conduct of really thoroughbred people, had your paragon--I use the
term in no offensive sense--applied to me, instead of to you, for
permission to pay his addresses to my ward. I am willing to ascribe
this blunder, however, to ignorance of the code of polite society,
and not to intentional disrespect, since you represent the gentleman
as amiable and well-meaning. I am, furthermore, willing to examine
his certificates of character and means, with a view to determining
what are his recommendations to my sister's preference, over and
above ball-room graces and the fact that he is Mr. Sutton's
namesake, and whether it will be safe and advisable to grant my
consent to their marriage. Whatever is for Mabel's real welfare
shall be done, while I cannot but wish that her choice had fallen
upon some one nearer home The prosecution of inquiries as to the
reputation of one whose residence is so distant, is a difiicult and
delicate task."

"If you will only talk to him for ten minutes he will remove your
scruples,--satisfy you that all is as it should be," asserted Mrs.
Sutton, more confidently to him than herself.

"I trust it will be as you say--but credulity is not my besetting
sin. I am ready to see the gentleman at any hour you and he may see
fit to appoint."

"I will send MR. CHILTON to you at once, then." Mrs, Sutton
collected the scattering remnants of hope and resolution, that she
might deal a parting shot.

"Winston is an AWFUL trial to my temper, although he never loses his
own," she was wont to soliloquize, in the lack of a confidante to