'What a very elegant room!' she remarked. 

 'Yes it is, isn't it,' said Miss Forbes, before I could say anything. 'We are so excited about having a ball here. I daresay you are too. What will you wear, my lady, if you don't mind my asking?'

 I was just about to answer her when I caught a strange look on her friend's face. Sly, almost triumphant, certainly exalting over some secret satisfaction. It made me hesitate. 

 'Yellow,' I replied, on the spur of the moment. 'Primrose yellow.' They exchanged a look and I was not sorry for lying. No doubt I should have been, but I hated underhand tactics. On the other hand, if they meant no harm, the information that I was wearing a yellow dress would not affect them.