"Until I am married it will be of use."
"And when do you intend to come to us?"
"Oh, some time next month."
"I hope so. I want to come up for a while after Easter, and am trying to get the Colonel to take a house; that depends on you a good deal. If you would join me in taking a house for three months he would agree at once."
"But I have just agreed to stay with Miss Payne for a year."
"How foolish! how short-sighted!" cried Mrs. Ormonde. "You will be just lost in a second-rate place like this."
"It will suit me perfectly. I only want rest and peace at present. I dare say it will not be so always."
"Well, I know there is no use in talking to you. You will go your own way. Only, as I am in town, do come to my dressmaker's. Though you had your mourning in Paris, do you know, you look quite dowdy. You'll not mind my saying so?"
"I dare say I do. Miss Payne got everything for me."
"Oh, are you going to give yourself into her hands blindfold? I am afraid she is a designing woman. You really must get some stylish dresses. You must do yourself justice."