Lippa | Page 5

to sit or shall we
walk about?'
'Walk, I think,' replies Philippa, and so they wander on, talking about
nothing in particular, and yet they both forget that there are such things

as sleep and to-morrow. Having come to the end of a narrow path, and
finding two empty chairs they remain there. The lights are dim and the
people passing and repassing are scarcely recognisable, but presently a
lady in a light blue gown attracts Lippa's attention. 'Who is she?' she
says.
Dalrymple turns and looks at her. They hear a murmured sentence and
then 'Eh, what!' in rather an unmistakeable tone.
'Oh, her partner is Helmdon,' says Jimmy, 'he's never to be mistaken
with his what. The lady, I think, is Mrs Standish, an American widow,
and therefore rolling in riches. I never knew an American widow who
wasn't.'
'It would be very nice,' says Lippa.
'What! to be an American widow?'
She laughs. 'No! to be very rich; there would be no need to think twice
as to whether you could afford anything--'
'What a great many useless things you would get,' says Dalrymple.
'Really! but why?'
'I did not mean you in particular,' he protests. 'I assure you I didn't; but
there are a great many useless things in the shops, which I suppose
people buy. What is the matter, Miss Seaton? For Philippa has risen
hastily with a little scream. 'There's something under my chair, I felt it
move,' she says, woman-like raising her skirt.
Dalrymple bends down, kneel he could not in his best evening trousers,
'I don't see anything,' he says, peering about and nearly choking for his
collar is high and somewhat tight. _Il faut souffrir pour être beau.'_
'Oh, but you must,' persists Lippa. 'I felt it move.'
'Wait a second,' says he, producing a match, and proceeding to light it
on the sole of his pump; they are all alone in this part of the garden, and

nobody is watching them, the match will not ignite at first and then
they both bend down at once nearly upsetting each other, and behold
calmly blinking at them a large black cat. This is too much for Jimmy
who gives way to suppressed laughter, the match goes out, and Miss
Seaton though inwardly convulsed thinks proper to assume an air of
dignity. 'I think I had better go back to the ball-room,' says she.
Jimmy vaguely feeling he has done something he ought not to, says;
'I-er beg your pardon, I'm awfully sorry--'
'What for?' asks Lippa, stroking her right arm with her left hand.
Jimmy considers for a moment wondering what he had better say, and
then suddenly seized with an inspiration 'I do believe I hurt you,' he
says, 'the match didn't touch you, did it?'
'No; but you did,' replies she, and then seeing the consternation
depicted on his face, Miss Seaton smiles, and then they both laugh.
'You know, you really might have knocked me over,' she says
pathetically.
'I can't tell you how sorry I am,' exclaims Dalrymple, gently taking
possession of the injured arm; 'please forgive me?'
'I'll try,' she says,--'I wonder what has happened to the cat--'
They are nearing the ball-room, and he finding this tête-à-tête very
pleasant wishes to prolong it and says, 'Shall we go back and see?'
'I think I am engaged for this dance,' says Lippa, knowing Mabel will
be wondering what has become of her.
'You'll let me have another?' asks Jimmy, eagerly.
'Certainly,' replies she; 'only, no more cat-finding. I can't bear them, can
you?'
'Can't endure them,' says Dalrymple, who would agree with whatever

she said.
That night, or I should say next morning, when Miss Seaton retires to
rest, a certain brown head figures prominently in her dreams, together
with searching after huge monsters, who all bear a resemblance to Lady
Dadford. And even when awake the brown head is a subject for deep
thought, and it is with a bright, happy face Miss Seaton appears (though
somewhat late) at the breakfast table.
CHAPTER III
'Philippa,' says Mrs Seaton one day, 'I have just had an invitation from
old Mrs Boothly, asking us to a water party next Wednesday, would
you like to go?'
'Who is going?' asks Lippa wisely, 'not only the Boothlys--'
'I suppose the "not only," means that in that case you would not go, but
rest assured lots of other people are going, the two Graham girls, little
Tommy Grant, Mr Dalrymple, and Captain Harkness,' says Mabel, 'but
read the note yourself and decide--' Philippa's mind is soon made up. 'I
think I should like to go, it will be rather fun I expect.'
'Yes, I daresay,' replies Mabel, 'then I will write at once to get it off my
mind, but what day is