Page:Wiggin--Ladies-in-waiting.djvu/262

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LADIES-IN-WAITING



with him, which seemed plausible, but did not satisfy me. At bedtime I discovered her unpacking and laying out in her upper berth a dazzling toilet for our landing at St. Thomas to-morrow. She blushed when I looked in upon her.

“Do dress ‘up to me,’ Charlotte,” she coaxed. “I don’t want to be conspicuous. Wear your gray georgette and the broad hat with the roses.”

“Why this sudden display of vanity and good clothes?”

“Has n’t your letter of introduction to Governor Oliver brought us an invitation to luncheon at Government House?”

“Yes; but I don’t suppose it is a banquet.”

“Charlotte, I must confide in you.”

“I should think it was about time.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have known for days that you were concealing something.”

“I did n’t want to be secretive, but I thought it was only fair to you to keep my own counsel. Now you can report to mother

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