though far from being beautiful, was showy and attractive. All the
embellishments of dress were called into requisition to enhance the
charms of nature, and to produce the illusion of youth. She always
sought the admiration of strangers, and Mr. St. James was sufficiently
distinguished in appearance to render him worthy of her fascinations. I
merely noticed that he had a fine person, a graceful air, and a musical
voice; then casting my eyes on the sea-green waters, over which our
light barge was bounding, I did not lift them again till we were near
the dark gray rocks of the Rip-Raps, and I beheld on the brink of the
stone steps we were to ascend, a tall and stately form, whose foam-white
locks were rustling in the breeze of ocean. There he stood, like the
statue of liberty, throned on a granite cliff, with waves rolling below
and sunbeams resting on his brow.

"As we stepped from the barge and ascended the rugged steps, the
chieftain bent his warlike figure and drew us to the platform with all
the grace and gallantry of youth. As I was the youngest of the party, he
received me with the most endearing familiarity. I almost thought he was
going to kiss me, so close he brought his bronzed cheek to mine.

"'God bless you, my child!' said he, taking both hands in his and
looking earnestly in my face. 'I knew your father well. He was a gallant
officer,--a noble, honest man. Peace to his ashes! The soldier fills an
honored grave.'

"This tribute to my father's memory filled my eyes with tears, while my
cheek glowed with gratified pride. I was proud that I was a soldier's
daughter, proud to hear his praise from the lips of valor and of rank.

"I had brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers as a girlish offering to
the veteran. I had been thinking of something pretty and poetical to say
when I presented it, but the words died on my lips, and I extended it in
silence with the trembling hand of diffidence.

"'Now,' said he, with a benignant smile, turning the flowers round and
round, as if admiring them all, 'I am the envy of every young man
present. They would all exchange the laurels of the soldier for the
blossoms gathered by the hand of beauty.'

"'Let me have the privilege of holding them for you, sir, while we
remain,' said Mr. St. James, with a courtly grace consistent with the
name he bore, and they were submitted with equal courtesy to his
keeping.

"These are trifles to relate, my Gabriella, but they had an influen