The abundant ruddy hair tossed about in inextricable confusion, curled and twined, utterly regardless of established style, making a bright warm frame for the hazel eyes that seemed unusually keen and sparkling, and the smooth fair cheeks bore a rich scarlet tinge, rather remarkable from the fact that their owner had danced until three o’clock that morning.

“Instead of impairing your complexion, late hours seem to increase its brilliancy.”

“Regina, never dogmatize; it is a rash and unphilosophic habit that leads you to ignore secondary causes.  I have a fine colour to-day, ergo the ‘German’ is superior to any of the patent chemical cosmetics?  No such thing.  I am tired enough in body to look just like what I feel, that traditional Witch of Endor; but a stroke of wonderful good fortune has so elated my spirits, that despite the fatigue of outraged muscles and persecuted nerves, my exultant pride and delight paint my cheeks in becoming tints.  How puzzled you look!  You pretty, sober, solemn, demure blue-eyed Annunciation lily, is there such a thing among flowers?  If I tripped in the metaphor, recollect that I am no adept in floriculture, only know which blossoms look best on a velvet bonnet or a chip hat, and which dainty leaves and petals laid upon my Lucretia locks make me most resemble Hebe.  Are you consumed by curiosity?”

“Not quite; still I should like to know what good fortune has rendered you so happy?”

“Wait until Hattie is beyond hearing.  Come, take away these dishes, and be sure to eat every morsel of that omelette, for I would not willingly mortify Octave’s vanity.  When you have regaled yourself with it, show him the empty dish, tell him it was delicious, and that I send thanks.  Hattie, say to mamma I shall not be able to go out to-day.”

“Miss Regina, I was told to tell you that you must dress for the rehearsal, as Mrs. Palma will take you in the carriage.”

“Very well.  I shall be ready, if go I must.”

“Bravo!  How gracefully you break to harness!  But when these Palmas hold the bit, it would be idle to plunge, kick, or attempt to run.  They are for rebellious humanity, what Rarey was for unruly horseflesh.  Once no fiery colt of Ukraine blood more stubbornly refused the bridle than I did; but Erle Palma smiled and took the reins, and behold the metamorphosis!  Did he command your attendance at this ’Cantata’?”

“Not exactly; but he said he would be displeased if I failed to comply with Mrs. Brompton’s request, because she was an old friend; and moreover that Professor Hurtsel had said they really required my voice for the principal solo.”

“Did it occur to you to threaten to break down entirely, burst into tears, and disgrace things generally, if forced to sing before such an audience?  Pride is the only lever that will move him the billionth fraction of an inch; and he would never risk the possibility of being publicly mortified by his ward’s failure.  He dreads humiliation of any kind, far more than cholera or Asiatic plague, or than even the eternal loss of that infinitesimal microscopic bit of flint, which he is pleased in facetious moments to call his soul.”