'I do not want to influence your plans in any way about things which
your school learning fits you to understand much better than I, who
never had such opportunities, but I think that if I were in your
place, Berta, I would not let my name be known just yet, for people
always want what's kept from them, and don't value what's given. I am
not sure, but I think that after the women had gone upstairs the
others turned their thoughts upon you again; what they said about you
I don't know, for if there's one thing I hate 'tis hanging about the
doors when the men begin to get moved by their wine, which they did to
a large extent to-night, and spoke very loud. They always do here,
for old Don is a hearty giver in his way. However, as you see these
people from their own level now, it is not much that I can tell you in
seeing them only from the under side, though I see strange things
sometimes, and of course--

"What great ones do the less will prattle of,"

as it says in that book of select pieces that you gave me.

'Well, my dear girl, I hope you will prosper. One thing above all
others you'll have to mind, and it is that folk must continually
strain to advance in order to remain where they are: and you
particularly. But as for trying too hard, I wouldn't do it. Much
lies in minding this, that your best plan for lightness of heart is to
raise yourself a little higher than your old mates, but not so high as
to be quite out of their reach. All human beings enjoy themselves
from the outside, and so getting on a little has this good in it, you
still keep in your old class where your feelings are, and are
thoughtfully treated by this class: while by getting on too much you
are sneered at by your new acquaintance, who don't know the skill of
your rise, and you are parted from and forgot by the old ones who do.
Whatever happens, don't be too quick to feel. You will surely get
some hard blows when you are found out, for if the great can find no
excuse for hitting with a mind, they'll do it and say 'twas in fun.
But you are young and healthy, and youth and health are power. I wish
I could have a decent footman here with me, but I suppose it is no use
trying. It is such men as these that provoke the contempt we get.
Well, thank God a few years will see the end of me, for I am growing
ashamed of my company--so diffe