t gives me great pleasure to welcome as a daughter one so highly
favored by nature with intellectual powers and such marked endowments
for a famous literary career. I am confident that the reputation of our
family will gain rather than lose by such an alliance."

"He thinks her books are going to sell," remarked Leopold to his wife.

Mrs. Nathaniel Adams Sawyer took Alice's hand in hers and kissed her
upon the cheek. "You will always be welcome, my daughter, at our home. I
know we shall learn to love you in time."

It was Florence's turn now. Like her mother, she took her new sister's
hand and gave her a society kiss on the cheek. Then she spoke: "As
mother said, I know I shall learn to love you, sister, in time."

A slight form dashed through the front parlor door, and throwing her
arms about Alice's neck, gave her a hearty kiss upon the lips. "My sweet
sister, Alice, I love you now, and I always shall love you, and I think
my brother Quincy is just the luckiest man in the world to get such a
nice wife."

Then abashed at her own vehemance, she got behind Aunt Ella, who said to
herself, "Maude has got some heart."

Dinner was announced. The Hon. Nathaniel Adams Sawyer offered his arm to
Mrs. Quincy Adams Sawyer, and they led the holiday procession. Sir
Stuart Fernborough, M.P., escorted Mrs. Sarah Quincy Sawyer; next came
Mr. Leopold Ernst and Miss Linda Fernborough Chessman, followed by Mr.
Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mrs. Leopold Ernst; behind them walked, arm in
arm, Mrs. Ella Quincy Chessman and Mdme. Rose Archimbault; while
bringing up the rear came the Misses Florence Estelle and Maude Gertrude
Sawyer. Maude had politely offered her arm to Florence, but the latter
had firmly declined to accept it. In this order they entered the
gorgeous dining-room and took their places at a table bearing evidences
of the greatest wealth, if not the greatest refinement, to partake of
their Christmas dinner.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

FERNBOROUGH.

Five years passed away, years of not unmixed happiness for any of those
with whom this story has made us acquainted. Quincy and Alice had
undergone a severe trial in the loss of two of the three little ones
that had been born to them; the remaining child was a fair little boy,
another Quincy, and upon him the bereaved parents lavished all the
wealth of their tenderness and affection.

In his political life, however, Quincy had found only smooth and
pleasant sailing, and thanks to