"The Prince and Princess! Oh, how lovely! I'm simply dying to see the Princess! Only yesterday I said that I could not bear to go away without seeing her. If she were at a garden-party, we could get quite near, and see her face, and her clothes, and hear her speak. How _simply_ lovely!" ejaculated Mellicent rapturously. "Oh, we must go, we must manage it! We have no engagement for Friday, Peggy, have we? Nothing that could not be put off?" The idea that she herself might not have been included in Rosalind's invitation had never occurred to Mellicent's innocent mind. Since her arrival in town she had been treated as an honoured guest, and if on any occasion it had been impossible for both girls to enjoy a pleasure, it had been Peggy who stayed at home and gave place to her friend. Mellicent had wondered more than once when Rosalind Darcy intended to do her share towards the entertainment of her vicar's daughter, and now was aglow with delight on receiving the invitation which of all others she had most desired. She was too much excited to notice Rosalind's discomfited surprise, but awakening came all too soon. "Dear Mellicent, I am sowwy, but I cannot take more than one fwiend," she murmured caressingly. "Evewybody is asking for invitations, and it would not do to encroach too far on Lady B's hospitality. Another time, when Peggy is not going, I should be delighted to take you with me--" "But, Rosalind, I can't go on Friday. I am dreadfully disappointed, for it is just the sort of thing I should love, and if I had only an ordinary engagement I would put it off, but it is not. An old school- friend of mother's is coming up from the country especially to see us, and we could not possibly put her off, as we have already had no end of difficulty to fix a day. Letters and telegrams have been flying to and fro, and if we altered the date there is no saying when we should meet. I am very, very sorry, but it is impossible to go with you." "But surely you could be spared for the afternoon! You would see your fwiend in the morning, and at dinner--" "She won't arrive until lunch-time, and must leave again at six o'clock. She will travel four hours in the train just to spend the afternoon with us, so I could not possibly go out; but there is no reason why Mellicent should stay in too. She could go instead of me."