MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 131 



should circumstances require it. Never was a man better 

 qualified to be the chairman of a company, the head of a 

 firm of family solicitors, or a diocesan registrar. 



"What can I do for you, madam ? " he asked in a soft, 

 even voice, skilfully manipulating a chair with one hand and 

 waving Lavvy towards it with the other. 



The surroundings were sombre ; rolls of cloth of sober 

 hues were piled up to the ceiling. A card which described 

 the adjacent goods as "trouserings in the latest style " gave 

 no feeling of confidence to the girl, it rather increased her 

 anxiety on the important point which was exercising her : 

 how was she going to be measured and fitted ? 



The consequence was she replied to Mr. Lappel's query 

 in a low voice : — 



** I want some — riding things." 



" Certainly, madam," Mr. Lappel said genially. " We are 

 especially noted for the satisfaction we give to our lady cus- 

 tomers, and in the matter of some skirts and pantaloons we 

 have the sole patent rights. Step this way, madam, I shall 

 have pleasure in showing you Lord Geoffry de Tinepote's 

 latest safety skirt, which detaches itself automatically in case 

 the rider is unfortunate enough to get a fall, and gives 

 greater facility for catching a loose horse if no assistance is 

 at hand." 



Miss Lavinia's confidence rose as she followed Mr. Lap- 

 pel, and a sense of the humorous character of the occasion 

 struck her. Her own riding costume had been for the most 

 part home-made, and consequently the patent apron which 

 was first held for her inspection and then afiixed to Mr. 

 Lappel himself, caused her to smile. 



"Does Lord Geoffry de Tinepote wear one himself?" 

 she asked. 



Mr. Lappel smiled as though he were undecided as to 

 whether his customer's question was a serious one or not. 



'* Because," Lavvy went on, " in the late Mr. Hugo Bads- 

 worth's account I noticed items of aprons." 



" To be sure ; no, madam, no, those would be the white 



9 * 



