Had Eugenia not refused to accompany her little sister Marguerite and her governess, Mrs. Moss, to the village that very morning, and had she not returned from her short walk at that precise time, Eugenia would have missed her elderly relative altogether. “Whatever are you doing here, Auntie? You are nearly a fortnight early for your visit.” It had been over a year since Eugenia had seen her great-aunt and had not expected her for another month. “Mama and Papa have not returned from Town yet.” “Yes, dear, I know all about that.” Aunt Rose stripped off her gloves and marched past Eugenia, directly into the green parlor. “Your mother has already informed me of their delay. I have taken advantage of the situation and suggested you accompany me on my excursion to Brighton. You may have been denied the delights of London but I daresay you shall be pleased with your share of entertainment and parties where we are headed.” “Am I really to go with you, then?” Eugenia nearly fainted dead away at the good news.
