CHAPTER IV.
LOUISE MAKES A DISCOVERY.
"How did you enjoy the reception, Louise?"
"Very well, mamma. But I made the discovery that my escort. HarryWyndham, is only a poor cousin of the rich Wyndham family, and willnever have a penny he doesn't earn himself."
"I knew that," said Mrs. Merrick. "But Harry has the entree into somevery exclusive social circles. I hope you treated him nicely, Louise.He can be of use to us."
"Oh, yes, I think I interested him; but he's a very stupid boy. By theway, mamma, I had an adventure last evening, which I have had no timeto tell you of before."
"Yes?"
"It has given me quite a shock. You noticed the maid you ordered tocome from Madam Borne to dress my hair for the reception?"
"I merely saw her. Was she unsatisfactory?"
"She was very clever. I never looked prettier, I am sure. The maid isa little, demure thing, very young for such a position, and positivelyhomely and common in appearance. But I hardly noticed her until shedropped a letter from her clothing. It fell just beside me, and I sawthat it was addressed to no less a personage than my rich aunt, MissJane Merrick, at Elmhurst. Curious to know why a hair-dresser shouldbe in correspondence with Aunt Jane, I managed to conceal the letterunder my skirts until the maid was gone. Then I put it away untilafter the reception. It was sealed and stamped, all ready for thepost, but I moistened the flap and easily opened it. Guess what Iread?"
"I've no idea," replied Mrs. Merrick.
"Here it is," continued Louise, producing a letter and carefullyunfolding it. "Listen to this, if you please: 'Aunt Jane.' She doesn'teven say 'dear' or 'respected,' you observe."
'Your letter to me, asking me to visit you, is almost an insultafter your years of silence and neglect and your refusals to assistmy poor mother when she was in need. Thank God we can do withoutyour friendship and assistance now, for my honored father, MajorGregory Doyle, is very prosperous and earns all we need. I return yourcheck with my compliments. If you are really ill, I am sorry for you,and would go to nurse you were you not able to hire twenty nurses,each of whom would have fully as much love and far more respect foryou than could ever
'Your indignant niece,
'Patricia Doyle.'
"What do you think of that, mamma?'"
"It's very strange, Louise. This hair-dresser is your own cousin."
"So it seems. And she must be poor, or she wouldn't go out as a sortof lady's maid. I remember scolding her severely for pulling my hairat one time, and she was as meek as Moses, and never answered a word."
"She has a temper though, as this letter proves," said Mrs. Merrick;"and I admire her for the stand she has taken."
"So do I," rejoined Louise with a laugh, "for it removes a rival frommy path. You will notice that Aunt Jane has sent her a check for thesame amount she sent me. Here it is, folded in the letter. Probably myother cousin, the De Graf girl, is likewise invited to Elmhurst? AuntJane wanted us all, to see what we were like, and perhaps to choosebetween us."
"Quite likely," said Mrs. Merrick, uneasily watching her daughter'sface.
"That being the case," continued Louise, "I intend to enter thecompetition. With this child Patricia out of the way, it will be asimple duel with my unknown De Graf cousin for my aunt's favor, andthe excitement will be agreeable even if I am worsted."
"There's no danger of that," said her mother, calmly. "And the stakesare high, Louise. I've learned that your Aunt Jane is rated as worth ahalf million dollars."
"They shall be mine," said the daughter, with assurance. "Unless,indeed, the De Graf girl is most wonderfully clever. What is hername?"
"Elizabeth, if I remember rightly. But I am not sure she is yet alive,my dear. I haven't heard of the De Grafs for a dozen years.'"
"Anyway I shall accept my Aunt Jane's invitation, and make theacceptance as sweet as Patricia Doyle's refusal is sour. Aunt Janewill be simply furious when she gets the little hair-dresser's note."
"Will you send it on?"
"Why not? It's only a question of resealing the envelope and mailingit. And it will be sure to settle Miss Doyle's chances of sharing theinheritance, for good and all."
"And the check?"
"Oh, I shall leave the check inside the envelope. It wouldn't be atall safe to cash it, you know."
"But if you took it out Jane would think the girl had kept tit money,after all, and would be even more incensed against her."
"No," said Louise, after a moment's thought, "I'll not do a single actof dishonesty that could ever by any chance be traced to my door. Tobe cunning, to be diplomatic, to play the game of life with the bestcards we can draw, is every woman's privilege. But if I can't winhonestly, mater dear, I'll quit the game, for even money can'tcompensate a girl for the loss of her self-respect."
Mrs. Merrick cast a fleeting glance at her daughter and smiled.Perhaps the heroics of Louise did not greatly impress her.