"Very well, mamma. But I made the discovery that my escort. Harry¹ Wyndham, is only a poor cousin of the rich Wyndham family, and will never have a penny he doesn't earn himself."

 

"I knew that," said Mrs. Merrick. "But Harry has the entree² into some very exclusive social circles. I hope you treated him nicely, Louise. He can be of use to us."

 

"Oh, yes, I think I interested him; but he's a very stupid boy. By the way, mamma, I had an adventure last evening, which I have had no time to tell you of before."

 

"Yes?"

 

"It has given me quite a shock. You noticed the maid you ordered to come from Madam Borne to dress my hair for the reception?"

 

"I merely saw her. Was she unsatisfactory?"

 

"She was very clever. I never looked prettier, I am sure. The maid is a little, demure³ thing, very young for such a position, and positively⁴ homely⁵ and common in appearance. But I hardly noticed her until she dropped a letter from her clothing. It fell just beside me, and I saw that it was addressed to no less a personage than my rich aunt, Miss Jane Merrick, at Elmhurst. Curious to know why a hair-dresser should be in correspondence with Aunt Jane, I managed to conceal⁶ the letter under my skirts until the maid was gone. Then I put it away until after the reception. It was sealed and stamped, all ready for the post, but I moistened the flap and easily opened it. Guess what I read?"

 

"I've no idea," replied Mrs. Merrick.

 

"Here it is," continued Louise, producing a letter and carefully unfolding it. "Listen to this, if you please: 'Aunt Jane.' She doesn't even say 'dear' or 'respected,' you observe."

 

'Your letter to me, asking me to visit you, is almost an insult after your years of silence and neglect and your refusals to assist my poor mother when she was in need. Thank God we can do without your friendship and assistance now, for my honored father, Major Gregory Doyle, is very prosperous and earns all we need. I return your check with my compliments. If you are really ill, I am sorry for you, and would go to nurse you were you not able to hire twenty nurses, each of whom would have

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