In reality nobody was more surprised over this than Lawrence himself . It had certainly been the last thing in his thoughts on the dark , damp night when he had overtaken Bessy walking home alone from prayer meeting and had offered to drive her the rest of the way . Bessy assented and got into his buggy . At first she was very silent , and Lawrence , who was a bashful lad at the best of times , felt tongue-tied and uncomfortable . But presently Bessy , pitying his evident embarrassment , began to talk to him . She could talk well , and Lawrence found himself entering easily into the spirit of her piquant speeches . He had an odd feeling that he had never known Bessy Houghton before ; he had certainly never guessed that she could be such good company . She was very different from the other girls he knew , but he decided that he liked the difference . `` Are you going to the party at Baileys ' tomorrow night ? '' he asked , as he helped her to alight at her door . `` I do n't know , '' she answered . `` I 'm invited -- but I 'm all alone -- and parties have never been very much in my line . '' There was a wistful note in her voice , and Lawrence detecting it , said hurriedly , not giving himself time to get frightened : `` Oh , you 'd better go to this one . And if you like , I 'll call around and take you . '' He wondered if she would think him very presumptuous . He thought her voice sounded colder as she said : `` I am afraid that it would be too much trouble for you . '' `` It would n't be any trouble at all , '' he stammered . `` I 'll be very pleased to take you . '' In the end Bessy had consented to go , and the next evening Lawrence called for her in the rose-red autumn dusk . Bessy was ready and waiting .
She was dressed in what was XXXXX her unusual elegance , and Lawrence wondered why people called Bessy Houghton so plain .
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