She had to
listen to some directions, and undertake some messages, so that she
could not return to her own room till after Anne had gone down-
stairs. She herself was not ready till just as the elders were
setting off to the dinner-party at Marlowe Court, and rejoicing in
the cessation of the rain and the fineness of the evening.
About half an hour afterwards, the young ladies assembled in the
inner drawing-room to drink tea. Helen, however, remained in the
outer drawing-room, practising her music, regardless of the sounds of
mirth that proceeded from the other room, until Elizabeth opened the
door, calling out,
'"Sweet bird, that shunnest the noise of folly,
Most musical, most melancholy,"
come in to tea, so please your highness.'
'What can you mean?' said Helen; 'I am sure I am not melancholy.'
'I am sure you shun the noise of folly,' said Elizabeth.
'I am sorry you consider all our merriment as folly,' said Anne,
hoping to save Helen.
'Indeed I do not,' said Elizabeth; 'it was no more folly than a
kitten's play, and quite as much in the natural course of things.
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