er contrive
to live at Thrush Hill?

To be sure, I felt badly enough that day in October when I left it.
When the train left Valleyfield I just cried like a baby.

Alicia and Roger welcomed me very heartily, and after the first week
of homesickness--I shiver yet when I think of it--was over, I settled
down to my new life as if I had been born to it.

Alicia has a magnificent home and everything heart could wish
for--jewels, carriages, servants, opera boxes, and social position.
Roger is a model husband apparently. I must also admit that he is a
model brother-in-law.

I could feel Alicia looking me over critically the moment we met. I
trembled with suspense, but I was soon relieved.

"Do you know, Katherine, I am glad to see that your photograph didn't
flatter you. Photographs so often do, I am positively surprised at the
way you have developed, my dear; you used to be such a scrawny little
brown thing. By the way, I hope there is nothing between you and Jack
Willoughby?"

"No, of course not," I answered hurriedly. I had intended to tell
Alicia all about Jack, but when it came to the point I couldn't.

"I am glad of that," said Alicia, with a relieved air. "Of course,
I've no doubt Jack is a good fellow enough. He was a nice boy. But he
would not be a suitable husband for you, Katherine."

I knew that very well. That was just why I had refused him. But it
made me wince to hear Alicia say it. I instantly froze up--Alicia says
dignity is becoming to me--and Jack's name has never been mentioned
between us since.

I made my bow to society at an "At Home" which Alicia gave for that
purpose. She drilled me well beforehand, and I think I acquitted
myself decently. Charlie Vankleek, whose verdict makes or mars every
debutante in his set, has approved of me. He called me a beauty, and
everybody now believes that I am one, and greets me accordingly.

I met Gus Sinclair at Mrs. Brompton's dinner. Alicia declares it was a
case of love at first sight. If so, I must confess that it was all on
one side.

Mr. Sinclair is undeniably ugly--even Alicia has to admit that--and
can't hold a candle to Jack in point of looks, for Jack, poor boy, was
handsome, if he were nothing else. But, as Alicia does not fail to
remind me, Mr. Sinclair's homeliness is well gilded.

Apart from his appearance, I really liked him very much. He is a
gentlemanly little fellow--his head reaches about to my
shoulder--cultured and travelled, and can