re important whether the _tout ensemble_ is a work of art. To
obtain a portrait one can always have recourse to the photographer; and
so to insure mere accuracy in a social jotting, it is easy to pay for it
as an advertisement. But artists stand upon a different footing. Am I
clear? And I trust that you agree with me. It will do just as well on
Wednesday; and if you should hear any other items of interest in my
line, please note them. You have no idea of the competition I have to
encounter. Some artists go so far as to invent their material, but it is
not considered strictly professional. Well, I must run along. Don't
forget, Wednesday at eight," and Miss Kingsley whisked out of the room,
leaving me in a dazed condition.

The collection of social gossip was apparently her regular business,
which she not only was ready to acknowledge, but gloried in,--just as a
merchant might take pride in his bargains, or a lawyer in his arguments.
There was a certain savor of self-reliance and proprietorship in her use
of the word "our," by which it was evident to me, though I was sadly
puzzled at first, that she distinguished Bostonians from those who lived
elsewhere. But horrified as I was by the general idea of such a calling,
I could not help feeling amused, and even rather admired Miss Kingsley's
independence and enterprising spirit. She was a shade vulgar to be sure,
but in my present frame of mind I was disposed to rank intellectual
superiority above mere refinement of manner. I believed that Miss
Kingsley, although but a few years older than myself, could put me to
the blush in the matter of literary attainments and general information.

Aunt Agnes was plainly of that opinion, for she aroused me from my
reflections by the remark,--

"A rare opportunity is afforded you, Virginia, for mental discipline. I
can see that Miss Kingsley has taken a fancy to you. She is not a person
who goes off at a tangent. She must have discerned capabilities for
culture in you, or she would never have invited you to one of her
entertainments. To you, who are accustomed to society fine speeches that
mean nothing, it will probably occur that she is asking you on my
account. Nothing of the sort. There is not an ounce of affectation in
her. She has asked you because she wants you; and I can only add that if
you neglect after this to seek improvement, you will be guilty of a
deliberate sacrifice of talents for which there can be no excuse. Yes,
talent