t," interrupted the doctor, "but that is
too far and too cold. Begin with a shorter journey. I wish I could
accompany you, but I cannot plead as an excuse my wife's delicacy of
constitution. Her health is as uniform as her temper; and even if life
and death were at stake, she would not leave her housekeeping in other
hands. Neither would she close her doors and turn her locks, lest moth
and rust should corrupt, and thieves break in and steal. But pardon me.
I have given you no opportunity to answer your husband's question."

"I shall only feel too happy to avail myself of his unnecessary fears
with regard to my health," I answered. "It will be a charming way of
passing the summer, if Mrs. Linwood and Edith will consent."

Dr. Harlowe accompanied us home, and nothing was talked of but the
intended journey. The solicitude of Ernest was painfully roused, and he
seemed ready to move heaven and earth to facilitate our departure.

"I am sorry to close Grandison Place in the summer season," said Mrs.
Linwood; "it looks so inhospitable. Besides, I have many friends who
anticipate passing the sultry season here."

"Let them travel with you, if they wish," said the doctor bluntly. "That
is no reason why you should stay at home."

"Poor Madge!" cried Edith, who was delighted with the arrangement the
doctor had suggested. "She will be so disappointed."

"Let her come," said Dr. Harlowe. "I will take charge of the wild-cat,
and if I find her too mighty for me, I will get Mr. Regulus to assist me
in keeping her in order. Let her come, by all means."

"Supposing we write and ask her to accompany us," said Mrs. Linwood.
"Her exuberant spirits will be subdued by the exercise of travelling,
and she may prove a most exhilarating companion."

"What, four ladies to one gentleman!" exclaimed Edith. "Poor Ernest!
when he will have thoughts and eyes but for one!"

"I would sooner travel with the Falls of Niagara, or the boiling springs
of Geyser," cried Ernest, with an instinctive shudder. "We should have
to take a carpenter, a glazier, an upholsterer, and a seamstress, to
repair the ruins she would strew in our path."

"If Richard Clyde were about to return a little earlier in the season,"
said the doctor, looking at Edith, "he would be a delightful acquisition
to your party. He would divide with your brother the heavy
responsibility of being the guardian of so many household treasures."

"Let us start as early as possible," exclai