“You put things so oddly, child, with your Southern notions! Of course our social position is fixed and definite and nobody would dispute it. But, large as the Kellers’ circle is, their parties are very _recherché_, and it’s well worth while to be seen there.” “I thought----” began Margaret. “Well, go on,” said her cousin, as the girl hesitated. “Out with it. Let me hear.” “I was only going to say that I thought a lady, born and reared, never had to think of anything like that.” “Like what?” “Where she is seen and whether her associations will be considered correct. I thought that it would all come of itself--that a lady would not be in danger of making mistakes of that sort, because what she did would be the natural outgrowth of what she was.” “Those may be the Southern ideas, but you’d not find them to answer here.” “I don’t know whether they are Southern ideas or not,” said Margaret; “I never knew they were ideas at all. Certainly, I have never heard them formulated before, and I don’t quite know how to express myself. They simply seem to me instincts.” “That’s because of the associations you have had,” said Mrs. Gaston. “I have seen very little of your parents of late years, but they have lived in my mind as people of thorough refinement. Your father is a model of a gentleman--the most high-bred man I ever knew, I think.” A radiant light came into Margaret’s face. “My darling, dear old father!” she said, fondly. “There is surely no one like him, and yet if I were to repeat your compliment to him, how amazed he would be! He has not an idea how fine he is, and has never once paused to consider whether he is high-bred or not. He would not hurt the feelings of the lowest wretch on earth--there is no one too mean for his kindly consideration. May I tell you an idea that has occurred to me, when I’ve been in society here, surrounded by such well-dressed, elegant looking, accomplished men, and have compared them to him? It is that they are all trying to be what he is.” Mrs. Gaston did not reply at once, but her silence proceeded from no feeling of intolerance of this sentiment. She was not at all given to resenting things, partly because of a natural indolence, and partly because she did not feel enough on any subject to be biassed by impulse. “I can understand your having that feeling about your father,” she said, presently, “and it’s quite possible it may be true. We will submit the point when we find any one wise enough to decide it for us. But the world is large, and there are many men and many minds, and manners vary in different places. That line of tactics would not do in Washington.” At this point in their conversation they found themselves at home, and the subject was consequently dropped.