“What is its name?” she asked, after contemplating her in silence for a moment.

“Virginia May Heath,” the woman replied, thinking the young lady very gracious.

“Oh, how pretty!  I suppose she will be called ‘May.’  She looks just like a little May blossom.”

“No, miss; they call her Virgie.  Madam would have preferred the other name, but her husband wanted her called for his wife, of whom he is very fond.”

Sadie Farnum’s face clouded at this.

“I presume that delicate lady whom I see occasionally walking here in the corridor is La—­is Mrs. Heath?” she said, more to make the nurse talk than because she desired information on this point.

“Yes, miss; the streets are so rough she does not care much for driving, and she must have some exercise.”

Virgie herself appeared in the doorway of her parlor at this moment, and smiled as she noticed the young lady admiring her baby.

Miss Farnum colored slightly, then said boldly, with a light laugh: 

“Pray do not think me very bold, Mrs. Heath, but I have been seeking an introduction to your little daughter.  She is very lovely, and I am so fond of babies.”

While she spoke her eyes had been fixed upon Virgie’s face, and she thought she had never looked upon any one more beautiful than this woman who was her rival—­for so she regarded her.

She wore a delicate blue lawn, trimmed profusely with filmy white lace; there was a dainty cap upon her head, while she had a few blush-roses fastened in her belt.  Every day she was growing stronger and better, and her beauty seemed to increase in proportion.

She bowed to Sadie, and smiled again as she remarked that it was rather unusual for young ladies to be so fond of children of that tender age.

“Then I am an exception to the rule, Mrs. Heath,” Miss Farnum answered; “but since I have made your daughter’s acquaintance, allow me to introduce myself to you also.  I am Sadie Farnum, and mamma and I are your nearest left-hand neighbors.”

“I am very glad to know you, Miss Farnum,” Virgie returned, graciously, and thinking her delightfully frank and pleasant.

She was really very glad to meet her in a less formal way than usual, and hoped they should be friends.

She had been feeling rather lonely of late, besides being depressed on account of her husband’s long silence; she had no acquaintances, and saw scarcely any one save the physician and her nurse.

“I am afraid mamma will think I have committed a shocking breach of etiquette,” Sadie went on; “but we are strangers in the city, and I have been longing to know you ever since our first meeting here in the corridor.  May I come in to see you occasionally, and this little darling?”

She concluded with such a winning air, as she stooped and lightly kissed the tiny pink face lying upon the nurse’s arm, that Virgie’s heart was entirely won.