“A ball at Rosmore!”
“The very thing! while we are here. Rosamond has not come out either, but, as you say, who will ever know? We may as well have our fun, and you and she can keep each other in countenance. Nobody will tell—and what would it matter if they did? Why, girls not out are to be seen everywhere—always at balls at home. You put on a high dress.”
“No,” cried Marion, “I would rather die than go to a dance in a high dress.”
“Well, don’t then,” said the complacent Eddy, “anything you please. Oh, don’t be afraid. I will speak to Mrs. Rowland. I can be as independent as you like when there’s any occasion for it. And my governor, you know, poor old chap——”
“Do you mean ‘your papa,’” said Marion.
“Well, I don’t call him so,” said Eddy with a laugh. “There was a story, don’t you know, about him and your mamma-in-law. The governor behaved badly, but she has a sneaking kindness for him all the same. That’s why we are here.”
“Oh!” cried Marion, with a gasp of excitement, “tell me! for I know nothing about her. I want to know about her. I was sure there was some story.”
“The governor was a sad dog when he was young,” said Eddy. “Oh, he’s a nice fellow to blow a fellow up for some trifle not half so bad as himself. He was up to anything that was naughty. It’s funny, isn’t it, to hear of these anti-diluvian lovers—my old governor, who can’t move a limb, poor old chap, and this prim lady here who looks like a saint.”
“As if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth,” said Marion; “but I always knew there was some story. Be quick and tell me, for they are coming back.”
“I will tell you another time. Can’t we come out to-night in the moonlight to smoke a cigarette. Did you ever try a cigarette? Oh, all the girls do! I’ll teach you how. It makes you much better company when you don’t mind a cigarette.—Hi! here’s Rosamond down upon us. Not a word to her, whatever I tell you. And your brother coming lagging behind as if she had given him a touch of the lash. She’s a rare one for that; keeps a fellow in his place, as if she was too grand to mind.”