"No—it has only been a beautiful one." Isabel found herself already contradicting her aunt; she was irritated by her dryness.
"I don't know what you mean by that; there's no beauty without health. That is a very odd dress to travel in."
Isabel glanced at her garment. "I left Rome at an hour's notice; I took the first that came."
"Your sisters, in America, wished to know how you dress. That seemed to be their principal interest.I wasn't able to tell them—but they seemed to have the right idea: that you never wear anything less than black brocade."