remarked Edward;
"and it will do no harm for mamma and the others to have a chance to
rest a little before seeing so many."

"They will enjoy themselves all the better, I'm sure," said Zoe.

They were cantering homeward as they talked. Arrived there, Zoe set to
work at the pleasant task of adorning the house--"mamma's" boudoir in
particular--with beautiful and sweet-scented flowers, and contrived to
be delightfully busy in their arrangement till some little time after
Edward had gone with the carriages to meet and bring home the
travellers.

All came directly to Ion, except the Fairview family, who sought their
own home first, but promised to be present at the evening festivities.

The journey had been taken leisurely; and no one seemed fatigued but the
little convalescents, who were glad to be put immediately to bed.

"Mamma, dear, dearest mamma!" cried Zoe, as the two clasped each other
in a close embrace. "I am so, so glad to see you!"

"Tired of housekeeping, little woman?" Elsie asked, with an arch look
and smile.

"No, mamma, not that, though willing enough to resign my position to
you," was the gay rejoinder. "But my delight is altogether because you
are so dear and sweet, that everybody must be the happier for your
presence."

"Dear child, I prize and fully return your affection," Elsie said in
reply.

For each one, Zoe had a joyous and affectionate greeting, till it came
to Lulu's turn.

At her she glanced doubtfully for an instant, then gave her a hearty
kiss, saying to herself, "Though she did behave so badly, I'm sure she
had a good deal of provocation."

Lulu had noted the momentary hesitation, and flushed hotly under it; but
the kiss set all right, and she returned it as warmly as it was given.

"It seems nice to see you and uncle Edward again, aunt Zoe!" she said,
"and nice to get back to Ion, though Viamede is so lovely."

"Yes," chimed in Rosie. "Viamede is almost an earthly paradise, but Ion
is the homiest home of the two."

Lulu had been on her very best behavior ever since the termination of
the controversy between Mr. Dinsmore and herself in regard to her
tuition by Signor Foresti; and she had returned to Ion full of good
resolutions, promising herself, that, if permitted to continue to live
at Ion, she would henceforward be submissive, obedient, and very
determined in her efforts to control her unruly temper.

But was she to be allowed to stay there? No objection had been raised