when it tells her so.
To-morrow I am going to see your father and mother, and make an offer
for your sister's hand. But I find it impossible to point out the
danger in which this dear little Rose lives. Yet they should know it,
for, oh, Harry! her salvation may depend upon their knowledge, and
their willingness that she may be taken out of temptation."

"Can you do this?"

"I can."

"Will you do it?"

"I will. I shall live for her, and her alone."

"Pardon me, Antony, if I suggest that cash may have a great deal to do
with this proposal."

"I am rich. I shall spend all I have to save her. I shall take her to
Europe for a year. All that love and money can do to make her strong
shall be done."

Then Harry let his hand seek Antony's hand, and they understood each
other, without words. But Harry was very unhappy and also very angry.
His betrothal to Adriana had been interfered with because it was
supposed to be inimical to the social interests of his sister; and now
the joy of his reconciliation to his love was shadowed by Rose's
misconduct. Yet he felt that some steps must be taken at once to
prevent the evils which would certainly result from her selfish
weakness, if it were unchecked. For, after all, the sin resolved
itself into the black one of selfishness; Rose was determined to have
the pleasure she desired, though she should tear it through, the
hearts of all who loved her, though it should bring her personally
only misery and shame.

Such thoughts were natural enough to Harry, and they irritated as well
as wounded him. It scarcely needed his mother's look of reproach and
querulous question as to "why he had forgotten the dinner hour," to
make him speak the truth, with almost brutal frankness.

"Where is father?" he asked, impatiently.

"Your father has been all day hard at work in the Astor Library. He
came home perfectly worn out, and had his dinner served in his study.
He did not feel able to dress for the table to-night."

"It is perfectly absurd. Father has some duties to his family, I
think. For instance, if he would remember he had a daughter. Where is
Rose?"

"Rose is with that angelic young person, Miss Van Hoosen. And it is
not your place to call your father 'absurd.' Some day, you will be
proud of him."

"My dear mother, Rose is not with Yanna."

"_Yanna!_ Rose told me that she was going to the matinee with Miss Van
Hoosen. I suppose she is spending the evening with her also."

"Rose