A reader of faces would have declared at once that she was proud of the blood which ran in her veins.

She was very proud of her blood, and did in truth believe that noble birth was a greater gift than any wealth.

She was thoroughly able to look down upon a parvenu millionaire,--to look down upon such a one and not to pretend to despise him.

When the Earl's letter came to her asking her to share his gloom, she was as poor as Charity,--dependent on a poor brother who hated the burden of such claim.

But she would have wedded no commoner, let his wealth and age have been as they might.