Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-12-17
CHAPTER K.
THE secret of true refinement is good
taste"

Chapter X.
THE secret of true refinement is good
taste"
The consciousness that she had
made a mistake caused Violante to
lose much of the grace that was nat
ural to her.
"Will they notice twill even the
servants laugh?" she thought to her,
self
Mrs. Selwyn looked in calm disap-
proval of the gorgeous toilet
Il am afraid you will be disappoint-
ed, Lady selwyn," she said, you
evidently expected visitors, and by
Nivian's wish we are quite alone"
The fair young face flushed so deep
ly that Mrs. Selwyn could not pursue
the subject She did not understand
why, but she saw that her daughter
in-law was i'll at ease. Nor did VIC
lante feel much more comforted when
Vivian entered the room. and opened
his eyes in wonder at her dazzling
splendor, then glanced quickly at the
quiet, graceful figure of Miss Leigh.
There was a smile on the naughty
beautiful lips of that young lady that
made the young wife, she scarcely
knew why, uncomfortable.
Dinner is served" said the butler.
and then they went to the dining-room,
Lady Violante detesting the rustling
flow of her rich white satin as she
swept along.
Involuntarily when the dining-room
was gained, her thoughts few back to
the pretty dining-parlor at home, with
its green, worn carpet, its tloWershad-
ed window, it's homely furniture, and
the quiet kindly face that always look
ed up with a smile of welcome for her.
Her dark eyes grew moist with tears,
for the splendor of her new home daz-
Zled her.
The dining-room was superb apart
ment-larga. lofty, brilliantly lighted;
the huge sideboardS were one blaze OF
gold and silver plate; the table was
magnifcently set out; servants in
livery were all in attendance. The
young girl to whom this was all new
and strange, felt her heart sink within
her and longed for the familiar aspect
of home.
There was a chair at the head of the
table and one at the foot. For a mo-
ment there was some little embarrass-
ment. then Mrs Selwyn said:
Lady Selwyn, will you take your
place."
1t was no wonder that. dazzled by
the unusual splendor. she shrank back,
and said timidly;
"Oh, no; pray not now. Indeed, |
would rather not"
Again that quiet smile on Miss
Leigh's face. and Vivian looked at his
wife with a slight expression of i'm
patience.
Pray be seated Violante," he said;
"of course my mother would not dream
of taking your place"
Already nervous with the conviction
of the mistake she had made over her
dress; confused, and afraid she had
erred still more by her hesitation in
accepting her rightful place, the young
girl sat down and dinner began.
1t would have been kinder under the
circumstances to have allowed her to
have her own way. and TO have sat
quietly by, until the routine became
familiar to her. What should she
know, poor child. of French dishes Of
rare wines. of entries? She. who had
been accustomed to the little dining.
parlor at home. and the attendance Of
one maidservant She. who had her
self superintendent the cooking OF the
homely little dinners that pleased her
father best
she grew awkward and confused
She felt that she was not filing her
place with the dignity suited to Lady
Selwyn Her husband noticed II, and
tried by kindly words and kindly
smiles to nut her more at her ease.
Yet. when he saw Miss Leigh's duiet
eyes scrutinizing her he felt his own
face grow warm. and he half wished
"Violante had been more formed"
The two girls presented a great con
trast-there could be no greater: they
were Of thu most opposite types Of
beauty yiolante. fair with face Of
lily and rose; golden hair thai hung in
ripping waves over her white neck.