s place by skilful fingers, then, and not till then, Elma was
allowed to regard herself in the glass. It was a startling revelation
of her own beauty, but the predominant feeling was not elation, but
distress. Accustomed as she was to a puritan-like simplicity, Elma felt
almost shocked at her own changed appearance. The sweeping folds of the
gown gave additional height to her figure, her neck looked like a round
white pillar above the square of lace; the quaintly arranged tresses
gave a touch of piquancy to her gentle features. An involuntary and
quite impersonal admiration was followed by quick repentance.

"Cornelia, I can't! I can't go down like this! I daren't do it. I
look like an actress--so dressed up! Just as if I _wanted_ to look
nice!"

Cornelia sniffed eloquently.

"Well--don't you?"

"Yes, but--but I don't like to _look_ as if I did! Oh, Cornelia,
couldn't I put on my own dress again, and do my hair the old way? I'd
be so much happier!"

"The Grevilles wouldn't! You've got to remember that they are used to
finery, and not to having young women sitting round in blue serge in the
evening. It seems gaudy to you, but it's just dead, everyday-level to
them, and won't raise a ripple. You look a Daisy, and I'm proud of you,
and if you had a mite of feeling you'd say `Thank you,' instead of
finding fault after all my work!"

Elma wheeled round; surprised another glance of tender admiration, and
held out impulsive hands.

"Cornelia, you are good! I _do_ thank you; I know quite well that you--
you are trying--I _do_ love you, Cornelia!"

"Oh, shucks!" cried Cornelia, hastily. "Don't gush; I hate gush! Take
my arm, and come along downstairs. Lean on it pretty heavily, mind.
Your spirit's too much for your strength, and you are apt to forget that
you are an invalid. You've got to keep a check on yourself, my dear,
and remember that a nervous shock's a ticklish thing, and needs a lot of
tending!"

Elma's head drooped; she twisted her fingers together, and glanced
beneath the lashes at her friend's face--glanced timidly, questioningly,
as it were, in dread.

Cornelia deliberately--_winked_!

CHAPTER TEN.

Geoffrey was lounging about in the hall as the two girls descended the
wide staircase. His attitude gave the impression that he had been
impatiently awaiting their advent, and, as he took in Elma's changed
looks in one comprehensive sweep, his eyes brightened with an expression
bef