Beatrice was delighted at the offer and soon joined Clara in the spacious hall.
"We must go this way" said Clara "as I have to go the Bank for Mother."
"Oh alright" said Beatrice taking Clara's arm.
Then followed a little conversation about nothing in particular, and by the time they reached the Bank Beatrice had quite decided that though Clara was very pleasant and cheery she was not as nice as Margaret who was kindness itself to the strange English girl.
"Would you like to walk up and down while I go into the Bank?" asked Clara.
"Yes please," said Beatrice who by no means appreciated Banks, and so saying she left Clara in the office and walked along the gay street. She seemed very strange as she walked through the strange streets and was so taken with the fancy shops that she forgot all about Clara in the bank.
"Dear me! what lovely gloves" she said as she stopped outside a large drapers shop "we dont have such things in England!"
Just then somebody passed behind her and in so doing brushed against her dress. Beatrice at once looked round and there walking quietly in front as though nothing had happened was a man!
Beatrice looked in amazement at the gentleman calmly receding up the road, and as she looked the form seemed to grow familiar in front of her eyes. Surely she had seen that navy blue suit before, that brown hat and those boots! Yes! the very walk was familiar to her. She knew that black curly hair and that well formed back again!—it was Lawrence Cathcart!
Beatrice gave a low cry and covered her face with her hands.