e Dinsmore, Jr., of The Oaks, and
his wife, as Dick and Maud came up the steps together. He led her
directly to his uncle.

"We have come for your blessing, sir, Cousin Maud and I," he said in
clear, distinct tones. "Will you give her to me? She is willing that you
should, and I promise to do all in my power to provide for her and make
her happy."

"Why, children, this is a surprise--but a pleasant one," exclaimed Mr.
Dinsmore. "Yes, I give you my blessing and wish you many happy years
together."

Then the others crowded about with exclamations of surprise and
pleasure, congratulations, good wishes, and questions. "How long had
they been lovers?" "Did they expect to marry very soon?"

"Yes, almost immediately," Dick answered to that last. "What was there
to wait for? They were old enough to know their own minds, he was well
able to support a wife, and had a home ready for her. It needed some
improvements to be sure, but they could be made all the better with Maud
there to give her opinion and advice."

"But she must have time to prepare her trousseau," said young Mrs.
Dinsmore.

"I have just been coaxing her out of that notion," laughed Dick,
regarding his promised wife with admiring eyes. "I want her, and the
wedding finery can be attended to somewhat later. I don't think anything
could be prettier or more becoming than the dress she wore at Cousin
Rosie's wedding, and why can't she be married in that?"

"Why, it would do, I suppose!" exclaimed Mrs. Dinsmore. "It is very
pretty and becoming, and, with a bridal veil added, would make a
suitable and handsome wedding dress."

"A wedding dress? Who is going to be married now?" cried a girlish
voice, and Sydney and Walter were seen coming up the steps. All turned
at the sound of her voice, and Dick answered:

"Your sister and I, Cousin Syd. Are you willing to take me for a
brother?"

"You!" she exclaimed, "you, Cousin Dick? Why, I never dreamed of such a
thing! But I have no objection; no, not the least in the world--except
that you'll be taking my sister away from me; I don't like that at all."

"No, Coz, that is altogether a mistake," Dick hastened to say. "I don't
want to separate you and Maud, and you have only to come along with us
to escape that. You will find plenty of room and a warm welcome at
Torriswood."

"Thank you," she said; "but it's so sudden I can't realise it at all
yet. When did you make up your minds to get married?"

"Half an hour ago,