Percival were waiting, and that the lady and her uncle looked at her
expectantly, she arose and accompanied the two from the room.

"What a warm-hearted child she is," observed the lady to the doctor.

"She is indeed," agreed he. "And as beautiful as warm-hearted. Would
that Beatrice were more like her."

"Pardon me, Doctor Raymond; I was not speaking of your niece, but of
your daughter." The lady's surprise was obvious. "Your niece is an
exceedingly beautiful girl, but she has not the depth of character that
your daughter has. What Percival said of her appreciation of music was
true, although the boy should not have uttered it. Beatrice's judgment
is much better in such things than her cousin's."

"You amaze me, madam," gasped the scientist. "Adele seems to me to be
very sensitive to the beautiful, and extremely appreciative of the
poetry of life. Beatrice is of a more practical turn of mind. A mind of
much vigor and strength, I grant, but still uninclined toward those
things that make life graceful."

"Doctor Raymond," spoke Mrs. Medulla quickly, "there is no nature that
is deficient in its musical phrase, least of all a personality like your
daughter's. In her direct and genuine nature there is a 'Leitmotif' of
pure sweet melody that will enrich the life of its discoverer. It awaits
only the master touch. Will you be the one to give it?"

"What do you mean?" asked the Lepidopterist.

"This," she said, speaking warmly. "Beatrice is a warm-hearted, loving,
impulsive girl. She needs very tender guidance just at this time to
develop into the noble woman that she is capable of becoming. The child
is doing much for herself, but you should aid her. No doubt you will
consider the liberty unwarranted, but it must be excused by the interest
I take in her. Your niece is a very lovely girl. Any other girl who is
brought into relationship with her falls into second place unless she is
as beautiful. Beatrice was associated with her for ten years in her
home. Naturally she took second place there. If you are not careful she
will be second in your home and heart also."

"Really," began Doctor Raymond with some stiffness.

"Mamma, mamma!" Percival broke into the room followed by the two
cousins. "I don't like Adele one bit. She is wearing Beatrice's new hat;
and she shouldn't."

"Percival!" exclaimed Mrs. Medulla in shocked tones.

"I don't care," cried the lad shrilly. "I don't want her to wear my
chum's things."

"I