"Talking wedding?" that tease asked, following me back into the parlour and pirouetting before a mirror. "Chastening experience for once in a way to see mysel' as ithers see me. Big wedding, won't it be? Florist told Cadge he was forcing a churchful of peach and apple blossoms. You're a bridesmaid, ain't you? That _was_ Mrs. Henry? Know I've seen her here. Looks apoplectic; and there's too much musk in her violet." "That was Mrs. Henry, but I'm not on Peggy's list. How are the beastesses' noses and toeses?" "Ambulance rung for." Kitty darted to another looking glass. "Regular hall of mirrors, ain't it? Helen, why are photo-engravers--but say, I've seen a list of bridesmaids; Ann Fredericks was one, cousin of _the_ Frederickses; great for Helen, we all said--Pros. and Cadge and--" "Has the list been printed?" Kitty looked puzzled. "What are you cross about?" she said finally. "I don't wonder you get tired of such doings, tugging a ton of bouquet down a church aisle, organ grinding Lohengrin. If ever I marry, I sha'n't ask you to stand up with me; I propose to be the central figure at my own wedding; Cadge can do as she chooses." "Why, Kitty! Cadge and--why, Pros., of course." "In June. Came to tell you." For a moment Kitty's eyes danced, then the mist followed the sunlight, and the poor little creature buried her head in my lap, sobbing. "Oh, what'll I do," she cried, "when Cadge takes away my brother and my brother takes away Cadge, and you--they say you're going off with that Englisher to be a Countess--not that I ever see anything of you now." "Oh, hush, child; don't you know you're talking nonsense?" Kitty took me at my word. "Earl's lady is a Countess, ain't she?" she asked, her voice still shaky. Then she sat suddenly upright and put back her red curls from her brow, winking vigourously. "Oh, if you do live in a castle, put in bathtubs and gas; and if you go to court, please, Princess, hide a kodak under your bouquet for me and--" Crying and laughing by turns and tossing back her flaming locks, she started for the door. "Helen," she said, turning as she reached it, "I have such bad symptoms! Am I really the only girl that's jealous of you?" "The only one that isn't jealous, you--you dear!" I exclaimed; and I believe it's almost true! Kitty paused in the hall, playing with the roses in a bowl upon the table. "We hear something of how the dowagers adore you. But let 'em wag their double chins; you'll scat the old cats from their cushions!" she said. At the impetuous outflinging of her hands, the floor was strewn with pink petals. "Cats?" repeated Mrs. Whitney, who just then made her appearance, "are they a hobby with Miss Reid?" "I'd drown 'em," cried Kitty, vanishing, "nine times!"