"Oh, my dear," I answered, "you are not going to induce me to adopt a
fringe. That would be quite the last come-down to my pride. I have not
got wavy, fuzzy hair like you, Hetty, and I am not beautiful, so nothing
can make me look it."
"But your face is very beautiful to me," said Hetty, looking at me with
a great glow of love beaming over hers. "It is full of strength, and I
think you have such a sweet expression, Rose, and you look so dignified.
Sometimes I think you are grand."
"Oh, hush, hush, you foolish child!" I said.
"Well, but do fasten that little pink bow at your throat, and do puff up
your hair a little, to show your nice forehead. Now isn't that a great
improvement?"
She made me kneel by her while she tried to manipulate my heavy, thick,
straight hair. My private opinion is that I never looked more uncouth,
but Hetty was pleased, so where was the use of worrying her?
I heard a carriage stop in the street below, and flew to the window to
look out.
"They arrive," I said, "my foes arrive! Now I go forth to conquer!
Farewell, Hetty."
"Oh, I shall be so excited to know what is going to happen!" called
Hetty after me.
I blew a kiss to her and ran down-stairs. I had arranged with Mrs
Ashton to give me the use of a private sitting-room for the
all-important interview. It was a truly dingy apartment--a back parlour
in every sense of that odious-sounding word. It was here I had for the
first time the pleasure of seeing Lady Ursula Redmayne without any
rose-coloured glamour thrown over her. Unsupported by the background
which her luxurious boudoir in Grosvenor Street afforded, she looked
what she was, a most ordinary young woman.
Ordinary--yes,--I made up my mind on the spot that Lady Ursula was not
at all good-looking. But she was something else. She appeared better,
far better in my eyes. At that moment she looked what she was, an
every-day, happy, healthy English girl. Yes, a happy girl, and her
happiness took all her little affectations away.
"Oh, here you are, my benefactress?" she said, rushing up and kissing
me. "May I introduce Captain Valentine? I don't think I did it
properly yesterday. Now, Rupert, let's sit one at each side of her, and
tell her everything, and get her to tell us everything."