Besides, I could not
go to a place like Rotherwood without at least two new dresses, and it
is not right to put papa to more expense.'
'Oh, mamma! couldn't you? You always do look nicer than any one,' said
Mysie.
'My dear, I am afraid nothing I have at present would be suitable for a
General's wife at Lady Rotherwood's party, and we must think of what
would be fitting both towards our hostess and papa. Don't you see?'
'Ah! your velvet dress!' sighed Gillian.
'My poor old faithful state apparel,' smiled Lady Merrifield. 'Poor
Gill, you did not think again to have to mourn for it, but I don't know
that even that could have been sufficiently revivified, though it was
my cheval de bataille for so many years.
For Lady Merrifield's black velvet of many years' usefulness, had been
put on for her p.p.c. party at Belfast, when Gillian, in abetting
Jasper in roasting chestnuts over a paraffin-lamp, had set herself and
the tablecloth on fire, and had been extinguished with such damages as
singed hair, a scar on Jasper's hands, and the destruction of her
mother's 'front breadth.' There had been such relief and thankfulness
at its being no worse that the 'state apparel' had not been much
mourned, especially as the remains made a charming pelisse for
Primrose; and in the retirement of Silverton, it had not been missed
till the present occasion.
'Do gowns cost so very much?' said Mysie.
'Indeed they do, my poor Mouse. The lamented cost more than twenty
pounds.
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