CHAPTER VIII. THE “COMING OUT”

Ateighteen,MissMurraywastoemergefromthequietobscurityoftheschoolroomintothefullblazeofthefashionableworld—asmuchofit,atleast,ascouldbehadoutofLondonforherpapacouldnotbepersuadedtoleavehisruralpleasuresandpursuits,evenforafewweeks’residenceintown.Shewastomakeherdéb?tonthethirdofJanuary,atamagnificentball,whichhermammaproposedtogivetoallthenobilityandchoicegentryofO——anditsneighbourhoodfortwentymilesround.Ofcourse,shelookedforwardtoitwiththewildestimpatience,andthemostextravagantanticipationsofdelight. “MissGrey,”saidshe,oneevening,amonthbeforetheall-importantday,asIwasperusingalongandextremelyinterestingletterofmysister’s—whichIhadjustglancedatinthemorningtoseethatitcontainednoverybadnews,andkepttillnow,unablebeforetofindaquietmomentforreadingit,—“MissGrey,doputawaythatdull,stupidletter,andlistentome!I’msuremytalkmustbefarmoreamusingthanthat.” SheseatedherselfonthelowstoolatmyfeetandI,suppressingasighofvexation,begantofolduptheepistle. “Youshouldtellthegoodp