“The other, Geoffrey Westbourne—­how shall I describe him?  Tall and commanding in figure, with glossy purple-black hair, and the midnight eyes that matched it, he was eminently handsome, and, as everybody agreed, a splendid conversationalist.  Notwithstanding his acknowledged superiority to all others, and the fact that he was petted and caressed by every one, I felt an instinctive repugnance to him, that for a long time I tried in vain to overcome.  Perhaps it was because I had heard him so highly spoken of, that I was ready to find fault.  However that maybe, I felt a secret antipathy to this man.  Would I had been allowed to follow the warning conveyed in these first impressions, what a world of misery I had then escaped!

“‘Well, how did you like him?’ queried my aunt, after our first meeting.  ‘Isn’t he splendid?’

“‘Not to my taste,’ was my reply.  ’To tell the truth, I was not very agreeably impressed by your Mr. Westbourne.’

“‘Shocking!’ exclaimed the astonished lady, with upraised hands.  ’That girl will surely be an old maid.  She has no taste.  Not like him, when he is already deep in love with you?  Ulrica, this is arrant coquetry.’

“She had reason to think so afterwards, for the subject of our conversation soon became a constant visitor at the house.  He was handsome, talented and agreeable, besides, all my lady friends were dying with envy.  I felt flattered by his preference, and in time forgot my early dislike, or remembered it only to wonder and laugh at my foolish, school-girl fancies.  Yet, at times, when I was alone, and had time for thought, a strange, undefined feeling would steal over me, amounting to a dread of impending evil, which I could not easily shake off.  Another thing troubled me.  Aunt Emily annoyed me, by ceaseless inquiries as to the result of my acquaintance with Mr. Westbourne.  I saw that to secure him for me was the one object of her ambition.  I remonstrated at this feeling, pained at her want of delicacy.

“One day, when she had been questioning me as usual, I replied, indignantly; ’Why, any one would think you were tired of me, and wanted me out of your way, you seem so anxious about my having an establishment of my own.  I am very well contented as I am, and neither expect nor desire a change.’

“‘Now, do listen to reason, child,’ she rejoined.  ’You must know that it is my great anxiety for your welfare that induces me to take upon myself all this care and trouble.  Tell me how old you are, Ulrica?’

“‘Twenty-one,’ I said sullenly.

“’And you have been out three seasons, and people are beginning to talk.  They say it is because you don’t wear well, and the men only flirt with you and leave you.’

“‘As if I cared what they say!’ I burst forth in my exasperation.  ’Thank heaven, I am independent of everybody’s opinion.’

“‘Yes, in a measure,’ pursued Aunt Emily’s calm voice, ’but not wholly.  Society has claims upon you which you cannot disregard.  I wish you were more willing to consult my wishes, and would pay some little attention to my advice,’ she added, plaintively.