"Won't you think better of it and go to the concert?" Pauline said, when
she was ready to start. "It is really silly of you to stay at home,
dearest. I wouldn't have accepted Madame Verney's invitation if I had
thought you would not go. But you see how it is, don't you? Her cousin is
at the French Embassy, and she is sure to get to know a lot of people. She
may introduce me to a great many pupils."

This sounded reasonable, and Pauline's voice was most kind and caressing,
yet somehow the hurt feeling remained in Rose's heart. She saw that
Pauline was delighted to go. She did not really care in the least about
her disappointment. "He will be sure to play again," she answered, "I
shall go for a walk in the Park. What time shall you be back, Pauline?"

Pauline hesitated. "Don't expect me till the evening, darling. Madame
Verney spoke about my going back with her to tea. Shall you be very
lonely? I never used to trouble about Clare. She went her way, and I went
mine. And"--

"You need not trouble about me," Rose flashed out, her colour rising. "I
should be sorry to spoil your afternoon, Pauline."

Pauline looked at her with grieved eyes. "It will make me most miserable
if I leave you angry with me. Don't you know that I would far, far rather
have gone with you? Rosie, you know that, don't you?"

But Rose had a stubborn love of truth, which prevented her from responding
to this appeal as Pauline wished.

"It would have been a pity for you to refuse Madame Verney," she said.