An expensive whim certainly, far exceeding the original estimate of its cost; and Miss Patty bewailed the “wicked extravagance of squandering money that would have built a handsome church, and supported for life two missionaries in mid-China”; but Judge Dent encouraged and approved, reviving his classical studies to facilitate the successful accomplishment of the scheme.  When the structure was completed and Leo declared herself perfectly satisfied with the result, it was her uncle who had proposed to celebrate her twenty-fourth birthday by a mask-ball in which every costume should be classic, distinctively Roman or Greek; and where the mulsum dispensed to the guests should be mixed in a genuine Cratera.

To this brilliant fete, one cloudless June night, friends from distant States were invited; and fragrant with the breath of its glowing roses, the occasion became memorable, embalmed forever in Leo’s happy heart, because then and there, beside the fountain in the peristyle, she had pledged her hand and faith to Mr. Dunbar.

Sitting to-day in front of the library window, whence she had looped back the crimson curtains, to admit the November sunshine, Leo was absorbed in reading the description of the private Ambar-valia celebrated by Marius at “White Nights”.  Under the spell of the Apostle of Culture, whose golden precept:  “Be perfect in regard to what is here and now,” had appealed powerfully to her earnest exalted nature, she failed to observe the signals of her pet ring-doves cooing on the ledge outside.  Finally their importunate tapping on the glass arrested her attention, and she raised the sash and scattered a handful of rice and millet seed; whereupon a cloud of dainty wings swept down, and into the library, hovering around her sunny head, and pecking the food from her open palms.  One dove seemed particularly attracted by the glitter of the diamond in her engagement ring, and perched on her wrist, made repeated attempts to dislodge the jewel from its crown setting.  Playfully she shook it off several times, and amused by its pertinacity, finally closed her hands over it, and rubbed her soft cheek against the delicate silvery plumage.

“No, no, you saucy scamp!  I can’t afford to feed you on diamonds from my sacred ring!  Did you get your greedy nature from some sable Dodonean ancestress?  If we had lived three thousand years ago, I might be superstitious, and construe your freak into an oracular protest against my engagement.  Feathered augurs survive their shrines.  Clear out! you heretic!”

As she tossed it into the garden and closed the window, the portiere of the library was drawn aside, and her maid approached, followed by a female figure draped in a shawl and wearing a lofty turban.

“Miss Leo, Aunt Dyce wants to see you on some particular business.”

“Howdy do, Aunt Dyce?  It is a long time since you paid us a visit.  Justine, push up a chair for her, and then open the cages and let the birds out for an hour.  What is the matter, Aunt Dyce, you look troubled?  Sit down, and tell me your tribulations.”