A Mental Struggle. 7
miles from The Chevies, which quite balanced her
alHiir.
It was an undeniable comfort to Laily Olivia's anxious
mind that Constance should have so comfortably ranged
hersi'lf before Imogen was old enough to make her bow to
the world. Had Harry Travers dallied in his love-making
for two yeai'S longer, Lad}' Olivia would not have answered
for the const'quences. Imogen, with her great violet eyes
and pensive mouth, was so niuoh more beautiful. There
was an indescribable grace about the girl's svelte, lissom
figuri", and the slow moveuients of her haughty head, that
would haA'o eclipsed all the minor charms of Constance
in an hour.
Yet, in spite of all her beauty, Imogen could not lay
claim to half the lovers her lounger sister, Patricia, could
count, wdio is barely taghtoen now, and not nearly so hand¬
some. There is a coldness or rescr\'e about Imogen—a re-
ser\'e that tottches on hauteur, that repels as it attracts.
Pride of birth is stamped upon each of her calm features.
The soft btit steady light iu her eye is replete with a gentle
arrogance. Peoi)lo withottt a peiligreo. no matter how rich
or how well recoi\'ed by society in goneial, are but as an
abomination in her sight. Beneath the pressure of cir-
ctuHstances she might indeed consent to acknowledge them_;
in the verv coldest sense of that word—might even go so
far as to place her hand iu theirs; but to associate \vith
them— ncrer !
Yet with the poor ("who are always with us ") and with
her father's tenants jNliss Heriot is on the very friendliest
terms. All the Heriots, as a rule, are looked upon with
loving eyes by tlie majority of the under-classes about
(•'gworth, but to Imogen by far the largest share of aflec-
tion and respect is accorded. In every cottage she is wel¬
come, in every meanest hovel; and as she sits in her pretty
cashmeres and laces upon the rickety chairs and dissipated
stools, to hear how " Willyum " got over the last attack of
'■ the rheumatiz," or how finely Polly's baby is doing, one
would find a dilHcuUy in connecting her with the haughty
beavtty, who knows so well how to walk with stately step
and gracious self-possession through crowded " receptions,"
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