"The year I was at Vienna, and Robert went out to China. That was
eleven years ago. She must be the very child, for she is only
eighteen. They sent her to Miss Heath's to grow a little older, for
though she was at the head of everything at the asylum, she looks so
childish that they can't send her out as a governess. Did you see
her, mother?"

"Oh, no! I never had anything to do with her; but if she is daughter
to a friend of Robert's—-"

Mother and son looked at each other in congratulation. Robert was
the stepson, older by several years, and was viewed as the
representative of sober common sense in the family. Joe and his
mother did like to feel a plan quite free from Robert's condemnation
for enthusiasm or impracticability, and it was not the worse for his
influence, that he had been generally with his regiment, and when
visiting them was a good deal at the United Service Club. He had
lately married an heiress in a small way, retired from the army, and
settled in a house of hers in a country town, and thus he could give
his dicta with added weight.

Only a parent or elder brother would, however, have looked on "Joe"
as a youth, for he was some years over thirty, with a mingled air of
keenness, refinement, and alacrity about his slight but active form,
altogether with the air of some implement, not meant for ornament but
for use, and yet absolutely beautiful, through perfection of polish,
finish, applicability, and a sharpness never meant to wound, but
deserving to be cherished in a velvet case.