realize that ten years have elapsed since this picture was painted, and
that people are beginning to say as they examine it, "Mrs. Sylvester has
not yet lost her complexion, I see."

A break necessarily followed this disturbance, and before long Bertram
took his leave, not without a cordial pressure from his uncle's hand and
a look of kindly interest from the stranger lassie, upon whose
sympathetic and imaginative mind the hints let fall as to his former
profession, had produced a deep impression. With his departure Mrs.
Sylvester's weariness returned, and ere long she led the way to her
apartments up stairs. As Paula was hastening to follow Mr. Sylvester
stopped her.

"You will not allow this unfortunate occurrence," he said, with a slight
gesture towards the picture now standing with its face against the wall,
"to mar your first sleep under my roof, will you Paula, my child?"

"No, not if you say that you think Cousin Ona will not be likely to
connect it with my appearance here."

"I do not think she will; she is not superstitious and besides does not
seem to greatly regret the misfortune."

"Then I will forget it all and only remember the music."

"It was all you anticipated?"

"It was more."

"Sometime I will tell you about the player and the sweet young girl he
loves."

"Does he--" she paused, blushing; love was a subject upon which she had
never yet spoken to any one.

"Yes he does," Mr. Sylvester returned smiling.

"I thought there was a meaning in the music I did not quite understand.
Good night, uncle,"--he had requested her to address him thus though he
was in truth her cousin, "and many, many thanks."

But he stopped her again. "You think you will be happy in these rooms,"
said he; "you love splendor."

She was not yet sufficiently acquainted with his voice to detect the
regret underlying its kindly tone, and answered without suspicion. "I
did not know it before, but I fear that I do. It dazzled at first, but
now it seems as if I had reached a home towards which I had always been
journeying. I shall dream away hours of joy before each little ornament
that adorns your parlors. The very tiles that surround the fireplace
will demand a week of attention at least."

She ended with a smile, but unlike formerly he did not seem to catch the
infection. "I had rather you had cared less," said he, but instantly
regretted the seeming reproach, for her eyes filled with tears and the
tones of her voice t