Six o'clock
If tragedy entered her life she would probably turn it into ridicule . Wholly without care , whimsical and generous to a degree , if it suited her mood , Louise Merrick possessed a nature capable of great things , either for good or ill . It was no wonder her unsophisticated country cousin failed to comprehend her , although Beth 's intuition was not greatly at fault . Six o'clock found Beth wide awake , as usual ; so she quietly dressed and , taking her book under her arm , started to make her way into the gardens . Despite Louise 's cynicism she had no intention of abandoning her studies . She had decided to fit herself for a teacher before Aunt Jane 's invitation had come to her , and this ambition would render it necessary for her to study hard during vacations . If she became an heiress she would not need to teach , but she was not at all confident of her prospects , and the girl 's practical nature prompted her to carry out her plans until she was sure of the future .