Russell learned that likewise. Very
naturally she took preoccupation for indifference. It is a matter worth
recording, however, that she did not tease him, because she did not
dare. He did not ask her to dance, which was rude. So she passed him
back to Mr. Carvel, who introduced him to Miss Renault and Miss Saint
Cyr, and other young ladies of the best French families. And finally,
drifting hither and thither with his eyes on Virginia, in an evil moment
he was presented to Mrs. Colfax. Perhaps it has been guessed that Mrs.
Colfax was a very great lady indeed, albeit the daughter of an overseer.
She bore Addison Colfax's name, spent his fortune, and retained her good
looks. On this particular occasion she was enjoying herself quite as
much as any young girl in the room, and, while resting from a waltz, was
regaling a number of gentlemen with a humorous account of a scandal at
the Virginia Spring's.

None but a great lady could have meted out the punishment administered
to poor Stephen. None but a great lady could have concerned it. And he,
who had never been snubbed before, fell headlong into her trap. How
was the boy to know that there was no heart in the smile with which she
greeted him? It was all over in an instant. She continued to talk about
Virginia Springs, "Oh, Mr. Brice, of course you have been there. Of
course you know the Edmunds. No? You haven't been there? You don't know
the Edmunds? I thought every body had been there. Charles, you look
as if you were just dying to waltz. Let's have a turn before the music
stops."

And so she whirled away, leaving Stephen forlorn, a little too angry to
be amused just then. In that state he spied a gentleman coming towards
him--a gentleman the sight of whom he soon came to associate with all
that is good and kindly in this world, Mr. Brinsmade. And now he put his
hand on Stephen's shoulder. Whether he had seen the incident just past,
who can tell?

"My son," said he, "I am delighted to see you here. Now that we are such
near neighbors, we must be nearer friends. You must know my wife, and my
son Jack, and my daughter Anne."

Mrs. Brinsmade was a pleasant little body, but plainly not a fit mate
for her husband. Jack gave Stephen a warm grasp of the hand, and
an amused look. As for Anne, she was more like her father; she was
Stephen's friend from that hour.

"I have seen you quite often, going in at your gate, Mr. Brice. And
I have seen your mother, too. I like her," s