"There was a ball they was going to."
"Who were going to?"
"Lady Balscombe and Miss Penfold. They did go, and left shortly before ten, but before I had time to turn round, they were back again, as Lady Balscombe said she had a headache."
"Oh, so I suppose she went to bed?"
"Then you suppose wrong," retorted Anne triumphantly, "for there was a pusson waiting to see her."
"A lady?" asked Dowker, eagerly.
"I don't know," retorted Miss Lifford sharply. "She had a veil on."
"Can you describe her dress?"
Miss Lifford thought a moment, while Lydia bent forward anxiously to hear her answer.
"A hat trimmed with blue and brown velvet, and a sealskin jacket."