Netta burst into a hearty laugh at Gertrude's excited manner of starting on her benevolent errand; and this, together with her so hastily crossing the large and crowded room, drew the inquiries of all the circle whom she had left, and during her absence she became the subject of discussion and remark.
"What is the matter, Netta?" asked Madame Gryseworth. "Where has Gertrude gone?"
"To offer herself as a champion, grandmamma, for that little rowdy-dowdy looking child."
"Is she the one who has been making all this noise?"
"No, indeed; but I believe she is the cause of it."
"It isn't every girl," said Ellen, "who could cross a room like this so gracefully as Gertrude can."
"She has a remarkably good figure," said Madame Gryseworth, "and knows how to walk."
"She is a very well-formed girl," remarked Dr. Gryseworth, "but the true secret of her looking so completely the lady lies in her having uncommon dignity of character, being wholly unconscious of observation and independent of the wish to attract it. She dresses well, too; Ellen, I wish you would imitate Miss Flint's style of dress; nothing could be in better taste."
"Or a greater saving to your purse, papa," whispered Netta. "Gertrude dresses very simply."
"Miss Flint's style of dress would not become Miss Gryseworth," said Mrs. Petrancourt, who approached in time to hear the doctor's remark. "Your daughter, sir, is a noble, showy-looking girl, and can carry off a great deal of dress."
"So can a milliner's doll, Mrs. Petrancourt. However, I suppose, in a certain sense, you are right. The two girls are not sufficiently alike to resemble each other, if their dresses were matched with Chinese exactness."
"Resemble each other! You surely would not wish to see your beautiful daughter the counterpart of one who has not half her attractions."
"Are you much acquainted with Miss Flint?"
"Not at all; but Netta pointed her out to me at the tea-table as being a particular friend."
"Then you must excuse me, ma'am, if I remark that it is impossible you should have any idea of her attractions, as they do not lie on the surface."
"You confess, then, that you do not think her handsome, sir?"
"To tell you the truth, I never thought anything about it. Ask Petrancourt; he is an acknowledged judge;" and the doctor bowed in a flattering manner to the lady who had been the belle of the season at the time her husband paid his addresses to her.