The handsome little fellow had added to the merriment of this gay time. The excitement and pleasure were new to him, and he enjoyed the mirth and the merry-making all the more in consequence. He and Roy obtruded themselves on all possible occasions. They made a picturesque addition to many a lovely scene, and added to the mirth when it was highest, and to the wit when it flowed most freely.
The great day of the ball at last arrived, and Lady Georgina came over early to the Heights to help Nance and to hear the latest news.
“Not that there is anything special for me to do,” she said in an almost vexed voice as she flung herself into a chair in Nancy’s pretty boudoir. “It seems to me that these are the days for idle hands—at least, where rich people are concerned. Money commands willing labour. Money banishes fatigue; money destroys illusions. There was a time when I should have slaved myself to death to produce results which, by the magic wand of your money, Nance, can be made ten times more beautiful than any toil of mine could possibly effect. Well, never mind, you are the wife of the richest, the gayest, the most delightful man in the whole county. Ah, and here comes that angel of virtue to speak for himself. How go the festivities, my friend?” she continued, holding out her hand to Rowton, who entered the boudoir at that moment.
“Swimmingly,” he replied, seating himself on a sofa near her. “There are so many people in the house that they entertain one another, and leave their host and hostess practically with nothing to do. As to the ball, I do not anticipate a hitch anywhere.”
“There’s one thing left to settle, fortunately for me,” said Lady Georgina, “and that is this young lady’s dress. I have not yet seen her in the Dame Rowton costume.”
“No more you have, and no more have I,” said Rowton. “The dress is all complete, is it not, Nance?”
“I believe so,” she replied, somewhat indifferently. “Hester told me that a box arrived from Madame Delaroi, of Bond Street, last night.”
“That genius, Delaroi!” cried Lady Georgina. “If Delaroi tries to get up the antique, then there is certain not to be a flaw in the costume. You sent her a photograph, did you not?”
“We not only did that,” replied Rowton, “we had her down to examine the Gainsborough picture for herself.”