ouched the chord of sympathy
for the injured, she could not keep her eyes from the little party; and
just as Netta was upon one of her favourite topics--namely, Mr. Phillips
and his unaccountable conduct--she sprang from her seat, exclaiming,
"They shan't torment that child so!" and hastily crossed the room.

Netta burst into a hearty laugh at Gertrude's excited manner of starting
on her benevolent errand; and this, together with her so hastily
crossing the large and crowded room, drew the inquiries of all the
circle whom she had left, and during her absence she became the subject
of discussion and remark.

"What is the matter, Netta?" asked Madame Gryseworth. "Where has
Gertrude gone?"

"To offer herself as a champion, grandmamma, for that little rowdy-dowdy
looking child."

"Is she the one who has been making all this noise?"

"No, indeed; but I believe she is the cause of it."

"It isn't every girl," said Ellen, "who could cross a room like this so
gracefully as Gertrude can."

"She has a remarkably good figure," said Madame Gryseworth, "and knows
how to walk."

"She is a very well-formed girl," remarked Dr. Gryseworth, "but the true
secret of her looking so completely the lady lies in her having uncommon
dignity of character, being wholly unconscious of observation and
independent of the wish to attract it. She dresses well, too; Ellen, I
wish you would imitate Miss Flint's style of dress; nothing could be in
better taste."

"Or a greater saving to your purse, papa," whispered Netta. "Gertrude
dresses very simply."

"Miss Flint's style of dress would not become Miss Gryseworth," said
Mrs. Petrancourt, who approached in time to hear the doctor's remark.
"Your daughter, sir, is a noble, showy-looking girl, and can carry off a
great deal of dress."

"So can a milliner's doll, Mrs. Petrancourt. However, I suppose, in a
certain sense, you are right. The two girls are not sufficiently alike
to resemble each other, if their dresses were matched with Chinese
exactness."

"Resemble each other! You surely would not wish to see your beautiful
daughter the counterpart of one who has not half her attractions."

"Are you much acquainted with Miss Flint?"

"Not at all; but Netta pointed her out to me at the tea-table as being a
particular friend."

"Then you must excuse me, ma'am, if I remark that it is impossible you
should have any idea of her attractions, as they do not lie on the
surface."

"You confess,