"Tomorrow week father," said Beatrice, "at least so Mother says."
Mr Langton whistled and then turning to his daughter he said, "I tell you what Bia, you had better call at the dressmaker on your way home, I hate a bustle at the last moment." so saying Mr Langton gave his daughter £10 in ready gold! Beatrice took them home and put them in her purse till the afternoon when she paid a long visit to the dressmaker. She invested in a lovely green silk dress trimmed with a delicate shade of rose pink, and the dainty little hat was of the same picturesque colours. She likewise bought a costly diamond brooch and two silver bangles to make up the £10.
On coming out of the shop she turned on to the moors for a last walk before going to Paris, for there would be plenty to do at home such as darning stockings, mending clothes, etc: She called for Nelly Reeves (a friend of hers); it would be a good chance to outdo her thought Beatrice, for Nelly had been to Italy the year before and did nothing but boast of it all day. So the two girls arm in arm started for the moors. Nelly Reeves was a tall good looking girl, slightly pretty, but with none of the wistful beauty about her that was so clearly stamped on all Beatrice Langton's features. She had black hair and what she considered beautiful eyes, though they really were small and vacant in their perpetual stare.
"Well I hope you will enjoy yourself" she remarked briskly when Beatrice told her of the invitation to Paris.
"I am sure I shall," said Beatrice, gently feeling her hair behind, "only think of the delights of it! The Vindsors live in a Chateau you know!"
"Yes, I suppose it will be jolly for you," said Nelly "who are the Vindsors?"
"Oh dont you remember Clara Vindsor?" said Beatrice, "she was so very pretty and polite in her ways."
"I recollect her," said Nelly gazing on the far away blue hills, "oh Beatrice how lovely that view is!"
"Yes," said Beatrice sadly, "I came up here last night for a walk."
"Alone?" asked Nelly.