ately for her flattering estimate
of me, I must disclaim all polyglot proclivities, and have no
intention of eclipsing Mezzofanti, Max Muller, or Giovanni Pico
Mirandola. I needed, for a special purpose, a limited acquaintance
with Italian; and, as I have attained what I desired, I shall not
trouble myself much longer with dictionaries and grammars."

"And that special purpose--"

"Concerns nobody else, consequently I keep it to myself."

He turned from her and advanced to meet his ward, who came rapidly
forward, holding out both hands.

"Doctor, where have you been all day? I did not see you at breakfast
or dinner, and it seems quite an age since yesterday afternoon. You
see I am moping, horribly."

"My dear child, I see you are looking pale and weary, which is overt
and unpardonable treason. I sent for you to ask if it would be
agreeable to you to walk, or drive with me."

"Certainly,--either or both."

She had placed her hands in his, and stood looking up joyfully into
his quiet countenance.

"Get your hat, while I order my buggy brought to the door."

"Thank you, my dear doctor. The very thing I longed for, as I noticed
you riding up the avenue. I never saw you on horseback until to-day.
It is a delightful evening for a drive."

She gaily swung his hands, like a gratified child, and started off
for her hat, but, ere she crossed the threshold, turned back, and,
walking up to her guardian, laid her arm on his shoulder and whispered
something.

He laughed, and put his hand under her chin, saying, as he did so,--

"Little witch! How did you know it?"

Her reply was audible only to the ears for which it was framed, and
she darted away, evidently much happier than she had seemed for many
days.

While awaiting her return, Dr. Grey picked up her sketch-book, and was
examining the contents, when Salome rose and hurried towards the door.
As she passed him, his back was turned, and her muslin dress swept
within reach of his spur, which caught the delicate fabric. She
impatiently jerked the dress to disengage it, but it clung to the
steel points, and a long rent was made in the muslin. With a
half-smothered ejaculation, she tried to wrench herself free, but the
dress only tore across the breadth from seam to seam. Dr. Grey turned,
and stooped to assist her.

"Wait an instant, Salome; you have almost ruined your dress."

He was endeavoring to disentangle the shreds from the jagged edge of
the spur, but she