d how niggardly she
had been of the God-given blessings in them.

But she was no longer so. Whatever effort it cost at first, to put
aside her own pain and disappointment, gradually became easy. She did
not forget; she only compelled memory to take counsel with justice and
generosity. The past, which had usurped the places of both present and
future, was gradually relegated to its proper domain; and in the
exercise of the willpower necessary for this control of her daily
life, she resumed the power to control those higher conditions which
relate to the moral and mental existence. In a week the nobler
influence ruled, and the ignoble atmosphere of self rarely chilled
that confidential communion which ought to exist between all the
members of one household.

So the time went on, until it was nearly Christmas. Then, one morning,
destiny knocked at Peter's door, and let in Miss Alida Van Hoosen. She
had always been accustomed to call about the New Year, but her visit
so much earlier was unexpected, especially as they had been informed
some weeks previously by the "Woodsome Local" that Miss Van Hoosen
had left her beautiful home for her winter residence in New York City.
But her visit, though unexpected, was very welcome to Adriana. For she
liked her cousin, and she was heartily glad of any social event to
break the monotony of her daily life.

"I saw Cousin Peter in the village as I came through it," said Miss
Alida. "What do men find to talk about? They never seem to be bored in
the stupidest place."

"Oh, cousin, I am so glad to see you! I did not expect you so soon."

"The logic of events, Adriana! And you cannot oppose their arguments.
Selina Zabriski has made up her mind to go to Florida. Now, as you
know, I have stayed with Selina for sixteen winters; and her absurdity
throws me out into space, as it were."

"Are you coming back to the country?"

"To the country! In December! No, Adriana. I have rented Selina's
house, and her man-servants, and her maid-servants, her dogs and her
cats, her carriages and her horses; and I want you to come and stay
with me. Will you?"

"Cousin! It will make me the happiest girl in the world to do so. Do
you think father will be willing for me to go?"

"Fathers are persuadable. I have some excellent arguments. I want you,
at once, though."

"I shall be glad to go at once. Still, father will be very lonely. I
ought to think of that."

"Cousin Peter will not let his lonelines