Althea shook her head.

She did not like being made conspicuous, and already the girls' loud voices had drawn attention; the French family were all staring.
'Who is the lady in black, Althea ?' Mrs.Pepperell asked.

'A friend of yours ?' 'Yes, a most charming friend,' said Althea.

'Helen Buchanan is her name; she is Scotch--a very old family--and she is one of the most interesting people I've ever known.

You will meet her after dinner.