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Rh "Really, my dear, I prefer to believe it is because I have some powers of speech," said Mrs. Boulter.

However, she smiled. She was, in fact, a handsome woman, with remarkably little suggestion of the clinging vine. She was very erect, very stately, even sitting in a low chair, with large blue eyes, a broad forehead, thick grey hair, and a gracious white-toothed smile which had something glacial in it—a hint of her native New Hampshire rock.

"How nice to go up to Washington, and feel so important," said Teresa languidly. She leaned back against the cushions and sighed.

"Well, why don't you join us?" enquired Mrs. Boulter. "I'll propose your name, as you know, any time you like. And I'm sure you will find the work exceedingly interesting. With your intelligence you are sure to come round to us sooner or later. There's nothing like marriage, too, to make one see clearly the real position of woman. When you do see it, Teresa, you will want to stand up for your sex."

Teresa smiled rather wanly. She began to feel that she should have a headache as the result of her emotion about Gerald. At this moment Miss Pease came in, agitated and flushed.

"Oh, Mrs. Ransome," she cried, "what do you think has happened! The pearl pendant—Miss Carruthers"