"Lina is not in our set," she said, "and she is too poor to get a party dress; of course she could not come without one." "She had the prettiest dress at the party last year," said Walter, warmly. "That is all you know about it," said Violet, laughingly. "It was her mother's wedding-dress. She had not a decent thing of her own." "She can wear her mother's dress again," said Mrs. Earle and her son simultaneously, and Mrs. Earle added almost pleadingly: "Do let her come, Violet, she is so young and pretty, and would enjoy it so much." "And she has so few pleasures," said Walter, with commendable forethought for such a giddy young man. "Oh, she can come--certainly," Violet answered coldly. "Only I thought she would not care to come unless she could appear as others do. Last year she was quite ignorant, she did not know anything about society. But now that she has spent a year at boarding-school, she knows, of course, that a shabby-looking girl is next to nobody. Invite her if you like, I only wished to spare her feelings." "I think we should spare her feelings better by asking than by leaving her out," replied gentle Mrs. Earle. So the orphan girl was asked, and Mr. Meredith came again and brought her as before. And Violet was mistaken this time, for Jaquelina had really something to wear. This time it was a pretty robe of some soft, thin stuff, silver-gray, and shining in the moonlight. The neck was cut square, and edged with some soft, pretty lace. The sleeves were short, and exposed the perfectly molded arms. Jaquelina had brightened it here and there with a few vivid scarlet roses, and the effect was exquisite. In the flickering light of the lamps, and the softer gleam of the moonlight, the slight and graceful form seemed to float in a robe of silvery mist. Violet, in pale blue satin and pearls, felt eclipsed and resentful again as she had done at the lawn party a year before. "Lina, where _did_ you get such a pretty dress?" she asked her, unceremoniously. "Is it pretty?" asked Jaquelina, pleased. "I bought it at Staunton to wear at one of our school concerts where I had to sing a part." "_Can_ you sing?" asked Violet, incredulous. "A little," admitted Jaquelina, modestly. "And play?" said Violet. And again Jaquelina answered shyly: "A little; only the accompaniments to my songs, you know, Violet." "Then I shall be certain to call on you to sing and play to-night, and you must not refuse," said Violet, smiling to herself at the idea of the singing and playing Jaquelina could have acquired in a year. She did not look frightened at Violet's words. She simply said that she would do her best. Violet had no idea what that "best" meant. "Mr. Valchester is here," she said, after a pause, with a keen glance at the other. "He came yesterday on purpose to attend our party. But you have totally forgotten him, I suppose," turning her head a little sidewise. "Oh, no; I remember him perfectly well," said Jaquelina, unembarrassed.