"I do not think Octavia's dresses would seem over-trimmed if she wore them in London or Paris," said Lucia bravely. "It is only because we are so very quiet, and dress so little in Slowbridge, that they seem so." "And your hair!" remarked Mrs. Burnham. "You drew your idea of that from some style of hers, I suppose. Very becoming, indeed. Well, well! And how does Lady Theobald like all this, my dear?" "I am not sure that"--Lucia was beginning, when her ladyship interrupted her by entering. "My dear Lady Theobald," cried her visitor, rising, "I hope you are well. I have just been complimenting Lucia upon her pretty dress, and her new style of dressing her hair. Miss Octavia Bassett has been giving her the benefit of her experience, it appears. We have not been doing her justice. Who would have believed that she had come from Nevada to improve us?" "Miss Octavia Bassett," said my lady sonorously, "has come from Nevada to teach our young people a great many things,--new fashions in duty, and demeanor, and respect for their elders. Let us hope they will be benefited." "If you will excuse me, grandmamma," said Lucia, speaking in a soft, steady voice, "I will go and write the letters you wished written." "Go," said my lady with majesty; and, having bidden Mrs. Burnham good-morning, Lucia went. If Mrs. Burnham had expected any explanation of her ladyship's evident displeasure, she was doomed to disappointment. That excellent and rigorous gentlewoman had a stern sense of dignity, which forbade her condescending to the confidential weakness of mere ordinary mortals. Instead of referring to Lucia, she broached a more commonplace topic. "I hope your rheumatism does not threaten you again, Mrs. Burnham," she remarked. "I am very well, thank you, my dear," said Mrs. Burnham; "so well, that I am thinking quite seriously of taking the dear girls to the garden-party, when it comes off." "To the garden-party!" repeated her ladyship. "May I ask who thinks of giving a garden-party in Slowbridge?" "It is no one in Slowbridge," replied this lady cheerfully. "Some one who lives a little out of Slowbridge,--Mr. Burmistone, my dear Lady Theobald, at his new place." "Mr. Burmistone!" "Yes, my dear; and a most charming affair it is to be, if we are to believe all we hear. Surely you have heard something of it from Mr. Barold." "Mr. Barold has not been to Oldclough for several days." "Then, he will tell you when he comes; for I suppose he has as much to do with it as Mr. Burmistone." "I have heard before," announced my lady, "of men of Mr. Burmistone's class securing the services of persons of established position in society when they wished to spend their money upon entertainments; but I should scarcely have imagined that Francis Barold would have allowed himself to be made a party to such a transaction."