LADY DELIA felt that she must tell somebody of her astounding experience, and when Janet Waymark called in Grosvenor Square at five o'clock on the last Tuesday in November the desired opportunity seemed to be provided.
The recollection caused her face to flush again with indignation, and Janet could not help admitting the great attractiveness of the girl, whom a year ago she had regarded as a child.
"You can't imagine anything half so dreadful," said Lady Delia, holding back her head disdainfully.
"Dreadful things don't happen to children of your age," answered Janet with the calm superiority of twenty-five. She was a small woman, rather fond of admitting that her only attraction was an income of twenty thousand pounds a year.
"But it has happened," Lady Delia insisted, "though it's difficult to believe that any man could do such a thing!"
"Who is he and what has he done?" asked Janet.
"I told you," Lady Delia explained, "that Will and I were getting up some private theatricals for our house-party."
Affairs connected with the ministry, of which he was a distinguished member, had brought the Earl of Wharf stead to London at a time when he would have preferred to be amongst his pheasants, but he fully intended to return to his country-place for Christmas.
"We are doing a comedietta," Lady Delia continued, "and in an evil hour I consented to take a part in a farce as well—a very small part, a parlor-maid, who hasn't a dozen words to say."
"Well?" suggested Janet languidly.
"We had a rehearsal here yesterday afternoon," said Lady Delia, "and I put on a black frock and the most elaborate cap and apron"
"No doubt, you looked ravishing!" cried Janet, a little enviously.
"Oh, well," Lady Delia admitted, "if the wretched things hadn't suited me, I suppose it wouldn't have happened. After the rehearsal they all went away but Barbara, and I insisted on going downstairs to let her out."
"You were determined to live up to your part!"
"There was no one in the hall," said Lady Delia, "so I opened the street-door. Barbara begged me not to show myself, but it was almost
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