They had hailed her advent with delight; they had witnessed her arrival with the keenest, most absorbing interest, and, to the horror of the good lady herself, had one and all called on her.

She was petrified when this very natural event happened.

She had bargained for a life of retirement for herself and her girls.

She had never imagined that society of a distinctly lower strata than that into which she had been born would be forced on her.

Forced! Whoever yet had forced Mrs.Bertram into any path she did not care to walk in?
She was taken unawares by the first visitors, and they absolutely had the privilege of sitting on her sofas, and responding to a few icy remarks which dropped from her lips.
But the next day she was armed for the combat.