all the old Charles
Stuart, but somebody new and strange; and he was sitting in judgment
upon her useless way of living! She picked up the _Dominion_ and at a
glance she saw the verses as he saw them. He was right--they were
shallow, pretty little things, nothing more. Her lip quivered.

"Oh, I beg your pardon, Lizzie," he was saying contritely--"that's only
one opinion--and I may be wrong."

"No, you're right," said Elizabeth, "only I didn't see it before."

They were interrupted by John's return. "Jean's calling you, Lizzie.
She's got a pleasant little job for you downstairs. Don't be scared.
I locked Bags and the skeleton into his room. He won't catch you."

Elizabeth, glad to get away, ran out and down to the next floor. Jean
was standing at her room door, the green shade still over her wrinkled
brow, her collar and belt both missing. She held up a card.

"Lizzie, could you go downstairs and interview the owner of this?" she
pleaded, frowningly. "It's a caller. She's been sent by some new
society your fashionable friends have organized in St. Stephen's. I do
wish those idle people would leave busy ones alone. I haven't time to
go down, and Mills simply won't be bothered."

Elizabeth took the card. "Miss Blanche Kendall," she read. "Why, this
is the very thing Mrs. Jarvis wants me to join. Of course I'll go.
What excuse shall I make?"

"Anything at all. I don't care."

"Very well. I'll tell her my brother has loaned his bones and my
sister her clothing, and therefore they cannot come."

Jean did not resent the hint regarding her disorderly appearance. She
disappeared, slamming the door with a sigh of relief. Elizabeth went
hopefully downstairs. She was on the whole rather glad of the
unexpected meeting. Miss Kendall she knew to be a very fashionable
young lady indeed. Hunting up lonely students hardly seemed an
occupation that would appeal to her. Who knew, the girl told herself,
but she had been mistaken, and these young ladies were whole-hearted
and sincere in their efforts. She entered the long, dingy parlor fully
prepared to learn from Miss Kendall.

The visitor, a rather handsome young woman in a smart tailored suit,
was sitting on the extreme edge of an uncomfortable chair, looking
bored. She showed no sign of recognition as Elizabeth advanced
smilingly. The latter was not surprised. She had met Miss Kendall
only once--at a card-party--and Elizabeth had learned long ago th