I will sit with you as much as I can; and when I am absent you must try to be a good, quiet child." "I will try to be good, because I don't want to trouble you, Mamita Lila; but you know I can't be quiet in my mind.

I did long for the opera; but unless Mr.Fitzgerald brought Rosa with him, and I could see her before I went, it would almost kill me to hear Norma; for every part of it is associated with her." After breakfast, Mrs.Delano sat some time in Flora's room, inspecting her recent drawings, and advising her to work upon them during the day, as the best method of restraining restlessness.

While they were thus occupied, Carlina brought in a beautiful bouquet for Miss Delano, accompanied with a note for the elder lady, expressing Mr.Green's great regret at being deprived of the pleasure of their company for the evening.
"I am sorry I missed seeing him," thought Mrs.Delano; "for he is always so intimate with Southerners, I dare say he would know all about Mr.Fitzgerald; though I should have been at a loss how to introduce the inquiry." Not long afterward Mr.Percival called, and had what seemed to Flora a very long private conference with Mrs.Delano.The information he brought was, that the lady with Mr.Fitzgerald was a small, slight figure, with yellowish hair and very delicate complexion.
"That is in all respects the very opposite of Flora's description of her sister," rejoined Mrs.Delano.
Their brief conversation on the subject was concluded by a request that Mr.Percival would inquire at Civita Vecchia for the earliest vessels bound either to France or England.
Mrs.Delano could not at once summon sufficient resolution to recount all the particulars to Flora; to whom she merely said that she considered it certain that her sister was not with Mr.Fitzgerald.
"Then why can't I go right off to the United States to-day ?" exclaimed the impetuous little damsel.
"Would you then leave Mamita Lila so suddenly ?" inquired her friend; whereupon the emotional child began to weep and protest.

This little scene was interrupted by Carlina with two visiting-cards on a silver salver.

Mrs.Delano's face flushed unusually as she glanced at them.
She immediately rose to go, saying to Flora: "I must see these people; but I will come back to you as soon as I can.