Page:Duer Miller--The charm school.djvu/135

 all the more acutely the utter degradation of her conduct.

"I came to see Mr. Johns," he said.

"Oh, Greorge, run up-stairs and tell grandfather that Mr. Bevans is here," said Elise, with far less consideration than Austin had shown to the footman.

"No," said Austin. "I came to see Mr. Johns about this young man, and it may be that he would like to offer me some explanation of his conduct first."

George, who did not like being referred to as "this young man," said, proudly, "I don't feel any obligation to explain my conduct to you, sir."

"I was offering you an opportunity—not an obligation," said Austin.

"I am not ashamed of anything that I have done," said George.

"Indeed!" replied Austin. "Then let me tell you your face belies you. Step to that mirror and see if a human countenance ever wore a more guilty expression."

Such was the disarray of George's mentality that he almost found himself obeying the command and moving toward the mirror over the mantelpiece. Pulling himself hastily together, however, he answered:

"My conduct requires no explanation