"Offended! Why--Delphine, I was thinking entirely of you. I'm
immensely relieved, if you want the real truth. That's settled then,
and we'll give you some treasures for the Hunt. What would you like?
Make up an appropriate list and send it along. Anything you like, up
to--say five pounds!"
"Oh, you angel! Will you really?" she cried ecstatically. I had risen
this time, and she slid her hand through my arm, and accompanied me to
the door. Seen close at hand, her face looked almost child-like in its
clear soft tints. I noticed also that her blouse was very fine and
delicate, a very different thing from the cheap lace fineries which she
had worn when I first saw her. She followed the direction of my eye,
stroked down an upstarting frill, and coloured furiously. "Ah, my
blouse! Do you admire it? I wrote to town for it, to your dressmaker,
and I've ordered a lovely frock. You'll see. For once in my life I
shall be really well dressed! Seeing you and Mrs Fane has made me
discontented with my dowdy old rags!"