na was by no means pleased with the thought of an association
between her own people and Lady Dorian, who had just frankly confessed
that this name had been an assumed one.

Nor did she wish to go into the subject of her family connection with so
uncomfortable a stranger. First she wished to have time to think the
situation over and to try to make it clearer to her own mind. Then she
wished to discuss it with Mildred and Barbara.

The girl glanced at the old-fashioned watch belonging to her father,
which she always wore. In the back it held her mother's picture, but not
for worlds would she have revealed this fact at the moment.

Curious that she should feel this extreme distrust of her companion,
when she had been her ardent defender in their earlier acquaintance! But
then she had never expected to be drawn into any intimacy with her.

Besides, Russia was an incomprehensible country. The class distinctions
which had so impressed her in England were as nothing to the differences
in rank here.

Russia, in truth, seemed a land of princes and paupers! To a girl of
Nona Davis' ideas and training, to find herself associated with the
lower orders of Russian society was distinctly disagreeable. She had
lived so long on the tradition of family that social position seemed of
first importance.

Now her former acquaintance was living in a peasant's house and was
dressed like a peasant woman. Some strange change must have taken place
in her life to reduce her to such a position, when previously she had
given the impression of wealth and distinction.

Nona got up hurriedly, drawing her coat about her. Later perhaps she
might be willing to hear what the other woman wished to confide, but not
today.

Yet Nona felt that she did not wish to look into her companion's eyes.
She must try not to think of her any longer as Lady Dorian, though
"Sonya" was an exquisite Russian name, it certainly gave no clue to her
identity.

However, she could not fail to see that the other woman's expression
revealed surprise and sorrow at her attitude, but was without
resentment. It was as if she had grown accustomed to distrust and
coldness.

"I am sorry you don't wish me to speak of your mother, Nona. It is true
I can give you no explanation of the change in my surroundings, but the
present need not affect the past. I know that your father has kept your
mother's story a secret from you. Yet there is nothing in it of which
you may not be proud