Gordon had fallen back quite to the edge of the group that encircled the hostess, and was watching with eager eyes in the hope that, among the visitors who came in in little parties of twos and threes, he might find the face for which he had been looking.

The name Wickersham presently fell on his ear.
"She is to marry Ferdy Wickersham," said a lady near him to another.
They were looking at a handsome, statuesque girl, with a proud face, who had just entered the room with her mother, a tall lady in black with strong features and a refined voice, and who were making their way through the other guests toward the hostess.

Mrs.Wentworth greeted them cordially, and signed to the elder lady to take a seat beside her.
"Oh, no; she is flying for higher game than that." They both put up their lorgnons and gave her a swift glance.
"You mean--" She nodded over toward Mrs.Wentworth.
"Yes." "Why, she would not allow him to.

She has not a cent in the world.

Her mother has spent every dollar her husband left her, trying to get her off." "Yes; but she has spent it to good purpose.