ou hoist me on a pedestal, making me grow
dizzy with conceit. I suggest that we pass a law not to talk about each
other at all."

"But you cannot hope to be perfect unless wise friends point out your
foibles," Mr. Winthrop assured me.

"I have never expected to reach such a height. It would be so lonely for
me, you know--no society of my own kind, save here and there a poor and
humble soul," I said, wickedly.

"Nevertheless, one should make the effort to stand on the top round of
the ladder of human excellence."

"It is a long ladder, and the climb is wearisome, and death soon
interposes and ends our ambition," I said, wearily.

"But you have such perfect assurance respecting the to-morrow of death,
you must believe that excellence gained here will be so much capital to
carry with you into that life; but you implicit believers very often
voice your faith rather than live it," Mr. Winthrop remarked, with a
touch of his accustomed sarcasm.

"Mr. Bowen lives his quite as well as he talks it, but he is the nearest
perfection of any human being I ever expect to meet."

"That is hard on our set, Mrs. Flaxman. Medoline, it seems, has fished
out of the slums a veritable saint, and handsome as he is good. If I
remember right he is a widower."

"Yes, certainly, he is the one she got the suit of clothes for when she
was in New York."

He turned to me abruptly and asked,

"How old is he?"

"I have never asked him," I said mischievously, "but he looks older than
you."

"Medoline, what are you saying? He was a grandfather years ago."

"And I am afraid that is an honor which Mr. Winthrop will never attain,"
I tried to say sympathetically.

Mrs. Flaxman cast him a startled look; but he smiled very calmly as if
the words had merely amused him.

CHAPTER XX.

MRS. LE GRANDE.

I was impatient for the appointed hour to come when I was expected at
Rose Cottage. I had tried to get further information from Esmerelda
respecting Mrs. Le Grande; but she seemed unwilling to say much about
her, leaving me more mystified than ever.

"You will know all pretty soon from her own lips, Miss, and it would cost
me my place if Mr. Winthrop knew I was meddling with what didn't concern
me."

"Mr. Winthrop is not a severe master. I think he interferes very little
with our household matters."

"But this is different; and please, Miss Selwyn, don't let on to a soul
that I gave you that letter. Mrs. Le Grande said if I didn't