lready as afraid of her
as we can be, she is so fine and airy. She insisted upon dressing me
this morning, and I felt all the while as if she were thinking how red
and ugly my hair is, or counting the freckles on my face, and
contrasting me with 'my Lady Augusta,' as she calls her. I wonder if she
ever saw my lady's mother, Mrs. Rossiter-Browne, who told me once that I
had a very _petty figger_, but she presumed it would _envelope_ as I
grew older. But then people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw
stones,' and Ann Eliza colored a little as she made this reference to
her own father and mother, whose language was not much more correct than
Mrs. Rossiter-Browne's.

For one brought up as she had been, Ann Eliza was a rather sensible
girl, and although she attached a great deal of importance to money, she
knew it was not everything, and that with her father's millions there
was still a wide difference between him and the men to whose society he
aspired; and knew, too, that although Jerrie had not a penny in the
world, she was greatly her superior, and so considered by the world at
large. She was very fond of Jerrie, who had often helped her with her
lessons, and stood between her and the ridicule of her companions, and
was never happier than when in her society. So now she made her bring an
ottoman close beside her, and held her hand while she narrated in detail
the events of the previous night, dwelling at length upon the fact that
Tom had carried her in his arms, and wondering if he would call to
inquire after her. Jerrie thought he would; and, as if in answer to the
thought, Doris almost immediately appeared with his card. She _was_ very
fine and very smart, and Jerrie herself felt awed by her dignity and
manner as she delivered her message. 'The gentleman sends his
compliments, and would like to know how you are this morning.'

'Jerrie, it's Tom! he has come!' Ann Eliza said, with joy in her voice.
'Surely I can receive him here, for this is my parlor.'

Jerrie thought she might, but the toss of the fine maid's head showed
that she thought differently, as she left the room with her mistress'
message.

'Thunderation! I didn't want to see her. It's enough to have to call,'
was Tom's mental comment, when Doris told him he was to walk up stairs.

Indeed, he would not have come at all if Maude, to whom he related his
adventure, had not insisted that he must.

'You needn't see her, of course; but you must go and i