But Miss Ponsonby , with a red fascinator over her head and a big cape wrapped round her , slipped out of the window and down that blessed acacia tree as neatly and nimbly as if she had been accustomed to doing it for exercise every day of her life . There were possibilities in Miss Ponsonby . In two more minutes they were both safe in our room . Then Jerry threw off Miss Ponsonby 's wraps and stepped back . I know I stared until my eyes stuck out of my head . Was that Miss Ponsonby -- that ! The black lace dress , with the pinkish sheen of its slip beneath , suited her slim shape to perfection and clung around her in lovely , filmy curves that made her look willowy and girlish . It was high-necked , just cut away slightly at the throat , and had great , loose , hanging frilly sleeves of lace . Jerry had shaken out her hair and piled it high on her head in satiny twists and loops , with a pompadour such as Miss Ponsonby could never have thought about . It suited her tremendously and seemed to alter the whole character of her face , giving verve and piquancy to her delicate little features . The excitement had flushed her cheeks into positive pinkness and her eyes were starry . The roses were pinned on her shoulder . Miss Ponsonby , as she stood there , was a pretty woman , with fifteen apparent birthdays the less . `` Oh , Alicia , you look just lovely ! '' I gasped . The name slipped out quite naturally . I never thought about it at all . `` My dear Elizabeth , '' she said , `` it 's like a dream of lost youth . '' We got Jerry ready and then we started for the Hubbards ' , out by our back door and through our neighbour-on-the-left 's lane to avoid all observation . Miss Ponsonby was breathless with terror .
She was sure every footstep she heard behind her was her father 's XXXXX pursuit .
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