The darling did not know how much more one good woman can do to kill evil
than all the swords of the world in the hands of righteous heroes.



CHAPTER III.

A CHILD'S HOLIDAY.


When the next evening of our assembly came, I could see on Adela's face a
look of subdued expectation, and I knew now to what to attribute it: Harry
was going to read. There was a restlessness in her eyelids--they were
always rising, and falling as suddenly. But when the time drew near, they
grew more still; only her colour went and came a little. By the time we
were all seated, she was as quiet as death. Harry pulled out a manuscript.

"Have you any objection to a ballad-story?" he asked of the company
generally.

"Certainly not," was the common reply; though Ralph stared a little, and
his wife looked at him. I believe the reason was, that they had never
known Harry write poetry before. But as soon as he had uttered the title--
"_The Two Gordons_"--

"You young rascal!" cried his brother. "Am I to keep you in material for
ever? Are you going to pluck my wings till they are as bare as an egg?
Really, ladies and gentlemen," he continued, in pretended anger, while
Harry was keeping down a laugh of keen enjoyment, "it is too bad of that