Then her father came hurrying into the room, and behind him she who had been Ida Slome, radiant and triumphant, in her plum-colored array, with the same smile with which she had departed on her beautiful face.

Harry caught Maria in his arms, rubbed his cold face against her soft little one, and kissed her.
"How is father's little girl ?" he asked, with a break in his voice.
"Pretty well, thank you," replied Maria.

She gave a helpless little cling to her father, then she stood away.
"Speak to your new mother, darling," said Harry.
"How do _You do_ ?" said Maria, obediently, and Ida said, "You darling," and then kissed her exactly as if she had been an uncommonly well-constructed doll, with a clock-work system which fitted her to take such a part with perfect accuracy.
Harry watched his wife and daughter rather anxiously.

He seized the first opportunity to ask Maria, aside, if she had been well, and if she had been happy and comfortable at Mrs.White's.

Then he wound up with the rather wistful inquiry: "You are going to love your new mother, aren't you, darling?
Don't you think she is lovely ?" Ida had gone up-stairs with Miss Holmes, to remove her wraps.
"Yes, sir, I think She is lovely," replied Maria..