One day however, it occurred to her that Effie was a child of remarkable beauty, who, if properly dressed, would look very nice in the drawing-room at tea-time.

So she ordered a lovely costume for her--this deponent is not able to describe it, but it consisted largely of velvet and lace.

Geoffrey heard nothing of this dress, but coming home rather early one afternoon--it was on a Saturday, he found the child being shown off to a room full of visitors, and dressed in a strange and wonderful attire with which, not unnaturally, she was vastly pleased.

He said nothing at the time, but when at length the dropping fire of callers had ceased, he asked who put Effie into that dress.
"I did," said Lady Honoria, "and a pretty penny it has cost, I can tell you.

But I can't have the child come down so poorly clothed, it does not look well." "Then she can stay upstairs," said Geoffrey frowning.
"What do you mean ?" asked his wife.
"I mean that I will not have her decked out in those fine clothes.