It was his enthusiasm. A cheerfulness had come upon him
instead. Also what he said had something categorical in it, something
crisp and arranged. He himself received benefit from the consideration
of it, and she was aware that if this result followed, her own
"conversion" was of very secondary importance.
"So!" she said meditatively, as they walked.
"After it happens, when it is an accomplished fact, it will be so
plainly right that nobody will think twice about it," Duff went on in an
encouraged voice. "It's odd how one's ideas materialise. I want her
drawing-room to be white and gold, with big yellow silk cushions."
"When its it to happen?"
"Beginning of next cold weather--in not quite a year."
"Ah! then there will be time. Time to get the white and gold furniture.
It wouldn't be my taste quite. Is it Alicia's?"
"It's our own at present, Laura's and mine. We have talked it over
together. And I don't think she would ask Miss Livingstone. In matters
of taste women are rather rivals, aren't they?"
"Oh, Lord!" Hilda exclaimed, and bit her lip. "Where is Miss Filbert
now?"
"At No. 10, Middleton street."
"With the Livingstones?"
"Is it so astonishing? Miss Livingstone has been most practical in her
kindness.
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