dear. A real wood violet now, in your pretty purple
robe," said Corona, with assumed gayety, as she returned the little
creature's embrace, and went with her into the house.

"I am going to send the carriage to the stable. You shall spend the
afternoon and evening with me, whether you will or not, and whether the
handsome lover breaks his heart or not!" exclaimed Violet, as they
entered the parlor.

"Don't trouble yourself, dear. See, the man is driving around to the
stable now, and I have come, not only to spend the afternoon, but the
night with you," said Cora, sitting down and beginning to unfasten her
fur cloak. "Will my uncle be late in returning this evening?"

"Fabian? Oh, no! this is his early day. He will be home very soon now.
But where did you leave his grace? Why did he not escort you here?"
inquired the little lady.

"Have you not heard that he has left Rockhold?" asked Corona, in her
turn.

"Why, no. I have heard nothing about him since the night of the dinner
given in honor of your betrothal. Are you tired, Cora, dear? You look
tired. Shall I show you to your room, where you may bathe your face?"
inquired Violet, noticing for the first time the pale and weary aspect
of her visitor.

"No; but you may bring the baby here to see me."

"My baby? Oh, the little angel has just been put to sleep--its afternoon
sleep. Come into the nursery, and I will show it to you," exclaimed the
proud and happy mother, starting up and leading the way to the upper
floor and to a front room over the library, fitted up beautifully as a
nursery. Corona, on entering, was conscious of a blending of many soft
bright colors, and of a subdued rainbow light, like the changes of the
opal.

Violet led her directly to the cradle, an elegant structure of fine
light wood, satin and lace, in which was enshrined the jewel, the
treasure, the idol of the household--a tiny, round-headed, pink-faced
little atom of humanity, swathed in flannel, cambric and lace, and
covered with fine linen sheets trimmed with lace, little lamb's-wool
blankets embroidered with silk, and a coverlet of satin in alternate
tablets of rose, azure and pearl tablets.

The delighted mother and the admiring visitor stood gazing at the babe,
and talking in low tones for ten or fifteen minutes perhaps, and were
then admonished by the nurse--an experienced woman--that it was not good
for such young babies to be looked over and talked over so long when
they were asle