In some unaccountable way Beatrice turned into the High Street and had to pass Lawrence Cathcart's house, a splendid white stone building standing apart from the other houses in a beautiful garden of well tended blooms. "What riches!" sighed Beatrice pausing at the iron gates, and as her blue eyes searched the lovely grounds her glance fell upon Lawrence Cathcart. He was standing under a tree with an open book in his hands. He wore a light fawn suit and his black curly hair was exposed to the Autumn sun; and as Beatrice gazed on this good looking young man she wondered why she had not noticed before how exquisitely curly his hair and moustache was, how fine his nose and eyes, and how beautifully his mouth was curved. But she did not talk to him or try to attract his attention, and sad and disheartened she walked home. CHAPTER 4 Tea was ready when Beatrice returned home and she drew in her chair and clustered round the table. "Well, what is your dress like?" asked Mrs Langton as she passed the butter to her husband. "Oh it is lovely Mother" answered Beatrice, "and oh Father" she continued, "I bought some jewellry too!" "Jewellry" cried Mr. Langton stirring his tea very hard, "with my money?" "Well yes father," sighed Beatrice, "I hope you are not angry?" "What did you buy" enquired Mr Langton. "Two bracelets and a brooch" said Beatrice sadly. Mr. Langton coughed and helped himself to some strawberry jam. "I have been very busy putting some embroidery on your white petticoat all the afternoon," said Mrs Langton trying to change the subject, "you know I had a telegram to say you are expected on Thursday instead of next week." "Oh Mother" said Beatrice, "I must begin to pack at once!" so saying she flew up to her bedroom, and ten minutes later the floor was littered with as many articles of clothing as you could wish to see, and when Mrs Langton came up after tea she found her daughter seated on the bed amid stockings of every shade, curling some crimson feathers. "My dear Beatrice!" cried that good lady in astonishment, "what are you doing?" "Well I was trying to pack mother" answered Beatrice calmly. "I see" said Mrs Langton folding up a blue skirt as she spoke, "if you will allow me to help you I think you will manage better." "Very well," replied Beatrice, "there are the trunks." "Yes I see them" said Mrs Langton, "I think your new dress and hat had better go in the basket trunk dont you?" "Perhaps so" said Beatrice gathering the stockings off the bed, "Oh mother, to think that the day after tomorrow I shall be going to Paris!" "Yes indeed dear" replied Mrs Langton glancing round the littered room, "you have plenty of work to do, just darn these stockings will you, while I collect your hats." Beatrice threaded her needle and once she was seated in the big arm-chair, her busy tongue began to go. "What time do you suppose I shall arrive at Paris mother?" was the first question.