that
he was convinced how a stimulant would effect him. But, spite of all
her attempts at self-control, whenever the well remembered scene came
up before her, she was ready to cry out with anguish. The society of
Edward's mother, comforted, and reassured her. The son of such a
mother was exalted, if that were possible, in her opinion, and she
instinctively gathered renewed confidence in her own future
happiness.

During the day, Mrs. Sherman's penetrating eye was frequently fixed
upon Little Wolf, as if she would read her very soul, and the glimpses
which she caught, shining out in her words and actions were on the
whole satisfactory.

Louise, who was naturally rather yielding and dependent, involuntarily
deferred to her young companion, whose opinions were always
independent and often expressed with marked decision. In fact, before
the day was ended, Little Wolf's force of character was felt and
silently acknowledged; and little, and rosy, and curly though she was,
she had become a power in the Sherman family. But what beauty, what
sweetness, what love is potent when opposed to a depraved appetite?
But why anticipate?

As Edward was busy in his office the greater part of the day, and the
doctor in his professional duties, they saw but little of the ladies,
and Mrs. Sherman, anticipating their wishes, advised Little Wolf and
Louise to dress at an early hour of the evening, in order to enjoy a
quiet social hour all together before the party.

The mysteries of the toilet occupied more time than they had
calculated upon, and, just as they were in the midst of an important
discussion, as to whether pink or white flowers became Louise best,
they heard the gentlemen come in.

"There they come," said Louise, "I hear them in the parlor; do,
mother, tell them we are most ready!"

"Now Miss DeWolf," said she, turning to Little Wolf, as her mother
left the room, "how do you think I look?"

"Why you look like a prim puritan. The roses in your hair look as if
they had been taught to grow very properly all their lives and they
were not going to depart from early habits, even if they were going to
a 'hop.'"

"Now, do you think they look stiff?" said Louise anxiously.

"Just a little, Miss Louise."

"Please arrange them for me," said Louise, stepping up to Little Wolf.

Little Wolf gave the offending flowers several slight twiches, this
way, and that. "There, how do you think they look now," said she.

"O they do look