se."

"I should like to know how many wives he has already, before I take that
step, so that I may know how strong a fortification my eyes need against
finger-nails."

"Fie, Della! the General has never been married, and you will no doubt
occupy the first place in his heart."

"I have always hoped that when I married such might be my lot, but it
cannot be in this case, I know. If General Delville has lived in
New-Orleans till he has grown old enough to be my grandfather, he can't
have much of a heart left."

"Della, you astonish me!" said her father, with the frown deepening.
"One would think you had no ambition whatever to make a good match."

"Papa, do you love me at all?"

Mr. Delancey started at the abrupt question, and gazed upon his daughter
in surprise.

"Love you, Della? the whole of my heart is centred in you."

Della sighed, as if the answer did not quite please her, and taking her
father's proffered arm, went down the broad staircase, and into the
magnificent drawing-room.

Wealth, and beauty, and state, and grandeur, all were there; yet first,
and fairest, and brightest, shone the merchant's daughter. The happy
father and proud mother watched her, as with a light step she flitted
through the thronged rooms, the "observed of all observers," and there
was a light in her eye, an animation in her tread, and a glow on her
cheek, which was all the more beautiful for being rare.

She leant upon Mr. Delville's arm, the envied object of many a young
heart there; and when seated at the harp, her clear, unaffected voice
rose in strains of thrilling melody. General Delville was at her side,
listening with earnest attention, and turning the leaves of her music
with all the grace of a more youthful courtier.

Aware, as he was, of the sanction of the father and the eagerness of the
mother, it was no wonder that the General strove to win to his withered
heart so fair a flower. He had been a great traveler, and had feasted
his eyes on the beautiful women of the East, and the more frigid
beauties of northern climes. He had been courted rather than courting,
and had gone through life dreading to take to his heart a wife, lest,
when too late, he should find his wealth had been the talisman that drew
her there.

But in Della, he thought he saw a sweet and guileless girl; and put
forth all his attractive powers of conversation and graces of person
(which, old as he was, became him well,) to interest her in himself.