or that, I'm enjoying myself. And I like to see you in such
capital spirits.'

So, with a happy sigh, Alma gave up the packing of her trunk, and wrote
to Mrs. Frothingham that if baby _really_ was not a trouble, they might
stay for another fortnight. 'Harvey is in such capital spirits, and
does so enjoy himself, that I don't think he ought to go home whilst
all the life of the season is in full swing. Of course, I could leave
him here, but--if you will credit it--he seems really to wish to have
me with him. If I tried to say how thoroughly good and kind he is, I
should make you laugh. It amuses me to see him turned into a sort of
bachelor again. This is no contradiction; I mean that here, among his
men friends, he shows a new side of himself, seems younger (to tell the
truth), and has a kind of gaiety quite different from his good humour
at home. You can't think how he enjoys a dinner at the club, for
instance, quite in a boyish way; and then he comes back with all sorts
of stories and bits of character and I don't know what; we forget the
time, and sit talking till I daren't tell you when. But I am doing the
same thing now, for it is half-past twelve (noon), and I have promised
to lunch with Sibyl at half-past one. Her flat is just finished, and
looks very pretty indeed. A thousand kisses to my little darling! Try
and make him understand that _mum-mum_ has not gone for ever.'

She dressed with care (her wardrobe had undergone a complete renewal),
and drove off in a hansom to Oxford and Cambridge Mansions. It was to
be a luncheon of intimacy, for Sibyl had not yet gathered her
acquaintances. When Alma entered, Mrs. Carnaby was sitting just as in
the days before her great migration, perfectly at ease, admirably
self-possessed, her beauty arrayed with all the chastity of effect
which distinguished her among idle and pleasure-loving women. She had
found a new way of doing her hair, a manner so young, so virginal, that
Alma could not but gaze with wonder and admiration.

'You do look sweet today!'

'Do I? I'm glad you think so.--I want your opinion. Would you have the
piano there, or _there_?'

This matter was discussed, and then they obeyed the tuneful gong that
summoned them to the dining-room. Alma surveyed everything, and felt a
secret envy. Here was no demonstration of the simple life; things
beautiful and luxurious filled all available space, and indeed
over-filled it, for Sibyl had tried to use as much as possib