'Susan, tell that
disagreeable fellow to drive on.'
They had not far to go, but the man did not hurry his horse. Other
cabs passed them on the road, motor-cars whizzed by.
'We shall be dreadfully late,' Henrietta sighed.
'I am always late for balls,' Caroline said calmly.
Rose, leaning back in her corner, could see Henrietta's profile
against the window-pane. Her lips were parted, she leaned forward
eagerly. 'We shall miss a dance,' she murmured.
Caroline coughed. 'Oh, dear,' Sophia moaned. 'Caroline, you should be
in bed.'
'You're a silly old woman,' Caroline retorted.
'But you'll promise not to sit in a draught; Henrietta, see that your
Aunt Caroline doesn't sit in a draught.' But Henrietta was letting
down the window, for the cab had drawn up before the portals of the
Assembly Rooms.
In the cloak-room, Rose and Henrietta slipped off their wraps, glanced
in the mirror, and were ready, but there were anxious little
whisperings and consultations on the part of the elder ladies and
Henrietta cast a despairing glance at Rose. Would they never be ready?
But at last Caroline uttered a majestic 'Now' and led the way like a
plump duck swimming across a pond with a fleet of smaller ducks behind
her.
No expense and no trouble had been spared to justify the expectations
of Radstowe. The antechamber was luxuriously carpeted, arm-chaired,
cushioned, palmed and screened, and the hired flunkey at the ballroom
door had a presence and a voice fitted for the occasion.
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