red."

The lady's dear friend vouchsafed her only a spiteful glance in return
for this proof of confidence. She was thinking of her own beauteous
Lucinda, and mentally declared that _her_ daughter should outshine
Melinda Brown on that momentous occasion, if the worthy contractor had
to go into bankruptcy the next day.

"Now Miss," concluded Mrs. Brown, turning again to Clemence, "I want to
engage you to come to-morrow morning to work for me, and if you suit, I
may keep you for some time longer."

There was a look of quiet amusement upon Clemence's face, as she replied
politely:

"I should be happy to serve you, Madam, but my time is engaged until
after the holidays, and I never go out on account of an invalid parent,
whom I cannot leave."

"Oh!" jerked Mrs. Brown, bridling with offended dignity.

"Well, upon my word!" hissed Mrs. Crane, "such airs!"

"I am very glad, I am sure," pursued the former, "to find you so well
employed. You were recommended to me as a very worthy person in
destitute circumstances, and I supposed that to one in your _lowly
position_, work would be a charity. Had you possessed sufficient
humility, and a proper appreciation of my efforts, I might have taken
you under my patronage. No matter what you might have been once, Miss,
you are in the depths of poverty now, and it would be a good idea not
to be too independent, for you may want a friend. Don't come to _me_, if
you do, for I have done with you. My conscience is clear. This lady will
bear witness to my benevolent intentions, and I acquit myself of all
blame. I have discharged a disagreeable duty."

"Oh, the base ingratitude of this world!" wailed Mrs. Crane. "My dear
friend, is it not shocking?"

"It defies description," she ejaculated. "Let us depart. Good bye, young
woman, and remember, 'Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty
spirit before a fall.'"

"Just one minute too late!" cried Alicia Linden, sinking into a chair;
"I saw the precious pair just turn the corner. Don't cry, rosebud. I'll
pay them off yet. I can manage Mrs. Brown and the whole Crane clique.
They will be sorry for this insult."

"Indeed, I know I am foolish, dear Mrs. Linden," said Clemence, upon
whose face smiles struggled with tears like an April day. "If this _is_
poverty, it is at least honest poverty, of which I am not ashamed. I
will not allow them to disturb me. But, pray, not a word of this to
mamma."

The short winter days passed, and March