So I prayed--how I prayed!--that my beautiful daughter should never suffer as I have done." Elisabeth's eyes filled with tears; and Mrs.Herbert, encouraged by her unspoken sympathy, proceeded-- "Grand people are so cruel, my dear.

I daresay they don't mean to be; but they are.

And though I had borne it for myself, I felt I could not bear it for Felicia.

I thought it would kill me to see fine ladies overlook her as they had so often overlooked me.

So when Alan wanted to marry her, and make her into a fine lady herself, I was overwhelmed with joy; and I felt I no longer minded what I had gone through, now that I knew no one would ever dare to be rude to my beautiful daughter.