ow-sleeves, and heavy old lace in the
neck. When Hildegarde had clasped the gold beads round her slender neck,
she felt that she was well dressed, and sat down with a quiet conscience
to read "Montcalm and Wolfe" till dinner-time. Presently came a soft
knock at the door, and the announcement that dinner was served; and
Hildegarde laid aside her book and went down to the drawing-room.

[Illustration: "MRS. DELANSING SCRUTINISED HER AS SHE CAME THROUGH THE
LONG ROOM."]

Mrs. Delansing, seated in her straight, high-backed armchair, was on the
watch for her grandniece, and scrutinised her as she came through the
long room. Then she nodded, and, rising, laid her hand on the arm that
Hildegarde offered her.

"Who taught you to enter a room?" she asked, abruptly. "You have been
taught, I perceive."

"My mother," said Hildegarde, quietly.

"Humph!" said Mrs. Delansing. "In my time, one of the most important
accomplishments was to enter a room properly. Nowadays I see young women
skip, and shuffle, and amble into the drawing-room; I do not often see
one enter it properly. You will, perhaps, tell your mother that I have
mentioned this; she may be gratified."

Hildegarde bowed in silence, and as they came into the dining-room, took
the place to which her aunt motioned her, at the foot of the table. It
was a long table, and Hildegarde could only see the bows of Mrs.
Delansing's cap over the stately epergne that rose between them; but she
was conscious of the old lady's sharp black eyes watching her through
the ferns and roses. This awoke a rebellious spirit in our young friend,
and she found herself wondering what would be the effect of her putting
her knife in her mouth, or drinking out of the finger-bowl. The dinner
seemed interminable. It is not easy to talk to some one whom you cannot
see; but Hildegarde replied as well as she could to the occasional
searching questions that were darted at her like spear-points through
the ferns, preserved her composure, and was not too unhappy to enjoy the
good food set before her.

It was a relief to go back to the drawing-room, which seemed a shade
less formal than the one they left; also, she found a comfortable chair,
and received permission to take out her embroidery.

"Where did you get that lace?" asked Mrs. Delansing, suddenly, after a
silence during which Hildegarde had thought her asleep, till, on
looking up, she met the steady gaze of the black eyes, still fixed on
her.