Within a week the call of Mrs. Lloyd was reciprocated by Mrs.

Emerson; not in consequence of feeling drawn toward that lady, but

she had promised to return the friendly visit, and must keep her

word. She found her domiciliated in a fashionable boarding-house,

and was received in the common parlor, in which were two or three

ladies and a gentleman, besides Mrs. Lloyd. The greeting she

received was warm, almost affectionate. In spite of the prejudice

that was creeping into her mind in consequence of an unfavorable

first impression, Mrs. Emerson was flattered by her reception, and

before the termination of her visit she was satisfied that she had

not, in the beginning, formed a right estimate of this really

fascinating woman.

"I hope to see you right soon," she said, as she bade Mrs. Lloyd

good-morning. "It will not be my fault if we do not soon know each

other better."

"Nor mine either," replied Mrs. Lloyd. "I think I shall find you

just after my own heart."

The voice of Mrs. Lloyd was a little raised as she said this, and

Mrs. Emerson noticed that a gentleman who was in the parlor when she

entered, but to whom she had not been introduced, turned and looked

at her with a steady, curious gaze, which struck her at the time as

being on the verge of impertinence.

Only two or three days passed before Mrs. Lloyd returned this visit.

Irene found her more interesting than ever. She had seen a great

deal of society, and had met, according to her own story, with most

of the distinguished men and women of the country, about whom she

talked in a very agreeable manner. She described their personal

appearance, habits, peculiarities and manners, and related pleasant

anecdotes about them. On authors and books she was entirely at home.

But there was an undercurrent of feeling in all she said that a

wiser and more experienced woman than Irene would have noted. It was

not a feeling of admiration for moral, but for intellectual, beauty.

She could dissect a character with wonderful skill, but always

passed the quality of goodness as not taken into account. In her

view this quality did not seem to be a positive element.

When Mrs. Lloyd went away, she left the mind of Irene stimulated,

restless and fluttering with vague fancies. She felt envious of her

new friend's accomplishments, and ambitious to move in as wide a

sphere as she had compassed. The visit was returned at an early

period, and, as before, Mrs. Emerson met Mrs. Lloyd in the public

parlor of her boarding-house. The same gentleman whose manner had a

little annoyed her was present, and she noticed several times, on

glancing toward him, that his eyes were fixed upon her, and with an

expression that she did not understand.




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