aws of etiquette.

"In that case we will continue to observe the proprieties of life upon
all occasions," she dryly remarked.

He read her thoughts, and was keenly stung by her words.

"Forgive me," he said, with an assumption of regret and humility,
thinking thus the better to gain his end; "had I realized that you would
have been so wounded I should have acted very differently. I assure you I
will never offend you in the same way again."

"Pray do not be troubled," Mona coldly retorted. "I had no thought of
resenting anything which you might consider proper to do. If I thought of
the matter at all, it was only in connection with the generally accepted
principles of courtesy and good-breeding."

Mr. Hamblin flushed hotly at this keen shaft, but he ignored it, and
changed the subject.

"I am sorry to have interrupted you in your reading, Miss Richards. What
have you that is interesting?"

"Victor Hugo's 'Les Miserables,'" Mona briefly replied.

"Have you?" the young man eagerly demanded, "I was searching for that
book only yesterday. May I look at it one moment? McArthur and I had
quite a discussion upon a point regarding Father Madelaine, and we were
unable to settle it because we could not find the book."

Mona quietly passed the volume to him; but a blank look overspread his
face as he took it.

"Why, it is the original!" he exclaimed, "and I do not read French
readily. Are you familiar with it?"

"Oh, yes," and Mona smiled slightly.

She had been accounted the finest French scholar in her class.

Mr. Hamblin regarded her wonderingly.

"Where did you learn French to be able to read it at sight?" he inquired.

"At school."

"But--I thought--" he began, and stopped confused.

"You thought that a common seamstress must necessarily be ignorant, as
well as poor," Mona supplemented: "that she would not be likely to have
opportunities or ambition for self-improvement. Well, Mr. Hamblin,
perhaps some girls in such a position would not, but I honestly believe
that there is many a poor girl, who has had to make her own way in life,
who is better educated than many of the so-called society belles of
to-day."

"I believe it, too, if you are a specimen," her companion returned, as he
gazed admiringly into Mona's flushed and animated face.

"At any rate," he added, "you are far more beautiful than the majority of
society girls."

"Mr. Hamblin will please reserve his compliments for ears more eager for
and