“Margaret, and it means ‘a pearl.’ Papa sometimes calls her his ‘pearl of great price.’”
“Oh!” moaned Virgie from behind the draperies, as she caught these words, “a pearl of great price, indeed.”
Just then a door midway of the corridor opened and another lady came slowly down the lofty hall.
She was tall and commanding in figure; not so slight or graceful as Virgie, but possessing a sweet and gracious dignity that was exceedingly pleasing.
She was a perfect blonde, and her beautiful golden hair was gathered into a massive and graceful knot at the back of her head. Her eyes were blue, her cheeks delicately tinted with pink, and a rare, winning smile played about her sweet mouth.
She was dressed all in white. A robe of some soft clinging material was en traine, very artistically draped and elaborately trimmed with a profusion of white satin ribbons. She wore an elegant set of opals surrounded with diamonds, and was truly a beautiful and distinguished looking woman.
Her face gleamed with infinite tenderness as she drew near the children.
“Why, are you still playing together?” she asked, as she stopped beside them; “you seem inclined to be very friendly.”
“Yes, Virgie is a very nice girl to play with,” returned Master Heath, with the air of one paying a great compliment; “and see what she has given me, mamma,” he added, holding up a handful of toys.
“Do not let the little girl rob herself,” said his mother, in a voice of tender caution.