"It is getting late.

But, dear Mrs.Bellairs, how dreadfully tired you look!" "I am tired; but weddings don't happen very often.

Have you been enjoying yourself ?" "Oh! yes, so much.

I don't think there ever was such a delightful party.
It is only a pity Bella could not be here, and Maurice." "I am afraid Maurice would not have enjoyed himself so much as you have done.

Lucia, I am a little vexed with you, though I do not know whether I ought to say so." Lucia hung her head for a moment, and then raised it saucily, confident that, as she stood half in shadow, her glowing cheeks could not be seen.
"Why are you vexed with me ?" she asked.
But it was not so easy to answer the question straightforwardly, and Mrs.Bellairs paused, half repenting that she had spoken.
"Do you know," she said, "what people are beginning to call you?
They say that you are a flirt; and that is not a desirable character for a girl to acquire." Lucia's cheeks burned in good earnest now, but it was with anger, not shame.
"But it is not true.