which I had remained silent and unnoticed, came to an end at last; and no sooner were we seated in the carriage than Mrs. Dormer (as I expected she would do) questioned me closely concerning the rudeness with which I had been treated. What answer could I make? Literally none, for I had not the courage to confess what I really believed to be the truth, namely, that my humble position in life rendered it necessary to disown me before richer and grander acquaintances; and for the moment I had completely forgotten the warnings I had received that evil tongues were busy with my name. There are many truths of which I was then ignorant, truths which contact with the world has since cruelly instructed me in; and in the ignorance, that is weakness, I allowed myself to be overpowered and crushed. But what and who were those women by whom I had been so deeply humbled? Of both (whether true or false, no one took the trouble to inquire), but of both, what are called "little stories" had long been

extant but they were rich, and had powerful connections, whilst I-but I had yet to learn that "little stories" become great and condemning truths when told of little people, and that while vice is vice in the lower ranks of society, it is rank blasphemy among the higher to call the thing by its real name. Nothing is more easy to conquer than the many-tongued and million-eyed monster called the world, if only the means be in our power. Tie up its tongues with chains of diamonds, throw gold-dust into its blinking eyes, and let the dust, too, of dead ancestors rise in clouds about the huge, senseless beast, and the deed is done. This is the philosophy that the struggle of life has taught me; but I had no such weapons when my warfare began, and so was conquered easily and at once. The remembrance of that visit haunted me for a day and night, and was then driven into the background by the near approach of a pleasure to which for weeks I had looked forward with the keenest anticipations of

enjoyment. The hoped-for felicity was no less an event than the great annual Horticultural Fête and Archery meeting combined, at which the whole county society for many a mile distant would be assembled; and to which my new acquaintance, Mrs. Dormer, had promised to chaperone me. Never shall I forget the sensations of unmixed happiness with which I made my preparations for that day of anticipated bliss; and when it came, bright and cloudless, not even the gorgeous sun was more brilliant than my hopes, or the breezy air more buoyant than my spirit. I had an exquisite dress, well fitting, light, and flowing; and my hat was a perfect triumph of art, with its wreath of ivy leaves, and spray of lilies resting on my hair. It may seem childish to dwell upon these details, but the memory of my dress and figure, as I saw myself in the glass that morning, is so twined in with my last thoughts of home, with its peaceful associations and simple pleasures, that I cannot separate them, burthened with bitterness

and self-reproach as those memories are. But

I must return to my story.

I was dressed and ready for departure, when, instead of the carriage which I had been anxiously expecting, a note was brought me from Mrs. Dormer, the purport of which was to excuse her attendance. The wording of the epistle was not uncourteous. She feared, she wrote, that at the last moment she might be prevented from calling for me, and therefore hoped I should be able to find some other friend to perform the office she was reluctantly obliged to forego. I was disappointed, but being unfortunately wholly unconscious that the words I read were merely a conglomeration of conventional falsehoods, I persevered in my intention of being present at the fête. Luckily (at least I deemed it so then, for my whole heart was bent upon the expedition) the Archery Ground lay in the way of my father's daily round of visits; and nothing doubting that, once there, I should find no lack of friends, I persuaded him

to allow me to accompany him. We arrived, and my father, being as usual steeped in business cares, hastened away, leaving his hapless daughter alone in the crowded assembly. The first person on whom my eyes rested was Mrs. Dormer,-but Mrs. Dormer, with a cold company face which I had never seen her wear before, and with eyes which turned from mine as though she saw me not. I looked around, and the same chill stare was everywhere; nor could I escape it, for I was surrounded by those countless eyes which glared around me like bad faces in a dream. Alone then I stood in that circle of cruel women for they were cruel. Aye, cruel as the Indians who gather around their victim to mark how the tortures they inflict are borne. I gave no sign of mine, but I think that if one of those who caused them could have looked into my heart, and seen how it was wrung, she would have pitied me !

'I wandered about in my gay gala dress, pale and nervous, but beautiful-at least, men told