soft, intensely black hair must have come to her from a Spanish
ancestor. So also did the delicately marked black brows and the
black lashes to her dark and very lovely blue eyes; but the clear
complexion, the cheeks with the tenderest bloom on them, the softly
dimpled lips red as coral, and the little teeth white as pearls were
true Irish characteristics.

Nora waited for a moment after Hannah had left her, then, shading
her eyes from the westerly sun by one hand, she turned slowly and
went into the house.

"Where is mother, Pegeen?" she said to a rough-looking, somewhat
slatternly servant who was crossing the hall.

"In the north parlor, Miss Nora."

"Come along, then, Creena; come along, Cushla," said the girl,
addressing two handsome black Pomeranians who rushed to meet her.
The dogs leaped up at her with expressions of rapture, and girl and
dogs careered with a wild dance across the great, broad hall in the
direction of the north parlor. Nora opened the door with a somewhat
noisy bang, the dogs precipitated themselves into the room, and she
followed.

"Ah, then, mother dear! and have I disturbed you?" she said.

A pale-faced lady, who was lying full-length on a very old and hard
sofa, rose with a querulous expression on her face when Nora entered.

"I wish someone would teach you thoughtfulness," she said; "you are