“Oh, yes!” sighed the girl. “And Bedford House is worse!”
“I haven’t been there. This is my first visit to London. Do you live here?”
“Yes—no! I mean, we used not to do so. I am just out, you see, so Mama has brought me to town.”
“Why, it is the same—almost—in my own case! I have been shopping all the morning, and my head is in a whirl. It is all so big, and there is so much to see!”
“Do you dislike shopping?” asked the girl sympathetically.
“Gracious, no! I never enjoyed myself so much in my life, I think! Do you dislike it?”
“I liked it at first—having pretty dresses, and hats—but it is so tiring, standing still for hours, while they pin things round me! And being scolded for fidgeting, or tearing a liounce, or letting my best hat be spoilt in the rain.”
The older woman, hearing her voice, had turned her head, and was keenly scrutinizing Kitty, in an appraising way which made Kitty feel that the cost of her clothing was being assessed to a halfpenny. She summoned the girl back to her side, but just at that moment Meg, who had been inspecting some Indian muslin handkerchiefs, looked round, and said: “My dear Kitty, do you think these pretty? Only three shillings and sixpence each! I have a very good mind to buy some.”
The stylish woman stared very hard at her for an instant, and then, suddenly smiling with the utmost affability, spoke to the fair beauty in quite another voice, saying: “I did not perceive that you were engaged, my love! I only wished you to say whether you like this sprig-muslin.” She then bestowed the smile upon Kitty, and added archly: “Has my daughter been telling you that she thinks shopping a dead bore? Such a naughty puss as she is, aren’t you, pet?”
She glanced at Meg, as she spoke. Meg was looking enquiringly from Olivia to Kitty, and was considerably takenaback to find herself suddenly addressed.