Therefore she diligently paraded the relationship and accounted for the coolness by the excuse of Eva’s alienation from her mother’s relatives. “She thinks herself too aristocratic to mix with people that got rich just by oil,” she sighed. Mrs. Putnam had met with such pride before, so she swallowed the fiction, and on being appealed to for advice, promptly gave it. “I should do just what I said this morning: Engage a lady of undoubted social position, with slim means, to take me under her wing for a fair consideration. You couldn’t afford to be close over money in such a case, but it would pay you back with interest for all you expended. Then send that old maid home and get yourself launched in good society.” “I will do it, but where can I find such a lady as you speak of?” cried Patty eagerly. “Such chances don’t grow on trees, for such ladies wouldn’t have it known for the world that they carry on these things for money. But I am interested in you, Miss Groves, and I will undertake to find you a proper chaperone, although, in my opinion, Miss Somerville ought to have you for her guest and let her aunt introduce you,” exclaimed Mrs. Putnam frankly. “But it’s no use counting on that heartless Eva for anything, though I could tell things if I chose that would mortify her enough, not that I intend to. I’d scorn to injure relations by silly airs!” cried Patty, tossing her dark head with fine indignation. “Your good heart does you credit, my dear girl,” suavely returned the lady, though she nevertheless intended by and by to worm out of Patty all those mysterious secrets about the beautiful belle, Miss Somerville. “But about my new chaperone. When can we get her to begin?” asked the heiress, who was so anxious to become a belle. If there was one thing more than another she wanted it was to get acquainted with Eva’s lover, the handsome Reginald Hamilton, and measure lances with her for his heart. “If I could just cut her out and take him away, I’d ask no more of fate. I’d have her humbled to the dust, and her proud heart breaking!” she cried vindictively. “As to that, you may have to wait a few weeks, for the lady I have in view is on the other side now. But she will sail for home next week; so within three weeks I think we will have made a beginning,” Mrs. Putnam observed. “It is a long time to wait,” sighed the impatient girl. “But in the meantime I will try to help you out a little, Miss Groves. For instance, I will take you out with me this afternoon to a flower show, where I could introduce you to some nice people if you will promise me to leave the old lady at home or send her off shopping or sightseeing alone.” “In that case she might come to grief,” laughed Patty, adding: “But I will find means to keep her at home; never fear.” CHAPTER XXXIII. EVA ACCEPTS REGGIE. “Congratulate me, Ada. I have concluded to try auntie’s and papa’s remedy for a misplaced love. I have promised to marry Reggie!”