Set in Silver | Page 7

place in the country. Promise that you won't add
to my burdens by being refractory.
I'll wire you an address as soon as I am blessed--or cursed--with one.
And whatever you do, don't forget that I'm merged in Ellaline
Lethbridge. If her identity fits me as badly as her dresses would do it
will come about down to my knees and won't meet round the waist.
As soon as I have your letter to-morrow morning, dearest, I'll write
again, if only a few lines. Then, when I've seen the Dragon and have
gained a vague idea how and where he means to dispose of his prey, I'll
scribble off some sort of description of the man and the meeting, even
if it's on board the Channel boat, in the midst of a tossing.
Your
Iphegenia.
(Or would Jephtha's daughter be more appropriate? I'm not quite sure
how to spell either.)

III
AUDRIE BRENDON TO HER MOTHER
Rue Chapeau de Marie Antoinette, July 6th. Early Morning
Dearest Dame Wisdom: You ought to be Adviser-in-Chief to Crowned

Heads. You'd be invaluable; worth any salary. What a shame you aren't
widely known: a sort of public possession! But for my sake I'm glad
you aren't, because if you were discovered you'd never have a spare
minute to advise me.
Of course, dear, if you hadn't reached your conclusions just as you did
about this step you wouldn't have counselled, or even allowed, me to
take it. And I will remember every word you say. I'll do exactly as you
tell me to do. So now, don't worry, any more than you would if I were
an experienced and accomplished young parachutist about to make a
descent from the top of the Eiffel tower.
It's eight o'clock, and I've satisfied my soul with your letter and my
body with its morning roll and coffee. When I've finished scribbling
this in pencil to you, I shall pack, and be ready--for anything.
By the way, that reminds me. What a tangled web we weave when first
we practise to deceive, etc.
Won't the Dragon think it queer that his rich ward should make no
better toilettes than I shall be able to produce--after living at Versailles,
practically in Paris, with a huge amount of spending money--for a
schoolgirl?
I thought of that difficulty only last night for the first time, after I was
in bed, and was tempted to jump up and review my wardrobe. But it
was unnecessary. Not only could I call to mind in the most lively way
every dress I have, but, I do believe, every dress I ever did have since
my frocks were let down or done over from yours. I suppose that ought
to make me feel rather young, oughtn't it? To remember every dress I
ever owned? But it doesn't. I'll be twenty-one this month, you know--a
year older than you were when your ears were gladdened by my first
howl. I'm sure it was unearthly, yet that you said at once to Dad: "The
dear child is going to be musical!"
But to return to the wardrobe of the heiress's understudy. It consists of
my every-day tailor-made, two white linen coats and skirts, a darned
collection (I don't mean that profanely) of summer blouses, and the

everlasting, the immortal, black evening dress. Is it three or four years
old? I know it was my first black, and I did feel so proud and grown-up
when you said I might have it.
You'll be asking yourself: "Where is the blue alpaca she bought in the
Bon Marché sale, which was in the act of being made when I left for la
Suisse?" Up to now I've concealed from you the tragical fact that that
horrid little Mademoiselle Voisin completely spoiled it. I was so
furious I could have killed her if she'd been on the spot. There is no
rage like the dress rage, is there?
My one hope is that the Dragon may take as little interest in Ellaline's
clothes as he has taken in Ellaline's self, or that, being used to the
costumes of the Bengalese, which, perhaps, are somewhat sketchy, he
may be thankful that his ward has any at all.
You see, I can't tell Ellaline about this, because she couldn't help
thinking it a hint for her to supply the deficiency, and I wouldn't let her
do that, even for her own credit. Anyhow, there'd be no time to get
things, so I must just do the best I can, and carry off the old gray serge
and sailor hat with a stately air. Heaven gave me five foot seven and a
half on purpose to do it with.
Now I must pack like heat-lightning; and when I've finished I shall
send the brown