u are the one Mr. Weston was speaking about, and I told him
I thought I might be able to help you in some manner."

Clemence thanked her, wondering inwardly, at the same moment, if it
_was_ as disgraceful to be poor as many people seemed to think it. This
was not the first time this thought had arisen in her mind. She had
suffered before having any experience in the matter, that, in a country
like this, where nearly all of the wealthy and influential members of
society have arisen from obscurity, that honest labor was really no
disgrace, and that if a person offered a fair equivalent for money,
either by the labor of the hands or brain, that it was a very laudable
thing to do.

But, upon having to make the trial, she had been not a little astonished
at the result. She found that if she offered her articles even below
their real value, that it was considered an act of magnanimity for the
purchaser to hand out the miserable pittance that was her due. She had
many times been told, insolently, "I do this to help you, because Mr. or
Miss, 'This, That or the Other' told me you were poor and obliged to
support yourself by this means," and this, when the one who uttered it
knew that they had got twice the worth of their money, and were
congratulating themselves over thus taking advantage of another's
necessities; nor was her own, as she well knew, by observation, an
exceptional case. Everywhere vulgarity and ignorance can flaunt itself
before the admiring eyes of the multitude, while gold hides with its
glitter every defect.

Yet, what could she do to protect herself? If she resented these
indignities with honest pride, what would become of her, and that other
who looked to her for support? Whatever it is possible for _manly_ pride
and independence to achieve, there is nothing for a woman but
submission.

Clemence Graystone had long ere this put away all hopes of earthly
happiness, and lived only by the light of an approving conscience. She
took her troubles to her Heavenly Father, and in His smile forgot that
the world frowned. She had the consciousness within her of having done
her whole duty, and she lived not for this world alone. She felt that
she was only one of the many, and she cared not for distinction among
those she despised. The fickle multitude elevate to-day and dethrone
to-morrow, leaving their once petted favorite to whatever fate may await
them.

Thoughts like these floated through Clemence's mind, as she