nt? And even if she
didn't, why need the silly creatures be shocked? She did not attempt to
deny that they were shocked, the flutter of dismay had indeed been so
real a thing as to obtrude itself on ears, as well as eyes. Gasps of
astonishment, of horror, of dismay, sounded to right and left; rustling
of silk; hasty, inoperative coughs. Grizel still saw in remembrance the
petrifaction on the large kind face looking down into her own, the
scarlet mounting swiftly into Teresa's cheeks. Only one person laughed,
and that laugh had had the effect of heightening the general
condemnation. It was Cassandra Raynor who laughed.

CHAPTER FIVE.

"TWO OF A KIND."

Mrs Evans's departure gave the start to what was virtually a general
stampede. As one woman rose to make her adieux, another hastily joined
her, offering a seat in a carriage, or companionship on the walk home.
Mrs Mallison collected her daughters with the flutter of an agitated
hen. Mrs Ritchards forgot even to refer to the kitchen-maid. Grizel
beamed upon them with her most childlike smiles, but there was no
staying the flight: feebly, obstinately, as a flock of sheep each one
followed her leader. In three minutes Cassandra alone was left, and
Martin having escorted the last sheep to the door, took the opportunity
to escape to his study, and shut himself in with a sigh of relief.

Alone in the drawing-room the two women confronted each other in
eloquent silence. Cassandra's eyes were dancing, her cheeks were
flushed to their brightest carmine; Grizel was pale, and a trifle
perturbed. "Now I've been and gone and done it!"

"You have indeed!" Cassandra laughed. It was delightful to be able to
laugh, to feel absolutely at home, and in sympathy with another woman.
There was reproach in her words, but none in her tone. "How _could you_
say it?"

"Because I thought she meant it,--honestly I did, for the first second,
and I always act on the first second. And why need the silly things be
shocked? They've all got dozens. What _is_ the old Meeting, anyway?"

"I think it's... Mothers!" volunteered Cassandra illuminatingly. "Poor
ones. They have plain sewing and coal clubs. I subscribe. You were
invited to join the Committee. In the parish room. They--I believe
they cut out the plain clothes."

"Fancy me cutting out plain clothes!" cried Grizel, and gave a
complacent pat to her lace gown. "I'll subscribe too, and stay at home,
but I'll apolog