But I hardly noticed her until she dropped a letter from her clothing.

It fell just beside me, and I saw that it was addressed to no less a personage than my rich aunt, Miss Jane Merrick, at Elmhurst.

Curious to know why a hair-dresser should be in correspondence with Aunt Jane, I managed to conceal the letter under my skirts until the maid was gone.

Then I put it away until after the reception.

It was sealed and stamped, all ready for the post, but I moistened the flap and easily opened it.