"Lesbia has got to see her and make the best of it."
"O but servants always make the worst of it. And company—she couldn't be seen by company, mamma. Why she looks as if she had come out of the year one. To have such a creature supposed to belong to us!"
"Mr. Southwode brought her?"
"Yes, mamma; and you should have seen the parting. I declare, it was rather striking! He kissed her, mamma, fancy! a real smacking kiss; and Rotha coloured up as if she was delighted. Did you ever hear anything like it?"
"She has done with him now," said Mrs. Busby drily.
"How'll you manage, mamma, if he comes and asks for her?"
"Get your things off, Antoinette, and make yourself ready for dinner. Ah, here comes Rotha."
Rotha's arms were full of muslin and lawn dresses, which she deposited on the table. Antoinette forgot or disregarded the order she had received and came to take part in the inspection. With a face of curiosity and business at once, Mrs. Busby unfolded, examined, refolded, one after another.
"Mamma! how pretty that is!" exclaimed her daughter; "and that ashes of roses is lovely!"
"Fine," said Mrs. Busby; "very fine. No sparing of money. Well made. Your mother cannot have felt herself in straits when she made such purchases as these, Rotha."