upon great occasions."

This, her first appearance at the grand duke's, seemed a very great
occasion to the simply-reared and inexperienced girl. She unclasped the
chain, and placed it with the cross in the hands of Mrs. Levison.

"Why, I declare you have nothing on but that cross and some rubbishing
pearl bracelets!" uttered Mrs. Vane to Isabel. "I did not look at you
before."

"Mamma gave me both. The bracelets are those she used frequently to
wear."

"You old-fashioned child! Because your mamma wore those bracelets, years
ago, is that a reason for your doing so?" retorted Mrs. Vane. "Why did
you not put on your diamonds?"

"I--did--put on my diamonds; but I--took them off again," stammered
Isabel.

"What on earth for?"

"I did not like to look too fine," answered Isabel, with a laugh and a
blush. "They glittered so! I feared it might be thought I had put them
on _to look_ fine."

"Ah! I see you mean to set up in that class of people who pretend to
despise ornaments," scornfully remarked Mrs. Vane. "It is the refinement
of affectation, Lady Isabel."