you must remember, towards the close of the evening, never to sit near any brilliant light. When people grow pale and exhausted, they should always contrive to sit in shadow. I have known a sallow woman, with good features, manage to look well by nestling into the shadow of a window-curtain, or amongst the plants. If eyes are bright, they sparkle more effectively; if dull, their deficiencies are hidden: there is quite as much knowledge required for hiding a defect as displaying a beauty. Who would think that Lady Penrhyn was crooked?"
"Crooked, mamma! only in her temper, surely?"
"No; in her shape, which has a positive twist, though not a great one; and she manages to dress so judiciously! not one of her acquaintance guesses such a thing. I have hitherto kept her secret; but on her conduct to-night depends my continuing to do so, but of course I expect you to guard it."
"I cannot imagine how it can be hidden," said Helen, musing.
"Of course you can't, at your age and with your shape, child; but, under different circumstances, you would find the benefit of cotton-wool and an intelligent soubrette. Lady P. also finds a great advantage in that perpetual change of posture she adopts, and a kind of wriggling motion adapted to her laugh."
"And she is always laughing a little; never heartily, but a kind of hi, hi!—not so merry as silly, in my opinion."
