nverse upon, and so forth. Not Juno and her
Court surveying our mortal requirements in divine independence of
fatigue, could have been more considerate for the shortcomings of
humanity. And while they were legislating this and that for others, they
still accepted hints for their own improvement, as those who have
Perfection in view may do. Lady Gosstre's carriage of her shoulders, and
general manner, were admitted to be worthy of study. "And did you notice
when Laura Tinley interrupted her conversation with Tracy Runningbrook,
how quietly she replied to the fact and nothing else, so that Laura had
not another word?"--"And did you observe her deference to papa, as
host?"--"And did you not see, on more than one occasion, with what
consummate ease she would turn a current of dialogue when it had gone far
enough?" They had all noticed, seen, and observed. They agreed that there
was a quality beyond art, beyond genius, beyond any special cleverness;
and that was, the great social quality of taking, as by nature, without
assumption, a queenly position in a circle, and making harmony of all the
instruments to be found in it. High praise of Lady Gosstre ensued. The
ladies of Brookfield allowed themselves to bow to her with the greater
humility, owing to the secret sense they nursed of overtopping her still
in that ineffable Something which they alone possessed: a casket little
people will be wise in not hurrying our Father Time to open for them, if
they would continue to enjoy the jewel they suppose it to contain.
Finally, these energetic young ladies said their prayers by the morning
twitter of the birds, and went to their beds, less from a desire for rest
than because custom demanded it.

Three days later Emilia was a resident in the house, receiving lessons in
demeanour from Cornelia, and in horsemanship from Wilfrid. She expressed
no gratitude for kindnesses or wonder at the change in her fortune, save
that pleasure sat like an inextinguishable light on her face. A splendid
new harp arrived one day, ticketed, "For Miss Emilia Belloni."

"He does not know I have a second Christian name," was her first remark,
after an examination of the instrument.

"'He?'" quoth Adela. "May it not have been a lady's gift?"

Emilia clearly thought not.

"And to whom do you ascribe it?"

"Who sent it to me? Mr. Pericles, of course."

She touched the strings immediately, and sighed.

"Are you discontented with the tone, child?" asked A