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on her very much. Please bring your pretty niece instead. Yours
sincerely, Caroline Kiteley.
Mrs. FaneSmith was glad and sorry at the same time, and very much
perplexed. Such a peremptory but openhearted invitation could not
be declined, yet there were dangers in the acceptance. If Erica's
name should transpire, it might be very awkward, but she had not
broached the suggested change of name to her, and every day her
courage dwindled every day that resolute mouth frightened her more.
She was quite aware that Erica's steady, courageous honesty would
unsparingly condemn all her small weaknesses and little expedients.
Erica, when told of the invitation, was not particularly anxious to
go, for she and Rose had been planning a cozy evening at home over
a new novel upon which their tastes really agreed. However, Rose
assured her that Lady Caroline's parties were always delightful,
and hunted her off to dress at least an hour before there was any
necessity. Rose was a great authority on dress and, when her
cousin returned, began to study her attire critically.
She wore a very simply made dress of mossgreen velveteen, high to
the throat, and relieved by a deep falling collar of old point.
Elspeth had brought her a spray of white banksia roses, but
otherwise she wore no ornament. Her style was very different from
her cousin's; but Rose could not help approving of it, its severity
suited Erica.
You look lovely! she exclaimed. Lady Caroline will quite lose
her heart to you! I think you should have that dress cut low in
front, though. It is a shame not to show such a pretty neck as you
must have.
Oh, no! said Erica, quickly; father can't endure low dresses.
One can't always dress to please one's father, said Rose. For
the matter of that, I believe papa doesn't like them; but I always
wear them. You see it is more economical, one must dress much more
expensively if one goes in for high dresses. A little display of
neck and arms, and any old rag will look dressy and fashionable,
and though I don't care about economy, mamma does.
You don't have an allowance, then?
No; papa declared I ought to dress on eighty pounds a year, but I
never could make both ends meet, and I got a tiresome long bill at
Langdon's, and that vexed him, so now I get what I like and mamma
pays.
Erica made no comment, but was not a little amazed. Presently Mrs.
FaneSmith came in, and seemed well pleased with her niece's
appearance.
You have the old point! she exclaimed.
Aunt Jean gave it to me, said Erica. She never would part with
it because it was grandmamma's at least, she did sell it once, when

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