much less frequent, though it
was farther away by a mile or more; for with their abundance of steeds
and conveyances of various sorts, it could be traversed with such ease,
expedition, and comfort that it seemed little or no inconvenience; the
short ride or drive was really a pleasure; though not infrequently it
was made a walk when roads were in good condition and the weather was
propitious.

The welcome of the Fairview party was not less cordial than had been
that of the others, and presently all were seated and a buzz of
conversation ensued.

The young girls made a little group by themselves and of course the
approaching wedding, with the preparations for it, was the principal
theme of their talk. Rosie, not caring to have secrets from these very
near and dear young friends, told of the letters received that morning
and the talk just held with Dr. Conly.

"Oh, that was noble in Cousin Arthur!" exclaimed Lucilla. "The Crolys
were very generous to him, to be sure, but not at all more so than he
deserved."

"No," said Rosie; "they were quite able to pay him what they did; but it
isn't everyone who would have done so, and I have always thought well of
them for it; and I am glad Cousin Arthur can make them some small
return."

"But should he succeed in restoring Mrs. Croly to health, that will not
be a very small return, I think," said Evelyn with a smile.

"No; for good health is the greatest of earthly blessings," said Grace.
"One can hardly fully enjoy anything without it."

"As you know by experience, you poor thing!" said Rosie.

"Oh, no! not now."

"Have you fixed upon the wedding day yet, Rosie?" asked Lucilla.

"No, not definitely; we have only decided that it shall be somewhere
about the middle of June; or perhaps a little later. I want to make sure
of having Walter here; for it would be too bad to have him miss his
youngest sister's wedding."

"And you want Marian to have time to get well, too, don't you?" said
Grace.

"Oh, yes, indeed! and she will be by that time; at least she seems
altogether likely to be. Mamma was there to-day and found her doing
nicely."

"Hark! What is that Cousin Ronald is saying?" exclaimed Lucilla, and
they paused in their talk to listen.

"I want you all, old and young," he said in his blithe, cordial tones,
"to come and have as good and merry a time as possible, to celebrate the
third birthday of my little namesake grandson. We talked the thing over
at the dinner