There was an air of restrained excitement, importance and mystery among the ladies at luncheon.

They had got back to the house in time to have their conclave before that meal, and everything was satisfactorily settled.

Lady Anningford, who had not accompanied them out shooting, had thought out a whole scheme, and announced it upon their return amidst acclamations.
They would represent as many characters as they could from the "Idylls of the King," because the style would be such loose, hanging kinds of garments, the maids could run up the long straight seams in no time.

And it would be so much more delightful, all to carry out one idea, than the usual powdered heads and non-descript things people chose for such impromptu occasions.

It only remained to finally decide the characters.
She considered that Ethelrida should undoubtedly be _Guinevere_; but, above all, Zara must be _Isolt_! "Of course, of course!" they all cried unanimously, while Zara's eyes went black.