The mistress of "The Beeches" possessed a really kind heart beneath the
ice of her ultra-gentility, and she was pleased with the idea of
assisting in the bringing about of a genuine love-match. Besides, the
affair, if well managed, would reflect considerable importance upon
herself, and she would be able by and bye to talk of "my pupil, Lady
Eversleigh;" or, "that sweet girl, Miss Milford, who afterwards married
the wealthy baronet, Sir Oswald Eversleigh." Sir Oswald pleaded for an
early celebration of the marriage--and Honoria, accustomed to obey him
in all things, did not oppose his wish in this crisis of his life. Once
more Sir Oswald wrote a cheque for the wardrobe of his _protegee_, and
Miss Beaumont swelled with pomposity as she thought of the grandeur
which might be derived from the expenditure of a large sum of money at
certain West-end emporiums where she was in the habit of making
purchases for her pupils, and where she was already considered a person
of some importance.
It was holiday-time at "The Beeches," and almost all the pupils were
absent. Miss Beaumont was, therefore, able to devote the ensuing
fortnight to the delightful task of shopping. She drove into town
almost every day with Honoria, and hours were spent in the choice of
silks and satins, velvets and laces, and in long consultations with
milliners and dressmakers of Parisian celebrity and boundless
extravagance.
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