'Indeed you may not,' she returned emphatically. 'You may go with Marietta and have some dry clothes put on before your mother sees you.'
Gerald, realizing the wisdom of this course, allowed himself to be quietly spirited off the back way, in spite of the fact that he heard the alluring sound of Sybert's voice in the direction of the salon. Marcia went on in without waiting to take off her hat, and she met the Melvilles in the ante-room, on the point of leaving.
'Good afternoon. Why do you go so early?' she asked.
'Oh, we are coming back later; we are just going home to dress. Your uncle is giving a dinner to-night--a very formal affair.'
'Is that so?' she laughed. 'I have not been invited.'
'You will be; don't feel hurt. It's a general invitation issued to all comers.'
Marcia found no one within but her aunt and uncle and Mr. Sybert.
'What is this I hear about your giving a dinner to-night, Aunt Katherine?' she asked as she settled herself in a wicker chair and stretched out her hand for a cup of tea.
'You must ask your uncle. I have nothing to do with it,' Mrs. Copley disclaimed. 'He invited the guests, and he must provide the menu.'
'Merely a little farewell dinner. I thought we ought to put on a bright face our last night, you know.'
'One would think you were going to be led to execution at dawn.'
'We will hope it's nothing worse than exile,' said Sybert.
'Who are your guests, and when were they invited?'
'My guests are the people who dropped in late to tea; I did not think of it early enough to make the invitation very general. The list, I believe, includes the Melvilles, Signora Androit and the Contessa Torrenieri, Sidney Carthrope the sculptor, and a certain young Frenchman, a most alluring youth, who called with him, but whose name for the moment escapes me.'
'The _Prix de Rome_?' asked Marcia. 'Oh, I know him! I met him a few weeks ago at a tea; he's very entertaining. I suppose,' she added, considering the list, 'that he will fall to my share?'
'An embarrassing predicament, Miss Marcia,' Sybert laughed. 'If it will facilitate matters we can draw lots.'
'Not at all,' said Marcia graciously, 'I know the Contessa would rather have you; and as she is the guest I will let her choose. I hope your dinner will be a success,' she added to her uncle, 'but I can't help feeling that you show a touching faith in the cook.'