"

"In which case," said he, hurriedly, "you would not call their stations
unequal, would you?"

"That would depend on how far wealth contributed to the habits of the
wealthier. Some people are so accustomed to affluence, it is so much the
accompaniment of their daily lives, that the world has for them but one
aspect."

"Like our neighbors here, the Lyles, for instance?" said he.

Dolly gave a slight start, like a sudden pang of pain, and grew deadly
pale. She drew away her hand at the same time, and passed it across her
brow.

"Does your head ache, dear Dolly?" asked he, compassionately.

"Slightly; it is seldom quite free of pain. You have chosen a poor
guide, Tony, when there is a question of the habits of fine folk.
None know so little of their ways as I do. But surely you do not need
guidance. Surely you are well capable of understanding them in all their
moods."

With all her attempts to appear calm and composed, her lips shook and
her cheeks trembled as she spoke; and Tony, more struck by her looks
than her words, passed his arm round her, and said, in a kind and
affectionate voice, "I see you are not well, my own dear Dolly; and that
I ought not to come here troubling you about my own selfish cares; but I
can never help feeling that it's a sister I speak to."

"Yes, a sister," said she, in a faint whisper,--"a sister!"

"And that your brother Tony has the right to come to you for counsel and
help."

"So he has," said she, gulping down something like a sob; "but these
days, when my head is weary and tired, and when--as to-day, Tony--I am
good for nothing--Tell me," said she, hastily, "how does your mother
bear your going away? Will she let me come and sit with her often? I
hope she will."

"That she will, and be so happy to have you too; and only think, Dolly,
Alice Lyle--Mrs. Trafford, I mean--has offered to come and keep her
company sometimes. I hope you 'll meet her there; how you 'd like her.
Dolly!"

Dolly turned away her head; and the tears, against which she had
struggled so long, now burst forth, and slowly fell along her cheek.

"You must not fancy, Dolly, that because Alice is rich and great you
will like her less. Heaven knows, if humble fortune could separate us,
ours might have done so."

"My head is splitting, Tony dear. It is one of those sudden attacks of
pain. Don't be angry if I say good-bye; there's nothing for it but a
dark room, and quiet."

"My poor dear Dolly," said he,