`` Do you know , Katherine , I am glad to see that your photograph did n't flatter you . Photographs so often do , I am positively surprised at the way you have developed , my dear ; you used to be such a scrawny little brown thing . By the way , I hope there is nothing between you and Jack Willoughby ? '' `` No , of course not , '' I answered hurriedly . I had intended to tell Alicia all about Jack , but when it came to the point I could n't . `` I am glad of that , '' said Alicia , with a relieved air . `` Of course , I 've no doubt Jack is a good fellow enough . He was a nice boy . But he would not be a suitable husband for you , Katherine . '' I knew that very well . That was just why I had refused him . But it made me wince to hear Alicia say it . I instantly froze up -- Alicia says dignity is becoming to me -- and Jack 's name has never been mentioned between us since . I made my bow to society at an `` At Home '' which Alicia gave for that purpose . She drilled me well beforehand , and I think I acquitted myself decently . Charlie Vankleek , whose verdict makes or mars every debutante in his set , has approved of me . He called me a beauty , and everybody now believes that I am one , and greets me accordingly . I met Gus Sinclair at Mrs. Brompton 's dinner . Alicia declares it was a case of love at first sight . If so , I must confess that it was all on one side .
Mr. Sinclair is undeniably ugly -- even Alicia has XXXXX admit that -- and ca n't hold a candle to Jack in point of looks , for Jack , poor boy , was handsome , if he were nothing else .
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