After parting compliments were exchanged, he turned to say, "Excuse me, young ladies, if, in memory of our fathers' friendship, I beg of you to command my services, as if I were a brother, should it ever be in my power to serve you." Rosabella thanked him with a slight inclination of her graceful head; and Floracita, dimpling a quick little courtesy, said sportively, "If some cruel Blue-Beard should shut us up in his castle, we will send for you." "How funny!" exclaimed the volatile child, as the door closed after him.

"He spoke as solemn as a minister; but I suppose that's the way with Yankees.

I think _cher papa_ likes to preach sometimes." Rosabella, happening to glance at the window, saw that Alfred King paused in the street and looked back.

How their emotions would have deepened could they have foreseen the future!.