"Come out from your 'loop-hole of retreat,' into the world, and you can easily answer your own question." "You seem to have looked on human nature through misanthropic lenses." "Yes; I bought a pair of spectacles, for which I paid a most exorbitant price! but they were labeled 'experience'!" She smiled frigidly. "You do not seem to have enjoyed your tour particularly." "Yes, I did; but one is glad to rest sometimes. I may yet prove a second Bayard Taylor, notwithstanding. I should like you for a companion. You would not sicken me with stereotyped nonsense." Her delicate fingers folded themselves about Beulah's, who could not bring herself to withdraw her hand. "And, sure enough, you would not be adopted? Do you mean to adhere to your determination, and maintain yourself by teaching?" "I do." "And I admire you for it! Beulah, you must get over your dislike to me." "I do not dislike you, Cornelia." "Thank you for your negative preference," returned Cornelia, rather amused at her companion's straightforward manner. Then, with a sudden contraction of her brow, she added: "I am not so bearish as they give me credit for?" "I never heard you called so." "Ah! that is because you do not enter the enchanted circle of 'our clique.' During morning calls I am flattered, cajoled, and fawned upon. Their carriages are not out of hearing before my friends and admirers, like hungry harpies, pounce upon my character, manners, and appearance, with most laudable zest and activity. Wait till you have been initiated into my coterie of fashionable friends! Why, the battle of Marengo was a farce in comparison with the havoc they can effect in the space of a morning among the characters of their select visiting list! What a precious age of backbiting we city belles live in!" She spoke with an air of intolerable scorn. "As a prominent member of this circle, why do you not attempt to rectify this spreading evil? You might effect lasting good." "I am no Hercules, to turn the Peneus of reform through the Augean realms of society," answered Cornelia, with an impatient gesture; and, rising, she drew on her glove. Beulah looked up at her, and pitied the joyless, cynical nature, which gave an almost repulsively austere expression to the regular, faultless features. "Beulah, will you come on Saturday morning and spend an hour or so with me?" "No; I have a music lesson to give; but if you will be at home in the afternoon, I will come with pleasure." "I shall expect you, then. You were drawing when I came in; are you fond of it?" As she spoke she took up a piece which was nearly completed. "Yes; but you will find my sketches very crude." "Who taught you to draw?" "I have had several teachers. All rather indifferent, however." "Where did you see a St. Cecilia? There is too much breadth of brow here," continued Cornelia, with a curious glance at the young teacher.