get back--would Hildegarde _please_
excuse her for being so long?

"Oh, but I have had a delightful time, Miss Adams!" cried Hildegarde.
"And I have sold three dozen of everything--was that a real offer,
Imperia?"

Imperia vowed that it was; and Hildegarde and Miss Adams together tied
up the parcels, while all chatted together like old friends. The
situation was explained, and so many dozens of "Novices" were ordered
for every week that Hildegarde declared her intention of taking back
with her to Braeside a _chef_ and three kitchen-maids to help her in the
manufacture. Finally, she was whirled away in her friend's purple
chariot for a drive in the park, and had the pleasure of passing her
cousin Blanche on the way, looking sad and sorry.

CHAPTER VI.

MORE GREETINGS.

"AND you won't think better of it? Hilda, I am in despair! Think of it,
my dear! Calve, and both the De Reszkes--there will never be such a
performance again, perhaps, in our lifetimes! And all the good time we
should have between the acts--and our box will be simply _full_ of
people all the evening--oh, you must come, Hilda Grahame!"

People said of Helena Desmond that if she had a fault, it was that of
speaking too loud. She was so full of the joy of living, so powerful and
vigorous in all her emotions, pleasurable or painful, that her clear,
resonant voice was apt to be heard like the sound of a trumpet,
dominating other and feebler organs. Mrs. Delansing, sitting erect
behind her tea equipage, heard it, and shivered slightly; but
Hildegarde's reply was spoken so low that she could not catch a
syllable. Then came: "No, no, I shouldn't! Don't tell me! I should do
nothing of the sort! We are to take our opportunities as they
come,--time enough for sacrifices when Lent comes. You know I don't mean
that, Hilda; and you know you are a dear, dear,--" here followed the
sound of good hearty kisses, and Mrs. Delansing shivered again; then the
door closed with a solid slam, and all was silent.

Hildegarde came into the room, her hands full of roses.

"Aunt Emily," she said, "Helena Desmond sent you these! She would have
come in, but she was late already for a reception. Aren't they lovely?"

Mrs. Delansing bent her head over the flowers; they were among the few
things she enjoyed.

"Beautiful!" she said. "It was very kindly done of Miss Desmond. I
should have been glad to see her. Was--was that she at the door,
speaking so loud?"

"Yes," s