He held the door open, and Pippa went out.
Then he came back to the Duchessa. She had heard the inflexion in his voice, and a little light of comprehension had sprung to her eyes.
“Ah!” she breathed softly to herself. Then she looked up at Paul.
“And now,” she said, “are you ready for the metamorphosis—to re-paint me as a blue lady?”
CHAPTER XVI
THE LADY OF THE BLUE DRESS AGAIN
AND so it was that Pippa’s impulsive invitation brought the lady of the blue dress once more into Miss Mason’s surroundings.
And with her advent came one of the brightest threads which the Fates were using to weave into the hitherto sombre pattern of her life. For there is never any knowing what the Fates will do. For years the woof of their weaving may be utterly grey, but if the warp has kept firm and strong they may suddenly take the brightest colours—a very crazy patchwork of them—and weave them into the most intricate and curious pattern imaginable. And because the strength of the warp of this life pleased them, they were now choosing the most fantastically coloured threads in the weaving of the woof.
Pippa told Miss Mason of the invitation she had issued, and then went to wash her hands and brush her hair. There was no need to change her dress. She had already put on her prettiest frock to lunch with Paul.
Just before half-past three there was a knock at the door. Pippa looked up expectant. But it was only Barnabas.