Page:Violet - a vaudeville in four scenes (IA violetvaudeville00yapa).pdf/8

 there, due entirely to her color; but for my part, I have never been able to see what there was attractive in her beyond that. She is not at all well read; and, after all, that is the only standard to go by.

N. Besides, she has a way of gazing at you as if she did not see you, which I consider positively rude. I never wish to speak to her again.

V. C. How do you do, fair ladies? Who is in the pillory to-day?

We were discussing your friend, Mrs. Barron. Have you heard?

V. C. Yes, I have heard. An outrageous story! Poor little woman. You know I have been a friend of hers for many years. Well, when the story was told last night at the club, I branded it at once as a malicious lie; wrote to her for the facts—but before she had time to answer, started off to see her in person. I found her in great distress—in tears—tears of mortification and anger at

N. (interrupting). Being found out?

V. C. Nonsense! Pardon me. No, in bitter anger and tears, that fate and malicious tongues should have selected her for their subject.

Ah! Schuyler, you consoled her, I am sure, as only you can.

V. C. Thank you for your gratitude! But please, if possible, speak seriously, all of you. All I could do was to tell her I knew it was a lie, promise that it should be traced to its source and stamped out, and above all, that I would find you good people here to-day and tell you the truth, so that I might have your aid in the good cause!