The main mass of this treasure was
done in two loose braids caught up in a black spangled net at the back
of her neck; and her eyebrows had been emphasized by a pencil into
something almost as significant as her hair. She was, for the occasion,
a little too emphatic, perhaps, and yet more because of her burning
vitality than of her costume. Art for her should have meant subduing
her physical and spiritual significance. Life for her meant emphasizing
them.
"Lillian!" Anna nudged her sister-in-law. She was grieved to think that
Aileen was wearing black and looked so much better than either of them.
"I see," Lillian replied, in a subdued tone.
"So you're back again." She was addressing Aileen. "It's chilly out,
isn't it?"
"I don't mind. Don't the rooms look lovely?"
She was gazing at the softly lighted chambers and the throng before her.
Norah began to babble to Anna. "You know, I just thought I never would
get this old thing on." She was speaking of her dress. "Aileen wouldn't
help me--the mean thing!"
Aileen had swept on to Cowperwood and his mother, who was near him. She
had removed from her arm the black satin ribbon which held her train and
kicked the skirts loose and free.
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