away from that dear, precious, unknown mother, whose image had been,
since her earliest recollection, enshrined in her very heart of
hearts.




CHAPTER II

O lady! there be many things
That seem right fair above;
But sure not one among them all
Is half so sweet as love;--
Let us not pay our vows alone,
But join two altars into one.

--O. W. HOLMES

Here still is the smile that no cloud can o'ercast,
And the heart, and the hand, all thy own to the last.

--MOORE.


Mr. Horace Dinsmore was quite remarkable for his conversational
powers, and Rose, who had always heretofore found him a most
entertaining companion, wondered greatly at his silence on this
particular evening. She waited in vain for him to start some topic of
conversation, but as he did not seem disposed to do so, she at length
made the attempt herself, and tried one subject after another.