It required rank, money, and a little manner,--and these she possessed.

The old Duke had done it with ease, without the slightest trouble to himself, and had been treated almost like a god because he had secluded himself.

She could make the change even yet,--and as her husband told her that she was vulgar, she thought she would make it.
But at last, before she had abandoned her desk and paper, there had come to her another thought.

Nothing to her was so distasteful as failure.

She had known that there would be difficulties, and had assured herself that she would be firm and brave in overcoming them.
Was not this accusation of vulgarity simply one of the difficulties which she had to overcome?
Was her courage already gone from her?
Was she so weak that a single word should knock her over,--and a word evidently repented of as soon as uttered?
Vulgar! Well;--let her be vulgar as long as she gained her object.