"And gad, she IS a patrician!" His eyes were surveying the splendid mansions round about--the beautiful window-gardens--the curtains at the windows, which he had learned were real lace, whatever that might be, and most expensive.

Very fine, that way of living! Very comfortable, to have servants at beck and call, and most satisfactory to the craving for power--trifles, it is true, but still the substantial and tangible evidence of power.

"And it impresses the people, too.

We're all snobs at bottom.

We're not yet developed enough to appreciate such a lofty abstraction as democracy." True, Margaret was not rich; but the old grandmother was.