en. Isn't she a sweet, quiet girl? Do you know that
she is rich? It's perfectly true. Mrs. Chittle is the widow of a man who
made a big fortune out of a kind of imitation velvet. It sold only for a
few years, then something else drove it out of the market; but the money
was made. I know all about it from Mrs. Dane.'

'It's nothing to me,' said Horace peevishly.

But Mrs. Damerel continued:

'The poor girl has been very unfortunate. In the last year of her
father's life they lived in good style, town-house and country-house.
And she fell in love with somebody who--who treated her badly; broke it
off, in fact, just before the wedding. She had a bad illness, and since
then she has lived as her mother told you.'

'How do you know she told me?'

'I--oh, I took it for granted. She said you had had a long talk. You can
see, of course, that they're not ordinary people. Didn't Winifred--her
name is Winifred--strike you as very refined and lady-like?'

'She hardly spoke half-a-dozen words.'

'That's her nervousness. She has quite got out of the habit of society.
But she's very clever, and so good. I want you to see more of her.
If she comes here to tea, will you--just to please me--look in for
half-an-hour?'

She bent her head aside, wistfully. Horace vouchsafed no reply.

'Dear boy, I know very well what a disappointment you are suffering. Why
not be quite open with me? Though I'm only a tiresome old aunt, I feel
every bit as anxious for your happiness as if I were your mother--I do
indeed, Horace. You believe me, don't you?'

'You have been very kind, in many ways. But you've done harm to Fanny--'

'No harm whatever, Horace--believe me. I have only given her an
opportunity of showing what she really is. You see now that she thinks
of nothing at all but money and selfish pleasures. Compare her, my dear,
with such a girl as Winifred Chittle. I only mean--just to show you the
difference between a lady and such a girl as Fanny. She has treated you
abominably, my poor boy. And what would she bring you? Not that I wish
you to marry for money. I have seen too much of the world to be so
foolish, so wicked. But when there _are_ sweet, clever, lady-like girls,
with large incomes--! And a handsome boy like you! You may blush, but
there's no harm in telling the truth. You are far too modest. You don't
know how you look in the eyes of an affectionate, thoughtful girl--like
Winifred, for instance. It's dreadful to think of you th