order of taste, the girl's distinction, to which one of the Miss
Mees had alluded earlier in the day, was glaringly patent to Mrs
Devitt's sharp eyes; beside this indefinable personal quality, Mrs
Devitt observed with a shudder, Victoria seemed middle-class.
Mavis's fate, as far as the Devitts were concerned, was decided in
the twinkling of an eye. For all this decision, so suddenly arrived
at, Mrs Devitt greeted Mavis kindly; indeed, the friendliness that
she displayed caused the girl's hopes to rise.

"Luncheon will be ready directly. We are only waiting for my
husband," said Mrs Devitt.

"You must be hungry after your journey," added Victoria.

"I've always a healthy appetite, whatever I do," remarked Mavis, who
was fondly regarding the black spaniel.

Then Montague Devitt, Lowther, and Miss Spraggs entered the drawing-
room, to all of whom Mavis was introduced.

The men were quite cordial, too cordial to a girl who, after all,
was seeking a dependant's place, thought Mrs Devitt.

Already she envied Mavis for her family, the while she despised her
for her poverty.

The attentions that her husband and stepson were already paying her
were a hint of what Mrs Devitt might expect where the eligible men
of her acquaintance were concerned. She felt the necessity of
striking a jarring note in the harmony of the proceedings. Jill, the