eable silence of some minutes. "I have seen more of the
world than you have, and think it is my duty to warn you of your danger.
Don't have too much to say to this fine gentleman. Nothing is so
becoming to a young woman as modesty." (It was truly wonderful how Mrs.
Bailey had come to learn in her old age, that of which she had seemed
deplorably ignorant in her youth, and valued modesty the more as she had
less occasion to call it into requisition.) "Men of his wealth and
social position never want any good of poor girls like you; that is why
I wish to warn you, for I think you are a good, deserving sort of a
person, that means well, and if you profit by my instructions, you will
avoid a lifetime of misery. Don't let any foolish idea of securing a
rich husband, enter your head. Submit patiently to the poverty that must
always be your portion. Be industrious, sober and discreet, and I dare
say, you may find some honest young man, bye-and-bye, who will want such
a wife to help him turn an honest penny, and lay up something for a
rainy day. Not that I think there is the least danger, unless you are
forward enough to put yourself in this gentleman's way, because men
think so much of beauty, that plain girls like you are most always apt
to be overlooked, but my conscience would reprove me if I did not warn
you. Remember my advice! Listen to no flatteries; permit no nonsense to
be poured into your ears, and shun, as you would contagion, the
deceitful wiles of man."

She waved her hand majestically to Clemence, and disappeared up the dark
staircase, for they had, by this time, reached home.

Hardly knowing whether to laugh or cry, the young girl went in search of
her mother and kind Mrs. Mann, to confide her troubles, feeling sure of
their cordial sympathy.

It is just possible that there was the least perceptible haughtiness in
the calm "good morning," with which Clemence next met Mr. Vaughn. In
spite of the remembrance of his many cordial kindnesses, the malicious
insinuations of Mrs. Bailey had produced an impression on her mind,
which she could not disregard.

"It is too true, she thought, bitterly. Alas! for the unprotected and
helpless of my sex, men of wealth and position rarely offer an honorable
suit to women of a lower standing in society. I will have as little as
possible to say to this fine gentleman."

* * * * *

But that was more easily said than done. It seemed almost impossib