You know I never knew any girls before," she added, confidentially, "and you can't imagine how much I have enjoyed them." "Come, walk down to the gate with me," said Mr.Forbes, presently; "I have something to tell you." She lifted her shade an instant as they started down the long arch of light, and gave one quick glance down the entire way.

"Isn't it glorious!" she exclaimed.

"It looks as if it might be the road to the City of the Shining Ones!" Then with a sigh she dropped her shade, and, slipping her hand into his, let him lead her, as she walked along with closed eyes.
"You are an appreciative little puss," he said, smiling.
As they walked on under the glowing arch, hand in hand, he told her that he was coming back for her in the fall; that Eugenia wanted her to go abroad with them, and that he thought such an arrangement would be good for both the girls.

Good for Eugenia, because otherwise she would often be left for days at a time with only Eliot for a companion, when he was away on business.

Good for Betty, since she could be enjoying the advantages of travel at a time when she could not be using her eyes to study.
"You shall see Abbotsford," he said, "and Burns's country, and go to Shakespeare's home.