nk everybody makes it who is with them
for even a day or two."

"And his children are not much, if at all, behind his wife in love for
him, or behind him in love for her," added Grace, smiling up into her
father's face.

"All doing their best to fill him with conceit," he said, returning
the smile, but with a warning shake of the head. "Where are Elsie and
Ned?" he asked, adding, "It is about time we were returning home--to
Viamede."

"Yes," said Violet, "we must hunt them up at once."

"I will find them, papa and mamma," Grace answered, hastening from the
room.

The children were playing games on the lawn, but all ceased and came
running to Grace as she stepped out upon the veranda and called in
musical tones to her little sister and brother.

"What is it?" they asked as they drew near, "time to go home?"

"Yes; so papa and mamma think; and we must always do what they say,
you know."

"Yes, indeed!" answered Elsie, "and it's just a pleasure because they
always know best and are so kind and love us so dearly."

"We've been having an elegant time and it's just lovely here at
Torriswood," said little Elsie Embury, "but as it is Uncle Dick's
place we can come here often; and besides Viamede is quite as pretty,
and we are to go there for the rest of the day."

"Oh, yes! aren't you glad?" responded several other young voices.

The carriages which had brought them were now seen to be in
preparation to convey them to that desired destination, and presently
one after another received its quota and departed.

One three-seated vehicle contained Mrs. Travilla, her father and his
wife, Captain and Mrs. Raymond and their little boy and girl.
Naturally the talk ran upon the scenes through which they had just
been passing.

"It was right odd that Eva and Lu should have caught that bridal
bouquet together," laughed Violet. "My dear, does it not make you
tremble with apprehension lest those two weddings should take place
somewhat sooner than you wish?"

"I cannot say that I am greatly alarmed," the captain returned
pleasantly. "I have too much confidence in the affection and desire to
please their father of my eldest son and daughter, to greatly fear
that they will disregard my wishes and opinion in reference to that,
or anything else indeed."

"And I feel very sure that your confidence is not misplaced," said
Mrs. Travilla. "Also I think you are wise in wishing them--young as
they are--to defer marriage for a few y