It's long and tiresome; but still I can do it.

Come and see." She led the way to a writing-table in a corner of the room, and sat for awhile with the pen in her hand, thinking.

Her irresistible smile broke suddenly like a glow of light over her "Ah!" she exclaimed, "I know how to tell him what I think." Guiding the pen in her right hand with the fingers of her left she wrote slowly, in large childish characters, these words:--"DEAR MR.

OSCAR,--I have heard all about you.

Please send the little gold vase .-- Your friend, LUCILLA." She enclosed and directed the letter, and clapped her hands for joy.