own fault
that you are still single. But we won't waste time in flattering each
other, when we have so much to say that is better worth while."

"No, surely; Aunt Wealthy has told me of your engagement."

"That was right; it is no secret, and should not be from you if it were
from others. Lottie, I want you to be one of my bridesmaids. We're going
to carry Aunt Wealthy off to spend the winter with us, and I shall not be
content unless I can do the same by you.'

"A winter in the 'sunny South!' and with you; how delightful! you dear,
kind creature, to think of it, and to ask me. Ah, if I only could!"

"I think you can; though of course I know your father and mother must be
consulted; and if you come, you will grant my request?"

"Yes, yes indeed! gladly."

Aunt Chloe, always making herself useful wherever she went, was passing
around the room with a pile of plates, Phillis following with cakes and
confections, while Simon brought in a waiter with saucers and spoons, and
two large moulds of ice cream.

"Will you help the cream, Harry?" said Miss Stanhope. "There are two
kinds, you see, travilla and melon. Ask Mrs. Vanilla which she'll have; or
if she'll take both."

"Mrs. Travilla, may I have the pleasure of helping you to ice cream?" he
asked. "There are two kinds, vanilla and lemon. Let me give you both."

"If you please," she answered, with a slightly amused look; for though
Aunt Wealthy had spoken in an undertone, the words had reached her ear.

"Which will you have, dearies?" said the old lady, drawing near the young
girls' corner, "travilla cream or melon?"

"Lemon for me, if you please, Aunt Wealthy," replied Lottie.

"And I will take Travilla," Elsie said, low and mischievously, and with a
merry twinkle in her eye.

"But you have no cake! your plate is quite empty and useless," exclaimed
the aunt. "Horace," turning towards her nephew, who was chatting with the
doctor at the other side of the room, "some of this cake is very plain;
you don't object to Elsie eating a little of it?"

"She is quite grown up now, aunt, and can judge for herself in such
matters," he answered smiling, then turned to finish what he had been
saying to the doctor.

"You will have some then, dear, won't you?" Miss Stanhope inquired in her
most coaxing tone.

"A very small slice of this sponge cake, if you please, auntie."

"How young Mr. Travilla looks," remarked Lottie, "younger I think, than he
did four years ago. Happ