Devoted to you, of course. Romer's often told me."

"I'm sure he hasn't. What can Romer know of my domestic troubles, as he
was just four when he lost his poor father? But however that may be, I
do hope, Valentia, you will wear warm, _sensible_ clothes for the
garden. I never quite like the idea of your sitting out on that little
terrace late in the evening with practically nothing on your shoulders.
People should be so careful of the night air."

"How thoughtful of you, Mrs. Wyburn! But I have a wrap--I never sit out
without a wrap."

"Pink chiffon, I suppose?"

"Now how did you know? You seem to have second sight!"

"Yes; I guessed as much. Very candidly, dear Valentia, I don't approve
of pink chiffon. But we women of an elder generation are never listened
to, though our advice is worth hearing, I can tell you."

"Oh no, Mrs. Wyburn, don't say that. What would you advise instead
then--a red crochet woollen shawl? I'll get one, of course. How lovely
that embroidery is getting that you're doing! I remember last February
thinking that it was as beautiful as it could be, and now it is more
wonderful still. Let me look."

She bent down her pretty head to admire it.

"Is it my fancy, or the light, or hasn't your hair grown a little
brighter in colour lately, Valentia dear?"

"Oh, do you really think so? I'm so glad. I was afraid it was just the
same--just as it was in Harry's portrait of me, you know."

"It does look very like the portrait. But, very frankly--you won't mind
my saying so?--I think that if it were not quite so fair it would be an
improvement."

"Oh, naughty Mrs. Wyburn! Fancy your wanting me to touch up my
hair--make it dark at the roots, I suppose, as so many people seem to
do! Oh! I wouldn't! What would Romer say? He likes it like this."

Before the elder lady had quite recovered from the blow, Valentia went
on carelessly--

"Daphne sent her love to you. She mayn't have time to come and see you
before we leave."

"Has she been going to any more fancy balls as Rosalind?" asked Mrs.
Wyburn sarcastically.

"No, oh no. There haven't been any more."

"I heard a report--oh, only a report--that Mr. Van Buren is a great
admirer of your sister's; indeed, it was even said that they were going
to be engaged."

This was really a sore subject to Valentia. Her temper began to waver
slightly. It had been a very pet scheme of hers, and only Daphne herself
had defeated it by refusing the millionaire.