This was contradictory, but it was evident that, while Kalliope disowned conceit of station for herself, she could not always cross her mother’s wishes.  It was further elicited that if Lady Flight had taken up the matter there would have been no difficulty.  Half a year ago the Flights had seemed to the young Whites angelic and infallible, and perhaps expectations had been founded on their patronage; but there had since been a shadow of disappointment, and altogether Kalliope was less disposed to believe that my Lady was correct in pronouncing Miss Mohun’s cherished society as ‘dissentish,’ and only calculated for low servant girls and ladies who wished to meddle in families.

Clanship made Gillian’s indignation almost bring down the office, and her eloquence was scarcely needed, since Kalliope had seen the value to some of her ‘hands’ from the class, the library, the recreation-room, and the influence of the ladies, above all, the showing them that it was possible to have variety and amusement free from vulgar and perilous dissipation; but still she hesitated.  She had no time, she said; she could not attend classes, and she was absolutely necessary at home in the evenings; but Gillian assured her that nothing was expected from her but a certain influence in the right direction, and the showing the younger and giddier that she did not think the Society beneath her.

‘I see all that,’ said Kalliope; ’I wish I had not been mistaken at first; but, Miss Mer—–­Gillian, I do not see how I can join it now.’

‘Why not?  What do you mean?’

Kalliope was very unwilling to speak, but at last it came.

’How can I do this to please your aunt, who thinks better of me than I deserve, when—–­Oh! excuse me—–­I know it is all your kindness—–­but when I am allowing you to deceive her—–­almost, I mean—–­’

‘Deceive!  I never spoke an untrue word to my aunt in my life,’ said Gillian, in proud anger; ’but if you think so, Miss White, I had better have no more to do with it.’

‘I feel,’ said Kalliope, with tears in her eyes, ’as if it might be better so, unless Miss Mohun knew all about it.’

‘Well, if you think so, and like to upset all your brother’s hopes—–­’

’It would be a terrible grief to him, I know, and I don’t undervalue your kindness, indeed I don’t; but I cannot be happy about it while Miss Mohun does not know.  I don’t understand why you do not tell her.’

’Because I know there would be a worry and a fuss.  Either she would say we must wait for letters from mamma, or else that Alexis must come to Beechcroft, and all the comfort would be over, and it would be gossiped about all over the place.  Can’t you trust me, when I tell you I have written it all to my own father and mother, and surely I know my own family best?’

Kalliope looked half convinced, but she persisted—–­

’I suppose you do; only please, till there is a letter from Lady Merrifield, I had rather not go into this Society.’