about selling," he responded, in a
tone too low to reach any ear but hers.

She gave him a bright, glad look, that quite settled the matter so far
as he was concerned; he would, if necessary, give even an exorbitant
price for the place, to please her.

"Have you never seen Woodburn, captain?" asked Mrs. Dinsmore.

"I have some recollection of driving past it," he replied meditatively;
"but--is not the house nearly concealed from view from the road, by a
thick growth of trees and shrubbery?"

"Yes: you will thin them out a little, I hope, for the mansion is well
worth looking at; it is a very aristocratic-looking dwelling,--large,
substantial, and handsome architecturally."

"Papa, are you going to buy it?" asked Grace.

"It is too soon to answer that question, daughter," he said pleasantly;
and Max and Lulu again exchanged glances, which said this time, "Maybe
he will, after all."

Both ardently wished their father would propose taking them along; he
did not: but when Dr. Conly said, with a kindly glance at Grace, "There
will be room in my carriage for a little friend of mine, if papa is
willing to let her go with us," he at once said,--

"Certainly, Gracie may go, if she will be ready in season, and not keep
the doctor waiting."

"Indeed I will, papa," she cried delightedly, and ran away to don hat
and coat; for the meal was concluded, and everybody leaving the table.

Lulu followed her father, till, in the hall, she found an opportunity to
speak to him without being overheard.

"Papa," she asked, "what am I to do with myself to-day?"

"Stay in your room, and learn your lessons, beginning just where you
left off the other day. You will recite to me after I come back; then we
will consider what you shall do for the rest of the day."

"Yes, sir: may I see Evelyn when she comes?"

"If she chooses to go to you in your room."

"Must I stay in my room all the time?" she asked dejectedly.

"While I am away. I will take you out after I return." Then, noticing
her downcast look, "You shall have more liberty when we get into our own
home," he said kindly.

At that she looked up with a bright, glad smile. "Papa, it will be _so
nice_!"

Max had drawn near.

"Papa," he said, "won't you let Lu take a walk with me? Mayn't we run
over to Fairview, and bring Evelyn back with us? I know she'd be glad to
have company coming over to school."

"Yes, you may go, both of you, if you like. But, Lulu, when you get
ho