“I don’t know; I believe I admire the golden-haired one most.  She is a perfect fairy.  Come here, my love, and let me talk to you,” continued she, addressing Lilly.  The child clasped her sister’s fingers more firmly, and did not advance an inch.

“Do not hold her, Beulah.  Come to the lady, Lillian,” said Miss White.  As Beulah gently disengaged her hand, she felt as if the anchor of hope had been torn from her hold; but, stooping down, she whispered: 

“Go to the lady, Lilly darling; I will not leave you.”

Thus encouraged, the little figure moved slowly forward, and paused in front of the stranger.  Mrs. Grayson took her small, white hands tenderly, and, pressing a warm kiss on her lips, said in a kind, winning tone: 

“What is your name, my dear?”

“Lillian, ma’am; but sister calls me Lilly.”

“Who is ’sister’—­little Claudia here?”

“Oh, no; sister Beulah.”  And the soft blue eyes turned lovingly toward that gentle sister.

“Good Heavens, Alfred; how totally unlike!  This is one of the most beautiful children I have ever seen, and that girl yonder is ugly,” said the lady, in an undertone to her husband, who was talking to Claudia.  It was said in a low voice, but Beulah heard every syllable, and a glow of shame for an instant bathed her brow.  Claudia heard it too, and, springing from Mr. Grayson’s knee, she exclaimed angrily: 

“She isn’t ugly, any such thing; she is the smartest girl in the asylum, and I love her better than anybody in the world.”

“No, Beulah is not pretty, but she is good, and that is far better,” said the matron, laying her trembling hand on Beulah’s shoulder.  A bitter smile curled the girl’s lips, but she did not move her eyes from Lillian’s face.

“Fanny, if you select that plain-spoken little one you will have some temper to curb,” suggested Mr. Grayson, somewhat amused by Claudia’s burst of indignation.

“Oh, my dear husband, I must have them both.  Only fancy how lovely they will be, dressed exactly alike.  My little Lilly, and you Claudia, will you come and be my daughters?  I shall love you very much, and that gentleman will be your papa.  He is very kind.  You shall have big wax dolls, as high as your heads, and doll-houses, and tea-sets, and beautiful blue and pink silk dresses, and every evening I shall take you out to ride in my carriage.  Each of you shall have a white hat, with long, curling feathers.  Will you come and live with me, and let me be your mamma?”

Beulah’s face assumed an ashen hue, as she listened to these coaxing words.  She had not thought of separation; the evil had never presented itself in this form, and, staggering forward, she clutched the matron’s dress, saying hoarsely: 

“Oh, don’t separate us!  Don’t let them take Lilly from me!  I will do anything on earth, I will work my hands off.  Oh, do anything, but please, oh, please, don’t give Lilly up.  My own darling Lilly.”