She explained to Arethusa that it was just three years ago on the twenty-fifth of October (this very night) that she and Ross had first met each other, at a dinner at the Baronne de Braunecker's in Paris when she had been visiting the Baronne and Ross had come as a guest to the dinner given in her honor.
"I fell in love with her on the spot," interrupted Ross, "and I could hardly wait for morning so I could go back to call on her."
Arethusa flashed her father a brief smile of appreciation for this bit of information and proceeded to grow more and more enraptured with the whole affair as Elinor added to the narrative. They were celebrating the occasion of that meeting this evening, she continued. Ross had sent her the flowers, touching the cluster at her belt, for she had worn pink roses at the Baronne's dinner; and they were to have for this anniversary meal as many things as Elinor had been able to remember they had eaten together at the first one.
Arethusa's eyes sparkled.
What a darling idea! This keeping of the Anniversary of so Memorable an Occasion! Her romantic heart thought it came very near being more thrilling than a Real Party! It was a way of living after her own conception of life!
"But if I had known about it I could have dressed up, too. I have a Party Dress!"
"You have plenty of time to go put it on, if you wish." Elinor smiled for the little air of pride with which the girl had announced her possession. "There's oceans of time for you to change. Dinner isn't until seven."
Arethusa bounded from her chair. "Oh, really ... may I?"
Elinor nodded. "Would you like me to help you?" she added.
But Arethusa was already halfway up the front stairs by the time she had finished her friendly offer.