The Phantom Lover Part 41

"I told him you'd say that," June answered calmly, "and he said it didn't matter--or something to that effect. Micky never notices what you wear," she went on airily. "I'm going to wear an old purple rag that I've had for about forty years."

Esther laughed. "I dare say I can buy one in time," she said; she did not intend Micky to think she could not afford a frock. "I think I should rather like to go," she added shyly.

"Good!" June hid the amazement she felt. "Well, Micky's going to call for us and take us out to dinner first. It'll be a scrumptious dinner--Micky always does the thing in style!"

"It's kind of him to ask me," Esther said.

"Why?" June demanded. "Oh, you mean because you don't like one another? But that wouldn't trouble Micky; he'd take you out if he hated the sight of you, he's so kind-hearted."

"Thank you for a doubtful compliment," said Esther.

She was making plans rapidly in her mind. Micky had never seen her well dressed.

"I had another cheque from Raymond this morning," she said flus.h.i.+ng.

"So it will come in useful. I can get a ready-made frock--I shan't look so bad."

"You'll look an angel whatever you wear," said June affectionately. "I know a little woman just off the Brompton Road who'll fix you up,"

June said eagerly. "She's got the tiniest shop, but it's cram full of the sweetest things. She's awfully nice, too."

"I can't afford much," Esther said dubiously.

"She won't charge you much," June declared. "She's a friend of mine.

She has my creams on her counter. It's a fine advertis.e.m.e.nt, you see.

She gets lots of actresses and smart people in, and they ask what it is, and try a jar and send for more, and, there you are!"

Esther laughed.

"If she's too expensive----" she protested.

But she ended by paying much more than she had originally intended.

There was such a gem of a frock--black velvet and a white transparent bodice.

"You look a duck!" June declared. "Doesn't she, Fifine?"

But the mirror told Esther how charming she really looked without any further words.

"I really ought not to have spent so much," she said as they went home. "But it is rather nice, isn't it?"

"Micky will be absolutely bowled over," June declared. "I shall have to take a back seat all the evening."

And Micky apparently was "bowled over," judging by the look that crept into his eyes when he arrived and found Esther alone in the sitting-room.

June was late, as usual; she called out to him from her room that she wouldn't be half a minute.

"There's no hurry," Micky answered quickly. He went over to where Esther stood, a little flushed and shy in her new frock.

"It's very kind of you to come," he said rather agitatedly. She looked up.

"It's very kind of you to ask me," she answered. She felt much more at her ease with him now. She knew that she was looking particularly pretty. "And it isn't the first time we have had dinner together, is it?" she asked.

He answered eagerly that he was glad she remembered; he had almost thought she must have forgotten.

"No, I shall never forget that, though it seems so long ago since that night. I was unhappy then, but now...."

"But now?" he asked as she paused.

"Now everything has come right," she told him. "You said you were sure it would, if you remember."

His face changed a little.

"I am glad I was such a good prophet," he said.

June came bustling in; she was flushed and breathless, and laden with flowers, fan, and gloves, all of which she dropped to the sofa.

"I'm quite ready. Esther, where's my cloak? Do find it, there's an angel. Oh, and my slippers--I've got everything else...."

But it was at least another ten minutes before they were in the taxi and racing away through the night.

"I've booked a table at Marnio's," Micky said. "I hope you like Marnio's, June?"

"I like anything to-night," she told him. "I'm going to enjoy myself thoroughly, whatever happens."

Micky glanced at Esther.

"And you, Miss Shepstone?" he asked rather nervously.

"Esther's too excited to speak," June answered for her. "Oh, are we here already?"

She led the way into the lounge of the big restaurant; Micky was well known here apparently.

"Every one in London knows Micky," June whispered to Esther with a sort of pride. "Look at the attention he gets!"

Esther glanced at him; probably anybody with Micky's money could get the same attention, she thought.

There were a good many people in the lounge; Esther looked at them interestedly. Some of the women were beautifully dressed, but the black and white frock held its own bravely.

"You look nicer than any of them," June told her. "I knew--hullo!--Micky's found a friend." She looked across to where he was standing, and Esther followed her gaze.

Micky was talking to two ladies--one of them was young and rather pretty, and the other--Esther's face flushed suddenly, and she bit her lip hard, for the other was Mrs. Ashton, Raymond's mother.

CHAPTER XIX

Esther unconsciously put out her hand and grasped June's arm; she would have given anything had it been possible to run away. She saw Mrs. Ashton turn and look towards where they were standing, and in another moment she had crossed the lounge and was shaking hands with June.