nce to your own daughter," she exclaimed, in a biting,
sarcastic tone. The _matter_ but not the _manner_ of this speech seemed
to rouse the doctor's attention.

"Frank Sheldon! Frank Sheldon!" he said quickly; "has he arrived from
his travels then?"

"No, but he _will_ arrive some time."

"O, yes, I trust so! But speaking of Annie,--_our_ Annie you know, for
I'm proud that we have such a treasure beneath our roof----"

"Dr. Prague! are you mad? A paltry governess a treasure! I consider it a
shame and disgrace to our house, that a poor, low, dependent, is allowed
an equality in the family, and admitted through our influence to the
first classes in society. And I'm not the only one that marks the
shocking impropriety. My son-in-law, Lawrence Hardin, is possessed of a
discerning eye. He sees Kate loses wherever that girl is admitted."

This speech was accompanied by immoderate vehemence, and energetic
gestures, but it failed to produce the slightest effect upon the
phlegmatic doctor, who, having finished his orange, settled himself
comfortably in his easy-chair, and took a cigar and the morning paper to
assist his digestion.

"Thirteen increase from last week. I declare, our city is growing
sickly," he said, as his wife closed her oratorical harangue; "but,
speaking of Annie again, she has a poetical gem in one of our popular
magazines this week, which I find accompanied by a complimentary note
from the editor. She writes under a _nom de plume_, but I discovered
her. Have you read any of her writings, Mrs. Prague?"

"_Her_ writings! the bold, impertinent hussy! No, nor do I wish to. But
if I'm to be entertained with this sort of conversation, I'll go down to
my son-in-law, Esq. Hardin's; and there I'm sure to pass an agreeable
day. Nothing low ever tarnishes his discourse."

"Do so, madam," said the imperturbable husband; "undoubtedly they will
appreciate the honor of your presence."

And with a disdainful toss the lady flouted out of the room, leaving the
good doctor to the undisturbed enjoyment of his cigar and papers.

Annie Evalyn had been nine months an inmate of Dr. Prague's mansion,
when the preceding scene was enacted. Some of that experience which Aunt
Patty had pronounced "better than book learnin'," had fallen to her
share. So far from her beauty and accomplishments winning friends and
good-will, they had only seemed to provoke the sneers and invidious
remarks of those who envied her superior attracti