The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-10-03
CHAPTER VII.

"What can be the matter2 What have
| I done to herr asked Annie of herself, rs
she thought of Sylvia. She was perfectly
ignorant of all that had passed between
her friend and George at Oaklands, With
her straightforward nature, it was impos-
sible for her to imagine the jealousy and
low ambition that had grown up at her
side, and yet her former friends cold and
disdainful air disturbed the tranquility
of her daily life.
To polite reserve, singular enough
from person whom she had known so
intimately. suddenly succeeded an air OF
energetic contempt, before which Annie
stood as helplessly astonished as before a
mathematical problem. Sometimes a
vauge presentiment assailed her, a sug-
gestion of possible unhappiness; for
women are always more or less clear
sighted, and even those most innocent
and unsuspicious have marvellous intui-
tons. Occasionally Mrs. Speed would won
derat Sylvia's conduct, but her own life was
so full Of tender cares for husband, child,
and mother, that she had little time to
spare for Sylvia's caprices. Had she been
still unmarried, this sudden destruction
Of an old friendship would have deeply
panied her; but now all was changed, her
marriage did not astonish her. Florence
was to old, certainly; but what did that
matter if his wife loved himl
As to being vexed that "little Chipp"
had attained her present position, such
an idea had never entered Annie's mind.
Her nature was too generous for such
baseness. She had, on the contrary, sim
cerely hoped that the girl who lived be-
meath the same roof as herself would be
happy and contented in her new sphere.
In the most atfectionate manner she
sought to advise her, and to instruct her
in the ways Of a world to which as yet she
was stranger " tsa lA
Between two young and pretty women,
advice is easily exchanged. When Mrs.
Speed. on the day OF large dinner party,
took Mrs. Florence into her dressing-room,
and SAID in a caressing tone, "Too much
jewelry, dear; and then, you know, with
a hightnecked dress, flowers are never
worn in the hair" Sylvia colored and
thanked her friend, but in her heart OF
hearts recorded fresh grievance against
her. @
In Annie's circle. Sylvia had been coolly
received. The old aristocracy had its
pretensions and preiadiees. but il YOU inn
agine that the mercantile community are
without them, you are in error.
The wives aud daughters of all these
rich merchants knew little Chipps story,
and, had they not known ii, they would
have guessed it from her way of present
ing herself to their notice. She was too
eager and too humble; about her fingered
something Of the shop-girl air; and the
scornful manner assumed sometimes re-
called those imposing young women in
grand millinery establishment who with
fashionable fringes and trained black silks,
hooked with utter contempt on the igno-
rant persons who attempted to make a
bargain.
Sylvia felt herself criticised and exam
ined, and she prepared for battle.
The names pronounced in her presence,
the entertainments, and the books of
which they talked, were all equally un-
known to her Annie did her best to
place her at her ease. But among these
ladies, several thought Sylvia very pref