“It is not only the material but the style,” said Lady Georgina. “Why, it is unique, perfect. Madame Delaroi is a genius. See this enticing petticoat. Notice the train—the way it will set. You must be careful how you hold it up to-night, Nancy. See, oh, do see this fascinating little shoe with its pearl buckle. Get into your costume, my dear; be quick about it. You will certainly be Gainsborough’s Dame Rowton come alive.” “If I might venture to speak, madam,” said Hester, “I think your hair ought to be arranged to correspond with the dress, or it will be impossible to judge of the general effect. The hair must, of course, be piled up very high on the head and powdered.” “Yes; but I cannot wait for that just now,” said Nance. “You must, Nance: we really must see the thing complete,” said Lady Georgina. “Well, if I must, I must,” replied Mrs. Rowton. She sat down before her glass with a good-humoured sigh. “There are some disadvantages in being rich,” she said, smiling up into Lady Georgina’s face. CHAPTER XXIV. THE BLACK DIAMOND AGAIN. While Hester was busy dressing Nancy’s hair Lady Georgina seated herself near, and began chatting volubly as usual. “By the way,” she said, after a moment’s pause, “I am told there has been another robbery in the neighbourhood. The burglars broke into Belton Priory last night. Fortunately they were heard before they committed much mischief.” Nance listened to this information with somewhat languid interest, but Hester, who was sweeping some of her mistress’s beautiful hair over a high pillow, started violently, and dropped the pad which she was using to the floor. When she raised her head again after stooping to pick it up, her whole face was scarlet. Lady Georgina, whose bright eyes took in everything, noticed her sudden increase of colour. “The ruffians escaped,” she continued, speaking in her quick incisive voice, “but I believe they carried off very little. Of course, at Castle Stewart the loss of plate and jewels is considerable. The Belton Priory people have got off much better. I cannot imagine,” continued the good lady, tapping her feet impatiently, “what the police are made of in these days. How is it that they cannot get the faintest trace of these burglars? It is reported that they belong to a certain gang, called the Silver Mob.” “How much you seem to know about burglars,” said Nance, shuddering slightly as she spoke. “Do they really go about in gangs?” “I believe so, very often,” said Lady Georgina, after a pause. “They say the Silver Mob is very well-known to the police; that it has also existed for a long time. But the members are so clever and so widely scattered, that it is almost impossible to collect evidence sufficient to arrest any of them.” “Well, I hope none of the burglars will come here,” said Nance.