patience and excitement, and Yanna's
white face and serious manner did not impress her. With a little
flourish, she flung wide the door of her sitting-room, and pointing to
a garment lying upon the couch, cried:

"Is not that a dress worth living for, Yanna? It quite expresses me!
Look at the opal tints in the silk, and the soft lace, and the pearl
trimming! And in the greenhouse, there is the one flower possible to
wear with it--a large, soft, feathery, white chrysanthemum! I love
chrysanthemums! they give you an impression of poetic melancholy; they
have the sadness of an autumn sunset! What do you think of the dress,
Yanna?"

"It is beautiful."

"I hope Antony will like me in it."

"He admires you in everything you wear."

"He was not near Filmer yesterday."

"He was in New York."

"Do you know that Harry has become quite ugly about the ball?--every
one is talking about the depression in trade; I am sure there is more
need to complain about the depression in pleasure--he was eager enough
at first about it, but now he thinks the whole subject a bore. Last
night he would not even speak to us about it; and this morning he had
breakfast in his room, and poor mamma has everything to look after."

"Perhaps he is saving himself for to-night."

"But that is so mean. Men ought to have a few domestic amenities. Miss
Polly Barnard says the reformation of men will be the mission of the
coming woman. I wish some woman would begin her mission with Harry!"

"Did Miss Polly stay long with you?"

"Only three days. She talked to the servants about saving their money,
and improving their minds, and they said she was '_a perfect lady_!' A
perfect lady is the highest praise servants have for any one they
approve. We did not find her perfect. She scolded me about my
worldliness, and called me a thoughtless little sinneress." Then
suddenly Rose's face fell, and she covered it with her hands, and
began to cry.

"Why, Rose, what is the matter?"

"I had such a sad dream last night. I cannot tell it; and I cannot
forget it. I wish I could be good, and I cannot be good. We used to
have such noble plans for our lives. We meant to be so useful and
busy, and I have frittered this summer away in pure idleness. But
after this ball is over, I am determined I will do something better
with my life than dress and dance, and eat and sleep, and listen to
lovers."

"I also have come far short of what I intended, Rose. The summer has
gon