“O, a niece of my husband’s—poor child! You know, my dear sir, every family cannot look back upon a pedigree like yours—like mine, I was going to say—a very good sort of girl, though, but poor, and all that sort of thing.”
Yet the descendant of a “noble pedigree” asked for an introduction to that “good sort of a girl,” which, with a very ill grace, was granted. Julia now joined them, and a lively conversation ensued, which Mrs. Hazleton with great chagrin saw interrupted. The fair hand of Julia was claimed for a dance, and away she tripped. Mrs. Hazleton, too, soon followed, to bring her back the earliest moment, leaving Alice and Wallace alone.
There was a pause of a few moments, when, with some embarrassment, Wallace said,
“The interest I feel, Miss Churchill, in a very dear friend, must be my apology for what I am about to say. He is a noble, generous fellow, but I fear has recklessly given his affections where they are but too lightly prized. You look surprised, Miss Churchill—I allude to Francis Reeve. I think you can be no stranger to the relationship existing between him and Miss Ketchim.”
“I have frequently heard Julia speak of her cousin, Mr. Reeve,” replied Alice.
“And no more! Has she never told you they stand in a far nearer light than mere cousins?”
“I will be candid with you, Mr. Wallace. Julia has confessed to me her affection for your friend.”
“Her affection! Then you think she does love him?”
“Most sincerely.”
“Is it possible! And has she a heart—she who seems to be the mere sport and puppet of fashion!” exclaimed Wallace.