"They have something which we cannot buy," said Miss
Vance gravely. "I never understood before how actual a
thing rank is here."


"Cannot it be bought? I am going to look into that when
this huge feed is over," Miss Hassard said to herself.

Late in the evening she danced with Count Odo, and
prattled to him in a childish, frank fashion which he
found very charming.

"Your rules of precedence are very disagreeable!" she
pouted. "Especially when one sits at the foot of the
table and is served last."

"They must seem queer to you," he said, laughing, "but
they are inflexible as iron."

"But they will bend for Miss Dunbar, if she makes up her
mind to marry your cousin?"she asked, looking up
into his face like an innocent child.

"No. Hugo makes a serious sacrifice in marrying a woman
of no birth," he said. "He must give up his place and
title as head of the family. She will not be received at
court nor in certain houses; she must always remain out-
side of much of his social life."