disappointment, or even aware of it. His excitement melted away
before a certain lazy ease, which the consciousness of their beauty
seemed to give them. He was able to put a few courteous inquiries,
and, thanks to the paragraph in the "Record," to congratulate them
upon their father's improvement.

"Oh, pa is a great deal better in his health, and has picked up
even in the last few days, so that he is able to walk round with
crutches," said the elder sister. "The air here seems to
invigorate him wonderfully."

"And you know, Esther," said the younger, "I think he begins to
take more notice of things, especially when he is out-of-doors. He
looks around on the scenery, and his eye brightens, as if he knew
all about it; and sometimes he knits his brows, and looks down so,
as if he was trying to remember."

"You know, I suppose," exclaimed Esther, "that since his seizure
his memory has been a blank--that is, three or four years of his
life seem to have been dropped out of his recollection."

"It might be a mercy sometimes, Senora," said Don Caesar, with a
grave sigh, as he looked at the delicate features before him, which
recalled the face of the absent Mamie.

"That's not very complimentary," said the younger girl, laughingly;
"for pa didn't recognize us, and only remembered us as little
girls."

"Vashti!" interrupted Esther, rebukingly; then, turning to Don