ess of all of us is admirable."

"Yes," said Colonel Carleton, "Cora has made a very pleasant sounding
plan, but I am not as sure as my little daughter appears to be, that we
shall be able to carry out the whole of it, for when we land in
Virginia, Miss Vyvyan, your cousin, Ronald Fairfax, may have something
to say in the matter. From what Ada has already told me, you seem to
have felt great interest in poor Ralph, and he and Ronald so much
resembled each other in all respects that it was almost impossible to
distinguish them. Pardon me, if I say that I sincerely hope you may take
an interest in Ronald; besides the affection that existed between these
two brothers was so profound that Ronald will desire to show his
gratitude to you for your kind care of one so dear to him. How is he to
do it? I only see one way."

The next few days passed by very quickly, as every one was busily
engaged in making their preparations for the voyage. Full of autumn
beauty, the last day arrived, and the boat with its crew waited on the
beach for the family from the castle.

"Oh dear," said Cora, who was standing in the green parlor all ready to
start, with her arms full of her favorite golden rod and fall asters,
"how could I forget to pick up some of those shells which I like so
much; I wanted to take some to give to all of them at home, I am so
sorry."

"There will still be time enough to get some before we embark, Cora; you
shall have some, dear," said Miss Vyvyan.

"Why Anna," said Mrs. Carleton, "you are surely not going down to the
breakers to-day; I fear you will wear your life out for Cora's sake."

"Never mind me, Ada," replied Miss Vyvyan. "If I die in a labor of love
it will be the death I most desire."

So saying she took a little basket and left the room. As she passed
through the door Cora threw her a kiss and said, "Anna be back."

As we have said previously, the ladies liked Cora to keep some of her
baby language, and that was one of her own modes of expression which
they never corrected. It reminded them of her infancy and of their own
mutual attachment, which first met in the love they each of them bore
toward the child.

"Are you all ready?" said Colonel Carleton, as he came along the
corridor to the green parlor. "Where is Miss Vyvyan?" he added, on
entering the room.

"She has gone down to the breakers to get some shells that Cora wishes
to take to Virginia," replied Mrs. Carleton.

"We will all join her t