Marie Belloc Lowndes

“ Even the working folk of Monte Carlo do not go early to bed.
At last, when they were close to the end of the Galerie, the Countess exclaimed: “Here we are!” And Lily, looking up, saw a modest little shop, inscribed in gold letters, “Madame Jeanne.” In the window were displayed three simple-looking hats and a muslin gown, also a plain grey and white silk jumper, with regard to which, nevertheless, Lily told herself that it was one of the prettiest jumpers she had ever seen.
“Now, Lily,” said the Countess earnestly, “you may absolutely trust the taste of Madame Jeanne. ”

“ I am bringing you to-day a good new customer! We want two or three pretty dresses, and we want them at once. As you see, Mademoiselle is in half-mourning, so we must only choose white and grey gowns, for mauve is not a young girl's colour.”
“I can make Mademoiselle something very pretty,” began the woman, but the Countess cut her short: ”We want to-day a simple, yet smart, coat and skirt, an afternoon Casino and restaurant gown, and a simple, girlish evening dress. We want to take them away now, this morning.”
Mme. Jeanne looked a little uncomfortable, and also a little surprised. ”

“ Dozens of gardeners were busily engaged in sweeping the paths of the embowered gardens, and in watering the brilliant, many-hued blossoms which compose the vast, carpet-like parterre in front of the Casino. ”