to that ball specially to observe
them."

"Where was Mrs. Filmer?"

"Mrs. Filmer was devoting herself to a titled English lady. Harry was
talking with a pretty widow. None of Rose's friends, but myself, saw
the embryo tragedy. My dear, we are finite creatures, but the tricks
we play before high heaven are infinite in their folly and variety. I
see Cousin Peter coming. Stand to your wishes, Adriana; and teach your
tongue to say what it really wants."

There was little need for this encouragement. Peter understood what
was required of him, and before Miss Alida had finished her request,
he was looking into Adriana's face with a smiling assent. Certainly
the assent implied much self-denial; but not altogether self-denial.
He was pleased that his daughter should have this great social
pleasure; the more so, that she had been practically ignored in all
the village festivities. Her education, her tastes and her manner were
out of order with the smartness and giggling, setting the tone of the
usual sleigh-rides and ice-cream parties. Even the literary society of
Woodsome felt ill at ease when airing its learning before her. She had
been educated above her surroundings, and it was less unkindness than
a principle of self-defence which made her surroundings shy of her.

In some respects Peter was much gratified, then, at the invitation.
Miss Van Hoosen was the bright particular star of the local
celebrities of Woodsome; for though her residence was some miles
beyond the village, she owned much property in it; and her influence
was marked, and always favorable. For himself Peter had never boasted
of their cousinship; but he could not help being a little uplifted at
Adriana's recognition. And if he thought of the gratification he would
find in just naming the affair, in an incidental way, before Bogart
and others, it was a bit of pride so natural and so unselfish as to
merit a smiling toleration.

It was then decided that Adriana should go to New York on the
following Monday; and Miss Alida went cheerfully away with the
promise. "I hope to have Antony to meet you," she said, as they
parted, "for I shall write to him this very night." And then turning
to Peter she added, "I look forward with great delight to this new
experience; for I have a large maternal instinct, and I intend to make
myself believe that I have a son and daughter to settle in life."

"I hope that your intention will bring you nothing but pleasure, and
th