_Her_ mouth never gave way; not even when Dolce, conceiving that all this cheering called upon him to do something, rose up and looking right into Daisy's face wagged his tail in the blandest manner of congratulation.

Daisy did not wince; and an energetic "Down, Dolce, down!"-- brought the St.Bernard to his position again, in the very meekness of strength; and then the people clapped for Daisy and the dog together.

At last the curtain fell.
[Illustration] "Well, that will do," said Mrs.Sandford.
"Dolce--you rascal!" said Preston, as the great creature was now wagging his tail in honour of his master,--"how came you to forget your business in that style, sir ?" "I do not think it really hindered the effect at all, Preston," said Mrs.Sandford.

"Daisy kept her countenance so well." "Yes,--if Fortitude had smiled!--" said Theresa, "Mrs.Sandford, is it out of character for Fortitude to smile ?" "It would be out of character for Portia, just at this crisis--so take care of her." "What made them make such a great noise, Daisy ?" said Nora while Daisy was getting undressed.
"I suppose they liked the picture," said Daisy.
"But they made a great deal more noise than they did for anybody else," said Nora.
"I suppose they liked the picture better than they liked any of the others," said Ella Stanfield.

"I know they did, for I was in the other room.