in the school
of pain; Yanna could see through his shy, sensitive, uncomplaining
manner that he had suffered, and was still suffering from the
conditions he described so graphically.

"We are at home," he said at length. "And, oh, Yanna! it has done me
so much good to speak to you. I have never said a word to any one
before. I felt this morning as if my heart must break."

"Come to me with every fresh joy or sorrow, Antony. What is a sister
for? See, there is cousin at the door!"

"Welcome, children!" was Miss Alida's cheerful greeting. "Was the
train late? I expected you an hour ago. In fact, I have been looking
for you, Adriana, ever since last Friday. Come, I will show you your
room. I am sure you have a headache, they heat those cars so
ferociously. Did Antony attend to your trunks? Is it not a charming
day? And after lunch we will go out and do some shopping. There is
always shopping to do--that is the one interest never lacking. How is
Cousin Peter? Did he fret at parting with you?" So she talked, as she
stirred the fire, and pointed out the comforts of the apartment ere
she left her guest to rest and refresh herself.

When the door closed, Adriana sat down with her hat in her hand, and
looked around her. The house was large, lofty and furnished with all
the splendid taste of the present era; and its atmosphere was
singularly quiet and cheerful. It gave her that sense of contentment
which comes from satisfied ideals; and she wondered vaguely at the
chain of circumstances which had brought Antony and herself under
Madame Zabriski's roof. Antony in no way appeared out of his place;
and yet culture, in its educational sense, had done nothing for him.
But he possessed naturally that serene, self-contained, courteous
manner which is the essence of good breeding; and in outward aspects
he had been wise enough not to trust his own judgment, but to wear
what his tailor decreed. Antony, therefore, was well-dressed, calm and
leisurely; the latter excellent society trait having been acquired to
perfection in the long, hot days of ranching life, when lounging was
the only thing possible, and a very little exertion went a very long
way.

As for herself, Adriana had no fears. She anticipated no social
contingency to which she would not be equal; and she found in her
relationship to her hostess all the surety she needed for her
position. But she did consider the propriety of rich costumes in rooms
so magnificent, and adm