Yet even this glowing prospect did not satisfy Mrs.Merrick.Since all her plans for Louise, from the very beginning, had been founded on personal selfishness, she now proposed to have her daughter gain admission to recognized fashionable society in order that she might herself bask in the reflection of the glory so obtained and take her place with the proud matrons who formed the keystone of such society.

After carefully considering ways and means to gain her object she had finally conceived the idea of utilizing Mr.Merrick.She well knew Uncle John would not consider one niece to the exclusion of the others, and had therefore used his influence to get all three girls properly "introduced." Therefore her delight and excitement were intense when the butler brought up Diana's card and she realized that "the perfectly swell Miss Von Taer" was seated in her reception room.

She rushed to Louise, who, wholly innocent of any knowledge of the intrigue which had led to this climax, opened her blue eyes in astonishment and said with a gasp: "Oh, mother! what shall I do ?" "Do?
Why, go down and make yourself agreeable, of course.

It's your chance, my dear, your great chance in life! Go--go! Don't, for heaven's sake, keep her waiting." Louise went down.

In her most affable and gracious way she approached the visitor and said: "It is very nice of you to call upon me.