shoulder, and looking into his face with her loving, motherly
eyes.

"Nothing with _me_ mother," he answered affectionately; "but," he added,
with a deep-drawn sigh, "I am sorely troubled about my little friend. I
called at Roselands this afternoon, and learned that Horace Dinsmore has
gone North--to be absent nobody knows how long--leaving her at home. He
has been gone nearly a week, and the child is--heart-broken."

"Poor darling! is she really so much distressed about it, Edward?" his
mother asked, taking off her spectacles to wipe them, for they had
suddenly grown dim. "You saw her, I suppose?"

"Yes, for a moment," he said, struggling to control his feelings.
"Mother, you would hardly know her for the child she was six months ago!
she is so changed, so thin and pale--but that is not the worst; she seems
to have lost all her life and animation. I felt as though it would be a
relief even to see her cry. When I spoke to her she smiled, it is true;
but ah! such a sad, hopeless, dreary sort of smile--it was far more
touching than tears, and then she turned away, as if she had scarcely
heard or understood what I said. Mother, you must go to her; she needs
just the sort of comfort you understand so well how to give, but which I
know nothing about. You will go, mother, will you not?"

"Gladly, Edward! I would go this moment, if I thought I would be
permitted to see her, and could do her any good."

"I hardly think," said her son, "that even Mrs. Dinsmore would refuse you
the privilege of a private interview with the child should you request
it, mother; but, no doubt, it would be much pleasanter for all parties if
we could go when Elsie is at home alone; and fortunately such will be the
case to-morrow, for, as I accidentally learned, the whole family, with
the exception of Elsie and the servants, are expecting to spend the day
abroad. So if it suits you, mother, we will drive over in the morning."

Mrs. Travilla expressed her readiness to do so; and about the middle of
the forenoon of the next day their carriage might have been seen turning
into the avenue at Roselands.

Pomp came out to receive the visitors. "Berry sorry, Massa and Missus,"
he said, making his best bow to them as they alighted from the carriage,
"dat de family am all from home with the single 'ception of little Miss
Elsie. But if you will be pleased to walk into the drawin'-room, an' rest
yourselves, I will call for suitable refreshments, and Fanny s