"Why not?—how queer!"
"I heard that she didn't like to speak of it."
"But she would have told you; she worships you."
"If she had wished me to know, she would have told without my asking."
Kitty stared at Gertrude, wondering much at such unusual delicacy and consideration, and instinctively admiring a forbearance of which she was conscious she should herself have been incapable.
"But your dress!" said Gertrude, smiling at Kitty's abstraction.
"Oh, yes! I had almost forgotten what I came here for," said Kitty. "What shall it be, then—thick or thin; pink, blue, or white?"
"What has Isabel decided upon?"
"Blue—a rich blue silk; that is her favourite colour, always; but it doesn't become me."
"No, I should think not," said Gertrude; "but come, Kitty, we will go to your room and see the dresses, and I will give my opinion."