ature. She
possesses great intellectual independence, and her preferences are
decided, usually inclining to the bold and strong. She is fond of
Macaulay's 'Heroic Lays of Many Lands;' she rejoices in Becky Sharp;
and there is a tradition that she learned to read in the works of
Thackeray, spelling out the words of that magnificent novel, Henry
Esmond.

"Celina has explored the treasures of classic lore in music and
literature. Homer, Herodotus, Plato, she has read, with Tasso and his
chivalrous lays, and Spenser and his stately verse. In music, Glueck
and Gretry, Beethoven and Boieldieu's dulcet tones have helped to
fashion her musical mind.

"But we must not dismiss our heroines without indicating the toilettes
that most become them. Velvets and rich brocade befit the Lady Lela's
superb figure. Scarlet is her color, and diamonds her essential
ornament. The moss-rose should be her favorite flower.

"Soft gray or pale azure of light fabrics do best agree with Majoli's
sylph-like form. Pearls and feathers are consonant to her artistic
taste. Her emblematic flower is the lily, of sacred and legendary lore.

"All shades and fabrics of whatever texture harmonize with
Guerrabella's style. Ample should be the folds that habit her majestic
figure, and brilliant the gems that are to rival her flashing,
sparkling eyes: yet we might indicate _couleur de rose_ as best
blending with her own exquisite tints, and the opal with its mysterious
light as in some way prefiguring her genius and high destiny.

"And how shall we vest our _mignonne_--Celina? Gossamer tissues,
fabrics of airy texture--a magic web for the daintiest Lady in our
Land. No color of human invention; their dyes would oppress her.
_White_ with a gleam of moonlight upon it; a reflection of the aura of
her hair, or the first pale beams of the morning. Other gems would I
not but those wondrous starlike eyes, to light up a face radiant with
thought and sensibility."

[1] For Lilian, Ida's second name.

CHAPTER XIII.

Biography of Mr. Greeley--Gabrielle's Questions--Mrs. Cleveland's
Corrections--The Boy Horace not Gawky, Clownish, or a Tow-head--His
Parents not in Abject Want--Mr. Greeley's Letter about his Former
Playmates--Young Horace and his Girl Friends--He Corrects their Grammar
and Lectures them upon Hygiene--He disapproves of Corsets.

_July 10_.

"Auntie, is it possible," said Gabrielle, indignantly running into
mamma's room wit