way of groceries and politics. Her sister Gertrude had
married a cousin who was a florist; and in watching the rose houses
and bunching violets, they also were doing well and putting money
away. Her youngest brother, Antony, was yet unmarried, but he had been
long in California, and there was no reason to suppose he would ever
return to the East.

It happened thus, that Peter and his wife found themselves alone with
their youngest child, and the great tide of parental love turned
actively towards her. They did not cease to love the absent, but the
best love delights in service, and there was now none to serve but the
charming child who stood in the place of the dear ones scattered so
far apart. They began early to notice her beauty, to repeat her bright
sayings, to assure themselves that they had been trusted with an
extraordinary charge. The child also had the courage which accompanies
a strongly affectionate nature; she did not fear to ask for all her
desires; and as love gives gladly to those who trust it, she always
won what she asked for. To his elder daughters, Peter had not been
generous in the matter of dress, but Adriana had not only plenty of
gowns, she had also all the little accessories which are so dear to a
girl's heart. But whatever style or whatever color was prominent,
Peter enjoyed every change. Sometimes he was tempted to tell her how
pretty she was, and how proud he was of her, but he always "thought
better of it"; and yet, Adriana knew right well that her father
considered her the most beautiful girl in America, and that he was
delighted if he met an acquaintance, rich or poor, to whom he could
say, "My daughter Adriana, sir."

However, though Peter was proud enough of his girl's beauty, he was
far more elated over her mental aptitudes. She excelled all others
easily; she carried off every prize in her classes; she came home to
him one day with the diploma of her accomplishments in her hand. He
was too proud to find the words suitable for his satisfaction; for, in
a certain sense, it was his own diploma also. He had studied with
Adriana constantly. He had heard her lessons, and talked them over
with her, until they were as familiar to him as to her. As he walked
about his room that night, so happily sleepless, he examined himself
in history, geography, science and mathematics; and he gave Peter Van
Hoosen the credit he honestly deserved:

"Even I have not done badly," he said. "I am a great deal