t being able to give her a cheque upon account of that
dreadful bill. She had quite accepted Lady Kirkbank's idea that bills
never need be discharged in full, and that the true system of finance
was to give an occasional cheque on account, as a sop to Cerberus. True,
that while Cerberus fattened on the sops the bill seemed always growing;
and the final crash, when Cerberus grew savage and sops could be no more
accepted, was too awful to be thought about.

Lesbia entered Seraphine's Louis-seize drawing-room with a faint
expectation of unpleasantness; but after a little whispering between
Lady Kirkbank and the dressmaker, the latter came to Lesbia smiling
graciously, and seemingly full of eagerness for new orders.

'Miladi says you want something of the most original--_tant soit peu
risque_--for 'Enley,' she said. 'Let us see now,' and she tapped her
forehead with a gold thimble which nobody had ever seen her use, but
which looked respectable. 'There is ze dresses that Chaumont wear in zis
new play, _Une Faute dans le Passe_. Yes, zere is the watare dress--a
boating party at Bougival, a toilet of the most new, striking,
_ecrasant_, what you English call a "screamer."'

'What a genius you are, Fifine,' exclaimed Lady Kirkbank, rapturously.
'The _Faute dans le Passe_ was only produced last week. No one will have
thought of copying Chaumont's gowns yet awhile. The idea is an
inspiration.'

'What is the boating costume like?' asked Lady Lesbia, faintly.

'An exquisite combination of simplicity with _vlan_,' answered the
dressmaker. 'A skin-tight indigo silk Jersey bodice, closely studded
with dark blue beads, a flounced petticoat of indigo and amber foulard,
an amber scarf drawn tightly round the hips, and a dark blue toque with
a largo bunch of amber poppies. Tan-coloured mousquetaire gloves, and
Hessian boots of tan-coloured kid.'

'Hessian boots!' ejaculated Lesbia.

'But, yes, Miladi. The petticoat is somewhat short, you comprehend, to
escape the damp of the deck, and, after all, Hessians are much less
indelicate than silk stockings, legs _a cru_, as one may say.'

'Lesbia, you will look enchanting in yellow Hessians,' said Lady
Kirkbank, 'Let the dress be put in hand instantly, Seraphine.'

Lesbia was inclined to remonstrate. She did not admire the description
of the costume, she would rather have something less outrageous.

'Outrageous! It is only original,' exclaimed her chaperon. 'If Chaumont
wears it you m