to her, but you know what an awful
nuisance it's going to be, and how I hate it. Think of having to take
her about everywhere with me, and introduce her to all my friends."

"My dear, she is your own first cousin. Besides, I am sure she is a nice
child--your father speaks so affectionately of her in his letters--and
her mother is a lovely woman. I was very fond of her when we were girls
together."

"Oh, I dare say she is all right," Elsie admitted grudgingly, "but that
doesn't alter the fact of its being an awful bother to have her here for
a whole winter. You know how papa fusses. He will be sure to get some
idea in his head about my not paying Marjorie enough attention, and he
will expect me to take her everywhere. Oh, I hate it, I just hate it!"
And Elsie's voice actually trembled with vexation.

Mrs. Carleton sighed again.

"I am very sorry, dear," she began, but the entrance of the maid at this
moment, put an end to the conversation, and she left the room, with a
final admonition to her daughter to hurry as much as possible.

But alas! it was too late for hurrying. Mrs. Carleton had only just
entered the drawing-room, when she heard a key turned in the outer door
of the apartment, followed by the sound of a familiar voice calling
cheerfully--

"Julia, Elsie, where are you? Here we are, safe and sound!"

With a rapidly beating heart Mrs. Carleton hurried forward to greet her
husband and his niece.

"My dear Henry, your train must have been just on time," she exclaimed
rather nervously. "We had scarcely begun to expect you yet. And so this
is Marjorie. I am very glad to see you, dear; I hope you are not quite
worn out after that dreadful journey."

"I am not the very least bit tired," returned a fresh young voice, and
Marjorie returned her aunt's kiss so heartily that Mrs. Carleton was
rather startled.

"We were twenty minutes late," Mr. Carleton said, in answer to his
wife's remark, but he kissed her affectionately before putting the
question she was dreading.

"And where is Elsie?"

"She will be here in a few moments," Mrs. Carleton explained hurriedly.
"Now do come in and have some tea, or is it too late for tea? I am so
glad to have you back, Henry dear; we have missed you terribly. I am
sure you must be tired even if Marjorie isn't."

"Not so tired as hungry; we had a very poor lunch on the train. It is
rather late for tea, though; we can have an early dinner instead. Where
is that little witch,