Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/274

 have already said, you have my best wishes in this matter One somewhat selfish motive I adverted to a short while ago. But there are others. I knew and admired your father; your mother was my wife's dearest friend; and I, for some reason, feel strongly drawn toward you. I therefore venture to advise you as I would a son. You have, I understand, a sister, to whom you are much attached. Well, my advice is, that you behave toward Reva, meanwhile, much as you would toward that beloved sister. You, I can easily see, are deeply in love with Reva; but she as yet has merely a liking for you. You must allow this liking to develop into a stronger feeling; but take care to avoid the error, common in such cases, of rendering your presence a burden by too obtrusive attentions."

At this moment Reva made her appearance in the doorway. She had made some slight changes in her costume. In one hand she carried one of those graceful hats worn by girls when going in the sun. In the other she held an arrow-shaped metallic ornament, the use of which I easily divined, having frequently seen them in use. With this, under her direction, her father fastened the coil into which she gathered her beautiful locks. In thus performing the office usually assigned to the mother, Hulmar was but acting in conformity with an established variation from the ordinary procedure.

"Now I am ready," she said gayly, after rewarding her father's assistance with a kiss,—assistance in which the intention was better than the performance; for, during the ride, the beautiful tresses tumbled down. I enjoyed the privilege of replacing the fastening, though