A car arrived at one o'clock bringing Cicely, much wrapped up in fur coat and motor-veils. She came impetuously into the sitting-room, and seemed to fill it. It took some time to peel her and reduce her to the size of an ordinary mortal. She then appeared in a navy-blue coat and skirt, with navy-blue boots buttoned almost to the knees. The skirt was immensely full and immensely short. When the strange erection to which the motor-veil was attached was removed, Cicely showed a dark head with hair cut almost short, and parted on the left side. Her eyebrows were unmistakably blackened, her lips unmistakably—strengthened; and Nelly saw at once that her guest was in a very feverish and irritated condition.
'Are you alone?' said Cicely, glancing imperiously round her, when the disrobing was done.
'Bridget is here.'
'What are you going to do this afternoon?'
'Can't we have a walk, you and I, together?'
'Of course we can. Why should we be bothered with anyone else?'
'I suppose,' said Nelly timidly—'they will come in to tea?'
'"They"? Oh! you mean Willy and Captain Marsworth? It is such a pity
Willy can't find somebody more agreeable for these Sundays.'
Cicely threw herself back in her chair, and lifted a navy-blue boot to the fire.
'More agreeable than Captain Marsworth?'