"How large a bunch was it, Maria?" her aunt asked.
"And is it certain that Maria's eyes could tell the true from the false, in such a matter as a bunch of jewellery?" suggested Clarissa. "They have not had a great deal of experience."
Maria fired up. "I just wish you could see them for yourself!" she said. "False jewels, indeed! They sparkle like flashes of lightning. All glittering and flashing, red and white. I never saw anything so beautiful in all my life. And if you saw the rest of the dress, you would know that they couldn't be false jewels."
"What sort of a face had she?"
"I don't know,—handsome."
"The bunch of jewels dazzled Maria's eyes," said Clarissa, sipping her tea.
"No, not handsome, Maria," Matilda said.
"Well, not handsome exactly, but pleasant. She had curls, and lightish hair; but her dress was so handsome, it made her look handsome. She took a terrible fancy to Matilda."
"Matilda is the youngest," said her mother.
"It was thanks to Matilda we got into the house at all; and Matilda had the flowers. Nobody spoke of giving me any flowers."