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"Out of har her arm like a particularly war the fact that he had all four paws in the air and was panting, he could have been taken for a fat and hairy newborn

Well, perhaps that wasn’t true Eleanor had to ads was not shared by all

"I can see you’re listening, Lisette, so please open your eyes," she said sharply "I’d like to introduce you to my puppy"

Lisette opened her eyes, but the ain and shuddered closer to Villiers "He’s so ugly!"

"He’s not--" Eleanor began But there was no getting around the fact that even a crea precisely beautiful "He’s not ugly," she stated firs," Lisette said, shuddering visibly "And that one iswith its eyes! They look like--like disgusting fish eggs!"

Eleanor looked around at the circle of rapt children "You’re not setting a good example, Lisette This is Oyster," she said to the children "He’s a very sweet puppy ouldn’t drea anyone And his features are co he is"

Naturally, given Lisette’s revulsion, the children were eyeing Oyster as if he had three heads

"He’s grotesque," Lisette said breathily

"Our hostess is afraid of dogs," Villiers pointed out, rather unnecessarily to Eleanor’s ht keep the ani your visit"

Eleanor blinked down at Oyster He certainly wasn’t beautiful But he was no bulldog either "Lisette," she said incredulously, co that you’re afraid of a dog eighs less than a stone? He still has his milk teeth, for God’s sake!"

"I a her voice "I know I’m an idiot I’m so stupid I know it Just please--please--will you take him away? Please?"

"Of course," Eleanor said, stepping backwards again Oyster snorted and reached up to lick her chin She turned around andred with rage

It wasn’t just the way Lisette had shuddered Or even the way her eyes had started to bulge so that she actually resembled Oyster It was the way that Villiers had looked down at her, as if he were protecting her fro crocodile

Ridiculous They were both utterly ridiculous

Anne was co her nose "Let uess," she said as Eleanor ca Oyster "Lisette turned into the tre duke was there to rescue her? Wait--haven’t we heard this story before?"

Eleanor plumped down beside her and turned Oyster free to scrabble about "Are you i that Lisette is akin to Ada?" she demanded, still furious "Because I can assure you that Ada would never behave in such an unreasonable manner"

"What on earth are all those children doing out there?" Anne asked "Do you suppose one of them is the child to whom Mother referred so darkly? Perhaps Lisette didn’t stop with one" She giggled madly "Perhaps she is a female match to Villiers!"

"Don’t be foolish They’re wearing pinafores I assu "I know that Lisette--" She sat upright "The orphanage!"

Anne raised an eyebrow

"Two of those children hty boy," Anne said, without showing the faintest bit of shock

"For having two?"