"But what was your excuse?" persisted Pauline.
"I should think you might conjecture that I felt no inclination to go to parties and dance when you know that we are all so anxious about my brother."
"Oh, I did not think of that!" cried the heedless girl, and quite as heedlessly she continued:
"I want to see that brother of yours. Uncle Guy says he is the handsomest boy in the city, and promises to make something extraordinary. Is he so very handsome?"
"Yes." The proud lip trembled.
"I heard Anne Vernon say she liked him better than all her other beaux, and that is great praise, coming from her queenship," said Emily Wood, who stood near.
Cornelia's eyes dilated angrily, as she answered with curling lips:
"Eugene one of her beaux! It is no such thing."
"You need not look so insulted. I suppose if the matter is such a delicate one with you, Anne will withdraw her claim," sneered Emily, happy in the opportunity afforded of wounding the haughty spirit whom all feared and few sympathized with.
Cornelia was about to retort, but madam's voice prevented, as, leaning from the platform opposite, she held out a note, and said: