straying to my night-gown, and dressing-gown,
laid out on a chair beside the fire.

"Oh, Lady Katherine, I am afraid you are wondering at my having pink
silk," I said, apologetically, "as I am in mourning; but I have not had
time to get a white dressing-gown yet."

"It is not that, dear," said Lady Katherine, in a grave duty voice.
"I--I--do not think such a night-gown is suitable for a girl."

"Oh, but I am very strong," I said. "I never catch cold."

Mary Mackintosh held it up, with a face of stern disapproval. Of course
it has short sleeves ruffled with Valenciennes, and is fine linen
cambric nicely embroidered. Mrs. Carruthers was always very particular
about them, and chose them herself at Doucet's. She said one never could
know when places might catch on fire.

"Evangeline, dear, you are very young, so you probably cannot
understand," Mary said. "But I consider this garment not in any way fit
for a girl, or for any good woman for that matter. Mother, I hope my
sisters have not seen it."

I looked so puzzled.

She examined the stuff, one could see the chair through it, beyond.

"What _would_ Alexander say if I were to wear such a thing!"

This thought seemed to almost suffocate them both; they looked genuinely
pained and shocked.

"Of course it would be too tight for you," I said, humbly; "but it is
otherwise a very good pattern, and does not tear when one puts up one's
arms. Mrs. Carruthers made a fuss at Doucet's because my last set tore
so soon, and they altered these."

At the mention of my late adopted mother, both of them pulled themselves
up.

"Mrs. Carruthers, we know, had very odd notions," Lady Katherine said,
stiffly. "But I hope, Evangeline, you have sufficient sense to
understand now for yourself that such a--a--garment is not at all
seemly."

"Oh, why not, dear Lady Katherine?" I said, "You don't know how becoming
it is."

"Becoming!" almost screamed Mary Mackintosh, "But no nice-minded woman
wants things to look becoming in bed!"

The whole matter appeared so painful to them I covered up the offending
"nighty" with my dressing-gown, and coughed. It made a break, and they
went away, saying good-night frigidly.

And now I am alone. But I do wonder why it is wrong to look pretty in
bed, considering nobody sees one, too!

TRYLAND COURT,

Monday, _November 14th._

I ha