Of course
you must tip her for it. And try, if you can, to get poor
Lilia's silver bangles. They were nice quiet things, and
will do for Irma. And there is an inlaid box I lent
her--lent, not gave--to keep her handkerchiefs in. It's of no
real value; but this is our only chance. Don't ask for it;
but if you see it lying about, just say--"
"No, Harriet; I'll try for the baby, but for nothing
else. I promise to do that tomorrow, and to do it in the
way you wish. But tonight, as we're all tired, we want a
change of topic. We want relaxation. We want to go to the
theatre."
"Theatres here? And at such a moment?"
"We should hardly enjoy it, with the great interview
impending," said Miss Abbott, with an anxious glance at Philip.
He did not betray her, but said, "Don't you think it's
better than sitting in all the evening and getting nervous?"
His sister shook her head. "Mother wouldn't like it.
It would be most unsuitable--almost irreverent. Besides all
that, foreign theatres are notorious. Don't you remember
those letters in the 'Church Family Newspaper'?"
"But this is an opera--'Lucia di Lammermoor'--Sir Walter
Scott--classical, you know."
Harriet's face grew resigned. "Certainly one has so few
opportunities of hearing music. It is sure to be very bad.
But it might be better than sitting idle all the evening.
We have no book, and I lost my crochet at Florence."
"Good. Miss Abbott, you are coming too?"
"It is very kind of you, Mr.
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