Will you let me stand on tiptoes and kiss you ?" and the cool, calm northern woman's eyes filled with tears, as she brought her younger children, one by one, for the Senora's caress.

The doctor and his son watched this pretty domestic drama with hearts full of pride and happiness; and before it had lost one particle of its beauty and feeling, the door was flung open with a vigor which made every one turn to it with expectation.

A splendid little lad sprang in, and without any consideration for satin and lace, clung to the Senora.

He was her image: a true Yturbide, young as he was; beautiful and haughty as his Castilian ancestors.
Isabel and Luis followed; Isabel more lovely than ever, richly dressed in American fashion, full of pretty enthusiasms, vivacious, charming, and quite at her ease.

She had been married eight years.