"Just think, Susy, what it would be like"—she dropped her voice—"'Countess Tatham!'—can't you see her going to the drawing-room—with her feathers and her tiara? Wouldn't she be lovely—wouldn't she have the world at her feet? Think what your father would have said."
"I don't believe those things ever enter Lydia's mind!"
Mrs. Penfold slowly shook her head.
"It isn't human," she said plaintively, "it really isn't." And in a mournful silence she returned to her embroidery.
Susan invaded her sister's bedroom late that night, and found Lydia before her looking-glass enveloped in shimmering clouds of hair. The younger sister sat down on the edge of the bed with her arms folded.
"Why are you so slack about this Delorme plan, Lydia? I don't believe you want to go."
Lydia turned with a start.
"But of course I want to go! It's the greatest chance. I shall learn a heap of things."
Susan nodded.
"All the same you don't seem a bit keen."