Then she laid her head in Miss Ramsey's lap, and her voice sounded faint and far off.
"I want to be told that I am good," she said; "that I have been good all my life—that I am a saint, like that splendid creature who came to speak to me to-night. Am I as good as she?"
"I do not know her," responded Miss Ramsey.
Mariana raised her eyes to her face.
"Am I like I used to be—at The Gotham?"
Miss Ramsey smiled.
"You are older."
"I don't think you will ever be wise, my dear."
"I am afraid not," said Mariana. "I am wedded to folly." Then she sighed softly. "Am I better?" she asked.