"Yes; I've a miniature of her. She was beautiful. I'm like my father—"
"And you're beautiful!" cried Patty, kissing her. "Oh, Zaly,—I can't call you anything else! what a story you have told us!"
"And now, let's proceed to forget it," said Farnsworth, in his big, genial way. "You and I'll talk it over a little when we're alone,—but just now, I adopt you as my cousin,—I'm proud to have an Adams in my family, even if only by adoption! Your escapade was a wild one,—er—Alice,—but it was an escapade,—not a crime. And for my part, you are fully and freely forgiven, and—here's where Patty takes up the theme."
"I do," said Patty; "and I add my full and free forgiveness to Little Billee's and I invite you to come right back to Wistaria Porch and make us a long visit,—as Alice Adams."
"And we thank you, Miss Grayson," Farnsworth said, "for restoring our lost cousin, and at the same time giving us a new one!"
Miss Grayson laughed. "It's been a perfect show for me," she said; "I think it's all more dramatic than any play I ever acted in."
"Come, Alice, dear," Van Reypen said, with an air of proprietorship, "where's your coat?"
Shyly, Alice looked up at him.
"Are you sure you want me?" she said.
"Sure I want an Adams? Well, rather! I never aspired to such a renowned name for my fiancée! My own family pride is humbled to the dust."