door. "Descend, if you please," went on Evelyn clearly and coldly. "You
have had your triumph. I say not there is no excuse for him,--you are very
beautiful. Good-night."

Audrey stood between the lilac bushes and watched the coach turn from
Palace into Duke of Gloucester Street; then went and knocked at the green
door. It was opened by Mistress Stagg in person, who drew her into the
parlor, where the good-natured woman had been sitting all alone, and in
increasing alarm as to what might be the outcome of this whim of Mr.
Marmaduke Haward's. Now she was full of inquiries, ready to admire and to
nod approval, or to shake her head and cry, "I told you so!" according to
the turn of the girl's recital.

But Audrey had little to say, little to tell. Yes, oh yes, it had been a
very grand sight.... Yes, Mr. Haward was kind; he had always been kind to
her.... She had come home with Mistress Evelyn Byrd in her coach.... Might
she go now to her room? She would fold the dress very carefully.

Mistress Stagg let her go, for indeed there was no purpose to be served in
keeping her, seeing that the girl was clearly dazed, spoke without knowing
what she said, and stood astare like one of Mrs. Salmon's beautiful was
ladies. She would hear all about it in the morning, when the child had
slept off her excitement. They at the Palace couldn't have taken her
presence much amiss, or she would never in the world have come home in the
Westover coach.




CHAPTER XXI