rlors now began to fill rapidly. Ere long St. Leon came, and
after paying his compliments to Lucy, he took his station between her
and the sofa, on which Lizzie sat. So delighted was Lucy to have him
thus near that she forgot Berintha, until that lady herself appeared
in the room, bowing to those she knew, and seating herself on the
sofa, very near St. Leon. The angry blood rushed in torrents to Lucy's
face, and St. Leon, who saw something was wrong, endeavored to divert
her mind by asking her various questions.

At last he said, "I do not see Miss Harcourt. Where is she?"

"She is not expected," answered Lucy carelessly.

"Ah!" said St. Leon; and Berintha, touching his arm, rejoined:

"Of course you could not think Ada Harcourt would be invited here!"

"Indeed! Why not?" asked St. Leon, and Berintha continued:

"To be sure, Ada is handsome, and Ada is accomplished, but then Ada is
poor, and consequently can't come!"

"But I see no reason why poverty should debar her from good society,"
said St. Leon; and Berintha, with an exultant glance at Lucy, who, if
possible, would have paralyzed her tongue, replied:

"Why, if Ada were present, she might rival somebody in somebody's good
opinion. Wasn't that what you said, Cousin Lucy? Please correct me, if
I get wrong."

Lucy frowned angrily, but made no reply, for Berintha had quoted her
very words. After a moment's pause she proceeded: "Yes, Ada is poor;
so though she can come to the front door with a gentleman, she cannot
go out that way, but must be led to a side door or back door; which
was it, Cousin Lucy?"

"I don't know what you are talking about," answered Lucy; and
Berintha, in evident surprise, exclaimed:

"Why, don't you remember when Ada came here with a gentleman--let me
see, who was it?--well, no matter who 'twas--she came with a
gentleman--he was ushered into the parlor, while you took her into a
side room, then into a side passage, and out at the side door, kindly
telling her to beware of the gentleman in the parlor, who could want
nothing good of sewing girls!"

"You are very entertaining to-night," said Lucy; to which Berintha
replied:

"You did not think I could be so agreeable, did you, when you asked me
to keep out of sight this evening, and said that such old fudges as
grandma and I would appear much better in our rooms, taking snuff, and
nodding at each other over our knitting work?"

Lucy looked so distressed that Lizzie pitied her, and t