ester's.

"Oh, I suppose you refer to the person whose picture I found up stairs
a while ago," said Mona.

"Yes," and Mrs. Montague looked slightly ashamed of her confession; "I
imagine you think I am somewhat unjust to allow my prejudice to extend to
you on that account, and I know I am; but the power of association is
very strong, and I did hate that girl with all my heart."

Mona was trying to acquire courage to ask what reason she could have
for hating any one who looked so gentle and inoffensive, when the woman
resumed, with some embarrassment:

"Louis scolded me for the feeling when I mentioned it to him--he is not
tainted in any such way, I assure you. Do you know, Ruth," with a little
laugh of assumed amusement, "that he is very fond of you?"

Mona's face was all ablaze in an instant--her eyes likewise, although she
was greatly surprised to learn that the young man had betrayed his liking
for her to his aunt.

"I trust that Mr. Hamblin has not led you to believe that I have ever
encouraged any such feeling on his part," she coldly remarked.

"I know that you have been very modest and judicious, Ruth; but what
if I should tell you that the knowledge of his preference does not
displease me; that, on the whole, I rather approve of his regard for
you?" questioned Mrs. Montague, observing her closely.

"From what you told me a moment ago, I should suppose you would feel
anything but approval," Mona replied, without being able to conceal her
scorn of this sanction to Louis Hamblin's presumption.

"What do you mean?" demanded her companion, with some sharpness.

"I refer to the prejudice which you confessed to entertaining against
me."

"But did I not acknowledge that it was unjust? And when one confesses
wrong and is willing to correct it, credit should not be withheld," Mrs.
Montague retorted, with some warmth. "But seriously, Ruth," she
continued, with considerable eagerness, "Louis is very much in earnest
about this matter. He has dutifully asked my permission to address you,
and I believe it would be for his happiness and interest to have a good
wife, such as I am confident you would make. I know that he has betrayed
something of this feeling to you, or I should not presume to speak to you
about it; but my reason for so doing is that I thought perhaps you might
feel more free to accept his suit if you knew that I approved of the
union."

Mona was trembling now with mingled excitement and indignation.