Miss Markham in particular, I could see, would rather have spoiled a dozen hats than assumed the unbecoming linen one, had she not been ridiculed into doing so. ‘Oh! Lizzie dear, we never _can_ wear such things—now can we?’ ‘I’m sure I don’t know, dear. I’d much rather keep on my bonnet, but then it cost five guineas, and I shall be crazy if it gets hurt. I really think I must venture to try one of the caps.’ ‘Oh! my dear girl, you do look so comical! Excuse my laughing—but you’ve no idea—and grey never did suit your complexion, you know.’ ‘Well, I don’t think you need talk, Sophy. So plain a headdress is by no means suited to your own style of features, I can tell you!’ ‘Oh! the horrid thing—I will never, never wear it!’ cried the childish Sophia, as she threw the offending cap upon the ground; and I believe, if she had not overheard Mr. Charteris grumble at being kept waiting so long, that she would have been as good as her word. But, finding that we were all wearing them and she would be singular if she did not do the same, she consented at last to crown her _chignon_ with it, and came simpering forth like a bashful girl that was afraid of being looked at. No one troubled her, however, and the whole party being ready, we began to descend the first flight of wooden steps which were steep but easy, and went down, down, down, until the ivy and fern covered entrance was left far above us, and we had reached the very centre of the cave, which was yet light enough to let us see that there were several more such flights to be descended before we could touch level earth again. This was a fine opportunity for Miss Markham and Mrs. Carolus to shriek and laugh hysterically, and cling like grim death to whoever happened to be nearest to them, and they made every use of it. But Mr. Charteris and Mr. Carolus had been wise in their generation, and insisted upon going down first, leaving their women-kind to struggle in the rear with any one they could lay hold of. So poor Charlie and Arthur Thrale had them all to themselves, whilst Tessie and I laughed wickedly in each others’ ears. At last we stood on level ground, in a cavern as dark as Erebus; there was no light anywhere, except from the lamps of the guides, who waved them over their heads and introduced us to _la grande salle_. I looked up and down and round about me; but all was black as pitch. I felt that I was standing on broken flints and thick mud, and as the guides’ lamps threw their faint gleam here and there, I perceived that the cave we stood in was very vast and damp, and uncommonly like a huge cellar, but I can’t say that I saw anything more. ‘Are these the “frozen houris?”’ asked Cave Charteris, sarcastically. ‘Oh no! I should hardly think so,’ replied Miss Markham, quickly; ‘and—where are you, Mr. Charteris? I feel so dreadfully timid, I can’t tell you—and would give anything to have hold of the hand of some one that I knew!’