Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the city room.djvu/175



S I understand it," said Virginia Imboden, reflectively, "the question resolves itself into this: To what extent can a woman of irreproachable character assist a woman of no character without being injured in the eyes of others?"

Frances Neville changed her position restlessly, and lifted a hand in protest against such an unqualified statement.

"You have put the case much too strongly," she objected, "if you are speaking of Miss Bertram."

There was a slight irritability in her tone. Miss Herrick, who was at the piano, carelessly playing Chopin, caught it, and whirled round on the stool to face the group of friends who were scattered about her apartment in various attitudes of restfulness. Virginia Imboden lay on the rug before the grate, her fair head vividly outlined by the dancing flames. Frances Neville was stretched on the broad divan near her, and