After this Mrs. Birtwell came often, and a measure of the old feeling returned to Mrs. Voss.  Still, the card of Mrs. Birtwell whenever it was placed in her hand by a servant never failed to bring a shadow and sometimes a chill to her heart.

In a few moments Mrs. Birtwell entered the room; and after the usual greetings and some passing remarks, Mrs. Voss said, speaking to the lady with whom she had been conversing: 

“What were you going to say—­about some sorrowful story, I mean?”

The pleasant light which had come into the lady’s face on meeting Mrs. Birtwell, faded out.  She did not answer immediately, and showed some signs of embarrassment.  But Mrs. Voss, not particularly noticing this, pressed her for the story.  After a slight pause she said: 

“In visiting a friend yesterday I observed a young girl whom I had never seen at the house before.  She was about fifteen or sixteen years of age, and had a face of great refinement and much beauty.  But I noticed that it had a sad, shy expression.  My friend did not introduce her, but said, turning to the girl a few moments after I came in: 

“‘Go up to the nursery, Ethel, and wait until I am disengaged!’

“As the girl left the room I asked, ‘Who is that young lady?’ remarking at the same time that there was something peculiarly interesting about her.

“’It’s a sad case, remarked my friend, her voice falling to a tone of regret and sympathy.  ’And I wish I knew just what to do about it.’

“‘Who is the young girl?’ I asked repeating my question.

“‘The daughter of a Mr. Ridley,’ she replied.”

Mrs. Birtwell gave a little start, while an expression of pain crossed her face.  The lady did not look at her, but she felt the change her mention of Mr. Ridley had produced.

“‘What of him?’ I asked; not having heard the name before.

“’Oh, I thought you knew about him.  He’s a lawyer, formerly a member of Congress, and a man of brilliant talents.  He distinguished himself at Washington, and for a time attracted much attention there for his ability as well as for his fine personal qualities.  But unhappily he became intemperate, and at the end of his second term had fallen so low that his party abandoned him and sent another in his place.  After that he reformed and came to this city, bringing his family with him.  He had two children, a boy and a girl.  His wife was a cultivated and very superior woman.  Here he commenced the practice of law, and soon by his talents and devotion to business acquired a good practice and regained the social position he had lost.