“No such thing!  Never had a sweetheart in my life!  Don’t be silly, Hattie! mind your window, or I guess we shan’t see her.”

“Well, any how.  I heard Uncle Gray tell Mamma that he kissed his sweetheart’s hand at the party, and I saw Bro’ Felix kiss Lila’s last week.”

“I didn’t, Miss Earl!” cried the cripple, reddening as he spoke.

“Oh! he did, Miss Earl!  Stop pinching me, Bro’ Felix.  My arm is all black and blue, now.  There she is!  Look, here on my side!  Here is ‘Red Ridinghood!’”

Edna saw a little girl clad in scarlet, and led by a grave, middle-aged nurse, who was walking leisurely toward one of the lakes.

Felix put his head out of the window and called to the woman.

“Hannah, are going to feed the swans?”

“Good evening.  Yes, we are going there now.”

“Well, we will meet you there.”

“What is the child’s name?” asked Edna.

“Lila Manning, and she is deaf and dumb.  We talk to her on our fingers.”

They left the carriage, and approached the groups of children gathered on the edge of the water, and at sight of Felix, the little girl in scarlet sprang to meet him, moving her slender fingers rapidly as she conversed with him.  She was an exceedingly lovely but fragile child, apparently about Hattie’s age; and as Edna watched the changing expression of her delicate features, she turned to the nurse and asked: 

“Is she an orphan?”

“Yes, miss; but she will never find it out as long as her uncle lives.  He makes a great pet of her.”

“What is his name, and where does he live?”

“Mr. Douglass G. Manning.  He boards at No.—­Twenty-third street; but he spends most of his time at the office.  No matter what time of night he comes home, he never goes to his own room till he has looked at Lila, and kissed her good-night.  Master Felix, please don’t untie her hat, the wind will blow her hair all out of curl.”

For some time the children were much amused in watching the swans, and when they expressed themselves willing to resume their drive, an arrangement was made with Hannah to meet at the same place the ensuing day.  They returned to the carriage, and Felix said: 

“Don’t you think Lila is a little beauty?”

“Yes, I quite agree with you.  Do you know her uncle?”

“No, and don’t want to know him; he is too cross and sour.  I have seen him walking sometimes with Lila, and mamma has him at her parties and dinners; but Hattie and I never see the company unless we peep, and, above all things, I hate peeping!  It is ungenteel and vulgar; only poor people peep.  Mr. Manning is an old bachelor, and very crabbed, so my uncle Grey says.  He is the editor of the—­ Magazine, that mamma declares she can’t live without.  Look! look, Hattie!  There goes mamma this minute!  Stop, Patrick!  Uncle Grey!  Uncle Grey! hold up, won’t you, and let me see the new horses!”