just
when Peter accepted the contract to build the Filmer mansion. Adriana
thought it best to speak of her father's work on the new house; and
she did this with the simplicity of one who states a fact that may or
may not have been understood. Rose was at first a little indignant.
She went to her mother with Adriana's letter in her hand.

"She is the daughter of a builder, of a common stone-mason," she
cried, "and she never told me until she was obliged to. Mamma, I am
disillusioned. I can never trust any one again. In her place, I
should have felt it a point of honor not to hide my low birth. Really,
mamma, you must excuse me if I weep a little. I am so disappointed--so
wronged--so humiliated in Yanna's treachery."

"Nonsense, Rose!" answered Mrs. Filmer. "The girl behaved in the most
natural manner. Society would be very disagreeable if people were
required to go up and down telling who and what their fathers and
grandfathers were. Did you ever ask her the question?"

"It was not my place to do so, mamma. I told her all about you, and
Harry, and even papa. She was always talking about her father. She
said he was such a noble old man--that he studied with her--and so on.
Could I imagine a man laying stones all day, and reading Faraday and
Parkman with his daughter at night? Could I, mamma?"

"I should not trouble myself about the girl's father, if I liked the
girl. You see, Rose, it is always foolish to make acquaintances upon
unknown ground. The Hamilton and Lawson girls were in your classes,
and you knew all about them. Friendship with their families would have
been prudent, and I advised you to make it."

"I could not, mamma. The Hamiltons declined to be at all familiar with
me. As for the Lawsons, they are purse-proud and dangerous. Jemima
Lawson has a tongue like a stiletto. She is slangy, too. She called
her allowance her 'working expenses'; and she had dreadful private
names for the girls she disliked. Miss Lawson you simply could not be
civil to; if you were, she immediately began to wonder 'what you
wanted from her?'"

"What dreadful creatures!"

"Now, Adriana Van Hoosen had a good name, she dressed well enough, and
she really loved me. How could I imagine she was lowly born?"

"Does it matter, Rose?"

"Yes, for she lives quite near to our new house. In fact, her father
is building it; and I have asked her so often to come and stay with me
in New York, that I cannot, without a quarrel, ignore her in