A murmur arose at this announcement and in less than a minute Beatrice was in Mrs. Vindsor's arms being hugged to death almost. "My dear Beatrice!" she gasped when her kisses were exhausted "how pleased I am to see you! the steak has just gone down to be kept hot, come and see Clara." These comforting words soothed Beatrice, and then Clara came forward to greet her friend. Clara was a slight thin girl about 19 with very fair hair and blue eyes, she wore a blue satin dress trimmed with real Brussels lace in keeping with Le Chateau, and a spray of blue flowers in her hair. "My sisters will be down in one minute" she said kindly "their maids are doing their hairs." "Oh I see," said Beatrice rapidly taking off her gloves and displaying with some pride her white smooth hands. "I suppose you are very tired," said Mrs. Vindsor giving the fire a poke with the toe of her shoe. "Yes I am," said Beatrice "it was very rough crossing." Just then the door opened and two girls entered about 22 and 24 in age. The eldest was by no means beautiful but she was intensely good. She had small black eyes and black hair which she wore in a most peculiar manner, it was cut in a fringe in front and gathered into a huge knob behind all except one piece which hung down her back and on the end of which a single red rose was attached. She was attired in yellow silk and was by no means courteous to Beatrice, her name was Honoria. The other girl was the most beautiful of the three. She had lovely brown hair and soft blue eyes fringed by sweet long lashes. Her nose and mouth were enough to attract an artist towards her; she was dressed in a lovely pink silk dress and her knob was arrayed by a pink feather. Her name was Margaret and she was known through all Paris as the "sweet young lady with the pathetic blue eyes!" and on the 20th of August (her birthday) not a single person omitted to give her a present. Beatrice thought her lovely and kissed her on both cheeks with hearty good cheer. And so ended Beatrice's first night at Le Chateau. CHAPTER 7 The next morning Beatrice had a slight headache and did not rise till the breakfast gong sounded through the walls of the great castle. Just as she was ready her bedroom was opened and Margaret appeared. "Oh Beatrice," she cried, "isn't it a lovely morning? Mama has just had a note asking us all to Mrs. Middle's garden party this afternoon, there will be a lot of English people there just arrived like yourself." "Yes very nice," said Beatrice and the two went down to breakfast together. Mrs. Vindsor and Honoria were already seated at the table enjoying the fragrant meal, but Clara had not yet come down. "How late you are Margaret" protested Mrs. Vindsor. "I am sorry Mother" said Margaret cracking her egg. "So I should hope" said Honoria shaking her head so that the rose at the end of her tail swayed to and fro also.