perhaps; I forgot to look at my watch to take exact
note of the time."

"Oh! is that the way you do when you are taking note of a patient's
pulse, or the time for administering a dose of medicine?"

But Dick was saved the trouble of replying, as relatives, older and
younger, came crowding up to learn what was going on.

Chester and Frank were as much surprised as Sydney had been, but by no
means displeased. They liked Dick as a cousin and had no objection to
accepting him as a brother-in-law. The newly affianced had no frowns or
objections to meet; everybody seemed pleased and interested, and the
only queries were as to when and where the marriage should take place.

"It should be at The Oaks, of course," said young Mr. Dinsmore. "That is
her home, and has been for years."

"And it was there mamma was married," said Violet, "and Maud might stand
in the very same place."

"Yes, I should be glad to have her do so," said Mrs. Travilla; "and she
and Dick need ask nothing more than that their marriage may prove as
happy a one as mine."

"Yes, Cousin Elsie, I agree with you in that," said Maud. "I will be
married at The Oaks, if Dick is satisfied to have it so."

"Entirely," he said; "and now it remains only to fix upon the day and
hour."

That question seemed more difficult to settle than the other; but Dick
finally had his way, and the morning of the day on which he was to start
for the far South was fixed upon as the time for the ceremony. The other
relatives from a distance would delay their departure long enough to be
present, the older Mr. Cyril Keith was chosen as the officiating
minister, and everyone seemed satisfied with all the arrangements.

CHAPTER XVI.

It had been a very enjoyable, but an exciting day; the little ones were
weary with their sports, and all the guests, except those who were
making Woodburn their temporary home, departed shortly after an early
tea, and directly after the evening service of prayer and praise the
ladies of the family retired to their rooms. At length Captains Raymond
and Keith found themselves alone together upon the veranda.

"Raymond," said the younger man, breaking a pause in their talk, "I have
a great favour to ask of you."

"Ah! what is it, Keith? Surely you do not need to be told that it would
give me pleasure to do you any favour in my power."

"Ah, I fear you hardly realise how much you are promising. Do you
remember the talk we had some years ago