The farther we went, along a glorious road called
the Cliff Drive, and the more charming Colonial houses and delightful
"cottages" I saw, the more I felt that the regular palaces were
mistakes, with Newport for a setting and the sea for a background. I am
glad that I didn't live at the time when all the real castles of the
world were young and awkward. Perhaps they looked just as crude as
these, at first, though it's hard to imagine it.

When we went back, the first thing that Mrs. Ess Kay asked, was: "Well,
what about Lord Mohunsleigh?"

"He's made up his mind to stop, and send for his things," said I.

"You gave him my note? He's coming to us?"

"I gave him the note, and he's coming round presently to thank you for
being so kind. But--he feels he had better stay with the Pitchleys. You
see, it's like this. They happen to be sending a servant to New York
to-day, to do some commissions for Mrs. Pitchley, so the man will go to
Mohunsleigh's hotel too. And as they're doing so much for him, and Mrs.
Pitchley and her husband know some friends of his at Home, he
thinks--But he'll tell you all about it himself."

"I told you so!" said Mrs. Ess Kay.

X

ABOUT A VIOLET TEA AND A MILLIONAIRE

While we were motoring, Mrs. Ess Kay had been terribly busy with her
secretary, getting invitations ready for a Violet Tea.

She was giving the Tea, she explained, to introduce me to Newport
Society, and she was having a Violet one because it was not the right
time of year for violets.

I meekly suggested that as a reason for giving some other kind of Tea,
but she said not at all. She wished to have that kind because violets
were hard to get, though not impossible. I would see when the time came
that she could get them. And I should also see, if it were indeed true
that I did not know, what a Violet Tea was. She wanted it to be a
surprise for me; she thought I would like it.

I hadn't long to wait before learning the true inwardness of a Violet
Tea, for Mrs. Ess Kay was determined to get me "out" as soon as
possible; and it seems that in America the time to bring a girl out is
at a tea. At least, that is one way; and as Mrs. Ess Kay was even then
planning to give something very big just before the much talked about
"Pink Ball," so as to "take the shine off that grand affair," she
wished to get the teacups washed up before she sent out the next
invitations.

I'm sure Mother wouldn't take as much trouble for a house pa