anexcusetodoitcapriciously,andsheplacedinitthebeautifultiarawhichhergrandmotherhadwornintheRegency.Onhershoulderssheworetwoornamentsexquisitelysetingold-work,purloinedbyagreat-uncleinthePeninsularWarfromthesaintofaSpanishchurch.Sheslippedastringofpearlsroundherneck,braceletsonherarms,andfastenedaglisteningrowofstarstoherbosom.Knowingshehadbeautifulhands,Berthadisdainedtowearrings,butnowshecoveredherfingerswithdiamondsandemeraldsandsapphires.
Finallyshestoodbeforethelooking-glass,andgavealaughofpleasure.Shewasnotoldyet.
Butwhenshesailedintothedrawing-room,Edwardjumpedupinsurprise.
“GoodLord!”hecried.“Whatonearth’sup!Havewegotpeoplecomingtodinner?”
“Mydear,ifwehad,Ishouldnothavedressedlikethis.”
“You’regotupasifthePrinceofWaleswerecoming.AndI’monlyinknickerbockers.It’snotourwedding-day?”
“No.”
“ThenIshouldliketoknowwhyyou’vedressedyourselfuplikethat.”
“Ithoughtitwouldpleaseyou,”shesaid,smiling.
“Iwishyou’dtoldme—I’dhavedressedtoo.Areyousurenoone’scoming?”
“Quitesure.”
“Well,IthinkIoughttodress.Itwouldlooksoqueerifsomeoneturnedup.”
“Ifanyonedoes,IpromiseyouI’llfly.”
Theywentintodinner,Edwardfeelingveryuncomfortable,andkeepinghisearalertforthefront-doorbell.Theyatetheirsoup,andthenweresetonthetable—theremainsofacoldlegofmuttonandmashedpotatoes.Berthalookedforamomentblankly,andthen,leaningback,burstintopealuponpealoflaughter.
“GoodLord,whatisthematternow?”askedEdward.
Nothingismoreannoyingthantohavepeopleviolentlyhilariousoverajokethatyoucannotsee.
Berthaheldhersidesandtriedtospeak.
“I’vejustrememberedthatItoldtheservantstheymightgooutto-night,there’sacircusatBlackstableandIsaidwe’djusteatuptheoddsandends.”
“Idon’tseeanyjokeinthat.”
Andreallytherewasnone,butBerthalaughedagainimmoderately.
“Isupposetherearesomepickles,”saidEdward.
Bertharepressedhergaietyandbegantoeat.
“Thatismywholelife,”shemurmuredunderherbreath,“toeatcoldmuttonandmashedpotatoesinaball-dressandallmydiamonds.”