Sophia shuddered. "Fun?" she said. "Do you call it fun?"
"Why, of course it will be the purest, purest fun!" the other cried. "The prettiest trick that ever was played! You darling, we shall be the talk of the town!" And in the gaiety of her heart, Lady Betty lifted her sacque, and danced two or three steps of a minuet. "We shall--but how you look, miss! You are not going to disappoint me?"
Sophia stood silent. "I am afraid," she muttered.
"Afraid? Afraid of what?"
"I am afraid."
"But you were going to him to-morrow?"
Sophia blushed deeply. "He was coming for me," she murmured.
"Well, and what is the difference?"
The elder girl did not answer, but her cheeks grew hotter and hotter. "There is a difference," she said.
"Then you'll go to Chalkhill!" Lady Betty cried in derision, her voice betraying her chagrin. "La, miss, I vow I thought you'd more spirit! or I would not have troubled you!"