The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 20, No. 119, September, 1867

In this lively nineteenth‑century tale, a talented schoolgirl named Myrtle Hazard finds herself thrust from the modest corridors of a boarding academy into the glittering world of high society. After a daring stage performance catches the eye of influential patrons, she receives a summons from the elegant Mrs. Clymer Ketchum, whose curiosity about Myrtle’s striking presence quickly turns into a calculated interest.

The narrative follows Myrtle’s first encounter with the sophisticated hostess, capturing the clash of innocence and ambition as the young girl navigates the ornate parlors and whispered schemes of the elite. As admirers plot to shape her future, the story teases the delicate balance between genuine admiration and hidden agendas, leaving listeners eager to discover how Myrtle will respond to the dazzling yet perilous attention she now commands.