uch was said of it, for she
felt that her friend might have a difficulty in sympathising with such
enthusiasm. She would have liked to make Sibyl understand that her
rustication was quite voluntary; but the subject embarrassed her, and
she preferred to keep silence.

'I didn't hear very much about your time in Germany,' Mrs. Carnaby
resumed. 'Nothing much to tell, I suppose.'

'Very little.'

'Any--any adventures?'

'Oh no!'

Alma felt herself grow warm, less at the thought of the adventures
which really had befallen her than from vexation at the feeling of
insignificance. She understood very well what Sibyl meant by her
smiling question, and it would almost have been a relief to tell
certain stories, in proof that she had not utterly fallen out of sight
and mind on her self-banishment from society. There was no reason,
indeed, why she should not make fun of Felix Dymes and his proposal;
but the episode seemed idle in comparison with another, on which she
had never ceased to reflect. Perhaps a certain glory attached to that
second incident; Sibyl might be impressed alike with the character of
the temptation and with her friend's nobility in scorning it. But the
opportunity had gone by.

On rising from table, Sibyl remarked that she wished to make one or two
purchases; would Alma accompany her to the shop? They went forth, and
drove as far as Regent Street. Mrs. Carnaby's requirements were one or
two expensive trifles, which she chose with leisurely gratification of
her taste. It surprised Alma to see this extravagance; one would have
thought the purchaser had never known restricted means, and dreamt of
no such thing; she bought what she happened to desire, as a matter of
course. And this was no ostentation for Alma's benefit. Evidently Sibyl
had indulged herself with the same freedom throughout her travels; for
she had brought back a museum of beautiful and curious things, which
must have cost a good deal. Perhaps for the first time in her life Alma
experienced a sense of indignation at the waste of money. She was
envious withal, which possibly helped to explain the other impulse.

They returned in an hour's time. Sibyl then withdrew for a few minutes,
and reappeared in an exquisite tea-gown, which made her friend's frock,
though new and handsome, look something less than suitable to the
occasion. Alma, glancing about the room, spoke as if in pursuance of a
train of thought.

'People _do_ make a lot of money