uite like a family party,
every one seeming to feel perfectly at home and at ease.

The negroes were to have a grand dinner at the quarter, and Elsie, who
had been deeply interested in the preparations--cake-baking, etc.--was
now very anxious to see them enjoying their feast; so about one o'clock
she and her father invited their guests to walk down there with them to
enjoy the sight.

"_I_, for one, would like nothing better," said Mr. Travilla, offering
his arm to Adelaide, while Mr. Dinsmore took Mrs. Travilla, Elsie walking
on the other side and keeping fast hold of his hand.

They found it a very merry scene; and the actors in it scarcely enjoyed
it more than the spectators.

Their own dinner was served up somewhat later in the day, and with
appetites rendered keen by their walk in the bracing air, they were ready
to do it full justice.

Adelaide, at her brother's request, took the head of the table, and
played the part of hostess very gracefully.

"Ah, Dinsmore," remarked Travilla, a little mischievously, glancing from
one to the other, "you have a grand establishment here, but it still
lacks its chief ornament. Miss Adelaide fills the place _to-day_, most
gracefully, it is true; but then we all know she is only borrowed for
the occasion."

Mr. Dinsmore colored a little and looked slightly annoyed.

"Elsie will supply that deficiency in a few years," he said, "and until
then, I think I can depend upon the kindness of my sisters. Besides,
Travilla," he added laughingly, "you must not forget the old proverb
about people who live in glass houses."

"Ah," replied Travilla, looking affectionately at his mother, "_I have_ a
mistress for my establishment, and so can _afford_ to wait for Elsie."

The child looked up quickly, with a slight flush on her face.

"You needn't, Mr. Travilla!" she said, "for I am _never_ going to leave
my father; and you know he promised not to give me away, so if you want a
little girl you will have to look somewhere else."

"Ah! well, I will not despair yet," he replied laughingly, "for I have
learned that ladies, both little and large, very often change their
minds, and so I shall still live in hopes."

"You know I like you very much indeed, Mr. Travilla--next best to
papa--but then I couldn't leave him for _anybody_, you see," Elsie
said in a deprecating tone, and looking affectionately up into his face.

"No, my dear, that is quite right, and I don't feel at all hurt," he
an