CHAPTER X
AN IRISH DEFIANCE
MELISSA stood meekly before her mistress.
“My Lady Sunderland’s compliments, madam,” she said, with her usual purr; “will you play basset to-night?”
“No,” replied Lady Clancarty; “many thanks; but tell my mother that I am to have guests, and my purse is too thin for basset.”
As the door closed on Melissa, Lady Clancarty rose from her dressing-table.
“I will wear the pink flowered brocade, Alice,” she said.
Alice opened her eyes. “Oh, my lady,” she remonstrated, “it is too lovely; I thought you meant it only for the king’s levees.”