`` Aunt Beatrice , did you want to go to that party ? '' she demanded explosively . `` Now tell me the truth . '' `` I did , '' said Aunt Beatrice weakly . Margaret 's sudden attack fairly startled the truth out of her . `` It is very silly of me , I know , but I did want to go . I did n't care about a new dress . I 'd have been quite willing to wear my grey silk , and I could have fixed the sleeves . What difference would it have made ? Nobody would ever have noticed me , but Bella thought it would n't do . '' She paused long enough to give a little sob which she could not repress . Margaret made use of the opportunity to exclaim violently , `` It 's a shame ! '' `` I suppose you do n't understand why I wanted to go to this particular party so much , '' went on Aunt Beatrice shyly . `` I 'll tell you why -- if you wo n't laugh at me . I wanted to see John Reynolds -- not to talk to him -- oh , I dare say he would n't remember me -- but just to see him . Long ago -- fifteen years ago -- we were engaged . And -- and -- I loved him so much then , Margaret . '' `` You poor dear ! '' said Margaret sympathetically . She reached over and patted her aunt 's hand .
She XXXXX that this little bit of romance , long hidden and unsuspected , blossoming out under her eyes , was charming .
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