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Penelope chose to ignore the stateht in front who likes to irls would be rumbledwNo, they won't," Penelope said "At least not that one, that one, or that one," she said, pointing to the two on violins and the one at the piano But that one"--shewith a cello between her knees--"is already miserable The least we can do is not toso to be eviscerated later this week by Lady Whistledown,"Felicity muttered

Penelope opened her mouth to say more, but at that exact moment she realized that the person who had just occupied the seat on her other sidewas EloisewEloise," Penelope said with obvious delight"I thought you were planning to stay horeen pallor "I can't explain it, but I can't seee accidentYou just can't not look"wOr listen," Felicity said,"as the case may be"

Penelope s about Lady Whistledohen I arrived?"Eloise askedwI told Penelope," Felicity said, leaning rather inelegantly across her sister to speak to Eloise, "that they're going to be destroyed by Lady W later this week"wI don't know," Eloise said thoughtfully "She doesn't pick on the Sirls every yearI'm not sure I knohy," cackled a voice from behind

Eloise, Penelope, and Felicity all twisted in their seats, then lurched backward as Lady Danbury's cane caulped, unable to resist the urge to touch her nose--if only to reassure herself that it wasstill therewI have that Lady Whistledown figured out," Lady Danbury saidwYou do?" Felicity askedwShe's soft at heart," the old lady continued "You see that one"--she poked her cane in the direction of the cellist, nearly piercing Eloise's ear in the process--"right over there?"wYes," Eloise said, rubbing her ear, "although I don't think I'," Lady Danbury said before turning back to the subject at hand "You can thankabout the cellist?" Penelope said swiftly, before Eloise said so entirely inappropriatewOf course I was Look at her," Lady Danbury said "She's miserable And well she should be She's clearly the only one who has a clue as to how dreadful they are The other three don't have the er sister a rather slancewYou mark my words," Lady Danbury said "Lady Whistledoon't have a thing to say about this s The rest of them--"

Felicity, Penelope, and Eloise all ducked as the cane ca bywBah She couldn't care less for the rest of the theory," Penelope said

Lady Danbury sat back contentedly in her chair "Yes, it is Isn't it?"

Penelope nodded "I think you're right"wHmmph I usually am"

Still twisted in her seat, Penelope turned first to Felicity, then to Eloise, and said, "It's the sa to these infernal musicales year after year"wTo see Lady Danbury?" Eloise asked, blinking with confusionwNo Because of girls like her" Penelope pointed at the cellist "Because I know exactly how she feels"wDon't be silly, Penelope," Felicity said "You've never played piano in public, and even if you did, you're quiteaccomplished"

Penelope turned to her sister "It's not about thehappened to Lady Danbury Her face changed Corew htly pinched and sarcastic at the corners, softened "I was that girl, too, Miss Featherington," she said, so quietly that both Eloise and Felicity were forced to lean forward, Eloise with an, "I beg your pardon," and Felicity with a considerably less polite, "What?"

But Lady Danbury only had eyes for Penelope "It's why I attend, year after year,"the older lady saidwJust like you"

And for a moment Penelope felt the oddest sense of connection to the older wo in co And yet it was almost as if the countess had souess But she seeht a fire under Penelope's well-ordered and often boring life