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 and Shorty she ignored magnificently, turning by instinct to her social equals.

"I am informed that I am indebted to you ladies for the suite I now occupy. I assure you that were it not for my daughter's critical condition I should at once seek lodgings elsewhere. As it is, I must, most unwillingly, impose upon your kindness."

"Madame," returned Victoria, "we are glad to contribute to your daughter's comfort."

"We trust," added Sonia, with unexpected gentleness, "that your prayers for her may be heard."

The mother crossed herself. "May God so will! My thanks!" she added, with a return of her frigid politeness, and with another slight bow she left them.

"What a very aristocratic old blackbird," remarked Shorty, after a pause, piqued that her blonde prettiness had attracted no acknowledgment of her existence from the gaunt countess.

"Yes," Sonia gravely assented, "she has blue blood, as you say."

"I don't say anything of the sort," Miss Bently 33