"No; she is simply a maid in the employ of Mrs. Montague."
"Well, it is a great pity."
"What is a great pity?"
"That such a lovely young lady should have to serve any one in that capacity; she is beautiful and talented enough to fill any position."
And this was Amos Palmer's opinion regarding Ray's unknown lady-love.
CHAPTER XVII.
MRS. MONTAGUE QUESTIONS MONA.
"Where did you learn to play the piano, Ruth?" Mrs. Montague inquired the next morning, while Mona was engaged in assisting her to dress, and she turned a searching glance upon her as she put the question.
To conceal the flush that mounted to her brow, Mona stooped to pick up a pin.
It had not occurred to her, when she offered to play for the dancing the previous evening, that such proficiency in music would be regarded as something very unusual in a sewing-girl, and might occasion remark.