in both their lives which had taken place a few months ago?
It was towards morning when the tired girl sank into slumber, and in consequence it was late before she arose. When she opened her eyes, Kitty was standing over her.
"Gavon has gone out long ago," she said, "and Aunt Louisa too; and it is nearly ten o'clock, and we have all breakfasted. And you, you lazy girl, are to have breakfast all by yourself in the morning-room. Or would you prefer it here?"
"Oh no; I am ashamed of myself," said Mollie. "I will get up at once and join you downstairs within half an hour."
"You are privileged, you know, Mollie dear," said Kitty. "Aunt Louisa says the carriage is to return for us both at eleven o'clock. I want to do some shopping, and I thought perhaps you would come with me."
"With pleasure, dear," replied Mollie.
The moment her sister left the room she rose, dressed in her nurse's uniform, and went downstairs. When she entered the morning-room Kitty was seated at the tea tray, looking as radiant and free from care as girl could look.
"Gavon was in a great state of excitement when he went off this morning," she said to her sister. "He is persuaded there will be war."
"Well, and if there is war," said Mollie, "it will do us a great deal of good. Oh, I know you think me heartless, but our army wants active service again. We need to test our strength."
"You talk just as though you belonged to the army yourself," said Kitty.
"And so I do. If there is fighting, I shall be in the thick of it."
"You don't think of me," cried Kitty, turning pale. "Please remember that if there is fighting Gavon is certain to be sent to the front. You will go as nurse, and he will go as soldier. What is to become of poor Kitty?"
"Kitty will be brave, and help us all she can at home," replied Mollie.
"That is all very fine," said Kitty, "but I must tell you frankly I don't like the rôle."
Mollie looked up as Kitty spoke.
"You are changed," she said slowly. "In some ways I should not know you."
"What do you mean?"
"You have been too much in the world, Kitty. My little Kitty, did I do wrong to leave you? When mother died she left you in my charge. Did I do wrong to let Mrs. Keith adopt you? It seems to me – I scarcely like to say it – that you – "
"Oh, do say it, please – do say it," remarked Kitty.
"You are less unselfish than you used to be, and more – oh, I hate myself even for thinking it – more worldly."
"No, no, I am not; but I am anxious," replied the younger girl. "There are many things to make me – yes, anxious just now. But I hope I shall be the happiest girl on earth soon."
"Kitty, suppose – "
"Suppose what?" asked Kitty. "Oh, what awful thing are you going to say now, Mollie?"
"Nothing. I won't say it," replied Mollie suddenly. "I have finished breakfast. I can go out with you whenever you like."
Kitty gazed in a frightened way at her sister.
"It is nothing, dear," said Mollie tenderly. "I have given you my little lecture, and I will say nothing further at present."
"And I am not all bad, and I love you, and I hope to be the happiest girl on earth before long," was Kitty's rejoinder. And then she flew upstairs to put on her hat and jacket.
The girls drove first to Madame Dupuys, a fashionable dressmaker in Bond Street. Madame received them both in her large showroom. Her face was rather grave.
"I had hoped to have a letter from you before now, Miss Hepworth," she said, in a significant tone, to Kitty.
"It is all right," replied Kitty. "You may expect to hear from me any day."
"Very well, miss."
"And I want to order a dress at once. I am going on Monday evening to the fancy ball at the Countess of Marsden's house on the Thames. I cannot possibly wear any of my old dresses."
"What will you have?" asked the dressmaker.
"Something very, very pretty, and absolutely out of the common. Madame, I should like to introduce my sister to you; she is a Red Cross nurse."
Madame bowed gravely in Mollie's direction. She was a very handsome woman, beautifully dressed.
"We are all interested in the Red Cross Sisters," she said, after a moment's pause. "Have you heard the latest news, miss? They say war will be declared within the week!"
Kitty turned white.
"I am determined not to think of disagreeable things before they occur," she said; "and I want my dress to be white, with silver over it. Now, do show me some designs."
"I will fetch some fashion-books," said madame, "and we can discuss the style."
"Kitty," said Mollie, the moment they were alone, "surely you are not in debt for any of your beautiful clothes?"
Kitty's face looked troubled.
"I am just a wee bit harassed," she said slowly, "but it will be all right by-and-by. Don't worry, Mollie."
"It seems so wrong," replied Mollie.
"You know nothing about it," answered Kitty, tapping her small foot impatiently on the floor. "I go out a great deal, and I have to look my best, because – " she stopped. "You would act as I do if you had the same reasons," she continued. "And you must remember that in about another year I shall have plenty of money."
"Well, it is wrong to go in debt," replied Mollie. "If you are in money difficulties, it would be far better to speak to Mrs. Keith."
"To Aunt Louisa? Never! she would tell Gavon. Ah, here comes madame. – Madame, my sister has been reading me such a lecture," and Kitty smiled her incorrigible smile.
Madame Dupuys made no remark. She opened the fashion-book, and soon Miss Hepworth and the dressmaker were deep in consultation over the material and style of the new dress.
"Don't you think it will be exquisite, Mollie?" said Kitty, as they left the showroom.
"Very pretty indeed, dear," replied Mollie.
They came home to lunch, where Captain Keith awaited them.
"My mother has left you a message," he said. "She is going to see a friend, and will not be back until dinner time. Now, I happen to have a whole afternoon at my own disposal. If I place it at yours, can you make any use of me?"
"O Gavon, how quite too heavenly!" said Kitty. "You shall take us somewhere. This dear Mollie does not know her London a bit. Her education must be attended to, and without any loss of time. And, Gavon, I have been ordering a dress for the Countess of Marsden's dance on Monday."
"Another dress!" said Keith, shrugging his shoulders. "What an extravagant girl!"
"Don't you like me to wear pretty dresses? I thought you did."
"Of
