Instantly Archie’s face flushed crimson, for he had not seen his uncle since his marriage, which had called forth a letter so angry in its tone that he had never answered it, or sought for any further intercourse with his indignant relative.

Daisy, on the contrary, was wholly unmoved.

“Veni, vidi, vici,” was her motto, which had proved true in so many instances that she fancied she had only to meet the haughty Lady Jane face to face and conquer her also.  And yet she did feel a little nervous when, as the hour for the train drew near, she went to her room and commenced her toilet for dinner.

“Let me see,” she murmured:  “they have undoubtedly heard that I am a brazen face and a minx, and awfully extravagant and flashy in style; so simplicity in dress and modesty of demeanor will best suit me now.  I must not wear my paste diamonds, for though I’ve no idea Lady Jane can tell them from the real, she would think them far too expensive for people in our circumstances, and wonder how I got them.”

So the false diamonds were put aside, as was everything else which could awaken an inquiry as to its cost, and a simple blue muslin was chosen, with ruching at the neck and nothing on the sleeves, which were rather wide and showed to good advantage the beautifully rounded arms and hands, of which Daisy was so proud.  Her golden curls were gathered in a shining mass at the back of her head and fastened with a comb of pink coral, Lord Hardy’s gift, when he was in Naples with her.  At her throat she wore a blush rose and another in her belt, with no jewelry of any kind, except her wedding ring, and Bessie’s turquois, which she still appropriated.  Nothing could be simpler than her whole dress, and nothing more becoming, for it gave her a sweet girlish look, which she knew always produced an effect.

Meanwhile the expected guests had arrived, and Daisy heard them in the hall as they took possession of the room opposite hers.  Lady Jane was very tired, and hot, and dusty, for she had come from Edinburgh that day, and she glanced around her luxurious apartment with a feeling of comfort and relief, as she issued her orders to her maid, Lydia, and talked to her husband.

“Open the little trunk, Lydia, and take out my pearl-colored grenadine; I cannot wear a heavy silk to-night; and find my Valenciennes fichu and my small diamonds, I don’t suppose there is any one in particular here, unless it is Lady Oakley, and she, I presume has the room opposite this.  She did, the last time we were here.  John, we are really very comfortable.  Mrs. Smithers knows how to keep up an attractive house, and is a charming woman, though, of course, not quite to the manner born.  Was her father an iron monger, or what?”

“He was a wholesale merchant, and worth a mint of money.  Why, he could buy out every McPherson and Trevellian in the United Kingdom,” was John’s reply; and then, with a little toss of her head, Lady Jane began her toilet, for it wanted but an hour of dinner.