_her_ class) so rarely discovered to be insolence in
disguise. Her power of easy self-assertion found people ready to accept
her on her own terms wherever she went. She was one of those big,
overpowering women, with blunt manners, voluble tongues, and goggle
eyes, who carry everything before them. The highest society modestly
considered itself in danger of being dull in the absence of Mrs.
Drumblade. Even Hardyman himself--who saw as little of her as possible,
whose frankly straightforward nature recoiled by instinct from contact
with his sister--could think of no fitter person to make Miss Pink's
reception agreeable to her, while he was devoting his own attentions to
her niece. Mrs. Drumblade accepted the position thus offered with
the most amiable readiness. In her own private mind she placed an
interpretation on her brother's motives which did him the grossest
injustice. She believed that Hardyman's designs on Isabel contemplated
the most profligate result. To assist this purpose, while the girl's
nearest relative was supposed to be taking care of her, was Mrs.
Drumblade's idea of "fun." Her worst enemies admitted that the honorable
Lavia had redeeming qualities, and owned that a keen sense of humor was
one of her merits.

Was Miss Pink a likely person to resist the fascinations of Mrs.
Drumblade? Alas, for the ex-schoolmistress! before she had been five
minutes at the farm, Hardyman's sister had fished for her, caught her,
landed her. Poor Miss Pink!

Mrs. Drumblade could assume a grave dignity of manner when the occasion
called for it. She was grave, she was dignified, when Hardyman performed
the ceremonies of introduction. She would not say she was charmed to
meet Miss Pink--the ordinary slang of society was not for Miss Pink's
ears--she would say she felt this introduction as a privilege. It was
so seldom one met with persons of trained intellect in society. Mrs.
Drumblade was already informed of Miss Pink's earlier triumphs in the
instruction of youth. Mrs. Drumblade had not been blessed with children
herself; but she had nephews and nieces, and she was anxious about their
education, especially the nieces. What a sweet, modest girl Miss Isabel
was! The fondest wish she could form for her nieces would be that they
should resemble Miss Isabel when they grew up. The question was, as to
the best method of education. She would own that she had selfish motives
in becoming acquainted with Miss Pink. They were at the