n, and
to hold up our heads among the best."

Miss Laura and Graciella, behind the colonel's back, exchanged meaning
glances. How well they knew how little they had to live upon!

"That is quite evident," said the colonel, glancing through the window
at the tasteful interior, "and I am glad to see that you have fared so
well. My father lost everything."

"We were more fortunate," said Mrs. Treadwell. "We were obliged to let
Belleview go when Major Treadwell died--there were debts to be paid,
and we were robbed as well--but we have several rentable properties in
town, and an estate in the country which brings us in an income. But
things are not quite what they used to be!"

Mrs. Treadwell sighed, and nodded. Miss Laura sat in silence--a
pensive silence. She, too, remembered the time gone by, but unlike her
mother's life, her own had only begun as the good times were ending.
Her mother, in her youth, had seen something of the world. The
daughter of a wealthy planter, she had spent her summers at Saratoga,
had visited New York and Philadelphia and New Orleans, and had taken a
voyage to Europe. Graciella was young and beautiful. Her prince might
come, might be here even now, if this grand gentleman should chance to
throw the handkerchief. But she, Laura, had passed her youth in a
transition period; the pleasures neither of memory nor of hope had
been hers--except such memories as came of duty well performed, and
such hopes as had no root in anything earthly or corruptible.

Graciella was not in a reflective mood, and took up the burden of the
conversation where her grandmother had dropped it. Her thoughts were
not of the past, but of the future. She asked many eager questions of
New York. Was it true that ladies at the Waldorf-Astoria always went
to dinner in low-cut bodices with short sleeves, and was evening dress
always required at the theatre? Did the old Knickerbocker families
recognise the Vanderbilts? Were the Rockefellers anything at all
socially? Did he know Ward McAllister, at that period the Beau Brummel
of the metropolitan smart set? Was Fifth Avenue losing its
pre-eminence? On what days of the week was the Art Museum free to the
public? What was the fare to New York, and the best quarter of the
city in which to inquire for a quiet, select boarding house where a
Southern lady of refinement and good family might stay at a reasonable
price, and meet some nice people? And would he recommend stenography
or mag