Mrs. Murray frowned, and her lips curled, as she clasped a diamond bracelet on her arm.

“I have long since ceased to be surprised by any manifestation of Mrs. Montgomery’s insolence.  She doubtless judges your motives by those of her snub-nosed and excruciatingly fashionable daughter, Maud, who rumor says, is paying most devoted attention to that same fortune of Gordon’s.  I shall avail myself of the first suitable occasion to suggest to her that it is rather unbecoming in persons whose fathers were convicted of forgery, and hunted out of the State, to lay such stress on the mere poverty of young aspirants for admission into society.  I have always noticed that people (women especially) whose lineage is enveloped in a certain twilight haze, constitute themselves guardians of the inviolability of their pretentious cliques, and fly at the throats of those who, they imagine, desire to enter their fashionable set—­their ’mutual admiration association.’  As for Mrs. Hill, whose parents were positively respectable, even genteel, I expected less nervousness from her on the subject of genealogy, and should have given her credit for more courtesy and less malice; but, poor thing, nature denied her any individuality, and she serves ‘her circle’ in the same capacity as one of those tin reflectors fastened on locomotives.  All that you heard was excessively ill-bred, and in really good society ill-breeding is more iniquitous than ill-nature; but, however annoying, it is beneath your notice, and unworthy of consideration.  I would not gratify them by withdrawing from a position which you can so gracefully occupy.”

“It is no privation to me to stay at home; on the contrary, I prefer it, for I would not exchange the companionship of the books in this house for all the dinners that ever were given.”

“There is no necessity for you to make a recluse of yourself simply because two rude, silly gossips disgrace themselves.  You have time enough to read and study, and still go out with me when I consider it advisable.”

“But, my dear Mrs. Murray, my position in your family, as an unknown dependent on your charity, subjects me to—­”

“Is a matter which does not concern Mesdames Hill and Montgomery, as I shall most unequivocally intimate to them.  I insist upon the dismissal of the whole affair from your mind.  How much longer do you intend to keep me waiting?”

“I am very sorry you cannot view the subject from my standpoint, but hereafter I cannot accompany you to dinners and parties.  Whenever you desire me to see company in your own house, I shall be glad to comply with your wishes and commands; but my self-respect will not permit me to go out to meet people who barely tolerate me through fear of offending you.  It is exceedingly painful, dear Mrs. Murray, for me to have to appear disrespectful and stubborn toward you, but in this instance I can not comply with your wishes.”

They looked at each other steadily, and Mrs. Murray’s brow cleared and her lip unbent.