"I thought you once told me she was very pretty," she said: "but I think
her a fright in that dowdy dress, and bare-headed, too! Did it to show
her hair, no doubt! There is probably some of her mother's nature in
her."
Neil could have sworn, he was so angry with Blanche and with all the
world, especially Bessie, who had got him into this mess. He tried to
make himself believe that he had intended to take Bessie and her father
for a drive in the park, but he should not do it now. Probably the linen
gown was the only one Bessie had brought with her, and the elegant Neil
McPherson, who thought so much of one's personal appearance and what
Mrs. Grundy would say, could not face the crowd with that gown at his
side, even if Bessie were in it. She would never know it, perhaps, but
she had lost her chances with Neil, who nevertheless, hated himself for
his foolish pride, and when the drive, which he shortened as much as
possible, was over, he left Blanche to go home alone, and taking a cab
drove straight to Oxford street and bought a lovely navy-blue silk and a
pretty chip hat, with a wreath of eglantines around it.
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