CHAPTER III
FIRST STEPS.
“Oh, Arabella!—mademoiselle!” exclaimed Louisa on the following day, as she entered the school-room at a later hour than usual, “I have been so much diverted—I have been enjoying such a rare treat!” and she threw herself into an arm-chair, and gave way to a burst of merriment.
“Qu’est-ce que c’est?” inquired the governess.
“I have seen Mrs. Effingham’s trousseau!” cried Louisa. Arabella looked up from her drawing, and the exclamation of mademoiselle expressed her curiosity on a subject which is supposed to be one of some interest to the fair sex.
“I was passing the door of her dressing-room,” continued Louisa, “and as it happened to be ajar she saw me, and called to me to come in.”
“As one school-girl might another,” said Arabella contemptuously.
“And there was the bride on her knees, herself unpacking her boxes!”
“She has not been accustomed to many servants,” observed Arabella, “and finds it most convenient to wait upon herself.”