you want to spend! That’s why I think it’s such a good idea for a girl to have money of her own ... ”
She broke off, looking through the same thoughtful, narrowed blue eyes at her guest.
“But, you poor soul, you never have had very much, have you? I think Madame Albertin ought to have left you a little of her money, as well as Pierre. You served her faithfully, and it would have made things more even.”
Chloe was thankful to escape from Eunice, who she was beginning to believe was the very last person one should attempt to deceive, but she was a little afraid that David, as soon as they were alone, would revert to the subject of her engagement, and question her about such a surprising announcement. But although she was certain he would do so before long he said nothing to embarrass her while they made their way to the stables, and the quarters occupied by some fine specimens of the dog world. Linda was Pentland’s special pet, and she left her new family to come at once at his call. Chloe was able to forget everything while she uttered enraptured cries over the puppies.
During lunch there were no awkward moments for Chloe, and after lunch Eunice took her to inspect her own wardrobe, which was one of the most comprehensive imaginable.
“It’s a pity we can’t pop across to Paris to get you something really exciting for your trousseau,” she said; but I’ve no doubt Pierre will show you Paris—and how!—when you’re married. But I did think we might go up to London for a few days. It’ll be a bit of a rush, since you’re being married so soon, but I can introduce you in all the right quarters, and get people to hurry.”
“It’s very good of you,” Chloe replied awkwardly, “but I’m not planning an expensive trousseau. I can always buy things afterwards.”
Eunice swung open the door of a vast, built-in wardrobe, and ran her hand along the line of dresses.
“What are you going to wear tonight, by the way? I told you I asked Pierre to dinner, and we must have you looking nice. I know you haven’t got a very large collection of things yourself, at the moment, so what about this?” and she lifted a cloudy black net dress off its hanger.
It was a truly delectable dress, with a patterning of green rhinestones on the bodice, and ideal for Chloe with her greenish eyes. But she was experiencing a strange sensation of dislike for Eunice at that particular moment, and—more—she had the odd conviction that Eunice was not altogether pleased with her. She had never treated her with the warmth and friendliness that David had shown her from the beginning of their acquaintance, but up till now they had got on very well together, and Eunice had frequently been kind in a condescending way. Now she was being kind without the condescension, but there was a queer, irritable impatience in her eyes as she looked the younger girl up and down, and tossed her the dress as if it was the merest trifle she was bestowing.
“There, take it! I’ll give it to you,” she said. “And be sure and put some make-up on tonight, and make yourself as attractive as you can. You’ve quite a few possibilities, you know,” regarding her critically.
“Thank you, but I couldn’t possibly accept this dress,” Chloe objected. The label inside it was a pretty fair indication of what it had cost. “I might borrow it ...”
Eunice waved her away.
“I’ve told you it’s yours,” she said, “and you can have shoes, a nd anything else you need to go with it. And I mean to make myself responsible for your new outfit of clothes. David and I will give them to you for a wedding present!”
Her eyes rested on Chloe, smiling, benevolent, but there was still that suggestion of cold dislike about them—hidden somewhere behind them, between the thickness of her eyelashes.
Chloe, when she went downstairs, didn’t feel in the least like scintillating. The maid, Evans, had done skilful things to her hair, and she looked like an
She broke off, looking through the same thoughtful, narrowed blue eyes at her guest.
“But, you poor soul, you never have had very much, have you? I think Madame Albertin ought to have left you a little of her money, as well as Pierre. You served her faithfully, and it would have made things more even.”
Chloe was thankful to escape from Eunice, who she was beginning to believe was the very last person one should attempt to deceive, but she was a little afraid that David, as soon as they were alone, would revert to the subject of her engagement, and question her about such a surprising announcement. But although she was certain he would do so before long he said nothing to embarrass her while they made their way to the stables, and the quarters occupied by some fine specimens of the dog world. Linda was Pentland’s special pet, and she left her new family to come at once at his call. Chloe was able to forget everything while she uttered enraptured cries over the puppies.
During lunch there were no awkward moments for Chloe, and after lunch Eunice took her to inspect her own wardrobe, which was one of the most comprehensive imaginable.
“It’s a pity we can’t pop across to Paris to get you something really exciting for your trousseau,” she said; but I’ve no doubt Pierre will show you Paris—and how!—when you’re married. But I did think we might go up to London for a few days. It’ll be a bit of a rush, since you’re being married so soon, but I can introduce you in all the right quarters, and get people to hurry.”
“It’s very good of you,” Chloe replied awkwardly, “but I’m not planning an expensive trousseau. I can always buy things afterwards.”
Eunice swung open the door of a vast, built-in wardrobe, and ran her hand along the line of dresses.
“What are you going to wear tonight, by the way? I told you I asked Pierre to dinner, and we must have you looking nice. I know you haven’t got a very large collection of things yourself, at the moment, so what about this?” and she lifted a cloudy black net dress off its hanger.
It was a truly delectable dress, with a patterning of green rhinestones on the bodice, and ideal for Chloe with her greenish eyes. But she was experiencing a strange sensation of dislike for Eunice at that particular moment, and—more—she had the odd conviction that Eunice was not altogether pleased with her. She had never treated her with the warmth and friendliness that David had shown her from the beginning of their acquaintance, but up till now they had got on very well together, and Eunice had frequently been kind in a condescending way. Now she was being kind without the condescension, but there was a queer, irritable impatience in her eyes as she looked the younger girl up and down, and tossed her the dress as if it was the merest trifle she was bestowing.
“There, take it! I’ll give it to you,” she said. “And be sure and put some make-up on tonight, and make yourself as attractive as you can. You’ve quite a few possibilities, you know,” regarding her critically.
“Thank you, but I couldn’t possibly accept this dress,” Chloe objected. The label inside it was a pretty fair indication of what it had cost. “I might borrow it ...”
Eunice waved her away.
“I’ve told you it’s yours,” she said, “and you can have shoes, a nd anything else you need to go with it. And I mean to make myself responsible for your new outfit of clothes. David and I will give them to you for a wedding present!”
Her eyes rested on Chloe, smiling, benevolent, but there was still that suggestion of cold dislike about them—hidden somewhere behind them, between the thickness of her eyelashes.
Chloe, when she went downstairs, didn’t feel in the least like scintillating. The maid, Evans, had done skilful things to her hair, and she looked like an
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