Diana had then devoted herself to the display of
the house, and her maid had helped Miss Merton to unpack. The process
had been diversified by raids made by Miss Fanny on Diana's own
wardrobe, which she had inspected from end to end, to an accompaniment
of critical remark. According to her, there was very little that was
really "shick" in it, and Diana should change her dressmaker. The number
of her own dresses was large; and as to their colors and make, Mrs.
Colwood, who had helped to put away some of them, could only suppose
that tropical surroundings made tropical tastes. At the same time the
contrast between Miss Fanny's wardrobe, and what she herself reported,
in every tone of grievance and disgust, of the family poverty, was
surprising, though no doubt a great deal of the finery had been as
cheaply bought as possible.
By luncheon-time Diana had shown some symptoms of fatigue, perhaps--Mrs.
Colwood hoped!--of revolt. She had been already sharply questioned as to
the number of servants she kept and the wages they received, as to the
people in the neighborhood who gave parties, and the ages and incomes of
such young or unmarried men as might be met with at these parties.
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