f
paper the eye was deceived as to distances. The allies stretched
away interminably, the pines seemed enormous, and the green hillsides
mountainous. Nor were charming single effects wanting. Down the winding
walk from the hill, touched by a distant electric light, the loitering
people, in couples and in groups, seemed no more in real life than
the supernumeraries in a scene at the opera. Above, in the illuminated
foliage, were doubtless a castle and a broad terrace, with a row of
statues, and these gay promenaders were ladies and cavaliers in an
old-time masquerade. The gilded kiosk on the island in the centre of the
miniature lake and the fairy bridge that leads to it were outlined
by colored globes; and the lake, itself set about with brilliants,
reflected kiosk and bridge and lights, repeating a hundredfold the
fantastic scene, while from their island retreat the band sent out
through the illumined night strains of sentiment and gayety and sadness.
In the intervals of the music there was silence, as if the great throng
were too deeply enjoying this feast of the senses to speak. Perhaps a
foreigner would have been impressed with the decorous respectability of
the assembly; he would have remarked that there were no little tables
scattered about the ground, no boys running about with foaming mugs of
beer, no noise, no loud talking; and how restful to all the senses!

Mrs. Bartlett Glow had the whim to devote herself to Mrs. Benson, and
was repaid by the acquisition of a great deal of information concerning
the social and domestic, life in Cyrusville, Ohio, and the maternal
ambition for Irene. Stanhope and Irene sat a little apart from the
others, and gave themselves up to the witchery of the hour. It would
not be easy to reproduce in type all that they said; and what was most
important to them, and would be most interesting to the reader, are the
things they did not say--the half exclamations, the delightful silences,
the tones, the looks that are the sign language of lovers. It was Irene
who first broke the spell of this delightful mode of communication, and
in a pause of the music said, "Your cousin has been telling me of your
relatives in New York, and she told me more of yourself than you ever
did."

"Very likely. Trust your friends for that. I hope she gave me a good
character."

"Oh, she has the greatest admiration for you, and she said the family
have the highest expectations of your career. Why didn't you te