As Mr. Noble’s wealth increased, the wish grew stronger to place Louisa in the midst of as much elegance as had surrounded her in childhood.  When the house at Pine Grove was unoccupied, they often went out there, and it was his delight to see her stand under the Gothic arch of trees, a beautiful tableau vivant, framed in vines.  It was a place so full of heart-memories to her, that she always lingered there as long as possible, and never left it without a sigh.  In one place was a tree her father had planted, in another a rose or a jessamine her mother had trained.  But dearest of all was a recess among the pine-trees, on the side of a hill.  There was a rustic garden-chair, where her father had often sat with her upon his knee, reading wonderful story-books, bought for her on his summer excursions to New York or Boston.  In one of her visits with Alfred, she sat there and read aloud from “Lalla Rookh.”  It was a mild winter day.  The sunlight came mellowed through the evergreens, a soft carpet of scarlet foliage was thickly strewn beneath their feet, and the air was redolent of the balmy breath of pines.  Fresh and happy in the glow of her fifteen summers, how could she otherwise than enjoy the poem?  It was like sparkling wine in a jewelled goblet.  Never before had she read anything aloud in tones so musically modulated, so full of feeling.  And the listener?  How worked the wine in him? A voice within said, “Remember your vow, Alfred! this charming Loo Loo is your adopted sister”; and he tried to listen to the warning.  She did not notice his tremor, when he rose hastily and said, “The sun is nearly setting.  It is time for my sister to go home.”

“Home?” she repeated, with a sigh. “This is my home.  I wish I could stay here always.  I feel as if the spirits of my father and mother were with us here.”  Had she sighed for an ivory palace inlaid with gold, he would have wished to give it to her,—­he was so much in love!

A few months afterward, Pine Grove was offered for sale.  He resolved to purchase it, and give her a pleasant surprise by restoring her to her old home, on her sixteenth birth-day.  Madame Labasse, who greatly delighted in managing mysteries, zealously aided in the preparations.  When the day arrived, Alfred proposed a long ride with Loo Loo,—­in honor of the anniversary; and during their absence, Madame, accompanied by two household servants, established herself at Pine Grove.  When Alfred returned from the drive, he proposed to stop and look at the dear old place, to which his companion joyfully assented.  But nothing could exceed her astonishment at finding Madame Labasse there, ready to preside at a table spread with fruit and flowers.  Her feelings overpowered her for a moment, when Alfred said, “Dear sister, you said you wished you could live here always; and this shall henceforth be your home.”

“You are too good!” she exclaimed, and was about to burst into tears.  But he arrested their course by saying, playfully, “Come, Loo Loo, kiss my hand, and say, ‘Thank you, Sir, for buying me.’  Say it just as you did six years ago, you little witch!”