ouse over silk of the same shade as
her suit. Her hat was a large black chip with one long curling feather.

Mollie's dress was like Bab's, except that it was a delicate shade of
robin's-egg blue, while her hat was of soft white felt, trimmed with a
long blue feather.

"Let us look at ourselves in the mirror, Bab, until Miss Sallie is
ready," whispered Mollie. "I want to try to get used to my appearance.
Maybe you think this wealthy-looking person you now behold is some
relative of yours--possibly your sister! But just understand that, as I
look at myself in that mirror, nothing can make me believe I am poor
little Mollie Thurston, of Kingsbridge, New Jersey! Why, I am now about
to call on the English Ambassador, younger brother to an earl. But I am a
brave girl. I shall put on as bold a front as possible, and I shall try
not to disgrace Aunt Sallie by making any breaks."

"You goose you!" laughed Bab. "But to tell you the truth, sweet Mistress
Mollie, I feel pretty much as you do. There is Ruth calling us. They are
ready to start."

"Come on, children!" cried Ruth. "The automobile is waiting. My
goodness!" she exclaimed, as Mollie and Bab appeared before her. "How
very elegant you look! Don't tell me fine feathers don't make
fine-looking birds! Aunt Sallie, I am not magnificent enough to associate
with these two persons." Ruth had on a beautiful white serge suit and
Grace a long tan coat over a light silk dress; but, for the first time,
Mollie and Barbara were the most elegantly dressed of the four girls.

"People will be taking _you_ for the heiress, and marrying you to some
horrid titled foreigner!" teased Ruth, pinching Mollie's pretty cheek.

Miss Stuart and her girls found the English Ambassador and his wife in
the stately drawing room of their summer place in Lenox. The room was
sixty feet in length and hung with beautiful paintings. The walls and
furniture were upholstered in rose-colored brocade. Flowers were arranged
in every possible place.

The newcomers had a confused feeling that there were twenty or thirty
guests in the drawing room; but as the butler announced their names their
hostess moved forward from a group of friends to speak to them. In
another moment Dorothy Morton spied them, and came up with her arm
through that of a tall, middle-aged man, very slender, with closely cut
blond hair and a long drooping mustache. He looked very intellectual and
impressive.

"Miss Stuart, this is my father