Slapped her hands--in vain.
Then Lucy cried to Baldwin, "Quick! the tumbler; I must sprinkle her
face and bosom."
"Oh, don't spoil my lilac gown!" gasped the sufferer, and with a
mighty effort she came to. She would have come back from the edge of
the grave to shield silk from water. Finally she wreathed her arms
round Lucy, and kissed her so tenderly, warmly and sobbingly, that
Lucy got over the shock of her shallowness, and they kissed and cried
together most joyously, while Baldwin, after a heroic attempt at
jubilation, retired from the room with a face as long as your arm.
_A bas les revenants!!_ She went to the housekeeper's room. The
housekeeper persuaded her to stay and take a bit of dinner, and soon
after dinner she was sent for to Mrs. Bazalgette's room.
Lucy met her coming out of it. "I fear I came _mal apropos,_ Mrs.
Baldwin; if I had thought of it, I would have waited till you had
secured that munificent order."
"I am much obliged to you, miss, I am sure; but you were always a
considerate young lady. You'll be glad to learn, miss, it makes no
difference; I have got the order; it is all right."
"That is fortunate," replied Lucy, kindly, "otherwise I should have
been tempted to commit an extravagance with you myself. Well, and what
is my aunt's new dress to be now?"
"Oh, the same, miss."
"The same? why, she is not going into mourning on my return? ha! ha!"
"La bless you, miss, mourning? you can't call that
mourning--_glace_ silk and love-ribbons scalloped out, and
cetera.
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