"Oh, that was the worst of it--he couldn't _help knowing_," cried Miss
Bennett. "I should have sunk through the floor with mortification if I
had done such a thing. I should have expected to be arrested on the spot
for high treason. Bertha says, you know, that she was so nervous at the
thought of who her partner was that she didn't know what she was saying;
but I scarcely think she knew really how to address him. One can never
be thankful enough, I'm sure, for having been thoroughly well brought
up."

She went on to explain what had been her own sensations when first
accosted by this wonderful Prince, upon being led out by him, and so on.
It all sounded like a new fairy tale; but afterwards, when she had gone,
with cordial wishes, as she took leave, that another prince might come
soon and dance with Sophia, the latter felt as if she had been reading a
page of an old-fashioned history which took account only of kings and
tournaments.

This visit was a distinct disappointment on the whole. Sophia had hoped
more from it, and coming after weeks that had been trying, it had power
to depress. It was late afternoon now, and the day was the last in the
year. Sophia, going upstairs to get rid of the noise of the children,
was arrested by the glow of the sunset, and, weary as she was, stood
long by the diamond window that was set in the wooden wall of her room.
It was cold. She wrapped a cloak about her. She did not at first look
observantly at the glow and beauty outside. Her eyes wandered over the
scene, the bright colour upon it rousing just enough interest to keep
her standing there: her thoughts were within.

Sophia Rexford had set herself, like many a saint of olden and modern