be highly inconvenient, not to say unusual, for
a young married woman, more especially in the rank you occupy, to remain
in an hotel alone, without friends or relatives, we have thought--that
is, Georgy and I have considered--that you should stay with her."

Lizzy only smiled; but what that strange smile might signify it was far
beyond Beecher's skill to read.

"There is only one difficulty in the matter," resumed he; "and as it is
a difficulty almost entirely created by yourself, you will naturally
be the more ready to rectify it." He waited long enough to provoke a
question from her, but she seemed to have no curiosity on the subject,
and did not speak.

"I mean," added he, more boldly, "that before accepting my sister's
hospitality, you must necessarily make some _amende_ for the manner in
which you have just treated her."

"In which _I_ treated _her!_" said Lizzy, after him, her utterance being
slow and totally passionless.

"Yes, these were my words," said he.

"Have you forgotten how _she_ treated _me?_" asked Lizzy, in the same
calm tone.

"As to that," said he, with a sort of fidgety confusion,--"as to
that, you ought to bear in mind who she is--what she is--and then it's
Georgy's way; even among her equals--those well born as herself--she has
always been permitted to exercise a certain sort of sway; in fact,
the world of fashion has decreed her a sort of eminence. You cannot
understand these things yet, though you may do so, one day or other. In
a word, _she_ can do what _you_ cannot, and must not, and the sooner you
know it the better."

"And what is it you propose that I should do?" asked she, with seeming
innocence.

"Write her a note,--brief if you like, but very civil,--full of excuses
for anything that may have given her offence; say all about your
ignorance of life, newness to the world, and so on; declare your
readiness to accept any suggestions she will kindly give you for future
conduct,--for she knows society like a book,--and conclude by assuring
her--Well!" cried he, suddenly, for she had started from him so abruptly
that he forgot his dictation.

"Go on,--go on," said she, resuming her calm tone.

"You 've put me out," cried he; "I can't remember where I was. Stay--I
was saying--What was it? it was something like--"

"Something like 'I 'll not do it any more,'" said Lizzy, with a low
laugh; while, at the same instant, she opened her writing-desk and sat
down to write.

Now, alth