Lady Lushington was a tall, slender woman of from thirty-eight to forty years of age. Her face was rather worn and pale. She had a beautiful figure, and was evidently a good deal made up. Her hair was of a fashionable shade of colour. Annie concluded at once that it was dyed. Priscilla, who had never heard of dyed hair, thought it very beautiful. "My dears," said the good lady, advancing to meet both girls, "I am delighted to see you.--Mabel, here are your two young friends.--Now, will you go at once with Parker to your rooms and get ready for dinner? We all dine in the restaurant--demi-toilette, you know. Afterwards we will sit in the courtyard and listen to the band." "I will come with you both," said Mabel, who, dressed with extreme care and looking remarkably fresh and handsome, now took a hand of each of her friends.--"This is your room, Priscilla," she said, and she ushered Priscilla into a small room which looked on to the courtyard.--"Parker," she continued, turning to the maid, "will you see that Miss Weir has everything that she wants.--Now, Annie, I will attend to you. You don't mind, do you?--for it is only for one night--but you have to share my room; the hotel is so full, Aunt Henrietta could not get a room for you alone. But I will promise to make myself as little obtrusive as possible." "Oh May!" said Annie, "I am just delighted to sleep in a room with you. I have so much to say--dear old May!" she added suddenly, turning and kissing her friend. "I _am_ glad to see you again!" "And I to see you, Annie," replied Mabel. "I am having a glorious time, and want you to share it with me. Aunt Hennie has just been splendid, and has given me a completely new wardrobe--the most exquisite dresses, all bought and made at the best shops here, quite regardless of expense, too. I cannot tell you how much they have cost. How do you like this pink silk? Isn't it sweet?" "Yes, lovely," said Annie, thinking with a sigh of her own poor clothes. But then she added, "Rich dresses suit you, Mabel, for you are made on a big and a bountiful scale. It is lucky for me that I can do with lees fine garments." "Oh, but I assure you, Annie, you are not going to be left out in the cold. You must have no scruples whatever in wearing the clothes that Aunt Hennie has got for you. She wants to take some young girls about with her, and she would not have you a frump for all the world; so there are a few pretty, fresh little toilettes put away in that box by Parker which I think will exactly fit you. There is a dress on that bed--oh, only white lace and muslin--which you are to wear this evening at the restaurant dinner; and there is a smart little travelling-costume for you to appear in to-morrow. You can leave them all behind you at the end of your jaunt, if you are too proud to take them; but, anyhow, while with us you have to wear them _nolens volens_."