“You’ll live to see it whiter still,” said the doctor, who was indignant at finding his patient down-stairs.

And where all this time was Berintha?  The doctor asked this question, and Lucy asked this question, while Lizzie replied, that “she was in her room.”

“And I hope to goodness she’ll stay there,” said Lucy.

Dr. Benton’s gray eyes fastened upon the amiable young lady, who, by way of explanation, proceeded to relate her maneuvers for keeping “the old maid” from the party.

We believe we have omitted to say that Lucy had some well-founded hopes of being one day, together with her sister, heiress of Dr. Benton’s property, which was considerable.  He was a widower, and had no relatives.  He was also very intimate with Mr. Dayton’s family, always evincing a great partiality for Lucy and Lizzie, and had more than once hinted at the probable disposal of his wealth.  Of course Lucy, in his presence, was all amiability, and though he was usually very far-sighted, he but partially understood her real character.  Something, however, in her remarks concerning Berintha displeased him.  Lucy saw it, but before she had time for any thought on the subject the door-bell rang, and a dozen or more of guests entered.

The parlors now began to fill rapidly.  Ere long St. Leon came, and after paying his compliments to Lucy, he took his station between her and the sofa, on which Lizzie sat.  So delighted was Lucy to have him thus near that she forgot Berintha, until that lady herself appeared in the room, bowing to those she knew, and seating herself on the sofa, very near St. Leon.  The angry blood rushed in torrents to Lucy’s face, and St. Leon, who saw something was wrong, endeavored to divert her mind by asking her various questions.

At last he said, “I do not see Miss Harcourt.  Where is she?”

“She is not expected,” answered Lucy carelessly.

“Ah!” said St. Leon; and Berintha, touching his arm, rejoined: 

“Of course you could not think Ada Harcourt would be invited here!”

“Indeed!  Why not?” asked St. Leon, and Berintha continued: 

“To be sure, Ada is handsome, and Ada is accomplished, but then Ada is poor, and consequently can’t come!”

“But I see no reason why poverty should debar her from good society,” said St. Leon; and Berintha, with an exultant glance at Lucy, who, if possible, would have paralyzed her tongue, replied: 

“Why, if Ada were present, she might rival somebody in somebody’s good opinion.  Wasn’t that what you said, Cousin Lucy?  Please correct me, if I get wrong.”

Lucy frowned angrily, but made no reply, for Berintha had quoted her very words.  After a moment’s pause she proceeded:  “Yes, Ada is poor; so though she can come to the front door with a gentleman, she cannot go out that way, but must be led to a side door or back door; which was it, Cousin Lucy?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” answered Lucy; and Berintha, in evident surprise, exclaimed: