between the two loving and excited women. No
king could have received more sincere or delighted
homage. He was a man, come into a household
of women,--a man of whom they were proud, and
to whom they looked up with fond reverence.
For he was not only a son,--a brother--but he
represented to them the world from which circum stances
had shut them out, and to which distance
lent even more than its usual enchantment; and
they felt nearer to this far-off world because of the
glory which Warwick reflected from it.

"You're a very pretty girl," said Warwick,
regarding his sister thoughtfully. "I followed
you down Front Street this morning, and scarcely
took my eyes off you all the way; and yet I
didn't know you, and scarcely saw your face.
You improve on acquaintance; to-night, I find you
handsomer still."

"Now, John," said his mother, expostulating
mildly, "you'll spile her, if you don't min'."

The girl was beaming with gratified vanity.
What woman would not find such praise sweet
from almost any source, and how much more so
from this great man, who, from his exalted station
in the world, must surely know the things whereof
he spoke! She believed every word of it; she
knew it very well indeed, but wished to hear it