, there
dwelt a poor sewing woman, whose only daughter was famed for her
wondrous beauty. Lucy had frequently seen Ada in the streets, but
never before had she met her, and she now determined to treat her with
the utmost disdain.

Not so was Lizzie affected by the presence of "the plebeian." Mrs.
Harcourt had done plain sewing for her father, and Lizzie had
frequently called there for the work. In this way an acquaintance had
been commenced between herself and Ada which had ripened into
friendship. Lizzie, too, had heard the remark of her sister, and,
anxious to atone as far as possible for the unkindness, she went up to
Ada, expressed her pleasure at seeing her there, and then, as the
young ladies were about descending to the parlors, she offered her
arm, saying, "I will accompany you down, but, I have no doubt scores
of beaus will quickly take you off my hands."

The parlors were nearly filled when our party reached them, and Ada
half-tremblingly clung to Lizzie's arm, while, with queen-like grace
and dignity, Lucy Dayton moved through the crowded drawing-room. Her
quick eye had scanned each gentleman, but her search was fruitless.
_He_ was not there, and during the next half-hour she listened rather
impatiently to the tide of flattery poured into her ear by some one of
her admirers. Suddenly there was a stir at the door, and Mr. St. Leon
was announced. He was a tall, fine-looking man, probably about
twenty-five years of age. The expression of his face was remarkably
pleasing, and such as would lead an entire stranger to trust him, sure
that his confidence would not be misplaced. His manners were highly
polished, and in his dignified, self-possessed bearing, there was
something which some called pride, but in all the wide world there was
not a more generous heart than that of Hugh St. Leon.

Lucy for a moment watched him narrowly, and then her feelings became
perfectly calm, for she felt sure that now, for the first time, she
looked upon her future husband! Ere long Anna Graham approached,
accompanied by the gentleman, whom she introduced, and then turning,
left them alone. Lucy would have given almost anything to have known
whether St. Leon had requested an introduction, but no means of
information were at hand, so she bent all her energies to be as
agreeable as possible to the handsome stranger at her side, who each
moment seemed more and more pleased with her.

Meantime, in another part of the room Lizzie and