Very soon the white hand that wore the black agate, wandered across the daughter's silky hair.
"Yonder goes the train; and Mr. Palma will be here in a few minutes. How little I dreamed that cold, undemonstrative, selfish man would prove such a patient, tender lover! Truly—
'Beauty hath made our greatest manhoods weak.'
Kiss me, my darling, before you go to meet him. My blue-eyed baby! after to-morrow you will be mine no longer. In the hearts of wives husbands supplant mothers, and reign supreme. Do not speak, my love. Only kiss me, and go."
She bent over the face resting on her knee, and a moment after Regina, followed by the noble old dog, went down the circuitous walk leading to the iron gate. On either side stood deodar cedars, and behind one of these she sat down on a rustic seat.
She had not waited long when footsteps approached, and Mr. Palma's tall, handsome figure passed through the gate, accompanied by one who followed slowly.
"Lily!"
The lawyer passed his arm around her, drew her to his side, and whispered:
"I bring you glad tidings. I bring my darling a very precious bridal present—her father."
Turning quickly, he put her in Mr. Laurance's arms.