The newest style is to have a neck and waist-band of a different colour from the rest of the dress. For instance, if the gown be mauve, the velvet at the neck or waist may be of pale blue or pale green, and with a black gown orange is much worn. There has been a great feeling towards mixed colours, and it is quite wonderful how we have got over the old idea that it was both vulgar and ugly to wear many colours, or to mix two incongruous materials in one gown.
The third illustration shows two charming gowns. The one on the extreme right wears one of the new satin foulards of dark blue, with a small white pattern on it. It is trimmed with light blue ribbon in scallops round the skirt and up the side, the sleeves, and the yoke. The last-named is of white silk, and so is the under-skirt. The second figure wears a dress of white figured muslin, the bodice trimmed with ruffles, and the vest is of tucked muslin. Straps of ribbon are on the top of the sleeve and round the points of the tunic and waist. The under-skirt is of muslin flounced, and with folds of muslin between each. This model would be suitable for a coloured muslin, as well as a white one.
The bolero has retained its popularity throughout the whole of the season, and has quite superseded the longer jacket for afternoon and dress wear. There are also revers to nearly all dresses. But I am assured that our autumn novelties will be minus both these items, and that the long three-quarter coat is likely to be the garment of the winter.
THE COURTSHIP OF CATHERINE WEST.
CHAPTER IV.
Granville Gray was sitting in the library of Lord Mayne’s town house. He was very busy, for though it was the recess, and his lordship was away shooting in Scotland, and all the political and fashionable world was dispersed in different directions, this was just the time that he could devote to his own pursuits, and to certain important investigations regarding the industrial life of the country by which he hoped some day to make his name. But his attention was not as undivided as usual. He would suddenly interrupt his work to walk up and down the room, or to gaze absently out of the window at the dusty lime trees that shaded the iron railing. For his work at the present moment was not an aim, but a distraction. Catherine’s sudden flight and the simultaneous appearance of Lady Blanche had made him realise how strong and genuine was his passion for the former. How precise, and commonplace, and conventional did the heiress appear beside the glorified recollection of the girl he loved, as she had stood trembling and clinging to him on the hillside. So when he read her little note, with its tender farewell, which convinced him of her affection for him at the same time as he became fully conscious of his own devotion, he resolved that no other woman should be his wife, and determined to set out in search of her at once. In spite, therefore, of Margaret’s remonstrances, he excused himself to Lady Blanche on the plea of urgent business, but he did not attempt to conceal the real state of the case from his sister. Margaret was really very much disappointed, and blamed herself exceedingly. She knew her brother well enough to realise that when he had once made up his mind, persuasion was useless; she was obliged to acquiesce, and to console herself with the thought that if she had been unwise in bringing her brother and friend together, Catherine was a very charming girl who could do him no possible discredit.
So leaving the two women at the hotel, Granville had set out for the address given on Catherine’s card. He hardly hoped to find her in so obvious a retreat, yet supposed that he would at least be able to learn something about her movements there. Great was his disappointment, therefore, when he discovered that though the object of his pursuit had been there only two days before, nothing was known of her present address. The landlady, who scented a romance the moment this interesting-looking gentleman inquired for Miss West, advised him to write to the head-mistress of the High School. Granville had at once acted on this, but as this lady was abroad, and her exact address was doubtful, he was not surprised that he had not yet received an answer. Three weeks had passed away in suspense and fruitless inquiry. He had traced Catherine to Euston, where she had changed for Victoria, on her way to St. John’s, but all further effort had been useless. Even now, he thought, she might be within a few miles of him, somewhere in this vast city; for what better hiding-place than London could anyone want?
His musings were interrupted by a sudden sound of wheels, and the shrill ringing of the electric bell. Presently the door opened, and a man brought in a card.
“A lady to see you, sir. She asked for his lordship’s address, but when she heard you were in, she said she would like to see you.”