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Rh down with affectionate shame, now rose into her eyes, and Fanny scarcely heard the carriages or the music, while the image of her darling sister rose before her: she was roused from her reverie by the school-room door, and to her astonishment saw a young lady enter bearing a light in her hand. She was drest in white satin which showed to advantage her tall and elegant figure, while a wreath of scarlet flowers contrasted the rich folds of her thick black hair. A chain of gold was round her neck, from which hung a diamond cross, and there was something so brilliant about her whole appearance that Fanny, though she rose, remained silent. She almost expected the bright apparition to vanish.

"I beg your pardon for this intrusion," said the unexpected visitor, "but I wanted my wreath altered, for it hurts my head. I could make no one hear in my own room, and set off in search of my maid: I lost my way, and, seeing a light, ventured to come in."

"Can I be of any use?" said Fanny.