Until that day Ella had never heard her sister called handsome--never even thought such a thing possible; but now, as she looked upon her, she acknowledged to herself that Henry was more than half right, and she felt a pang of jealousy,--a fear that Mary might prove her rival.

Still she tried to be agreeable, telling her how fortunate she was in being at Mr.
Selden's, "for," said she, "I dare say some of our first people will notice you just because you are here!" Ida hastily walked to the window, standing with her back towards Ella, who continued.

"I think it's so funny.

I've inquired and inquired about Mr.Stuart, but no one knows him, and I've come to the conclusion he was an impostor,--or a country schoolmaster, one or the other." There was a suppressed laugh behind the lace curtain where Ida stood, and when Mary began to defend Mr.Stuart, she came out, and with great apparent interest asked who he was, and where they had seen him.
Afterwards Mary remembered the mischief which shone in Ida's eyes as they described Mr.Stuart, but she thought nothing of it then.
After asking Mary who paid for her music lessons,--how many new dresses she'd got, and who cut them, Ella started to go, carelessly saying as she left the room, that when Mary was able she should expect to see her at Mrs.Campbell's.
In the mean time Henry had become so much engaged in a conversation with Mr.Selden, that he forgot the lapse of time until he heard Ella coming down the stairs.

Then impelled by a mean curiosity to see what she would do, he sat still, affecting not to notice her.