A Search For A Secret (Vol 1 of 3)

her was going to give a grand ball, at which she was to come out, and that I should be formally introduced to the world upon the same occasion; and she remarked that she flattered he

heard of my invitation, made me a very handsome present to buy myself dresses fitted for the occasion. I had, therefore, a fortnight of excitement and preparation, as my morning and

a lady of his acquaintance, who was also going to London, and then said

I got out at the station, a tall footman, whose face I rememb

eet me, and I began to realize the fact th

n Eaton Square, and the tall footman knocked at the doo

airs into the hall, and kissed me as warmly as she had d

oor between, so we shall be able to talk as much as we like. Mamma is not very well, and is lying down, and you will no

caused me to forget the unusual grandeur of the furniture; for I should, I think, have otherwise felt not a little awe-str

occupied in taking off my wraps; this done, she again kissed me, and then made me seat

r your journey, and are certainly even prettier than when I saw you last. I begin to t

then Ada gave me the list of our engagements, which quite frightened me, at the number of titled people I was going to visit. At last it was time to get ready for dinner; so I went into my own room, where I fou

t; then closing his book, reluctantly as it were, rose to speak to us. As he did so he gave quite a start; he had evidently expected to meet the schoolgirl he had seen nearly two years before, looking demure and half frighte

o shake hands with me. "Your looks speak for themselves. I should hardly

ung lady just come out, that she has grown very pretty; just the sort of thing you might have said to a little child, or a milkmaid. You might have conveyed the idea, which in itself is tru

t so much surprised for a moment at the change in you, that I was obliged to express myself in the mos

, Percy," Ada s

f your best Grendo

attack, I was able to take my own part in the conversation; and-accustomed as I was to wordy skirmishes with papa and Harry

of which our Indian heroes are made; thoughtful, studious men, with warm hearts, and iron resolutions, with manners quiet and gentle, but with the fiery courage of a Bayard. He was as far removed from the ordinary drawing-room soldier as can well be; men who, doubtless, when necessity comes, are, as every English gentleman must be, brave as far as personal courage goes, but who care little for their military duties, contenting themselves with going through the daily routine, reserving all their best energies for the evening. Men with a rather supercilious smile, and languid air, with a great flow of small talk and compliments: men

he had seen me, she assured me that I had very much improved, especially in figure and carriage,-the points, she observed, in whic

teliness of the meal. The reason for this change was, that we were going to the opera in the evening. We had dressed for it before dinner, so that there was no time lost, and we entered Lady Desborough's

elow. It was wonderful, but yet a little confusing, there were so many men lookin

rude they

ten been there before,

s indisputable belles. Men would not take the trouble to look at us if we were not pretty. There, child,

ry hot and uncomfortable till the curtain drew up, and then I was too entirely absor

of producing such exquisite full liquid notes as those which poured from her, seemingly without the slightest effort. It was marvellous, and I was literally enchanted; and ev

njoyed herself as thoroughly as I did. The first time Ada went she did not seem to care

assive and quiet as Ada did, especially as numbers of ladies in carriages bowed to Lady Desborough, and men on horseback lifted their hats, or sometimes rode up to the carriage and spoke. Ada knew most of them by name, but very few to speak to, as her mamma had not been in the habit of taking her out to drive with her, or of introducing her to any one, as she was not yet out. But now as we were to appear the next

e that the flowers which had been previously ordered were coming. Scarcely had he arrived when two carts drove up to the door full of them. We thereupon formed ourselves into a council of taste, and the flowers were distributed under our supervision in the hall, in the room behind the dining-room-which was to be for tea and ices-on the landings of the staircase, and in the grates of the drawing-rooms. The conservatory had been filled the day before, and a perfumed fountain from Rimmel's, placed there to play during the evening. When all was done, we pronounced the effect to be charming. Lady Desborough, at Ada's request, came down from her room, where she had been all the morning, to inspect the arrangements, which she pronounced exceedingly good. Indeed it looked extremely well, for the drawing-rooms, which were very large and handsome, had been repapered specially for the occasion, Lady Desborough being determined that nothing should be want

fect, when we went in to see it on our way down to dinner in the back dining-room, was certainly superb. Even

I did not see how we could possibly occupy all that, and was half inclined to side with Percy in his remarks as to the absurdity of our being so long at our toilet. However, Ada paid no attenti

nterrupted us, and we were told

get on with your dressing. I sha

, the choice of which he had left with them, and a small chain to suspend it round my neck. That they trusted the jewel would give me satisfaction; but that, if I wished, they would exchange it for any other in their shop, if I would favour them with a call." The cont

sed by Lady Desborough's own maid-when she came into the room to me, and as she did so we uttered an exclamation of mutual admiration. Ada certainly looked lovely; she was dressed in white silk, with white tulle over it

lace, a present from Mr. Harmer, over it. This was slightly looped up wi

ngratulations was over, "Oh, Agnes, what a lovely diamond cro

he manner in which I

trump, as Percy would say. What a beautiful

alue of diamonds, and s

don't deserve to have presents made you. If I kno

ightened at the idea of carrying such a valuable

quite worth that; they are splendid diamonds, and t

sborough soon came down, and also expressed herself highly pleased with our appearance. She fully endorsed what Ada had

away with you; above all, do not become noisy: I know well what your tendency is. This does not apply to you, Miss Ashleigh, for although you have good spirits, I know you are not likely to let them run away with you as Ada is. Do not either of you, I beg, dance more than once, or at most twice with any gentleman. This applies equally to you, Miss

sborough might have been disposed to have tendered us; and in a

Fairthorne had brought the news to school, when Mr. Harmer's intentions with respect to us were pub