e," said Lulu.

"Well, my dears, I think we can all go there at once and spend an hour or
two; all but the little ones, who can be left in the care of their nurse."
He turned enquiringly toward his wife and her mother as he spoke.

"Oh, yes," said Violet; "they will not be likely to wake, and Agnes will
take good care of them."

"I think we are all probably ready to accept your invitation with
pleasure, captain," Elsie said. "Surely none of us are fatigued--unless
with lack of exercise."

"No, surely not," remarked Mr. Dinsmore, "and I, as well as Grace, am
eager to see the beauties of that much talked of Court of Honor."

"I think we will find some other objects worthy of our attention before we
reach even the Peristyle," remarked Captain Raymond.

"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Lulu, "there is another of those lights."

"I am so glad you brought us in the yacht, captain," said Evelyn; "for we
can start out at once to see the sights--not being in the least fatigued
with our long journey."

"And we have already a beautiful view of water and sky," remarked Grandma
Elsie; "those sunset clouds are certainly lovelier than any work of man's
hands."

"Yes, mamma; and they are beautifully reflected in the water," said
Violet.

"But such things can be seen at home," Rosie remarked in a sprightly tone,
"and I propose to give my particular attention to such as are to be found
only in this part of the world and at the present time."

"What will there be worth looking at before we reach the Peristyle?" asked
Walter, apparently addressing his query to no one in particular.

It was Captain Raymond who replied, "I hope to be able to point out to you
presently some exhibits worthy of your attention," he said.

"Oh, yes; the battleship _Illinois_ for one, I suppose."

"Yes; she will come into sight presently and we will have an outside view
of her. Some day I hope to take all of you who may desire to go on board
to have a look at her internal arrangements."

"You may put my name into that list, captain," said Mr. Lilburn. "I'm a
bit too auld to take part in a fight, even in a righteous cause, but not
for taking an interest in the means provided for ither folk."

"And I want to see it, too, though I hardly expect to ever make one of the
crew of such a vessel," said Walter.

"And we girls will want to visit her also," laughed Rosie, "though I am
very sure no one of us will ever form part of such a crew."

"Well, as my father ha