d occasionally took
part in debates on questions relating to the management of the Society
for the Practice of Moderation, of which I was elected treasurer. Thus
it happened that my name appeared in the newspapers as one of the
leading spirits of the movement, and among my former acquaintances there
was a general impression that I had become very peculiar. My old
ball-room rivals, who were for the most part waltzing as hard as ever,
would stop me in the street and say, "Virginia dear, is it true you are
going into a convent?" or, "What is this that I hear, Virginia, about
you being in favor of female suffrage? Do you really think women ought
to vote?" Once in a while some friend, who was either more accurate by
nature or who really felt an interest in me, would hit closer to the
mark, and perhaps with a sigh express regret at not having the courage
to become literary too. "But it does separate one so from other
people,--that is, people one knows; don't you think so dear?"

It certainly did. I was completely estranged from my old associations,
and spent my time, when not employed in study, largely at the rooms of
our Society, where Mrs. Marsh presided as secretary. There were
countless circulars and pamphlets to be mailed, setting forth our
purposes and needs. Mrs. Marsh, despite an inaccurate acquaintance with
and an overweening curiosity regarding the doings of fashionable people,
was a model of executive ability. With some one at hand to correct her
grammar and spelling, she could transact a greater amount of business
than half-a-dozen ordinary women. In my zeal to see things properly
done, I constituted myself her assistant; and we managed together the
whole work of the Bureau, as Miss Kingsley liked to call our humble
quarters.

My relations with Miss Kingsley were outwardly very friendly. I had
thought it best upon reflection not to appear offended when we met
again, and she on her part greeted me with effusive warmth and a little
deprecatory look, as if to say, "You will excuse me, I am sure, for what
I said to your aunt. It was for your good, or I should never have
spoken." Subsequently, in our relations at the Bureau, she liked to
patronize me slightly. She would come whisking into the rooms where
Mrs. Marsh and I were hard at work, and putter about for a few moments,
asking questions and giving us advice, and then whisk out again with an
encouraging nod. She was apt to time her visits so as to meet Mr.
Spence