One would enjoy seeing
the bill called forth by the finery displayed and one is possessed by a
desire to see the princess for whose benefit-- Look! There's some one!
Disappointment! This is only a maid hunting for something--she lifts
a heap from a chair--Not there; another heap, the dressing-table, the
chiffonier drawers. She brings to light several beautiful chemises and
an amazing pajama but this does not satisfy her--she goes out.
An indistinguishable mumble from the next room.
Now, we are getting warm. This is Alec's mother, Mrs. Connage, ample,
dignified, rouged to the dowager point and quite worn out. Her lips move
significantly as she looks for IT. Her search is less thorough than the
maid's but there is a touch of fury in it, that quite makes up for its
sketchiness. She stumbles on the tulle and her "damn" is quite audible.
She retires, empty-handed.
More chatter outside and a girl's voice, a very spoiled voice, says:
"Of all the stupid people--"
After a pause a third seeker enters, not she of the spoiled voice,
but a younger edition. This is Cecelia Connage, sixteen, pretty, shrewd,
and constitutionally good-humored.
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