trained her lovely voice with happy industry, Rose and her uncle
roamed about in the most delightful way till two years were gone
like a dream and those at home clamored for their return.
Back they came, and now the heiress must make ready to take her
place, for at twenty-one she came into possession of the fortune
she had been trying to learn how to use well. Great plans
fermented in her brain, for, though the heart was as generous as
ever, time had taught her prudence and observation shown her that
the wisest charity is that which helps the poor to help themselves.
Dr. Alec found it a little difficult to restrain the ardor of this young
philanthropist who wanted to begin at once to endow hospitals,
build homes, adopt children, and befriend all mankind.
“Take a little time to look about you and get your bearings, child.
The world you have been living in is a much simpler, honester one
than that you are now to enter. Test yourself a bit and see if the old
ways seem best after all, for you are old enough to decide, and
wise enough to discover, what is for your truest good, I hope,” he
said, trying to feel ready to let the bird escape from under his wing
and make little flights alone.
“Now, Uncle, I’m very much afraid you are going to be
disappointed in me,” answered Rose with unusual hesitation yet a
very strong desire visible in her eyes. “You like to have me quite
honest, and I’ve learned to tell you all my foolish thoughts so I’ll
speak out, and if you find my wish very wrong and silly, please say
so, for I don’t want you to cast me off entirely, though I am grown
up. You say, wait a little, test myself, and try if the old ways are
best. I should like to do that, and can I in a better way than leading
the life other girls lead? Just for a little while,” she added, as her
uncle’s face grew grave.
He was disappointed, yet acknowledged that the desire was natural
and in a moment saw that a trial of this sort might have its
advantages. Nevertheless, he dreaded it, for he had intended to
choose her society carefully and try to keep her unspoiled by the
world as long as possible, like many another fond parent and
guardian. But the spirit of Eve is strong in all her daughters
forbidden fruit will look rosier to them than any in their own
orchards, and the temptation to take just one little bite proves
irresistible to the wisest. So Rose, looking out from the safe
seclusion of her girlhood into the woman’s kingdom which she was
about to take possession of, felt a sudden wish to try its pleasures
before assuming its responsibilities, and was too sincere to hide
the longing.
“Very well, my dear, try it if you like, only take care of your health
be temperate in your gaiety and don’t lose more than you gain, if
that is possible,” he added under his breath, endeavoring to speak
cheerfully and not look anxious.
“I know it is foolish, but I do want to be a regular butterfly for a
little while and see what it is like. You know I couldn’t help seeing
a good deal of fashionable life abroad, though we were not in it,
and here at home the girls tell me about all sorts of pleasant things
that are to happen this winter, so if you won’t despise me very
much, I should like to try it.?
“For how long??
“Would three months be too long? New Year is a good time to take
a fresh start. Everyone is going to welcome me, so I must be gay in
spite of myself, unless I’m willing to seem very ungrateful and
morose,” said Rose, glad to have so good a reason to offer for her
new experiment.
“You may like it so well that the three months may become years.
Pleasure is very sweet when we are young.?
“Do you think it will intoxicate me??
“We shall see, my dear.?