"I don't mean to say anything at all, I have nothing to confide, so don't imagine it for a single moment. But at the seaside, where the gay people will be, and the band will play, and there'll be no end of tea out of doors and all sorts of fun of one sort and another, it may happen that--that--somebody _may_ see your Brenda and--oh, Fanchon, need I say any more!" "I don't suppose you need," was Fanchon's answer. She felt immensely flattered. "Think what it would mean to me," continued Brenda. "A prince might come along, who would fall in love with the beggar maid." "But you--with your blue silk dress, to be called a beggar maid! That name might suit poor Nina, who can't have flounces, even, to her pink muslin dress that only cost sixpence three farthings a yard." Brenda was startled at Fanchon's memory with regard to the price of the muslin. "No," continued that young lady, "you're not a bit like the beggar maid." "Ah, but--my dear girl--I am the beggar maid, and I am waiting for the king to come along who will raise me to sit on his throne, and--in fact--I am going to whisper a _great_ secret to you, Fanchon--" "What is it?" said Fanchon, who was at once fretful and disgusted, overpowered with curiosity, and yet heartily wishing that Brenda would not confide in her. "Well--I will tell you," said Brenda. "I have been left a little money--just the _merest_ little trifle, and I am spending a little of it on my blue silk, and I don't want any one to know but just my own darling Fanchon; my eldest pupil--who loves me so well! Perhaps, my _cherie_, I may buy you a pretty gift out of some of the money. What do you say to a little gold bracelet--a bangle, I mean?" Brenda remembered that she could get a silver gilt bracelet for a couple of shillings at a shop she knew of at Rocheford, and that it would be worth her while to purchase Fanchon's sympathy at that price. "Oh--but I should love it!" said the young lady, looking at her sunburnt and badly formed wrist. "The bangle would give you good style," said Brenda. "Well, we'll say nothing about it now--but--well, as I have given you my confidence, you won't repeat it." "I suppose not, but I do want to see your blue silk." "All right, you shall, but not the others--I draw the line at the others. You can slip out of bed to-night and come to me, and I will put it on and show myself. I am going away early in the morning before any of you are up." "But I am certain father will be up, for he said so, and he's going to let you in afterwards." Brenda considered for a moment-- "I can't help his letting me in, but he shan't see me off," she said--"no one need do that. Well, now--go and join your sisters. Go to bed at the usual hour, and come to me at ten o'clock; then I will put on the dress and you shall judge of the effect."