“That’s all right. I’ll introduce you to mamma. Come along now this very minute; she is rising to go.”
“But I sha’n’t see much of you, for I am going to school on the 21st.”
“To school! Heavens! Why?”
“My step-mother wishes it.”
“Poor little thing! I see. And where?”
I mentioned the school. Her eyes brightened.
“Oh, you are going there?” she said. “Then I don’t think I do pity you. I was there for a year; it’s an awfully nice place, and there are some of my own friends there. I’ll write and tell them about you. Oh! come along; there is mamma at the door.”
She took my hand. The Countess of Derwent was just saying adieu to another intimate acquaintance who had entered the room as soon as Lilian and I had betaken ourselves into the back drawing-room. She turned when she saw her daughter.
“Come, Lilian. I am going. Say good-bye to Lady Anne.”
“First,” said Lilian in her calmest voice, “let me introduce you to the Horror.”