Page:Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Volume 2.djvu/223

Rh times), go to Richmond in the afternoon and dine at the Star and Garter, or to Greenwich and eat "white baits fish," as the Russian called that celebrated dish, and finish off the evening at some theatre, getting home at midnight, in a procession of two cabs and a hansom.

When the first excitement was over, Lavinia and Matilda took a turn at society, having friends in London. Amanda could not conquer her prejudices sufficiently to accompany them, and, falling back on the climate as her excuse, stayed at home and improved her mind.

"I feel now like girls in novels. You are the Duchess of Devonshire and I am Lady Maud Plantagenet, going to a ball at Buckingham Palace. I know that I was made to sit in the lap of luxury: it agrees with me so well," said Matilda, as the two rolled away to Aubrey House in a brougham, all lamps, glass, and satin. Her long blue train lay piled up before her, the light flashed on her best Roman earrings, her curls were in their most picturesque array, and—crowning joy of all—cream-colored gloves, with six buttons, covered her arms, and filled her soul with happiness, because they were