Mr. Dunkirk engaged to call by four o’clock on the morrow.
When Jane left them, to rejoin her mother and sister, she could scarce believe the turn the afternoon had taken. Mrs. Ellsworth and Melody were no less disbelieving when Jane told them of what had caused her delay in Madame Beaulieu’s Haberdashery.
“I must say that Mr. Dunkirk took exceeding advantage of your good nature in keeping you in the store as if you were a common shopclerk,” Mrs. Ellsworth said. “I had thought better of him.”
“No Mama, I assure you, he was most apologetic. I think, with only the one sister, and so much difference in their age, that Mr. Dunkirk is so far removed from an understanding of a modiste’s role that he took great comfort in having the assistance of a neighbor.”
“Did you not tell him that Madame Beaulieu was more than equal to the task?” Melody said, frowning.
“Of course, but still Miss Dunkirk is such a charming young woman, that I did not mind in the least.” Jane continued, “I have invited them to visit tomorrow.”
Mrs. Ellsworth and Melody exclaimed at this and spent the remainder of the afternoon planning for Mr. Dunkirk and Miss Dunkirk’s visit.