'
Jennie laughed merrily.
'I mean the social Zoo, Lady Willow; I have visited the other already.
Please do not look so shocked at me, and don't be afraid; I really
talk very nicely when I am in society, and I am sure you will not be
in the least ashamed of me. You see, I haven't had a soul to speak with
since I came to London, so I think I ought to be allowed a little
latitude at first.'
Lady Willow so far relaxed her dignity as to smile, although a little
dubiously; and Jennie joyfully proclaimed that their compact was sealed
and that she was sure they would be great friends.
'Now you must tell me what I am to do,' she continued. 'I suppose dresses
are the most important preliminaries when one is meditating a siege on
society. Well, I've ordered ever so many, so that's all right. What's the
next thing?'
'Yes, dress is important; but I think the first thing to do is to choose
pleasant rooms somewhere. You can't stay at this hotel, you know;
besides, it must be very expensive.'
'Yes, it is rather; but it is so handy and central.'
'It is not central for society.'
'Oh, isn't it? I was thinking of Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square,
and that sort of thing. Besides, there's _always_ a nice hansom right at
the door whenever one wants to go out.'
'Oh, but you mustn't ride in hansoms, you know!'
'Why? I thought the aristocracy--the very highest--rode in hansoms.'
'Some of them have private hansoms; but that's a very different thing.
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