de's place at any moment."

"Not with my consent," said Mr. Dinsmore emphatically; "if you consider
yourself at all under my authority you will take a week at least of entire
rest and relaxation."

She looked at him with her own sweet smile, full of filial love and
reverence, and putting her hand in his, said, "Yes, my dear father, that
is still one of my great happinesses, as it has been almost ever since I
can remember. Ah, it is often very restful to me just to resign myself to
your wise, loving guidance and control!"

His fingers closed over the small, daintily gloved hand, holding it in a
warm and tender clasp.

"Then do not forget that you are not to undertake anything that can tax
your strength, without my knowledge and permission. Nor must you, Rose,"
he added with playful authority, turning an affectionate, smiling glance
upon her; "you too are worn out and must have rest."

"Well, my dear," she said laughingly, "I make no rash promises. You know I
never have equalled Elsie in submissiveness."

"No; and yet you have usually shown yourself amenable to authority."

"Perhaps because it has so seldom been exerted," she saucily returned. "My
dear, we have not yet had our first quarrel."

"And have lived together for thirty odd years. I think it would hardly be
worth while to begin after so long a delay."

"Nor do I," she said, "therefore shall probably yield to your wishes in
this matter--or commands, call them what you will; especially as they are
in full accord with my own inclinations."

"Elsie," he said, turning to his daughter again, "I have taken the liberty
of inviting some guests to Ion this morning."

"Liberty, papa!" she exclaimed. "It would be impossible for you to take
liberties with me or mine; I consider your rights and authority in any
house of mine fully equal, if not superior to my own. If the mistress of
the mansion be subject to your control," she added, with a bright look up
into his face, and much of the old time archness in her smile, "surely all
else must be."

"Thank you, daughter; then I have not taken a liberty, but I have invited
the guests all the same. You do not ask how it happened or who they are,
but I proceed to explain.

"In glancing over the morning paper, while you and Rose were attiring
yourselves for the drive, I saw among the items of news that Donald Keith
is in our city. So I dispatched Solon with a carriage and a hastily
written note, asking Donald to come out