Read "The Real Lady Hilda" by B.M. Croker online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
We passed into a large, oak-paneled hall, and then up a wide, shallow staircase, carpeted with soft crimson carpet, and lined with large oil paintings, chiefly portraits. At the head of the stairs we were received by Mrs. Cholmondeley, all smiles, diamonds, and blue crêpe. She was surrounded by a crowd which appeared to have overflowed from the reception-rooms. Our hostess passed on my three companions, with three smiles and three hurried nods, but looked at me for quite five seconds, and, putting forth a most dainty hand, drew me affectionately towards her.
"She is in my charge now," she called after the Miss Bennys. "Thank you _so_ much. Dear me!" she continued, turning to me with a little dry laugh, "do you know that you are a very pretty and distinguished-looking girl, and are bound to be the belle of the evening? Yes, indeed, my charming, blushing Cinderella. Aubrey Price, come here," beckoning to an extremely lackadaisical young man, who now lazily approached. "I give Miss Hayes into your charge. Take the greatest care of her. Take her to the refreshment-room-the morning-room, you know-and get her tea-or something."