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 notion of going to a large London party was one she could not entertain for a moment, and so she sorrowfully told them,

"I was afraid you would not like it, dearest old mammy, and so we did refuse at first, but then Lady Chester (she is so nice and so pretty, and so everything that she ought to be) said that Lady Sarah was to chaperon Miss Grenville, and that we might go with them in her carriage; so if you have no objection, we should like to go."

"No objection at all to that," said Mrs. Hopkinson, clearing up instantly. "Only think if your father were to come home that day, and to hear that you were at a concert at St. Maur House—he would be surprised! Why the Queen goes there, and though of course she will not be asked to meet you—I mean you would not be asked to meet her, still you are going to a house where you might have met Her Majesty." And Mrs. Hopkinson's loyalty waxed warm at the possibility.

Dress was the next subject of discussion,