“Well, my dear,” she said quietly, “the thought often occurs to me, that one great reason why we both have been able to keep in the straight and narrow path, is the entire lack of that beauty which so often proves a snare to the feet of even the best-intentioned women.” It was Mrs. Grimes's turn to wince. “A hit! a palpable hit!” laughed pretty Anna Bayne, who studied and quoted Shakespeare. “The mention of snares reminds me,” said Mrs. Grimes, “that I, at least, did not have to spread any to catch a husband.” “No,” returned Elmira, with irritating composure, “the poorer kinds of game are caught without taking that trouble.” “Well”--Mrs. Grimes's temper was rising so rapidly that she was losing her usual skill in this verbal fence--“Jason Grimes, no doubt, has his faults, as all men have; but he is certainly better than no husband at all.” “That's the way for you to think,” said Elmira, composedly, disregarding the thrust at her own celibacy. “It's very nice in you to take so cheerful a view of it. SOMEBODY had to marry him, doubtless, and it's real gratifying to see one accepting the visitations of Providence in so commendable a spirit.” To use the language of diplomacy, the relations between these ladies had now become so strained that a rupture seemed unavoidable. “Heavens, will this quarrel ne'er be mended?” quoted Anna Bayne, not all sorry that these veteran word-swordsmen, dreaded by everybody, were for once turning their weapons on each other. Peace-making was one of the prerogatives assumed by Mrs. Tufis, as belonging to the social leadership to which she had elected herself. She now hastened to check the rapidly-opening breach. “Ladies,” she said blandly, “the discussion has wandered. Our first remarks were, I believe about Miss Bond, and there was a surmise as to her reasons for discontinuing attendance upon our meetings.” The diversion had the anticipated effect. The two disputants gladly quit each other, to turn upon and rend the object flung in between them. “Why Rachel Bond don't come here any more?” said Mrs. Grimes, with a sniff that was one of the keenest-edged weapons in her controversial armory. “When you know how little likely she is to do anything that's not going to be for her benefit in some way. She's mighty particular in everything, but more particular in that than in anything else.” “I'll admit that there is reason to suspect a strain of selfishness in Rachel's nature,” said Anna Bayne; “but it's the only blemish among her many good qualities. Still, I think you do her an injustice in attributing her absence from our meetings to purely selfish motives.” “Of course, we all know what you mean,” said Elmira. “She set her cap for Harry Glen, and played her cards so openly and boldly--” “I should say 'shamelessly,'” interrupted Mrs. Grimes. “Shamelessly, my dear?” This from Mrs. Tufis, as if in mild expostulation. “Shamelessly,” repeated Mrs. Grimes, firmly.