n the dusky hall a few hot tears fell
on the baby's hair, and her new nurse lingered long after the lullaby
was done. When she reappeared the girlish dress was gone, and she was
Madam Moor again, as her husband called her when she assumed her stately
air. All smiled at the change, but he alone spoke of it.

"I win the applause, Sylvia; for I sustain my character to the end,
while you give up before the curtain falls. You are not so good an
actress as I thought you."

Sylvia's smile was sadder than her tears as she briefly answered--

"No, I find I cannot be a child again."

CHAPTER XV.

EARLY AND LATE.

One of Sylvia's first acts when she rose was most significant. She shook
down her abundant hair, carefully arranged a part in thick curls over
cheeks and forehead, gathered the rest into its usual coil, and said to
herself, as she surveyed her face half hidden in the shining cloud--

"It looks very sentimental, and I hate the weakness that drives me to
it, but it must be done, because my face is such a traitor. Poor
Geoffrey! he said I was no actress; I am learning fast."

Why every faculty seemed sharpened, every object assumed an unwonted
interest, and that quiet hour possessed an excitement that made her own
room and countenance look strange to her, she would not ask herself, as
she paused on the threshold of the door to ascertain if her guests were
stirring. Nothing was heard but the sound of regular footfalls on the
walk before the door, and with an expression of relief she slowly went
down. Moor was taking his morning walk bareheaded in the sun. Usually
Sylvia ran to join him, but now she stood musing on the steps, until he
saw and came to her. As he offered the flower always ready for her, he
said smiling--

"Did the play last night so captivate you, that you go back to the
curls, because you cannot keep the braids?"

"A sillier whim than that, even. I am afraid of those two people; and as
I am so quick to show my feelings in my face, I intend to hide behind
this veil if I get shy or troubled. Did you think I could be so artful?"

"Your craft amazes me. But, dearest child, you need not be afraid of
Faith and Adam. Both already love you for my sake, and soon will for
your own. Both are so much older, that they can easily overlook any
little short-coming, in consideration of your youth. Sylvia, I want to
tell you something about Adam. I never spoke of it before, because,
although no promise of s