Cecily and Louisa were in the morning room. I joined them and took up some embroidery. But I couldn't get on with it at all. My sleepless night and early morning, followed by a short nap, had made me feel listless. My head was thudding dully and I could not think what had possessed me to choose such an ugly pattern to stitch. I tossed it aside in disgust and stretched out on the sofa to read the ladies monthly. 

 'Are you quite alright, Lydia? It's not like you not to be busy in the morning.'

 I forced a smile. 'I'm fine. Just a slight headache.'

 'You slept unusually late this morning, too. I hope you aren't coming down with something.'

 'No, no. I'm fine. But I do wish they would come up with something dif...

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