'How shocking! Don't speak of it.'
Dulcie had indeed done so. Her exchequer was a limited one; and farewell gifts to some of her dear old people had reduced it to a minimum.
'She seems rather a Devonshire hoyden,' said Lady Fettercairn, slowly fanning herself; 'but I hope she will be able to make herself useful to me.'
'Grandmamma, I quite adore her!' exclaimed the impulsive Finella; 'we shall be capital friends, I am sure.'
'But you must never forget who she is.'
'An orphan—or a lawyer's daughter, do you mean?'
'What then?'
'My paid companion,' said Lady Fettercairn icily; but Finella was not to be repressed, and exclaimed:
'I am sure that she is, by nature, a very jolly girl.'
'Don't use such a phrase, Finella; it is positive slang.'