty, give somebody else a chance. Don’t babble your good wishes all night!” She turned to see Kit waiting his turn, and she laughingly gave way to him.
“Isn’t it fine to see the men in their evening togs?” she exclaimed, turning to Elise. “I’m so used to seeing them in flannels or golf things, I scarcely recognise them.”
“Do recognise me,” implored Channing, “I’m the sweet young thing you promised three extra dances to.”
“Three nothing!” returned Patty, carelessly. “I’m not sure I shall dance tonight, anyway. I shall spend my time admiring Mona, she looks so sweet.”