Mrs. Snograss gave a hysterical laugh and retreated a few rods. A thunder-bolt falling at Miss Georgina's feet could not have created more consternation. For a moment she glared at the creature before her as if she were a butterfly or a beetle--something to be crushed and killed--then remembering that politeness is always a trusty weapon, she roared in as soft a fashion as she could, "You are mistaken, madam!" "My Julie saw them kissing less than an hour ago on the Marine Parade!" "Ladies who make confidants of their servants are often misinformed," the other hissed. By this time all Vesey Street was on its feet. The plans of the day were forgotten. Every one was too stunned to speak. A Knickerbocker openly insulted--the thought was appalling! Miss Julie, who was fingering some Snograss ambrotypes, let them slip to the floor in her excitement. She had not been so much agitated for years--not since a certain ship sailed out of Amboy for the Indies bearing a youthful captain whom Judge Knickerbocker had bidden her forget. "Oh, oh!" she gasped--and there were those who afterward declared she looked almost pleased. "My niece has a lover!" But in another breath, "Oh, what will her father say?" [Illustration: "_My Julie saw them kissing less than an hour ago on the marine parade_"] "Jerusalem, restrain yourself," called her sister. That lady was sweeping proudly from the room. "Impudence!" she said, thrusting her sister out of the hall. When the cold air of the street touched their hot faces, she spoke again. Her anger was fast engulfed in a wave of bitter humiliation. "We are disgraced, Jerusalem! The Knickerbocker name dishonored! The man is a person of common family. I fear the Gobies and the Gabies are turning in their graves. What would Aunt Jane have thought?" "They kissed in the shrubbery--My niece in love?" Miss Julie was whispering to herself unheeded. The faded leaves of the one flower in her heart were stirring gently. Now and then the faint note of a bell drifted on the air. The old sexton of St. Paul's was preparing his metal children for their long anthem. "Oh, joyous night, make haste--make haste," they tinkled to the taper-like star above them. "Disgraced!" muttered Miss Georgina. [Illustration] Chapter _Three_ [Illustration]