"I will give Miss Lundie all the help she needs." Barred from advancing in one direction, Blanche's curiosity turned back, and tried in another.

She boldly addressed herself to Anne.
"I _must_ know something about him," she said.

"Is he shy before strangers?
I heard you whispering with him on the other side of the door.

Are you jealous, Anne?
Are you afraid I shall fascinate him in this dress ?" Blanche, in Mrs.Inchbare's best gown--an ancient and high-waisted silk garment, of the hue called "bottle-green," pinned up in front, and trailing far behind her--with a short, orange-colored shawl over her shoulders, and a towel tied turban fashion round her head, to dry her wet hair, looked at once the strangest and the prettiest human anomaly that ever was seen.

"For heaven's sake," she said, gayly, "don't tell your husband I am in Mrs.Inchbare's clothes! I want to appear suddenly, without a word to warn him of what a figure I am! I should have nothing left to wish for in this world," she added, "if Arnold could only see me now!" Looking in the glass, she noticed Anne's face reflected behind her, and started at the sight of it.
"What _is_ the matter ?" she asked.