expression of blank astonishment with which these words were received
would have been ludicrous but for the ominous thickening of his brows.

She laid her fingers on his arm, but he shook off the touch, and, scowling
sullenly, snatched the velvet case from her hand.

He went to town, and she met him no more till she was attired for the
party. Standing before the mirror in her own room she arranged the flowers
in her hair, and, when the leaves were disposed to suit her fastidious
taste, she took up a pearl set which he had given her years before,
intending to wear it. But just then raising her eyes, she saw her father's
image reflected in the glass. Without turning she put up her arms, and,
laying her head back on his shoulder, said eagerly--

"My dear, dear father, do let us be reconciled."

Clouds and moodiness melted from his handsome features as he bent over her
an instant, kissing her fondly; then his hands passed swiftly over her
neck, an icy shower fell upon it, and she was clothed with light.

"My beautiful child, wear your diamonds as a seal of peace. I can't let you
have the Pine Street lot--I want it for a different purpose; but I will
give you three acres on the edge of town, near the depot, for your asylum
whim. It is a better location every way for your project."

"Thank you, father. Oh! thank you more than words can express."

She turned her lips to one of the hands still lingering on her shoulder.

"Irene, look at yourself. Diana of Ephesus! what a blaze of glory!"

Two days before the marriage of Charles Harris and Maria Henderson had been
celebrated with considerable pomp, and the party to-night was given in
honour of the event by Mrs. Churchill, a widowed sister of Judge Harris.
She had spent several years in Paris superintending the education of a
daughter, whom she had recently brought home to reside near her uncle, and
dazzle all W---- with her accomplishments.

At ten o'clock there stood beneath the gas-lights in her elegant parlour a
human fleshy antithesis, upon which all eyes were riveted--Salome
Churchill--a dark imperious beauty, of the Cleopatra type, with very full
crimson lips, passionate or pouting as occasion demanded; brilliant black
eyes that, like August days, burned dewless and unclouded, a steady blaze;
thick, shining, black hair elaborately curled, and a rich tropical
complexion, clear and glowing as the warm blood that pulsed through her
rounded graceful form. She wore a fl