“Who is that remarkably graceful and handsome girl?” said Mrs. Jervice to Lady Frances.
“My dear Agnes,” was the answer, “I have not the slightest idea. She is a girl from the neighborhood; that terrible aborigine Evelyn picked her up. She certainly is handsome, and clever too; and she is well dressed. That dress she has on reminds me of one which I bought for Audrey in Paris last year. I suppose the girl’s people are very well off, for that special kind of muslin, with its quantities of real lace, would not be in the possession of a poor girl. On the whole, I like the girl, but the way in which Evelyn has brought her into the house is beyond enduring.”
“My Arthur has quite lost his heart to her,” said Mrs. Jervice, with a laugh. “He said something to me about asking her to join our skating party to-morrow.”
“Well, dear, I will make inquiries, and if she belongs to any nice people I will call on her mother if she happens to have one; but I make it a rule to be very particular what girls Audrey becomes acquainted with.”
“And you are quite right,” said Mrs. Jervice. “Any one can see how very carefully your Audrey has been brought up.”
“She is a sweet girl,” said the mother, “and repays me for all the trouble I have taken with her; but what I shall do with Evelyn is a problem, for her uncle has put down his foot and declares that go to school she shall not.”
The ladies moved away, chatting as they did so. The music kept up its merry sounds; the young feet tripped happily over the polished floor; all went on gaily, and Sylvia felt herself in paradise. Warmed and fed, petted and surrounded by luxury, she looked a totally different creature from the wild, defiant girl who had pushed past Audrey in order to have a hearty meal on New Year’s Day.
But by and by the happy evening came to an end, and Sylvia ran up to Evelyn.
“It is time for me to go,” she said. “I must say good night to Lady Frances; and then will you take me to your room just to change my dress, Evelyn?”
“Oh, what a nuisance you are!” said Evelyn. “I am not thinking of going to bed yet.”