she knew them to be unjust--trembling on her lips. "The Grand Sultan
might exalt her to be his chief wife, but he could never make a lady of
her, or get her to look like one."

"Be quiet, Maude," cried the countess-dowager, who, with all her own
mistakes, had the sense to see that this sort of disparagement would only
recoil upon them with interest, and who did not like the expression of
Lord Hartledon's face. "You talk as if you had seen this Mrs. Ashton,
Hartledon, since your return."

"I should not be many hours at Hartledon without seeing Mrs. Ashton," he
answered. "That's where I was yesterday afternoon, ma'am, when you were
so kindly anxious in your inquiries as to what had become of me. I dare
say I was absent an unconscionable time. I never know how it passes, once
I am with Anne."

"We represent Love as blind, you know," spoke Maude, in her desperation,
unable to steady her pallid lips. "You apparently do not see it, Lord
Hartledon, but the young woman is the very essence of vulgarity."

A pause followed the speech. The countess-dowager turned towards her
daughter in a blazing rage, and Val Elster quitted the room.

"Maude," said Lord Hartledon, "I am sorry to tell you that you have put
your foot in it."

"Thank you," panted Lady Maude, in her agitation. "For giving my opinion
of your Anne Ashton?"

"Precisely. You have driven Val away in suppressed indignation."