Somehow that barb was horrible. Nothing wounds like the truth.
Strong in the conviction that “she had got her” Mrs. Wren proceeded. “You set as high a value on these people as they set on themselves. It’s noodles like you who keep them up. What use are they anyway, except to play the fool with honest folk?”
“Yes, that’s right,” said Milly with flashing eyes, as she took up the parable. “Wrexham’s one of the same push. His lot simply won’t look at me, yet I consider myself the equal of anyone. And I should make a very good countess.”
Mary could only gasp. She was rather overcome by this naïveté.
“So you would, my dear,” said Mrs. Wren. “And one of these days you will be a countess—if you don’t throw yourself away on Tom, Dick, and Harry in the meantime.”
Mary was hard set not to break out in a hysterical laugh. She was in the depths if ever soul was, yet the sense of humor is immortal and survives every torment.
Fate, however, had not yet given the last turn to the screw.
V
At this moment the neat parlormaid came into the room.
“Mr. Dinneford!” she announced.