in a
sort of transparent white; her large, clear wings were very slightly
toned with rose colour, and the whole dress was bespangled with light
sprays of silver. Nora's hair was crimped, and hung in masses over her
shoulders. The silvery dust also shone in her hair. Her eyes were dark
and deep, and natural roses of happiness and excitement bloomed on her
pretty round cheeks. To Annie's ingenuity and genius the whole of the
charming dream-like effect of this fairy queen was due. Mrs. Willis, who
insisted on coming to the ball in the part of the schoolmistress, "The
only part which I shall ever play in life," she had said with a smile to
Hester, was much delighted with the arrangement of everything. Mrs.
Willis was in grey silk, with her favourite Honiton lace. She was a very
striking and beautiful woman, and in her grand simplicity, made a
perfect foil to the fantastic appearance of the younger members of the
party.

Amongst the honoured guests on this occasion, Mrs. Martin shone
conspicuous. Hester had insisted on her coming over early, and when the
good woman entered the ball-room and saw Nora on her cloudy throne, she
could not help muttering, in an almost angry tone of great excitement--

"Eh, eh, why this is almost witchcraft. I didn't believe in them wings
and clouds till now, but sure enough there they are. Seein' is
believin'. I don't hold with it, but I don't deny as it ain't clever."

"I'm glad you think it clever, Patty Martin," said a very gay voice in
her ear.

She turned almost in alarm, to be confronted by the most
impudent-looking, and yet the most charming gipsy lass she had ever
looked at.

Mrs. Martin loathed gipsies.

"None of your sauce," she said in an angry voice. "This is no place for
the like of you; get out at once or I'll let Miss Hester Thornton know."

"Oh, nursey, nursey, you'll kill me," exclaimed Annie in a voice choked
with laughter. "Do you mean to say you don't know me?"

"My sakes alive, Miss Annie Forest!" exclaimed the old woman. "Who'd
have thought you'd have been up to this folly? What are you doing,
masquerading like them hateful gipsies? It's bad enough to have wings
and clouds about; but gipsies--'tain't respectable; my word, no."

"This gipsy is eminently respectable," said Annie, with a sort of bitter
emphasis. "Here, nursey, take my hand, and let me lead you up the
ball-room. I have many strange characters to introduce you to. I see
plainly that you won't recognise