“She said, ‘Oh, no, dear madam, he is not my brother; but we were brought up together,’ and the old lady said ‘Ah!’ and then I handed my credentials, Sophie’s letter requesting the presence of Miss Aguilar. I swear madam did not seem inclined to comply! however, next day we set off by stage for New York, because Rose was afraid of water, and we travelled by coach as far as Baltimore, and then, as no stage runs this route, we were obliged to take a chaise, and oh! was not that a delightful journey,—a glimpse of Heaven, mother! a specimen of life in Paradise, those three days’ journey in the chaise! I and Rose alone; the dear girl, how many times she would get out to rest the horse and walk by my side while I led him up the hill! Now, mother, don’t forget; you’ll invite Rose, won’t you?” “Of course.” “You love Rose, don’t you?” “Yes, as a daughter.” “And you would take her for a daughter, wouldn’t you?” “Most willingly.” “That’s you, mother.” * * * * * Rosalia was in demand. That same morning Raymond Withers stood by the mantel-piece, his elbow resting upon the top, his head leaned upon his hand, his eyes bent down upon the slight figure of Hagar, whom he held in a half embrace with the other arm. “Hagar, love,” he said, in his flute-like tones. “Well, Raymond!” “What disposition is to be made of your cousin?” “Rosalia?” “Of course, Rosalia.” “She is to reside with Captain Wilde and Sophie.” “I want you to invite her to accompany us—to live with us, in fact,—to make one of our family.” Hagar was silent. “Well, Hagar?” She did not reply. “Will you invite her to-day, Hagar? we have but a few days left, and the child should know where she is going. Invite her to-day, Hagar—now!” Hagar’s eyes were rooted to the rug. “You do not reply, Hagar: perhaps you would rather _I_ should speak to her myself, and yet methinks it would beseem _you_ more; shall I invite Rosalia, or you?” “Just as you please.” “Then you speak to her, and let me know her decision, will you?” “Yes.” “When?” “At the first opportunity.” “You speak coldly, I had almost said sullenly, Hagar. Do you not like this plan?” “No.” “Why?” “Do not press me for a reason, Raymond; why should _you_ be so anxious for Rosalia to become an inmate of our family?” “First, because it is only common kindness to a young relative who is depending upon some of us to offer her a home; and secondly, because I am very much pleased with Rosalia, and think that she will be quite an acquisition to our fireside.” Her hand was in his as she stood by his side; but her forehead was bent forward against the lower part of the chimney-piece, so that her long, extremely long blue-black ringlets hung down below her stomacher, like a veil concealing her face, hiding the corrugating brow, gleaming eyes, flushed cheek, and quivering lips. “Miss Aguilar is not dependent for a home—her father left her a small property.”