next box had that indescribable New York air, which
extends from the carefully brushed eyebrows quite to the curves of the
wrist and hand. Praise Parisian modes all you will, but for genuine
style, a New York girl, softened a trifle by commonsense or good taste,
leads the world--certainly if she is abroad. For there she soon finds
it impossible to go to the extremes that American air seems to rush
her into. Three months, or perhaps, if she is observant, three days
in Paris, teach her that the very biggest buttons, or the very largest
paniers, or the very flaringest hats are not for her, or any lady,
and by stepping back to size number two, she does not detract from her
style, while she does add to her lady-likeness.

These two girls, it may be surmised, were no other than Miss Hopkins and
Miss Rae, whom chance or fate or bungling Eric Madden, who bought the
tickets, had seated side by side with the Maddens and Jerrolds. It was
bothersome, when Norman and Eric had played truant at any rate, but
there was no help for it; so after a little Eric introduced them all
round, and the two parties apparently merged into one, or broke up into
four, for tete-a-tetes soon began. It was a little hard that three girls
should have each a devoted servant, and that only one, and that one,
Mae, should be obliged to receive her care from the chaperon; but so it
was.

Nevertheless, Mae bore herself proudly. She was seated next Miss Rae,
separated only by the nominal barrier of a little railing, while just
beyond sat Norman, his chair turned toward the two girls. The stranger
insisted on drawing Mae into the conversation, partly for curiosity's
sake, to watch her odd face and manners, partly from that genuine
generosity that comes to the most selfish of women, when she is
satisfied with her position. It is pleasant to pity, to be generous; and
Miss Rae, having the man, could afford to share him now and then, when
it pleased her, with the lonely girl by her side. But Miss Rae's tactics
did not work. Mae replied pleasantly when addressed, but returned
speedily and eagerly to Mrs. Jerrold or a survey of the house, with
the frank happiness of a child. She was all the more fascinating to the
admiring eyes that watched her, because she sat alone, electrified by
the inspiration and magnetism from within, and did not need the stimulus
of another voice close by her side, breathing compliments and flattery,
to brighten her eyes and call the blushes