ne is curious, you know, when one sees
such wonderful hair."

"Yes, Lady Limpenny," Minola said imperturbably. "My hair is all my
own."

"I should think Nola's hair was all her own indeed," Lucy struck in. "I
have seen her doing it a dozen times. Not likely that she would put on
false hair."

"But, my sweet child, I do assure you that's nothing now," the
indomitable Lady Limpenny went on. "Almost everybody wears it now--it's
hardly any pretence any more. That's why I asked Miss Grey--because I
thought she perhaps wouldn't mind, seeing that we are only women, we
here. And it is such wonderful hair--and it is all her own!"

"Yes," murmured Lucy, "all her own; and her teeth are her own too; and
even her eyes."

"She has beautiful eyes indeed. You have, my dear," the good-natured
Lady Limpenny went on, having only caught the last part of Lucy's
interjected sentence. "But that does not surprise one--at least, I mean,
when we see lovely eyes, we don't fancy that the wearer of them has
bought them in a shop. But hair is very different--and that is why I
took the liberty of asking this young lady. But now, my darling Theresa
Money, may I ask again about your husband? Do you know that it was to
see him particularly I came to-day--not you. Yes indeed! But you are not
angry with me--I know you don't mind. I do so want to have his advice on
this very, very important matter."

"Lucy, dear, will you ask your papa if he will come down for a few
moments--I know he will--to see Lady Limpenny?"

Mr. Money's ways were well known to Lady Limpenny. He grumbled if
disturbed by a servant, unless there was the most satisfactory and
sufficient reason, but he would put up with a great deal of intrusion
from Lucelet. The very worst that could happen to Lucelet was to have
one of her pretty ears gently pulled. So Lucy went to disturb him
unabashed, although she knew he was always disposed to chaff Lady
Limpenny.

"But you really don't mean to say that you are going to part with all
your china--with your uncle's wonderful china?" Mrs. Money asked with
eyes of almost tearful sympathy, resuming the talk which Minola's
entrance had disturbed.

"My darling, yes! I must do it! It is unavoidable."

Minola assumed that this was some story of sudden impoverishment, and
she could not help looking up at the lady with wondering and regretful
eyes, although not knowing whether she ought to have heard the remark,
or whether she was not a little in