The marble-paved floor, the domed ceiling, the carved, and statued, and pictured walls, were quite grand in the blaze of a great chandelier.

An instant later, and a loud knock made the house ring, and Babette flung the front door wide open.

A stalwart gentleman, buttoned up in a great-coat, with a young lady on his aim, strode in.
"Quite a Canadian baptism, papa," the silvery voice of the young lady said; "I am almost drenched." Grace heard this, and caught a glimpse of Captain Danton's man, Ogden, gallanting a pretty, rosy girl, who looked like a lady's maid, and then, very, very pale, advanced to meet her master and his daughter.
"My dear Miss Grace," the hearty voice of the sailor said, as he grasped her hand, "I am delighted to see you.

My daughter Kate, Miss Grace." My daughter Kate bowed in a dignified manner, scarcely looking at her.
Her eyes were fixed on a smaller, slighter figure shrinking behind her.
"Hallo, Eeny!" cried the Captain, catching her in his arms; "trying to play hide-and-go-seek, are you?
Come out and let us have a look at you." He held her up over his head as if she had been a kitten, and kissed her as he set her down, laughing and breathless.
"You little whiff of thistle-down, why can't you get fat and rosy as you ought?
There, kiss your sister Kate, and bid her welcome." Eeny looked timidly up, and was mesmerized at one glance.

Two lovely eyes of starry radiance looked down into hers, and the loveliest face Eeny ever saw was lighted with a bewitching smile.