“Thanks.  Behold the result of the morning’s self-denial, of a day passed quietly in bed, with only the companionship of pillows and dreams.  I was forced to choose between Mrs. St. Clare’s ‘lunch’ and Mrs. Tarrant’s ‘crush,’ ’not that I love Caesar less, but that I love Rome more;’ and the success of my strategy is brilliant.  Am I not the complete impersonation of sunshine?  How deadly white and chill you look!  Come closer and warm yourself in my glorious rays.  Do you scout oneiriomancy as a heathenish fable?  To-day I unexpectedly became a convert to its sublime secrets.  After you and mamma deserted me for Cantata and Luncheon, I fell into a heavy sleep, and dreamed that I was Danae, with a mist of gold drizzling over me; and lo! when I began to dress this evening, my dazzled eyes beheld these superb topaz gems.  ’Compliments of Mr. Erle Palma, who thought they would harmonize with the gold-coloured silk, and ordered them for the occasion.’  So said the card lying on the velvet case!  Do you wonder if the world is coming to its long-predicted end?  Not at all; merely the close of Olga Neville’s career; the sun of my maidenhood setting in unexpected splendour.  Do you understand that scriptural paradox:  ’To him that hath shall be given, but from him that hath not shall be taken,’ etc., etc?  Once when I was better than I am now, and studied my Bible, it puzzled me; now I know it means that stiff-necked Olga Neville finds no favour in Mr. Palma’s eyes; but the obedient, and amiable, prospective Mrs. Silas Congreve shall be furnished with gewgaws, which very soon she will possess in abundance, and to spare.  Just now mamma gave me the delightful intelligence that, having been informed of my intention to trade myself off for stocks and brown-stone-fronts, her very distinguished and magnanimous stepson signified his approbation by announcing his determination to settle ten thousand dollars on this Lucretia Borgia head, upon the day when it wears a bridal veil.”

All this was uttered volubly, as if she feared interruption; and she stood surveying her brilliant image in the mirror, shaking out the silk skirt, looping the lace, arranging the rose leaves and turning, so as to catch her profile reflection.

Regina readily perceived that she adopted this method of ignoring the casual meeting in East ——­ Street, and resolved to tacitly accept the cue; but before she could frame a reply, Olga hurried on: 

“Were you really sick and unable to dine, or are you practising the first steps, the initial measure of that policy system, so cordially commended to your favourable regard?  You missed an unusually good dinner.  Octave seems to have days of culinary inspiration, and this has been one.  The turbot a la creme was fit for Lucullus, the noyeau-flavoured gauffres as crisp as criticism, as light as one of Taglioni’s movements, the marbled glaces simply perfect.  But when your chair remained vacant your guardian darkened like a thunder-cloud