"Not a bit of it. The thing that I want I can't attain to." "What do you want?" "To be very, very plain, to have a free time, to do exactly what I like--to knock over tables, to skim about the country at my own sweet will unchaperoned and unstared at; never to be expected to make a great match; never to have any one say, `If Lilian doesn't do something wonderful we shall be disappointed.'" "Oh, well, you never will get those things," I said. After a time I continued--for she kept on looking at me--"Would you change with me if you could?" "I shouldn't like to give up mamma--dear mamma _is_ a darling; she really is, although she is always putting her foot into it. She put her foot into it now; but, you see, it was rather good after all, for I saw you and I noticed that you had heard what mamma said. Now, mother never does _outre_ things with her body, but with her lips she is always giving herself away. I couldn't leave her even to change with you." "Well, I'm plain enough." "Thank Providence for that. You are plain; I quite admit it. But I will tell you something else. Your step-mother is the most delightful woman--" "Oh, you have been very nice, Miss St Leger--" "They call me Lady Lilian," she interrupted. "Oh, but that is rather too terrible." "Why should the fact of being an earl's daughter make me a scrap better than you, who are the daughter of a very great professor? But, anyhow, you may call me Lilian; you may drop the Lady. Now go on." "I wish you wouldn't begin to praise _her_." "Oh, then, you don't like her? You are one of those naughty little girls who won't take to her dear step-mother. Dear, dear!" "She is as good as gold," I said. "I see what it is," said Lady Lilian; "you and I must have a long talk. We must be friends. Have we not talked together over the lost Salviati? Have we not both sighed over the _mal-a-propos_ remarks of my dear mamma? We ought to be friends. Don't I wish to have your looks? And doubtless you wish to have mine? Why shouldn't we be friends?" "Let us," I said. I was bewitched, charmed. I had forgotten my shyness and felt quite at home with her. In fact, as Lady Lilian went on talking I felt rather superior to her. It was the first time in all my life I had regarded my plainness as a distinct and most valuable acquisition. "That's all right. I'll introduce you to mamma. Come along now this very minute; she is rising to go." "But I sha'n't see much of you, for I am going to school on the 21st." "To school! Heavens! Why?" "My step-mother wishes it." "Poor little thing! I see. And where?" I mentioned the school. Her eyes brightened. "Oh, you are going there?" she said. "Then I don't think I do pity you. I was there for a year; it's an awfully nice place, and there are some of my own friends there. I'll write and tell them about you. Oh! come along; there is mamma at the door."