She held her staff out at an angle, as if she were Majesty enthroned to pass judgment of life and death.

"You took too much champagne at those vulgar Burkes last night," she proceeded.

"It's a vicious thing for a girl to do--vicious in every way.

It gives her a reputation, for moral laxity which an unmarried woman can ill-afford to have--unless she has the wealth that makes men indifferent to character....

Why don't you answer ?" Margaret shrugged her shoulders.