Of all the ancient
landmarks of England, none attracted Jennie so much as the aristocracy,
and although she had written to New York for letters of introduction that
would be useful in London, she was too impatient to await their arrival.
Thus she came to secure the services of Lady Willow, the widow of Sir
Debenham Willow, who had died abroad, insolvent, some years before,
mourned by the creditors he left behind him.
Jennie was suspicious about the title, and demanded convincing proofs of
its genuineness before she engaged Lady Willow. She was amazed that any
real lady would, as it were, sell her social influence at so much a week;
but, as Lady Willow was equally astonished that an American girl earned
her livelihood by writing for the papers, the surprise of the one found
its counterpart in the wonder of the other.
Lady Willow thought all American girls were born daughters of
millionaires, in accordance with some unexplained Western by-law of
nature, and imagined that their sole object in desiring to enter London
society was to purchase for themselves a more or less expensive scion of
the aristocracy; she was therefore inclined to resent meeting a shrewd
young woman apparently determined on getting the value for her money.
'It is not my custom to chaffer about terms,' said Lady Willow with
much dignity.
'It is mine,' replied Jennie complacently; 'I always like to know what I
am buying, and the price I am to pay for it.
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