"Oh, you are just too, too good to me! May I kiss you?
and may I call you Mamma Vi now ?" "Yes, indeed, if you can give me a little place in your heart," Violet answered, taking the little girl in her arms.
"Oh, a great big place!" cried Lulu, returning Vi's caresses with ardor.
"Mamma Vi! it's a very pretty name, and you are my own sweet, pretty new mamma! A great deal nicer than if you were old enough to be my real mother." "Ah, Lulu, it makes me very happy to hear all that!" said her father's voice behind her, and she felt his hand laid affectionately upon her head.
She turned round quickly.

"Ah, papa! how nice you look too! How is Gracie ?" "I left her sleeping comfortably a half hour ago, and have been making my toilet in another room.

Ah, my love!" gazing at Violet with proud, fondly-admiring eyes, "how very lovely you are!" "In my husband's partial eyes," she returned, looking up at him with a bright, sweet smile.
"In Lulu's, too, judging from what I heard her say just now," he said, turning his eyes upon his daughter again.

"Ah, how you have improved her appearance!" "Yes, papa, only see these lovely things she--Mamma Vi has given me!" cried Lulu, displaying her ornaments.
"A most generous gift," he said, examining the jewelry.

"These coral ornaments are costly, Lulu, and you must be careful of them.