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 hurried away, leaving me to comfort myself as best I might. I have found very little consolation so far; but I really think Alice exaggerates, and I must turn my attention to my toilet for this evening.

I appeared in a wonderful combination of satin and gauze last night, and felt quite proud of myself as I took one last lingering look at my reflection in the long glass.

"There is something about that pinkish ashes-of-roses color," said Tom, with the air of one who knows what he is talking about, "that suits you to a T."

"Oh, you poor goose!" laughed Grace. "That is cream color, not ashes-of-roses."

"Well, whatever you call it, it is mighty becoming."

"Yes," I responded with some vanity, "it really is."

"If you stand there looking at yourself much longer," cried Tom, "Alice will not wait for you."

"Come, Judith," I said with dignity; and together we descended the stairs and entered the carriage, which was waiting for us.

There was another carriage standing at the door, and Alice put her head out of the window and charged us to wear our thickest wraps. "It is bitterly cold," she added.

Enveloped in our furs, we did not feel it. In front of the palace a huge fire was burning merrily; there was an iron railing about it, and here a crowd of coachmen were huddled together, taking advantage of the warmth provided for them.

I felt strangely excited, and my cheeks glowed as if