hand, there was no lack of refinement either in speech or
manner. That disagreeable quality in the voice which in an American
woman is often the most easily perceptible note of underbreeding was not
there. Her speech was correct without effort, as of one accustomed to
hear good English from infancy; her voice in conversation was an alto,
with something sympathetic in its vibration, as though a powerful
emotional nature lay dormant under the calm exterior. Millard was not
the person to formulate this, but with very little direct conversation
he perceived that she was outside the category to which he was
accustomed, and that her personality might prove interesting, if one had
an opportunity of knowing it. He reasoned that with such a voice she
ought to be fond of music.

"Have you heard much of Wagner, Miss Callender?" he said when there was
a pause in the conversation. He felt before he had finished the question
that it was a false beginning, and he was helped to this perception by a
movement of uneasiness on the part of Mrs. Hilbrough, who was afraid
that Phillida's disqualifications might be too plainly revealed. But if
Mrs. Hilbrough was rendered uneasy by the question, Phillida was not.
She turned her dark eyes upon Millard, and smiled with genuine amusement
as she answered:

"I have heard but one opera in my life, Mr. Millard, and that was not
Wagner's."

"Miss Callender," said Mrs. Hilbrough, quickly, "is one who has
sacrificed social opportunities to her care for an invalid mother--a
great sacrifice to one at her time of life."

"I don't think I have sacrificed much," answered Phillida with a trace
of embarrassment. "My social opportunities could not have been many at
best, and I would rather have led,"--she hesitated a moment,--"I don't
know but I would rather have led my quiet life than--the other."

In her effort to say this so as neither to boast of her own pursuits nor
to condemn those of others, Miss Callender's color was a little
heightened. Millard was sorry that his innocent question had led the
conversation into channels so personal. Mrs. Hilbrough was inwardly
vexed that Phillida should be so frank, and express views so opposed to
those of good society.

"You find Brooklyn a pleasant place to live, no doubt," said Millard,
taking it for granted that Phillida was from Brooklyn, because of her
friendship for the Hilbroughs.

"I liked it when we lived there. I like New York very well. My relatives