“We shall!” And Rose marched away, looking as if she had taken a
pledge of some sort, and meant to keep it.
It was a great relief to the public mind when it became known that
Miss Campbell was really coming out at last, and invitations to
Aunt Plenty’s party were promptly accepted. Aunt Clara was much
disappointed about the grand ball she had planned, but Rose stood
firm, and the dear old lady had her way about everything.
The consequence was a delightfully informal gathering of friends
to welcome the travelers home. Just a good, old-fashioned,
hospitable housewarming, so simple, cordial, and genuine that
those who came to criticize remained to enjoy, and many owned
the charm they could neither describe nor imitate.
Much curiosity was felt about Phebe, and much gossip went on
behind fans that evening, for those who had known her years ago
found it hard to recognize the little housemaid in the handsome
young woman who bore herself with such quiet dignity and
charmed them all with her fine voice. “Cinderella has turned out a
princess,” was the general verdict, and Rose enjoyed the little
sensation immensely, for she had had many battles to fight for her
Phebe since she came among them, and now her faith was
vindicated.
Miss Campbell herself was in great demand and did the honors so
prettily that even Miss Bliss forgave her for her sad neglect of
Worth, though she shook her head over the white gowns, just alike
except that Phebe wore crimson and Rose, blue trimmings.
The girls swarmed eagerly around their recovered friend, for Rose
had been a favorite before she went away and found her throne
waiting for her now. The young men privately pronounced Phebe
the handsomest “But then you know there’s neither family nor
money, so it’s no use.” Phebe, therefore, was admired as one of the
ornamental properties belonging to the house and left respectfully
alone.
But bonny Rose was “all right,” as these amiable youths expressed
it, and many a wistful eye followed the bright head as it flitted
about the rooms as if it were a second Golden Fleece to be won
with difficulty, for stalwart kinsmen hedged it round, and watchful
aunts kept guard.
Little wonder that the girl found her new world an enchanting one
and that her first sip of pleasure rather went to her head, for
everybody welcomed and smiled on her, flattered and praised,
whispered agreeable prophecies in her ear, and looked the
compliments and congratulations they dared not utter till she felt
as if she must have left her old self somewhere abroad and
suddenly become a new and wonderfully gifted being.
“It is very nice, Uncle, and I’m not sure I mayn’t want another three
months of it when the first are gone,” she whispered to Dr. Alec as
he stood watching the dance she was leading with Charlie in the
long hall after supper.
“Steady, my lass, steady, and remember that you are not really a
butterfly but a mortal girl with a head that will ache tomorrow,” he
answered, watching the flushed and smiling face before him.
“I almost wish there wasn’t any tomorrow, but that tonight would
last forever it is so pleasant, and everyone so kind,” she said with a
little sigh of happiness as she gathered up her fleecy skirts like a
white bird pluming itself for flight.
“I’ll ask your opinion about that at two A.M.,” began her uncle with
a warning nod.
“I’ll give it honestly,” was all Rose had time to say before Charlie
swept her away into the particolored cloud before them.
“It’s no use, Alec train a girl as wisely as you choose, she will
break loose when the time comes and go in for pleasure as eagerly
as the most frivolous, for ‘ ’tis their nature to,’ ” said Uncle Mac,
keeping time to the music as if he would not mind “going in” for a
bit of pleasure himself.
“My girl shall taste and try, but unless I’m much mistaken, a little
bit of it will satisfy her. I want to see if she will stand the test,
because if not, all my work is a failure and I’d like to know it,”