Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/268

262 One morning, while making the daily visit to Mrs. Bennett's dressing-room, that lady said in a tone of more than usual civility, "I should be much obliged, Miss Beaumont, by your giving up your room next week. The heiress, Miss Elphinstone is coming to stay with us, and her maid must have a room with a fire-place." Fanny of course assented, but it was with a bitter feeling of comparison.

The name of Elphinstone called up her school-days, and she could not but contrast her present and former situation. Then she was loved, caressed, the favourite of her own happy little circle—now she was dependant and lonely and forgotten.

The arrival of Miss Elphinstone was obviously an event in the Harley Street household.

All sorts of preparations were made, and Fanny was surprised one morning by a request from Mrs. Bennett to come to her in the dressing room. She found that it was to write out the cards of an invitation for a splendid ball to be