society where they would not feel at home, and which would only look
down upon them, but to make them understand clearly that I--and my
husband--do not look down upon them; that we respect them, and
remember their kindness. We may not ask Mr. Ferguson to dinner--he
would find little to say to University dons; and as for his wife"--she
could not forbear a secret smile at the thought of the poor dear woman,
with her voluble affectionateness and her gowns of all colors, beside
the stately, frigid, perfectly dressed, and unexceptionably--mannered
Miss Gascoigne--"whether or not Mrs. Ferguson is invited to the series
of parties that you are planning, I shall go and see her, and she shall
come to see me, as often as ever I please."

This speech, which began steadily enough, ended with a shaky voice
and flashing eye, which, the moment it met Dr. Grey's, gravely
watching her, sank immediately.

"That is," she added gently, "If my husband has no objection."

"None," he said, but drew ink and paper to him, and sat down to write a
note, which he afterward handed over to Christian, then addressing his
sister-in-law, "I have invited Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson to dine with us--
just ourselves, as you and Maria will be out--at six o'clock to-morrow.
And oh!"--with a weary look, as if he were not so insensible to this
petty domestic martyrdom as people imagined--"do, Henrietta, let us
have a little peace."

It was in vain. Even Dr. Grey's influence could not heal the wounded
egotism of this unfortunate lady.

"Peace! Do you mean to say that it is I who make dispeace! But if