'How do you do, May?' 'Oh, how do you do, Alice? I am so glad to see you. What a dreadful day!' 'Yes, isn't it? Don't you find it very depressing?' 'I should think I did. I'm feeling rather out of sorts. Do you ever feel out of sorts? you know, when everything seems as if it were reflected in a darkened glass? There are times when we girls are nervous and weak, and ready to quarrel with anyone. I don't know what I wish for now; I think I should like to go back to the country.' 'We are going back to-morrow morning.' 'You don't say so; and how's that? There are plenty of balls and afternoon dances. What does Olive say to going home?' 'She doesn't mind. You know mamma always said she would return immediately after the Castle balls.' 'And now that it is all over, tell me what you think of the Castle. Did it come up to your expectations?' 'I don't know that I think much about the matter. I am not so fond of dancing as you are.' 'Oh, goodness me, goodness me, how ill I do feel,' said May, as she started and yawned in a way that betokened the nervous lassitude she was suffering from. 'Perhaps you had better see the doctor,' said Alice significantly. 'I'm worried. Fred hasn't been as nice lately as he used to be.' 'What has he done?' 'Last night he promised to meet me in the Square, and he wrote to say he couldn't come, that he was forced to go and see an important customer about some horses.' 'Perhaps he had.' 'I dare say he had, but what of that? It does not make it any less disagreeable for me to be disappointed.' 'How cross you are, May! I came out on purpose to talk to you on this very subject. I hope you won't be angry, but I think it is my duty to tell you that people are beginning to talk about you.' 'And what do they say?' 'Well, they say many unpleasant things; you know how ill-natured people are.' 'Yes, but what do they say?' 'They say you are desperately in love with Fred Scully.' 'Supposing I were; is there any very great harm in that?' 'I only want to put you on your guard, May dear; and since I have come here for the purpose of speaking out, I had better do so, however unpleasant it may be; and I must say that you often forget yourself when he is in the room, and by your whole manner betray your feelings. You look at him--' 'You needn't talk. Now that Harding has left town, these moral reflections come very easy to you!' Alice blushed a little; she trembled, and pursuing her advantage, May said: 'Oh, yes; I have watched you in the Castle sitting out dances; and when girls like you butter! 'Pon my word, it was painful to look at you.' 'Mr. Harding and I talked merely of books and pictures.' 'If you come here to insinuate that Fred and I are in the habit of indulging in improper conversation. . . . I didn't expect this from you. I shan't stop another moment. I shan't speak to you again.'