oppit was afraid that even
his cloth might not protect him. But no such deplorable calamity
occurred, and only four more eyes were riveted to the kingfisher-blue.

"Upon my word," said the Major, "I never saw anything more beautiful
than that gown, Miss Elizabeth. Straight from Paris, eh? Paris in every
line of it."

"Oh, Major Benjy," said Elizabeth. "You're all making fun of me and my
simple little frock. I'm getting quite shy. Just a bit of old stuff that
I had. But so nice of you to like it. I wonder where Diva is. We shall
have to scold her for being late. Ah--she shan't be scolded. Diva,
darl----"

The endearing word froze on Miss Mapp's lips and she turned deadly
white. In the doorway, in equal fury and dismay, stood Diva, dressed in
precisely the same staggeringly lovely costume as her hostess. Had Diva
and Miss Greele put their heads together too? Had Diva got a bit of old
stuff ...?

Miss Mapp pulled herself together first and moistened her dry lips.

"So sweet of you to look in, dear," she said. "Shall we cut?"

Naturally the malice of cards decreed that Miss Mapp and Diva should sit
next each other as adversaries at the same table, and the combined
effect of two lots of kingfisher-blue was blinding. Complete silence on
every subject connected, however remotely, with dress was, of course,
the only line for correct diplomacy to pursue, but then Major Benjy was
not diplomatic, only gallant.

"Never saw such stunning gowns, eh, Padre?" he said. "Dear me, they are
very much alike too, aren't they? Pair of exquisite sisters."

It would be hard to say which of the two found this speech the more
provocative of rage, for while Diva was four years younger than Miss
Mapp, Miss Mapp was four inches taller than Diva. She cut the cards to
her sister with a hand that trembled so much that she had to do it
again, and Diva could scarcely deal.

* * * * *

Mr. Wyse frankly confessed the next day when, at one o'clock, Elizabeth
found herself the first arrival at his house, that he had been very
self-indulgent.

"I have given myself a treat, dear Miss Mapp," he said. "I have asked
three entrancing ladies to share my humble meal with me, and have
provided--is it not shocking of me?--nobody else to meet them. Your
pardon, dear lady, for my greediness."

Now this was admirably done. Elizabeth knew very well why two out of the
three men in Tilling had not been asked (very gratifying, th