A Night of Gaiety by Barbara Cartland

what I tell you and say nothing I wouldn’t want you to say in front of other people.”
    D avita continued to look puzzled and Violet went on: “What I’m asking you to do is to believe that I’m doing everything in my power that’s in your best interests. Is that clear?”
    “ Y-yes ... of course ... I am very grateful,” Davita answered. “It is just that I do not ... understand ...”
    “ You don’t have to,” Violet said.
    S he put up her hand to call the waiter.
    “ Come on, I must go home now or I’ll look hideous, and we are going to a party.”
    “ A party?” Davita exclaimed.
    “ Yes, a really good one given by a friend of mine, and you’ll enjoy it. Have you got a decent evening-gown?”
    “ I do not know what you would think of it,” Davita answered.
    “ What’s wrong with it?”
    “ Nothing ... it is ... white.”
    “ White?”
    “ It was my mother’s wedding-gown, which she altered and sometimes wore on special occasions.”
    “ Well, that’s exactly what you want,” Violet exclaimed. “A wedding-gown. It couldn’t be more suitable!”

    Chapter Four
    T hey drove back to their lodgings, and while Davita was longing to ask Violet a hundred questions, she had the feeling that she would not answer them.
    At the same time, she was very touched that Violet should be so concerned for her.
    After all, she was well aware that she was somewhat of an encumbrance, and she told herself that she must try to find a job on her own and not impose on Violet.
    ‘She is right,’ Davita thought, ‘I am ignorant of the world, but how could I be anything else after living in Scotland and seeing so few people?’
    Of one thing she was determined—she would not be critical of Violet or her friends.
    It was nothing to do with her if Violet liked to be friends with a married man, and even less her concern that they should hate the Marquis and plot against him.
    When she thought of last night, it seemed to her a whirligig of colour, noise, and laughter. At the same time, the Show itself had been an excitement which she felt she would always remember.
    The glamorous actresses, the beauty of the girls like Violet, and the laughter evoked by Fred Lacey were all like something out of a dream.
    “Goodness, I’m tired!” Violet said suddenly, breaking in on her thoughts. “It’s all these late nights. Thank goodness I can get nearly two hours’ sleep before we have to go to the Theatre.”
    “Am I to come with you?” Davita asked.
    “ Of course you are!” Violet said. “You can sit in the dressing-room—or, if you wish, in the Box with Bertie.”
    There was just a pause before the last few words, and Davita said quickly:
    “I will sit in the dressing-room. After all, I saw the Show last night.”
    She thought Violet seemed relieved, and she certainly smiled before she said:
    “You’re a sensible girl, Davita. The trouble is, you’re not only pretty but something new, and there’s not a man alive who doesn’t like a novelty.”
    Davita looked at her in surprise, not understanding what she was talking about, but because she wanted to please Violet she said:
    “I am so grateful to you for being so kind to me. If you had sent me away last night, I do not know what I should have done.”
    “Leave everything to me,” Violet said in a brisk tone. “I’ve said I’ll look after you and I will.”
    The cab drew up outside their lodgings, Violet paid the cabby, and Billy opened the door to them to say with a grin:
    “There be some flowers oopstairs for yer. No guesses who sent ’em!”
    “I’ve told you before not to read the cards on my flowers,” Violet said sharply.
    “Oi didn’t ’ave to,” Billy answered. “ ’Is Nibs sent ’is footlicker wi’ ’em!”
    He spoke as if he was glad to score off Violet, but she merely tossed her head as if he were beneath her notice and went up the stairs.
    Davita followed her and Violet opened the door of her bedroom, which was a large,