Her hair was in crimping-pins, her dress most slatternly, and her surroundings were in keeping with her personal appearance.

“Mamma!” she exclaimed in utter astonishment and confusion.  “How did you get here? how did you come?  You should have sent me word.  I have no way to accommodate you.”

“Don’t be alarmed, I have no intention of staying more than an hour.  I start for Europe by to-day’s steamer, with Elsie and Edward Travilla.  Lester Leland’s ill, dying I presume, and the silly love-sick girl must needs rush to the rescue.”

“And why are you to go with her? why don’t the mother and grandfather and the whole family accompany her, after their usual fashion of all keeping together?”

“Because Rosie and Walter are down with the measles; much too ill to travel.”

“And you are going to Europe to enjoy yourself, while I must live here in a New York tenement house occupied by the very dregs of society, and as the wife of a drunkard, gambler, and rake; a man—­or rather a brute—­who lives by his wits, abuses me like the pickpocket that he is, half starves me, and expects me to do all the work, cooking, cleaning, and everything else, even to washing and ironing of the few clothes he hasn’t pawned; me! a lady brought up to have servants to wait upon her at every turn!”

“O Virgie, Virgie! it can’t be so bad as that!” cried her mother, clasping her hands in an agony of distress, and gazing piteously at her, the hot tears streaming down her face.

“I tell you it is that and worse! and all your fault, for you made the match! you hurried me into it lest grandpa, uncle, or brothers should interfere, find out that the man’s morals were not good according to their high standard, and prevent me from marrying him.”

“You were in as great haste and as much opposed to their interference as I, Virginia!” the mother retorted, drawing herself up in proud anger.

“Well, and what of that! you brought me up, and I was only following out the teachings you have given me from my cradle.  I tell you it was your doing; but I must reap what you have sowed.  I wish I was dead!” She flung her book from her as she spoke, turned and paced the room, her hands clenched, her eyes flashing, her teeth set hard.

She had not drawn near her mother, or given her one word of welcome or thanks for having turned aside from her journey to inquire into her welfare.

“‘Oh, sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!’” exclaimed Mrs. Conly in anguished accents, rising as if to go, but instantly falling heavily to the floor.

Virginia rushed to her side, half frantic with terror.

“Oh, mother, mother, what is it?  What have I done! what have I done!  I know you’re the best friend I have in the world!” she cried, stooping over her, loosening her bonnet-strings and dress, and trying vainly to lift her to the lounge, for she was a large, heavy woman and now in a state of utter insensibility, her face purple, her breathing stertorous.