Rose bowed. "My two little girls have made a beginning, but have only taken two quarters each. I wish them to have every advantage." Rose bowed again. "Of course, any one recommended by Miss Wilmot can hardly fail to be competent. May I ask, Miss Beaufort, where you live?" "At the Wilmot Flats, in West Twenty-fifth street." "Then you are a tenant of Miss Wilmot?" "Yes, madam. My brother and sister and myself live together." "Of course you have a piano at home?" "Yes, madam," answered Rose, glad to answer the question in the affirmative. "I asked because it might at times be more convenient--when we were preparing for company, for instance--to send your pupils to you." "Just as may suit you, madam." "Now, as to your terms, Miss Beaufort?" "I charge two dollars per lesson," answered Rose, as boldly as she could. "Isn't that high?" asked Mrs. Tilton. "Most lady teachers do not charge as much." "I am quite aware of that," said Rose. "I think some charge only a dollar per lesson." "I presume you are right," said Rose; but, obedient to Miss Wilmot's suggestions, she didn't offer to reduce her own price. "I hope to make my services worth the amount I ask." "Then you won't accept a less price?" "I should prefer not to do so." Mrs. Tilton was not a generous woman. She was disposed to haggle about prices, and had Rose applied to her for work as a seamstress she would have driven a hard bargain with her, but, as the friend and _protégé_ of Miss Jane Wilmot, a lady of the highest social consideration, she did not venture to follow her own economical inclinations. In fact, Mrs. Tilton was not of an old family. Her husband had recently become rich, and though she aspired to be fashionable, there were circles to which she could not obtain admission. She plumed herself on her acquaintance with Miss Wilmot, and would not, on any account, have had Rose report to that lady that she had been unwilling to pay her price. Two dollars an hour seemed high, but she knew very well that she must buy social recognition, and that she valued above money. "Very well," she said, after a pause; "I will pay your price. Can you give me Tuesday and Friday afternoons from three to five?" "Yes, madam." "Then we will commence next Tuesday, if you please. By the way, my neighbor, Mrs. Green, also desires to secure instruction for her daughter, and I promised to ask you to call." "I will do so now if the lady is likely to be in," said Rose, gladly. "I think you will find her in, now. You may hand her my card." Mrs. Green lived but three doors away. She was at home, and engaged her, without any demur as to price, to give her daughter two hours a week, Monday and Thursday afternoons being selected.