Putting on Airs Read Online Free PDF

room.
          "I am so happy you both have come," Imogene declared.  "I did not think you would want to be the last to meet the wonderful new family who have come to town.  I am only sorry that my invitation reached you so late.  If I may, I would be delighted to introduce you both to the Cole family."
          As she introduced them, Mrs. Cartwright desired a private word with her husband.
          "What are they doing here?  Did you invite them?"
          "Of course not, my dear.  Imogene wrote them this morning."
          "How could she dare!"
     
          "I think it rather generous of her to want to remain on good terms with the Archers.  They have been friends of the family for years—"
          "That was before we knew that Ms. Clarice is a base-born ward!  They are nothing to us now.  Poor Anthony!"
          Anthony had not even noticed the arrival of the Archers, but was trying to think of how to ask young Ms. Cole for a dance.
          Imogene sat down with Jane, Emmeline, Clarice, and Nell, and the five ladies instantly became friends.  Mr. Campbell approached Imogene, trying again to persuade her to dance, but she continued to refuse, and her new friends pleaded with him to leave them talking awhile more.  Things could not possibly have gone better for Imogene's scheme.
          "May I have the honor of the next dance, Ms. Cartwright?"
          Imogene was about to answer "no", but realized that Mr. Campbell never addressed her as "Ms. Cartwright."  Upon turning around, her eyes met those of Mr. Archer standing near her, and she was too surprised to speak.  He held out his hand, and she gave it as he led her to the dance floor.  But a moment later, she regained her senses and looked to her friends, who encouraged her to go on and dance.
          Imogene did not imagine what her mother or governess thought of it; she did not glance aside to see if Mr. Campbell was upset by it; she only looked at her dance partner in wonder, unsure of how she could account for the honor of dancing with him when he was so cold to her the last time they had met.  Dancing with him was almost awkward, and she longed to begin a conversation, but could not think of anything to say.  Fortunately, he spoke as they met in the center of the lines to cross.
     
          "I am grateful to you for your invitation, Ms. Cartwright."  His tone almost seemed to suggest the feeling of admitting he was wrong and disliking it, but Imogene heard no such tone, just his words.
          "I am glad you could come on such short notice; you and Clarice, I mean."
          "I did not much care to come, but Clarice had not been to a ball in some time, and she desired to meet the new neighbors.  I have not seen her this happy since before...Well, it has been some months."
          "Months!" Imogene had never been informed of how long ago Anthony had broken off the betrothal.
          "But it seems that is all forgotten to her now, and I thank you for that."
          "It was the least I could do, sir."  During the ring-around of the dance, Imogene saw a number of her family watching the dance contemptuously, and her heart sank.  "I am afraid that I have endangered you, sir, by dancing with you."
          "You have no reason to feel sorry; I brought it upon myself."
          She smiled sympathetically, but he smiled not once through the whole dance.  She felt less and less honored by his offer to dance, expecting that he felt obligated to as a favor in return for cheering his ward.
     
          After the dance, Imogene returned to her friends as Mr. Archer spoke with the Cole family.  Opening her fan, she wished someone would open a window and let in some fresh air.  Once again, Mr. Campbell approached to request a dance, and again she declined.  He made the remark that she was greatly dishonoring him by dancing with other men and not her own betrothed.  She knew it would not do