"It seems like sending you into the world alone, my dear," he said, as he placed her in the carriage. "It is not like just going to see our own friends." Ada was pretty well accustomed to the lighted streets, and was much more busy with her own thoughts than with outside things. She almost started when the carriage drew up at her friend's door. Clara ran down to meet her, and led the way upstairs to her bedroom. "You are nice and early," she said, "and I have not begun to dress yet." As they entered the room Ada's eyes fell upon a fresh white dress spread out upon the bed. Her heart sank down, and she felt cold and miserable. Why had she not done as her mamma advised? She took off her cloak in silence; and when her friend turned round, she fancied there was a little surprise in her glance. Ada felt wretched; but though she tried to throw it off, could think of none of their usual topics of conversation. Clara showed her the little "nick-nacks" of her room, and then told her who was coming; and Ada found that "a few friends" meant to Clara a very different affair from what it did to her. "I'm afraid it is quite a party," she said at last, as her friend lifted the pretty dress from the bed. "Oh, no! Not a real party; but we shall have some jolly fun. Don't be frightened, Ada; I gave you credit for more pluck." "I am afraid I shall not be dressed enough," said Ada, flushing crimson; "I had no idea you expected so many. Do let me go home, Clara; it would be far better." "Nonsense! But look here, Ada, I've a light silk dress here that would do, I believe, for you. Let me try it on you." "Oh, no," said Ada, shrinking back. "I should not like to do that, Clara." "Just as you like," answered Clara, shrugging her shoulders and looking vexed; "it would not have been so very dreadful, Ada." Clara was too polite to add what was on the tip of her tongue—"I should have liked my friend to look as well as possible." Ada felt somewhat taken in, and an aggrieved sensation came over her. She felt somehow that Clara had kept back the true nature of the party lest Mrs. Arundel should decline the invitation. She however tried with all her might to throw off her depression, and busied herself about her friend's toilet with skilful fingers. "You are ready now, are you not?" she said, looking with admiration at the graceful girl who stood before her. "Yes; many thanks. Now shall we go down?" There was no one in the large drawing room when they entered, and they wandered about looking at the pictures and portrait albums. The rooms seemed rather chill and gloomy to Ada, and she could not forbear a slight shiver. "It is cool to-day, isn't it?" said Clara; "but we are always afraid of having a fire, because the rooms get so very hot with the gas and the people. Let us have some music while we are waiting." At this moment, Mrs. May entered, and greeted Ada kindly; and then Mr. May came in, with a pretty girl carrying a heap of music.