But now her gown
of scarlet velveteen, her arms bare to the elbow, her frizzled and
curled hair, the powder which gave a bluish white to her complexion, the
bangles and beads which adorned her, showed her armed to the last pin
for the encounters of the luncheon-table.
Mrs. Colwood, however, after a first dazzled look at what she wore,
thought only of what she said. She hurriedly drew the girl into her own
room, and shut the door. When, after some conversation, Fanny emerged,
Mrs. Colwood was left in a state of agitation that was partly fear,
partly helpless indignation. During the fortnight since Miss Merton's
arrival all the energies of the house had been devoted to her amusement.
A little whirlwind of dissipation had blown through the days. Two meets,
a hockey-match, a concert at the neighboring town, a dinner-party and
various "drums," besides a luncheon-party and afternoon tea at Beechcote
itself in honor of the guest--Mrs. Colwood thought the girl might have
been content! But she had examined everything presented to her with a
very critical eye, and all through it had been plain that she was
impatient and dissatisfied; for, inevitably, her social success was not
great.
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