“The true story is, you know, that he always remained a beast, but he gave her so many diamonds and beautiful things that she overlooked his ugliness. Like that the story happens every day.”
I only shook my head gently; I could not contradict Mr. Rayner, but I would not believe him.
“Now, if you were Beauty, what would you ask papa to bring you?”
I laughed shyly.
“A prince?” I blushed and shook my head.
“No, not yet,” I said, smiling rather mischievously.
“A ring, a bracelet, a brooch?”
“Oh, no!”
“A Murray’s Grammar, a pair of globes, a black-board?”
“No, Mr. Rayner. I should say a rose like Beauty—a beautiful Marshal Niel rose. I couldn’t think of anything lovelier than that.”