Mrs. Doran sat still and stared; she never uttered a word, and looked really formidable, for she had been composing the character she was about to give her cook. “I am speaking to Mrs. Doran, I believe,” began the stranger. Mrs. Doran nodded shortly; her expression was distinctly grim. “I am a great friend of Mrs. Grogan--Miss Doran that was; she lives near me in Philadelphia, and as I was coming home to these parts she asked me to step in and see you, and bring her your news.” “Oh, indeed,” drily. “I presume she sent a letter to introduce you?” “No, ma’am, she did not.” “That was strange!” “I don’t believe she ever gave it a thought, nor that it would be expected or asked for.” “Why not? I might have half America giving me a call!” “I’m sure I don’t see _why_ they should?” rejoined Mrs. Aron brusquely. “However, Mrs. Grogan, she told me that you’d be right glad to see me! In short, she said that most likely, for her sake, you’d give me house-room for a week or so.” After a short pause she added, “My box is at the ho-tell.” “I’m positively certain Nora never said anything of the sort,” burst out Mrs. Doran. “I prefer to invite my own guests. Surely you are not in her class of life?” looking her slowly up and down. Mrs. Aron’s clothes were cheap, and a little shabby: a long blue waterproof, a mock fur tie, black thread gloves, and a bonnet that had suffered from the weather. “Yes I am, and just in her own class,” she answered sharply. “But Mrs. Grogan is a wealthy woman.” “Oh, is she?” “I expect you were her--servant, were you not? Come now, tell me the truth.” Mrs. Aron, who had been standing all the time, looked about her--and coolly took a seat. “Were you her servant?” repeated Mrs. Doran. “Well, I won’t deny that I _have_ cooked for her; yes, and for Mr. Grogan, too; but it was many years ago.” “And you dare pretend to me that she told you to come here on a visit? My good woman, you are a humbug! Don’t tell me that Nora Grogan associates with her servants; she is a Doran, and has the Doran pride in her blood--although she did disgrace herself. And you are an impostor.” “No, ma’am, I really am not: I am a respectable woman. Mrs. Grogan would tell you so----” “But she has _not_ told me so!” interrupted Mrs. Doran angrily. The Countess and party might enter at any moment and find her _tête-à-tête_ with this person, who would probably disclose all manner of tales of Nora, and her husband, and disinter a buried and forgotten scandal! “Mrs. Grogan told me a great deal about this beautiful place and her own country,” continued the intruder, in a meeker key. “I seem to know it as well as if I had seen it before. I expect she would see wonderful changes----” “No doubt,” agreed Mrs. Doran, rising. Then she added with savage insolence: “Now I must really ask you to go. I am expecting friends. I firmly believe you are a fraud. There are too many frauds going”; and she rang the bell with energy.