"Let me go with you.

I am sure that Elise will not mind receiving such a very old friend as I am up in her room." Although the lady in black clung to her, shaking hysterically with repressed laughter, behind her crape-bordered veil, it was not till they had passed the footman, climbed the stairs and paused at Elise's door that Mary was sure of the identity of her guest.

The disguise had been so complete that she could not believe the evidence of her own eyes, until the blond wig was torn off and the spectacles laid aside.

Then Elise threw herself across her bed, laughing until she gasped for breath.

Her mirth was so contagious that Mary joined in, laughing also until she was weak and breathless, and could only cling to the bedpost, wiping her eyes.
"And wasn't Jimmy a whole menagerie!" Elise exclaimed as soon as she could speak.