Lilith, who had been standing by her husband at a little distance, lost in admiration, nudged old Adam.
"Fetch some can'les," she whispered, excitedly.
Virginia, with a little smile, took up the necklace, and her mother clasped it about her slender throat. Then the tiara was set and pinned upon her powdered curls, and Adam, coming forward with a candle in each hand, held the lights up before her.
"'Ginny, you must wear them to the ball!" cried Lucy, ecstatically.
Virginia had no time to reply, for her mother gently interposed: "They are not Virginia's yet, Lucy. She shall wear them on her wedding-day."
Charles Fairfield started slightly as his unfortunate eyes suddenly encountered those of Virginia, who, in her turn, flushed and bent her head.
"I shall never wear them, then," was on her tongue to say; but her brother interrupted.
"Charlie," he said, addressing his cousin, "come down to the river with me and see the moon rise. It's in the full to-night."
"Oh, may I come, too?" said Lucy, eagerly.
"No, Lucy; I need you here," interposed her mother, much annoyed with Vincent's want of tact.