‘They shall not be borrowed plumes. The necklace shall be my New Year’s gift to you, Daphne, darling.’ ‘No, no, Lina. I am not going to despoil you of your jewels. I have always thought it was dreadfully bad of the Jewesses to swindle the Egyptians before they crossed the Red Sea, even though they were told to do it.’ ‘Daphne!’ screamed Aunt Rhoda; ‘your profanity is something too shocking.’ ‘My pet, I am not going to be contradicted,’ said Lina, not remarking upon this reproof. ‘The little necklace is yours henceforward. I have more jewellery than I can ever wear.’ ‘It was your mother’s, Madoline, and you ought to respect it.’ ‘It was my mother’s nature to give, and not to hoard, Aunt Rhoda. She would have been ashamed of a selfish daughter. Will that do, Daphne? The white satin and old Mechlin lace, and just one spray of stephanotis in your hair?’ ‘Nothing could be prettier, Lina.’ ‘What are you going to wear yourself, Madoline?’ asked Mrs. Ferrers with a dissatisfied air. ‘I suppose you are going to indulge in a new gown.’ ‘I have hardly made up my mind to be so extravagant. There is the gold-coloured satin I had for the dinner at Warwick Castle.’ ‘Much too heavy for a ball. No, you must have something new, Lina, if it be only to keep me in countenance. I had quite made up my mind to wear that pearl-gray sicilienne which you all so much admired; but the Rector insisted upon my getting a new gown from Paris.’ ‘From Worth?’ ‘Can you suppose I could be so extravagant? No, Lina; when I venture upon a French gown I get it from a little woman on a third floor in the Rue Vivienne. She was Worth’s right hand some years ago, and she has quite his style. I tell her what colours I should like, and how much money I am prepared to spend, and she does all the rest without giving me any trouble.’ It was decided that Madoline should have a new gown of the palest salmon, or blush-rose colour; something which would look well with a profusion of those exquisite tea-roses which MacCloskie produced grudgingly in the winter-tide, burning as much coal in the process as if he were steaming home from China with the first of the tea-gatherings, and wanted to be beforehand with the rest of the trade. Mrs. Ferrers made a good many objections to Daphne’s white satin, and was convinced it would be unbecoming to her; also that it would be wanting in style; yet it would be conspicuous, if not positively _outré_. But Lina had made up her mind, and was a person of considerable decision on occasions. Whatever the colour or material chosen, Aunt Rhoda would have objected to it, as she had not been called upon to advise in the matter. ‘Well, Lina, my dear, I must go home and give the Rector his afternoon tea,’ she said, rising and putting on her fur-lined mantle. ‘I might have spared myself the trouble of walking over to discuss the ball dresses. You haven’t wanted my advice.’