e already gone," said Isadore, she also having joined the party
of inspection, "but the finery can be shown there just as well."

"Yes, it can wait," returned Ella, "and will perhaps be all the more
appreciated for not being seen along with so many other beauties."

"I am the only one who has no finery to exhibit," remarked Virginia in
an ill used tone. But they were already on the way to Mrs. Leland's room
and no one seemed to hear or heed the complaint, everybody being too
much engrossed with the business in hand to take notice of her
ill-humor.

But it was Saturday evening and the Parsonage and Magnolia Hall people
returned to their homes at an early hour, taking their guests with them.

"Now, daughter," Captain Raymond said, turning to Lulu as the last
carriage disappeared from sight, "go at once to your own room and
prepare for bed."

"Yes, sir; and must I say good-night now to you?" she asked in a low
tone, close at his ear.

"No," he returned, with a smile, "I will be with you presently for a few
minutes."

She looked her thanks, and hastened to obey.

"I am quite ready for bed, papa," she said when he came into her room.
"Please mayn't I sit on your knee for five or ten minutes?"

"That is just what I want you to do," he said, taking possession of an
easy chair and drawing her to the coveted place. "I must have a little
talk with my dear eldest daughter," he continued, smoothing her hair and
cheek caressingly.

"What about, papa dear?" she asked, nestling closer in his arms. "I
haven't been misbehaving, have I? You are not displeased with me, are
you?"

"No, dear child; only afraid that you may be caring too much about dress
and finery, and that perhaps I am not altogether blameless in regard to
that--that I may not have guarded my dear little girl against it as I
should."

"I am afraid that perhaps I do care too much about it, papa dear," she
sighed, hanging her head, while blushes dyed her cheek; "but I'm sure it
is all my own fault, not yours at all; so please don't feel badly about
it."

He took up her Bible, opened it, and read, "Whose adorning, let it not
be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold,
or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart,
in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this
manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted i