"Did you, too, pick up an undesirable acquaintance and march away into the gardens with her?
Was your new friend also fresh, delightful and dear ?" "I wish she had been, mother," answered Mabel, her tone still very petulant.

"But I hadn't Kate's luck.

I was introduced to no one, although lots of people stared at me, and whispered about me as I passed." "And you saw this paragon of Catherine's ?" "Yes, I saw her." "What did you think of her, May?
I like to get your opinion, my love.
You have a good deal of penetration.

Tell me frankly what you thought of this low-born miss, whom Catherine degraded herself by talking to." Mabel looked at her sister.

Catherine's eyes flashed.