There was a silence when she finished speaking.  Ida Tabor was outfaced, and she knew it.  Her cheeks burned scarlet, and she was able to gasp only the feeblest response.

“Thank you for your kind explanation!” she said, somewhat breathless, and with a bow.  Nina, giving Harriet a resentful glance, went over to put her arm about her friend, who had risen, and was facing Harriet.

“It need make no difference with us, Ladybird!” Nina said in passionate loyalty.

“Why, of course not,” Harriet hastened to assure them.  “Why should it?  It has been just as true since December, only you didn’t know it!”

“Thank you!” Mrs. Tabor said again, with another twitch of countenance intended for a smile.

“Will you want both these rooms now?” Nina said, insolently.  “I don’t want to be in your way!”

“Be careful, Nina!” Harriet said with ominous calmness.  And going into her own room she added, in her usual quiet manner, “There will be no changes, dear!” She realized that her heart was beating fast with anger, but it died down rapidly, and she consoled herself with some prophecies that the next few days were to justify to the fullest extent.  Nina’s inseparable Ladybird would find little to interest her in Crownlands now, Harriet suspected, and they would not long be troubled by her company.  She smiled as she heard Nina and Ida in the next room.

“Put on your yellow gown, sweetheart,” Ida said.  “We’re going to the Bellamys’ after lunch.”

“Oh, I don’t feel like going anywhere!” Nina said, pathetically.  “Would you just as soon stay here—­and just read and talk, and fool around as we did yester-day?”

“Just as soon do anything!” But there was a tiny edge to Ladybird’s tone that had not been there yesterday.  “Only, dearest girl,” she added, lightly, “we’re expected!”

For answer Nina only gave her rich, mischievous laugh, and Harriet knew that she was embracing her friend.

“But a lot you and I care for that, don’t we?  We’ll get into wrappers and be comfortable.  I’ll have Bottomley simply telephone after lunch, and say that we are unexpectedly detained.  I can’t get over it,” Nina said, luxuriating in surprise.  Her voice sank to speculation, and the two murmured awhile.  Then Harriet heard Ida return the attack.  “But about the Bellamys, dear,” and smiled a little sadly, to think of the swiftness with which, to calculating Mrs. Tabor, the Carter stock was declining, and the Bellamy market looking up.

“That crazy man who—­you said—­admired me last night,” Nina was presently saying, “tell me again what he said.  I don’t see how he could have said I was picturesque, for there’s nothing picturesque about that old blue rag.  I don’t know, though, it’s always been awfully smart.  But I’ll tell you honestly, Ladybird, I’d rather be picturesque than almost anything else.”

“You’re certainly that!” said Ida’s bored voice.