"No, I'm not. I'm awake and blissfully happy. Tell me, shall I go and talk to Daddy now, or have my bath first? I haven't seen him all morning." "I honestly think you ought to start dressing first. Daddy's all right. He is prowling round the house with everyone falling over him and carrying dishes and things round him." "Poor darling," said Jessica tenderly. "Don't let me have too hot a bath," she warned Drusilla on the way upstairs. "I must be careful not to let my hair go limp." IV Dressing was pure delight. Jessica put on for the second time that day the yellow silk vest, the long gold silk stockings, and the narrow gold shoes, but added, this time, yellow silk knickers and a pair of gold garters. As she stepped back to look at herself before putting on her frock, she said earnestly: "I do hope Hugh will like my shape." "But surely you know he does," said Drusilla reassuring. "He thinks you're lovely and you are rather to-day." "But he's never seen me stark," said Jessica simply. "It makes a difference. I think I'm too boyish-looking. I'd like to be frightfully feminine just for once." "But you are in that frock. It really is charming. Do let me get you into it now. I ought to go and dress now myself. And here's Mother." "I'm all ready, darling," said Mrs. Deane. "I just came to help to finish you off. Where's Marchmont?" "We sent her away because Drusilla was helping me and I hate a crowd." "Well, I'll slip your frock on for you, my dear, but Marchmont had better arrange the veil, I think." "You do look nice, Mother, in all your elegance. Is Daddy dressed too?" "No, not yet; he's fussing a little." "Oh Mummy, I must see him. Please go and tell him to come up." "It will do just as well when you're dressed, darling; you really must get on." Jessica suddenly balked. "I can't," she said. "I really can't put my frock on till I see Daddy. It's an inhibition." She giggled softly, and Mrs. Deane looked at her in consternation as she sat down, still in her yellow underclothes and twisted her feet, like a child, round the legs of the chair. "My dearest Jessica," she remonstrated. "You must try to be calm or you will make us all nervous and unhappy." "Oh, darling, I'm sorry," said Jessica, instantly penitent. "Look, I'll get dressed as good as gold while you call Daddy." As she spoke she struggled into her frock and when Mrs. Deane came back, followed by Mr. Deane, she ran to her father, trailing her train across the bedroom floor. "Dearest," she said, "I've been wanting you all morning. I've been shut in by a conspiracy of women. Quite shocking; I feel as if I were in a harem." "Well, you seemed to have a good long time with Hugh, I noticed." "Oh that was only a minute. Besides he came on business with two presents. Do I look nice?" Jessica stepped back as she asked the question and trod on her train. There was a little ripping sound as it tore away from one shoulder.