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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/9963-8.txt b/9963-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbc62a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/9963-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12022 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Elsie's Girlhood, by Martha Finley + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Elsie's Girlhood + +Author: Martha Finley + +Posting Date: November 26, 2011 [EBook #9963] +Release Date: February, 2006 +First Posted: November 5, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Josephine Paolucci, and +Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + + + + +ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD + +A SEQUEL TO + +"ELSIE DINSMORE" AND "ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS" + +BY + +MARTHA FINLEY + +1872 + + + + + + + +"Oh! time of promise, hope, and innocence, Of trust, and love, and +happy ignorance! Whose every dream is heaven, in whose fair joy +Experience yet has thrown no black alloy." + +--THOUGHTS OF A RECLUSE + + + + +PREFACE + + +Some years have now elapsed since my little heroine "ELSIE DINSMORE" +made her début into the great world. She was sent out with many an +anxious thought regarding the reception that might await her there. +But she was kindly welcomed, and such has been the favor shown her +ever since that Publishers and Author have felt encouraged to prepare +a new volume in which will be found the story of those years that have +carried Elsie on from childhood to womanhood--the years in which +her character was developing, and mind and body were growing and +strengthening for the real work and battle of life. + +May my readers who have admired and loved her as a child find her +still more charming in her fresh young girlhood; may she prove to all +a pleasant companion and friend; and to those of them now treading the +same portion of life's pathway a useful example also, particularly in +her filial love and obedience. + +M.F. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +It is a busy, talking world. + +--ROWE. + + +"I think I shall enjoy the fortnight we are to spend here, papa; it +seems such a very pleasant place," Elsie remarked, in a tone of great +satisfaction. + +"I am glad you are pleased with it, daughter," returned Mr. Dinsmore, +opening the morning paper, which John had just brought up. + +They--Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie, Rose and Edward Allison--were occupying +very comfortable quarters in a large hotel at one of our fashionable +watering-places. A bedroom for each, and a private parlor for the +joint use of the party, had been secured in advance, and late the +night before they had arrived and taken possession. + +It was now early in the morning, Elsie and her papa were in his room, +which was in the second story and opened upon a veranda, shaded by +tall trees, and overlooking a large grassy yard at the side of the +building. Beyond were green fields, woods, and hills. + +"Papa," said Elsie, gazing longingly upon them, as she stood by the +open window, "can't we take a walk?" + +"When Miss Rose is ready to go with us." + +"May I run to her door and ask if she is?--and if she isn't, may I +wait for her out here on the veranda?" + +"Yes." + +She skipped away, but was back again almost immediately. "Papa, what +do you think? It's just too bad!" + +"What is too bad, daughter? I think I never before saw so cross a look +on my little girl's face," he said, peering at her over the top of his +newspaper. "Come here, and tell me what it is all about." + +She obeyed, hanging her head and blushing. "I think I have some reason +to be cross, papa," she said; "I thought we were going to have such a +delightful time here, and now it is all spoiled. You could never guess +who has the rooms just opposite ours; on the other side of the hall." + +"Miss Stevens?" + +"Why, papa; did you know she was here?" + +"I knew she was in the house, because I saw her name in the hotel book +last night when I went to register ours." + +"And it just spoils all our pleasure." + +"I hope not, daughter. I think she will hardly annoy you when you are +close at my side; and that is pretty much all the time, isn't it?" + +"Yes, papa, and I'll stick closer than ever to you if that will make +her let me alone," she cried, with a merry laugh, putting her arm +round his neck and kissing him two or three times. + +"Ah, now I have my own little girl again," he said, drawing her to his +knee and returning her caresses with interest: "But there, I hear Miss +Rose's step in the hall. Run to mammy and have your hat put on." + +Miss Stevens' presence proved scarcely less annoying to Elsie than the +child had anticipated. She tried to keep out of the lady's way, but it +was quite impossible. She could scarcely step out on the veranda, go +into the parlor, or take a turn in the garden by herself, but in +a moment Miss Stevens was at her side fawning upon and flattering +her--telling her how sweet and pretty and amiable she was, how dearly +she loved her, and how much she thought of her papa too: he was so +handsome and so good; everybody admired him and thought him such a +fine-looking gentleman, so polished in his manners, so agreeable and +entertaining in conversation. + +Then she would press all sorts of dainties upon the little girl +in such a way that it was next to impossible to decline them, and +occasionally even went so far as to suggest improvements, or rather +alterations, in her dress, which she said was entirely too plain. + +"You ought to have more flounces on your skirts, my dear," she +remarked one day. "Skirt flounced to the waist are so very pretty and +dressy, and you would look sweetly in them, but I notice you don't +wear them at all. Do ask your papa to let you get a new dress and have +it made so; I am sure he would consent, for any one can see that he is +very fond of you. He doesn't think of it; we can't expect gentlemen +to notice such little matters; you ought to have a mamma to attend +to such things for you. Ah! if you were my child, I would dress you +sweetly, you dear little thing!" + +"Thank you, ma'am, I daresay you mean to be very kind," replied Elsie, +trying not to look annoyed, "but I don't want a mamma, since my own +dear mother has gone to heaven; papa is enough for me, and I like the +way he dresses me. He always buys my dresses himself and says how they +are to be made. The dressmaker wanted to put more flounces on, but +papa didn't want them and neither did I. He says he doesn't like to +see little girls loaded with finery, and that my clothes shall be of +the best material and nicely made, but neat and simple." + +"Oh, yes; I know your dress is not cheap; I didn't mean that at all: +it is quite expensive enough, and some of your white dresses are +beautifully worked; but I would like a little more ornament. You wear +so little jewelry, and your father could afford to cover you with it +if he chose. A pair of gold bracelets, like mine for instance, would +be very pretty, and look charming on your lovely white arms: those +pearl ones you wear sometimes are very handsome--any one could tell +that they are the real thing--but you ought to have gold ones too, +with clasps set with diamonds. Couldn't you persuade your papa to buy +some for you?" + +"Indeed, Miss Stevens, I don't want them! I don't want anything but +what papa chooses to buy for me of his own accord. Ah! there is Miss +Rose looking for me, I must go," and the little girl, glad of an +excuse to get away, ran joyfully to her friend who had come to the +veranda, where she and Miss Stevens had been standing, to tell her +that they were going out to walk, and her papa wished to take her +along. + +Elsie went in to get her hat, and Miss Stevens came towards Rose, +saying, "I think I heard you say you were going to walk; and I +believe, if you don't forbid me, I shall do myself the pleasure of +accompanying you. I have just been waiting for pleasant company. I +will be ready in one moment." And before Rose could recover from her +astonishment sufficiently to reply she had disappeared through the +hall door. + +Elsie was out again in a moment, just as the gentlemen had joined +Rose, who excited their surprise and disgust by a repetition of Miss +Stevens' speech to her. + +Mr. Dinsmore looked excessively annoyed, and Edward "pshawed, and +wished her at the bottom of the sea." + +"No, brother," said Rose, smiling, "you don't wish any such thing; on +the contrary, you would be the very first to fly to the rescue if you +saw her in danger of drowning." + +But before there was time for anything more to be said Miss Stevens +had returned, and walking straight up to Mr. Dinsmore, she put her arm +through his, saying with a little laugh, and what was meant for a +very arch expression, "You see I don't stand upon ceremony with old +friends, Mr. Dinsmore. It isn't my way." + +"No, Miss Stevens, I think it never was," he replied, offering the +other arm to Rose. + +She was going to decline it on the plea that the path was too narrow +for three, but something in his look made her change her mind and +accept; and they moved on, while Elsie, almost ready to cry with +vexation, fell behind with Edward Allison for an escort. + +Edward tried to entertain his young companion, but was too much +provoked at the turn things had taken to make himself very agreeable +to any one; and altogether it was quite an uncomfortable walk: no +one seeming to enjoy it but Miss Stevens, who laughed and talked +incessantly; addressing nearly all her conversation to Mr. Dinsmore, +he answering her with studied politeness, but nothing more. + +Miss Stevens had, from the first, conceived a great antipathy to +Rose, whom she considered a dangerous rival, and generally avoided, +excepting when Mr. Dinsmore was with her; but she always interrupted +a tête-à-tête between them when it was in her power to do so without +being guilty of very great rudeness. This, and the covert sneers with +which she often addressed Miss Allison had not escaped Mr. Dinsmore's +notice, and it frequently cost him quite an effort to treat Miss +Stevens with the respectful politeness which he considered due to her +sex and to the daughter of his father's old friend. + +"Was it not too provoking, papa?" exclaimed Elsie, as she followed him +into his room on their return from their walk. + +"What, my dear?" + +"Why, papa, I thought we were going to have such a nice time, and she +just spoiled it all." + +"She? who, daughter?" + +"Why, papa, surely you know I mean Miss Stevens!" + +"Then why did you not mention her name, instead of speaking of her as +she? That does not sound respectful in a child of your age, and I wish +my little girl always to be respectful to those older than herself. +I thought I heard you the other day mention some gentleman's name +without the prefix of Mr., and I intended to reprove you for it at the +time. Don't do it again." + +"No, sir, I won't," Elsie answered with a blush. "But, papa," she +added the next moment, "Miss Stevens does that constantly." + +"That makes no difference, my daughter," he said gravely. "Miss +Stevens is the very last person I would have you take for your model; +the less you resemble her in dress, manners, or anything else, the +better. If you wish to copy any one let it be Miss Allison, for she is +a perfect lady in every respect." + +Elsie looked very much pleased. "Yes, indeed, papa," she said, "I +should be glad if I could be just like Miss Rose, she is always kind +and gentle to everybody; even the servants, whom Miss Stevens orders +about so crossly." + +"Elsie!" + +"What, papa?" she asked, blushing again, for his tone was reproving. + +"Come here and sit on my knee; I want to talk to you. I am afraid my +little daughter is growing censorious," he said, with a very grave +look as he drew her to his side. "You forget that we ought not to +speak of other people's faults." + +"I will try not to do it any more, papa," she replied, the tears +springing to her eyes; "but you don't know how very annoying Miss +Stevens is. I have been near telling her several times that I did wish +she would let me alone." + +"No, daughter, don't do that. You must behave in a lady-like manner +whether she does or not. We must expect annoyances in this world, my +child; and must try to bear them with patience, remembering that +God sends the little trials as well as the great, and that He has +commanded us to 'let patience have her perfect work.' I fear it is a +lack of the spirit of forgiveness that makes it so difficult for us to +bear these trifling vexations with equanimity. And you must remember +too, dear, that the Bible bids us be courteous, and teaches us to +treat others as we ourselves would wish to be treated." + +"I think you always remember the command to be courteous, papa," she +said, looking affectionately into his face. "I was wondering all the +time how you could be so very polite to Miss Stevens; for I was quite +sure you would rather not have had her along. And then, what right had +she to take your arm without being asked?" and Elsie's face flushed +with indignation. + +Her father laughed a little. "And thus deprive my little girl of her +rights," he said, softly kissing the glowing cheek. "Ah! I doubt if +you would have been angry had it been Miss Rose," he added, a little +mischievously. + +"Oh, papa, you know Miss Rose would never have done such a thing!" +exclaimed the little girl warmly. + +"Ah! well, dear," he said in a soothing tone; "we won't talk any more +about it. I acknowledge that I do not find Miss Stevens the most +agreeable company in the world, but I must treat her politely, and +show her a little attention sometimes; both because she is a lady and +because her father once saved my father's life; for which I owe a debt +of gratitude to him and his children." + +"Did he, papa? I am sure it was very good of him, and I will try to +like Miss Stevens for that. But won't you tell me about it?" + +"It was when they were both quite young men," said Mr. Dinsmore, +"before either of them was married: they were skating together and +your grandfather broke through the ice, and would have been drowned, +but for the courage and presence of mind of Mr. Stevens, who saved him +only by very great exertion, and at the risk of his own life." + +A few days after this, Elsie was playing on the veranda, with several +other little girls. "Do you think you shall like your new mamma, +Elsie?" asked one of them in a careless tone, as she tied on an apron +she had just been making for her doll, and turned it around to see how +it fitted. + +"My new mamma!" exclaimed Elsie, with unfeigned astonishment, dropping +the scissors with which she had been cutting paper dolls for some of +the little ones. "What can you mean, Annie? I am not going to have any +new mamma." + +"Yes, indeed, but you are though," asserted Annie positively; "for I +heard my mother say so only yesterday; and it must be so, for she Miss +Stevens told it herself." + +"Miss Stevens! and what does she know about it? what has she to do +with my papa's affairs?" asked Elsie indignantly, the color rushing +over face, neck, and arms. + +"Well, I should think she might know, when she is going to marry him," +returned the other, with a laugh. + +"She isn't! it's false! my"--but Elsie checked herself and shut her +teeth hard to keep down the emotion that was swelling in her breast. + +"It's true, you may depend upon it," replied Annie; "everybody in the +house knows it, and they are all talking about what a splendid match +Miss Stevens is going to make; and mamma was wondering if you knew +it, and how you would like her; and papa said he thought Mr. Dinsmore +wouldn't think much of her if he knew how she flirted and danced until +he came, and now pretends not to approve of balls, just because he +doesn't." + +Elsie made no reply, but dropping scissors, paper, and everything, +sprang up and ran swiftly along the veranda, through the hall, +upstairs, and without pausing to take breath, rushed into her father's +room, where he sat quietly reading. + +"Why, Elsie, daughter, what is the matter?" he asked in a tone of +surprise and concern, as he caught sight of her flushed and agitated +face. + +"Oh, papa, it's that hateful Miss Stevens; I can't bear her!" she +cried, throwing herself upon his breast, and bursting into a fit of +passionate weeping. + +Mr. Dinsmore said nothing for a moment; but thinking tears would prove +the best relief to her overwrought feelings, contented himself with +simply stroking her hair in a soothing way, and once or twice pressing +his lips gently to her forehead. + +"You feel better now, dearest, do you not?" he asked presently, as she +raised her head to wipe away her tears. + +"Yes, papa." + +"Now tell me what it was all about." + +"Miss Stevens does say such hateful things, papa!" + +He laid his finger upon her lips. "Don't use that word again. It does +not sound at all like my usually gentle sweet-tempered little girl." + +"I won't, papa," she murmured, blushing and hanging her head. Then +hiding her face on his breast, she lay there for several minutes +perfectly silent and still. + +"What is my little girl thinking of?" he asked at length. + +"How everybody talks about you, papa; last evening I was out on the +veranda, and I heard John and Miss Stevens' maid, Phillis, talking +together. It was moonlight, you know, papa," she went on, turning her +face toward him again: "and they were out under the trees and John had +his arm round her, and he was kissing her, and telling her how pretty +she was; and then they began talking about Miss Stevens and you, and +John told Phillis that he reckoned you were going to marry her--" + +"Who? Phillis?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, looking excessively amused. + +"Oh, papa; no; you know I mean Miss Stevens," Elsie answered in a tone +of annoyance. + +"Well, dear, and what of it all?" he asked, soothingly. "I don't think +the silly nonsense of the servants need trouble you. John is a sad +fellow, I know; he courts all the pretty colored girls wherever he +goes. I shall have to read him a serious lecture on the subject. But +it is very kind of you to be so concerned for Phillis." + +"Oh, papa, don't!" she said, turning away her face. "Please don't +tease me so. You know I don't care for Phillis or John; but that isn't +all." And then she repeated what had passed between Annie and herself. + +He looked a good deal provoked as she went on with her story; then +very grave indeed. He was quite silent for a moment after she had +done. Then drawing her closer to him, he said tenderly, "My poor +little girl, I am sorry you should be so annoyed; but you know it is +not true, daughter, and why need you care what other people think and +say?" + +"I don't like them to talk so, papa! I can't bear to have them say +such things about you!" she exclaimed indignantly. + +He was silent again for a little; then said kindly, "I think I had +better take you away from these troublesome talkers. What do you say +to going home?" + +"Oh, yes, papa, do take me home," she answered eagerly. "I wish we +were there now. I think it is the pleasantest place in the world and +it seems such a long, long while since we came away. Let us start +to-morrow, papa; can't we?" + +"But you know you will have to leave Miss Rose." + +"Ah! I forgot that," she said a little sadly; but brightening again, +she asked: "Couldn't you invite her to go home with us and spend the +winter? Ah! papa, do! it would be so pleasant to have her." + +"No, my dear, it wouldn't do," he replied with a grave shake of the +head. + +"Why, papa?" she asked with a look of keen disappointment. + +"You are too young to understand why," he said in the same grave tone, +and then relapsed into silence; sitting there for some time stroking +her hair in an absent way, with his eyes on the carpet. + +At last he said, "Elsie!" in a soft, low tone that quite made the +little girl start and look up into his face; for she, too, had been in +a deep reverie. + +"What, papa?" she asked, and she wondered to see how the color had +spread over his face, and how bright his eyes looked. + +"I have been thinking," he said, in a half hesitating way, "that +though it would not do to invite Miss Rose to spend the winter with +us, it might do very nicely to ask her to come and live at the Oaks." + +Elsie looked at him for a moment with a bewildered expression; then +suddenly comprehending, her face lighted up. + +"Would you like it, dearest?" he asked; "or would you prefer to go on +living just as we have been, you and I together? I would consult your +happiness before my own, for it lies very near my heart, my precious +one. I can never forgive myself for all I have made you suffer, and +when you were restored to me almost from the grave, I made a vow to do +all in my power to make your future life bright and happy." + +His tones were full of deep feeling, and as he spoke he drew her +closer and closer to him and kissed her tenderly again and again. + +"Speak, daughter, and tell me what you wish," he said, as she still +remained silent. + +At last she spoke, and he bent down to catch the words. "Dear papa," +she whispered, "would it make you happy? and do you think mamma knows, +and that she would like it?" + +"Your mamma loves us both too well not to be pleased with anything +that would add to our happiness," he replied gently. + +"Dear papa, you won't be angry if I ask another question?'"' + +"No, darling; ask as many as you wish." + +"Then, papa, will I have to call her mamma? and do you think my own +mamma would like it?" + +"If Miss Allison consents to take a mother's place to you, I am sure +your own mamma, if she could speak to you, would tell you she deserved +to have the title; and it would hurt us both very much if you refused +to give it. Indeed, my daughter, I cannot ask her to come to us unless +you will promise to do so, and to love and obey, her just as you do +me. Will you?" + +"I will try to obey her, papa; and I shall love her very dearly, for I +do already; but I can not love anybody quite so well as I love you, my +own dear, dear father!" she said, throwing her arms around his neck. + +He returned her caress, saying tenderly, "That is all I can ask, +dearest; I must reserve the first place in your heart for myself." + +"Do you think she will come, papa?" she asked anxiously. + +"I don't know, daughter; I have not asked her yet. But shall I tell +her that it will add to your happiness if she will be your mamma?" + +"Yes, sir; and that I will call her mamma, and obey her and love her +dearly. Oh, papa, ask her very soon, won't you?" + +"Perhaps; but don't set your heart too much on it, for she may not be +quite so willing to take such a troublesome charge as Miss Stevens +seems to be," he said, returning to his playful tone. + +Elsie looked troubled and anxious. + +"I hope she will, papa," she said; "I think she might be very glad to +come and live with you; and in such a beautiful home, too." + +"Ah! but everyone does not appreciate my society as highly as you do," +he replied, laughing and pinching her cheek; "and besides, you forget +about the troublesome little girl. I have heard ladies say they would +not marry a man who had a child." + +"But Miss Rose loves me, papa; I am sure she does," she said, +flushing, and the tears starting to her eyes. + +"Yes, darling, I know she does," he answered soothingly. "I am only +afraid she loves you better than she does me." + +A large party of equestrians were setting out from the hotel that +evening soon after tea, and Elsie, in company with several other +little girls, went out upon the veranda to watch them mount and ride +away. She was absent but a few moments from the parlor, where she had +left her father, but when she returned to it he was not there. Miss +Rose, too, was gone, she found upon further search, and though she had +not much difficulty in conjecturing why she had thus, for the first +time, been left behind, she could not help feeling rather lonely and +desolate. + +She felt no disposition to renew the afternoon's conversation with +Annie Hart, so she went quietly upstairs to their private parlor and +sat down to amuse herself with a book until Chloe came in from eating +her supper. Then the little girl brought a stool, and seating herself +in the old posture with her head in her nurse's lap, she drew her +mother's miniature from her bosom, and fixing her eyes lovingly upon +it, said, as she had done hundreds of times before: "Now, mammy, +please tell me about my dear, dear mamma." + +The soft eyes were full of tears; for with all her joy at the thought +of Rose, mingled a strange sad feeling that she was getting farther +away from that dear, precious, unknown mother, whose image had been, +since her earliest recollection, enshrined in her very heart of +hearts. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + O lady! there be many things + That seem right fair above; + But sure not one among them all + Is half so sweet as love;-- + Let us not pay our vows alone, + But join two altars into one. + + --O. W. HOLMES + + Here still is the smile that no cloud can o'ercast, + And the heart, and the hand, all thy own to the last. + + --MOORE. + + +Mr. Horace Dinsmore was quite remarkable for his conversational +powers, and Rose, who had always heretofore found him a most +entertaining companion, wondered greatly at his silence on this +particular evening. She waited in vain for him to start some topic of +conversation, but as he did not seem disposed to do so, she at length +made the attempt herself, and tried one subject after another. +Finding, however, that she was answered only in monosyllables, she too +grew silent and embarrassed, and heartily wished for the relief of +Elsie's presence. + +She had proposed summoning the child to accompany them as usual, but +Mr. Dinsmore replied that she had already had sufficient exercise, and +he would prefer having her remain at home. + +They had walked some distance, and coming to a rustic seat where they +had often rested, they sat down. The moon was shining softly down upon +them, and all nature seemed hushed and still. For some moments neither +of them spoke, but at length Mr. Dinsmore broke the silence. + +"Miss Allison," he said, in his deep, rich tones, "I would like to +tell you a story, if you will do me the favor to listen." + +It would have been quite impossible for Rose to tell why her heart +beat so fast at this very commonplace remark, but so it was; and she +could scarcely steady her voice to reply, "I always find your stories +interesting, Mr. Dinsmore." + +He began at once. + +"Somewhere between ten and eleven years ago, a wild, reckless boy +of seventeen, very much spoiled by the indulgence of a fond, doting +father, who loved and petted him as the only son of his departed +mother, was spending a few months in one of our large Southern cities, +where he met, and soon fell desperately in love with, a beautiful +orphan heiress, some two years his junior. + +"The boy was of too ardent a temperament, and too madly in love, to +brook for a moment the thought of waiting until parents and guardians +should consider them of suitable age to marry, in addition to which he +had good reason to fear that his father, with whom family pride was a +ruling passion, would entirely refuse his consent upon learning that +the father of the young lady had begun life as a poor, uneducated boy, +and worked his way up to wealth and position by dint of hard labor and +incessant application to business. + +"The boy, it is true, was almost as proud himself, but it was not +until the arrows of the boy-god had entered into his heart too +deeply to be extracted, that he learned the story of his charmer's +antecedents. Yet I doubt if the result would have been different had +he been abundantly forewarned; for oh, Miss Rose, if ever an angel +walked the earth in human form it was she!--so gentle, so good, so +beautiful!" + +He heaved a deep sigh, paused a moment, and then went on: + +"Well, Miss Rose, as you have probably surmised, they were privately +married. If that sweet girl had a fault, it was that she was too +yielding to those she loved, and she did love her young husband with +all the warmth of her young guileless heart; for she had neither +parents nor kinsfolk, and he was the one object around which her +affections might cling. They were all the world to each other, and for +a few short months they were very happy. + +"But it could not last; the marriage was discovered--her guardian and +the young man's father were both furious, and they were torn asunder; +she carried away to a distant plantation, and he sent North to attend +college. + +"They were well-nigh distracted, but cherished the hope that when +they should reach their majority and come into possession of their +property, which was now unfortunately entirely in the hands of their +guardians, they would be reunited. + +"But--it is the old story--their letters were intercepted, and the +first news the young husband received of his wife was that she had +died a few days after giving birth to a little daughter." + +Again Mr. Dinsmore paused, then continued: + +"It was a terrible stroke! For months, reason seemed almost ready to +desert her throne; but time does wonders, and in the course of years +it did much to heal his wounds. You would perhaps suppose that he +would at once--or at least as soon as he was his own master--have +sought out his child, and lavished upon it the wealth of his +affections: but no; he had conceived almost an aversion to it; for he +looked upon it as the cause--innocent, it is true--but still the cause +of his wife's death. He did not know till long years afterwards +that her heart was broken by the false story of his desertion and +subsequent death. Her guardian was a hard, cruel man, though faithful +in his care of her property. + +"With him the child remained until she was about four years old when +a change was made necessary by his death, and she, with her faithful +nurse, was received into her paternal grandfather's family until her +father, who had then gone abroad, should return. But my story is +growing very long, and you will be weary of listening. I will try to +be as brief as possible. + +"The little girl, under the care of her nurse and the faithful +instructions of a pious old Scotchwoman--who had come over with the +child's maternal grandparents, and followed the fortunes of the +daughter and granddaughter, always living as housekeeper in the +families where they resided--had grown to be a sweet, engaging child, +inheriting her mother's beauty and gentleness. She had also her +mother's craving for affection, and was constantly looking and longing +for the return of her unknown father, which was delayed from time to +time until she was nearly eight years of age. + +"At last he came; but ah, what a bitter disappointment awaited the +poor child! His mind had been poisoned against her, and instead of +the love and tenderness she had a right to expect, he met her with +coldness--almost with aversion. Poor little one! she was nearly +heartbroken, and for a time scarcely dared venture into her father's +presence. She was gentle, submissive, and patient; he cold, haughty, +and stern. But she would love him, in spite of his sternness, and at +length she succeeded in winning her way to his affections, and he +learned to love her with passionate tenderness. + +"Still her troubles were not over. She was sincerely pious, and +conscientiously strict in many things which her father deemed of +little importance; especially was this the case in regard to the +observance of the Sabbath. He was a man of iron will, and she, though +perfectly submissive in other respects, had the firmness of a martyr +in resisting any interference with her conscience. + +"Well, their wills came in collision. He required her to do what she +considered a violation of God's law, although he could see no harm +in it, and therefore considered her stubborn and disobedient. He was +firm, but so was she. He tried persuasions, threats, punishments--all +without effect. He banished her from his arms, from the family circle, +deprived her of amusements, denied her to visitors, broke off her +correspondence with a valued friend, sent away her nurse; and finding +all these acts of severity ineffectual, he at length left her, telling +her he would return only when she submitted; and even refusing her a +parting caress, which she pleaded for with heart-breaking entreaties." + +Mr. Dinsmore's voice trembled with emotion, but recovering himself, he +went on: + +"Don't think, Miss Allison, that all this time the father's heart was +not bleeding; it was, at every pore; but he was determined to conquer, +and mistook the child's motives and the source of her strength to +resist his will. + +"He had bought a beautiful estate; he caused the house to be +handsomely fitted up and furnished, especially lavishing trouble and +expense upon a suite of rooms for his little girl, and when all was +completed, he wrote to her, bidding her go and see the lovely home +he had prepared for her reception as soon as she would submit,--and +presenting, as the only alternative, banishment to a boarding-school +or convent until her education was finished. This was the one drop +which made the cup overflow. The poor suffering child was prostrated +by a brain fever which brought her to the very gates of death. Then +the father's eyes were opened; he saw his folly and his sin, and +repented in sackcloth and ashes; and God, in His great mercy, was +pleased to spare him the terrible crushing blow which seemed to have +already fallen;--for at one time they told him his child was dead. Oh, +never, never can he forget the unutterable anguish of that moment!" + +Mr. Dinsmore paused, unable to proceed. Rose had been weeping for some +time. She well knew to whose story she was listening, and her gentle, +loving heart was filled with pity for both him and for his child. + +"I have but little more to tell," he resumed; "the child has at length +entirely recovered her health; she is dearer to her father's heart +than words can express, and is very happy in the knowledge that it is +so, and that henceforward he will strive to assist her to walk in the +narrow way, instead of endeavoring to lead her from it. + +"Their home has been a very happy one; but it lacks one thing--the +wife and mother's place is vacant; she who filled it once is +gone--never to return!--but there is a sweet, gentle lady who has +won the hearts of both father and daughter, and whom they would fain +persuade to fill the void in their affections and their home. + +"Miss Rose, dare I hope that you would venture to trust your happiness +in the hands of a man who has proved himself capable of such cruelty?" + +Rose did not speak, and he seemed to read in her silence and her +averted face a rejection of his suit. + +"Ah, you cannot love or trust me!" he exclaimed bitterly. "I was +indeed a fool to hope it. Forgive me for troubling you; forgive my +presumption in imagining for a moment that I might be able to win you. +But oh, Rose, could you but guess how I love you--better than aught +else upon earth save my precious child! and even as I love her better +than life. I said that our home had been a happy one, but to me it can +be so no longer if you refuse to share it with me!" + +She turned her blushing face towards him for a single instant, and +timidly placed her hand in his. The touch sent a thrill through her +whole frame. + +"And you will dare trust me?" he said in a low tone of intense joy. +"Oh, Rose! I have not deserved such happiness as this! I am not worthy +of one so pure and good. But I will do all that man can do to make +your life bright and happy." + +"Ah, Mr. Dinsmore! I am very unfit for the place you have asked me +to fill," she murmured. "I am not old enough, or wise enough to be a +mother to your little girl." + +"I know you are young, dear Rose, but you are far from foolish," he +said tenderly, "and my little girl is quite prepared to yield you a +daughter's love and obedience; but I do not think she will be a care +or trouble to you; I do not intend that she shall, but expect to take +all that upon myself. Indeed, Rose, dearest, you shall never know any +care or trouble that I can save you from. No words can tell how dear +you are to me, and were it in my power I would shield you from every +annoyance, and give you every joy that the human heart can know. I +have loved you from the first day we met!--ah, I loved you even before +that, for all your love and kindness to my darling child; but I +scarcely dared hope that you could return my affection, or feel +willing to trust your happiness to the keeping of one who had shown +himself such a monster of cruelty in his treatment of his little +gentle daughter. Are you not afraid of me, Rose?" + +His arm was around her waist, and he was bending over her, gazing down +into her face, and eagerly awaiting her answer. + +Presently it came, in calm, gentle tones; "No, Horace; 'perfect love +casteth out fear,' and I cannot judge you hardly for what may +have been only a mistaken sense of duty, and has been so bitterly +repented." + +"Heaven bless you, dearest, for these words," he answered with +emotion, "they have made me the happiest of men." + +Horace Dinsmore wore upon his little finger a splendid diamond ring, +which had attracted a good deal of attention, especially among the +ladies; who admired it extremely, and of which Miss Stevens had hoped +to be one day the happy and envied possessor. Taking Rose's small +white hand in his again, he placed it upon her slender finger. + +"This seals our compact, and makes you mine forever," he said, +pressing the hand to his lips. + +"With the consent of my parents," murmured Rose, a soft blush mantling +her cheek. + +Elsie was still in her papa's private parlor, for though it was long +past her usual hour for retiring, she had not yet done so; her father +having left a message with Chloe to the effect that she might, if she +chose, stay up until his return. + +Chloe had dropped asleep in her chair, and the little girl was +trying to while away the time with a book. But she did not seem much +interested in it, for every now and then she laid it down to run to +the door and listen. Then sighing to herself, "They are not coming +yet," she would go back and take it up again. But at last she started +from her seat with an exclamation of delight that awoke Chloe; for +this time there could be no doubt; she had heard his well-known step +upon the stairs. + +She moved quickly towards the door--stopped--hesitated, and stood +still to the middle of the room. + +But the door opened, and her father entered with Miss Rose upon his +arm. One look at his radiant countenance, and Rose's blushing, happy +face told the whole glad story. He held out his hand with a beaming +smile, and Elsie sprang towards him. + +"My darling," he said, stooping to give her a kiss, "I have brought +you a mother." + +Then taking Rose's hand, and placing one of Elsie's in it, while he +held the other in a close, loving grasp, he added: "Rose, she is your +daughter also. I give you a share in my choicest treasure." + +Rose threw her arm around the little girl and kissed her tenderly, +whispering: "Will you love me, Elsie, dearest? you know how dearly I +love you." + +"Indeed I will; I do love you very much, and I am very glad, dear, +darling Miss Rose," Elsie replied, returning her caress. + +Mr. Dinsmore was watching them with a heart swelling with joy and +gratitude. He led Rose to a sofa, and seating himself by her side, +drew Elsie in between his knees, and put an arm round each. "My two +treasures," he said, looking affectionately from one to the other. +"Rose, I feel myself the richest man in the Union." + +Rose smiled, and Elsie laid her head on her father's shoulder with a +happy sigh. + +They sat a few moments thus, when Rose made a movement to go, +remarking that it must be growing late. She felt a secret desire to +be safe within the shelter of her own room before the return of the +riding party should expose her to Miss Stevens' prying curiosity. + +"It is not quite ten yet," said Mr. Dinsmore, looking at his watch. + +"Late enough though, is it not?" she answered with a smile. "I think I +must go. Good-night, dear little Elsie." She rose, and Mr. Dinsmore, +gently drawing her hand within his arm, led her to her room, bidding +her good-night at the door, and adding a whispered request that she +would wait for him to conduct her down to the breakfast room in the +morning. + +"Must I go to bed now, papa?" asked Elsie, as he returned to the +parlor again. + +"Not yet," he said; "I want you." And, sitting down, he took her in +his arms. "My darling, my dear little daughter!" he said; "were you +very lonely this evening?" + +"No, papa; not very, though I missed you and Miss Rose." + +He was gazing down into her face; something in its expression seemed +to strike him, and he suddenly turned her towards the light, and +looking keenly at her, said, "You have been crying; what was the +matter?" + +Elsie's face flushed crimson, and the tears started to her eyes again. +"Dear papa, don't be angry with me," she pleaded. "I couldn't help it; +indeed I could not." + +"I am not angry, darling; only pained that my little girl is not +so happy as I expected. I hoped that your joy would be unclouded +to-night, as mine has been; but will you not tell your father what +troubles you, dearest?" + +"I was looking at this, papa," she said, drawing her mother's +miniature from her bosom, and putting it into his hand; "and mammy was +telling me all about my own mamma again; and, papa, you know I love +Miss Rose, and I am very glad she is coming to us, but it seems as +if--as if--" She burst into a flood of tears, and hiding her face on +his breast, sobbed out, "Oh, papa, I can't help feeling as though +mamma--my own dear mamma--is farther away from us now; as if she is +going to be forgotten." + +There were tears in his eyes, too; but gently raising her head, he +pushed back the curls from her forehead, and kissing her tenderly, +said, in low, soothing tones, "No, darling; it is only a feeling, and +will soon pass away. Your own dear mother--my early love--can never be +forgotten by either of us. Nor would Rose wish it. There is room in +my heart for both of them, and I do not love the memory of Elsie less +because I have given a place in it to Rose." + +There was a momentary silence; then she looked up, asking timidly, +"You are not vexed with me, papa?" + +"No, dearest; not at all; and I am very glad you have told me your +feelings so freely," he said, folding her closer and closer to his +heart. "I hope you will always come to me with your sorrows, and you +need never fear that you will not find sympathy, and help too, as far +as it is in my power to give it. Elsie, do you know that you are very +like your mother?--the resemblance grows stronger every day; and it +would be quite impossible for me to forget her with this living image +always before me." + +"Am I like her, papa? I am so glad!" exclaimed the little girl +eagerly, her face lighting up with a joyous smile. + +It seemed as though Mr. Dinsmore could hardly bear to part with his +child that night; he held her a long time in his arms, but at last, +with another tender caress, and a fervent blessing, he bade her +good-night and sent her away. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + She twin'd--and her mother's gaze brought back + Each hue of her childhood's faded track. + Oh! hush the song, and let her tears + Flow to the dream of her early years! + Holy and pure are the drops that fall + When the young bride goes from her father's hall; + She goes unto love yet untried and new-- + She parts from love which hath still been true. + + --MRS. HEMANS' POEMS. + + +"How did it happen that Mr. Dinsmore was not of your party last night, +Miss Stevens?" inquired one of the lady boarders the next morning at +the breakfast-table. + +"He had been riding all the morning with his little girl, and I +presume was too much fatigued to go again in the evening," Miss +Stevens coolly replied, as she broke an egg into her cup, and +proceeded very deliberately to season it. + +"It seems he was not too much fatigued to walk," returned the other, a +little maliciously; "or to take a lady upon his arm." + +Miss Stevens started, and looked up hastily. + +"I would advise you to be on your guard, and play your cards well, +or that quiet Miss Allison may prove a serious rival," the lady +continued. "He certainly pays her a good deal of attention." + +"It is easy to account for that," remarked Miss Stevens, with a +scornful toss of the head; "he is very fond of his little girl, and +takes her out walking or riding every day, and this Miss Allison--who +is, I presume, a kind of governess--indeed, it is evident that she +is, from the care she takes of the child--goes along as a matter of +course; but if you think Horace Dinsmore would look at a governess, +you are greatly mistaken, for he is as proud as Lucifer, as well as +the rest of his family, though he does set up to be so very pious!" + +"Excuse me, madam," observed a gentleman sitting near, "but you must +be laboring under a misapprehension. I am well acquainted with the +Allison family, and can assure you that the father is one of the +wealthiest merchants in Philadelphia." + +At this moment Mr. Dinsmore entered with Rose upon his arm, and +leading Elsie with the other hand. They drew near the table; he handed +Miss Allison to a seat and took his place beside her. + +A slight murmur of surprise ran round the table, and all eyes were +turned upon Rose, who, feeling uncomfortably conscious of the fact, +cast down her own in modest embarrassment, while Elsie, with a face +all smiles and dimples, sent a triumphant glance across the table at +Annie Hart, who was whispering to her mother, "See, mamma, she has Mr. +Dinsmore's ring!" + +That lady immediately called Miss Stevens' attention to it, which was +quite unnecessary, as she was already burning with rage at the sight. + +"They walked out alone last evening, and that ring explains what they +were about," said Mrs. Hart, in an undertone. "I am really sorry for +you, Miss Stevens; for your prize has certainly slipped through your +fingers." + +"I am much obliged to you," she replied, with a toss of her head; "but +there are as good fish in the sea as ever were caught." + +The next moment she rose and left the table, Mrs. Hart following her +into the public parlor, and continuing the conversation by remarking, +"I would sue him for breach of promise if I were you, Miss Stevens. I +understood you were engaged to him." + +"I never said so; so what right had you to suppose it?" returned Miss +Stevens snappishly. + +And upon reflecting a moment, Mrs. Hart could not remember that she +had ever said so in plain terms, although she had hinted it many +times--talking a great deal of Mr. Dinsmore's splendid establishment, +and frequently speaking of the changes she thought would be desirable +in Elsie's dress, just as though she expected some day to have it +under her control. Then, too, she had always treated Mr. Dinsmore with +so much familiarity that it was perfectly natural strangers should +suppose they were engaged, even though he never reciprocated it; +for that might be only because he was naturally reserved and +undemonstrative; as indeed Miss Stevens frequently averred, seeming to +regret it very deeply. + +Presently she burst out, "I don't know why people are always so ready +to talk! I don't care for Horace Dinsmore, and never did! There was +never anything serious between us, though I must say he has paid me +marked attentions, and given me every reason to suppose he meant +something by them. I never gave him any encouragement, however; and so +he has been taken in by that artful creature. I thought he had more +sense, and could see through her manoeuvers--coaxing and petting up +the child to curry favor with the father! I thank my stars that I am +above such mean tricks! I presume she thinks, now, she is making a +splendid match; but if she doesn't repent of her bargain before she +has been married a year, I miss my guess! She'll never have her own +way--not a bit of it--I can tell her that. Everybody that knows +him will tell you that he is high-tempered and tyrannical, and as +obstinate as a mule." + +"The grapes are very sour, I think," whispered Mrs. Hart to her next +neighbor, who nodded and laughed. + +"There is Elsie out on the veranda, now," said Annie. "I mean to +go and ask her what Miss Allison had her father's ring for; may I, +mamma?" + +"Yes; go, child, if you want to; I should like to hear what she will +say; though, of course, everybody understands that there must be an +engagement." + +"Well, Elsie, what made you run away in such a hurry yesterday?" asked +Annie, running up to our little friend. "Did you ask your papa about +the new mamma?" + +"I told him what you said, Annie, and it wasn't true," Elsie answered, +with a glad look of joy. "I am going to have a new mother though, and +papa said I might tell you; but it is Miss Allison instead of Miss +Stevens, and I am very glad, because I love her dearly." + +"Is she your governess?" + +"No, indeed! what made you ask?" + +"Miss Stevens said so," replied Annie, laughing and running away. And +just then Elsie's papa called her, and bade her go upstairs and have +her hat put on, as they were going out to walk. + +Edward Allison had been talking with his sister in her room, and they +came down together to the veranda, where Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie were +waiting for them. Edward was looking very proud and happy, but Rose's +face was half hidden by her veil. She took Mr. Dinsmore's offered arm +and Elsie asked, "Aren't you going with us, Mr. Edward?" + +"Not this time," he answered, smiling. "I have an engagement to play a +game of chess with one of the ladies in the parlor yonder." + +"Then I shall have papa's other hand," she said, taking possession of +it. + +She was very merry and talkative, but neither of her companions seemed +much disposed to answer her remarks. They were following the same path +they had taken the night before, and the thoughts of both were very +busy with the past and the future. + +At length they reached the rustic seat where they had sat while Mr. +Dinsmore told his story, and he inquired of Rose if she would like to +stop and rest. + +She assented, recognizing the place with a smile and a blush, and they +sat down. + +"Papa," said Elsie, "I am not tired, mayn't I run on to the top of +that hill yonder?" + +"Yes, if you will not go out of sight or hearing, so that I can see +that you are safe, and within call when I want you," he replied, and +she bounded away. + +Rose was sitting thoughtfully, with her eyes upon the ground, while +those of her companion were following the graceful figure of his +little girl, as she tripped lightly along the road. + +"Mr. Dinsmore," Rose began. + +"I beg pardon, but were you speaking to me?" he asked, turning to her +with a half smile. + +"Certainly," she replied, smiling in return; "there is no one else +here." + +"Well then, Rose, dear, please to remember that I don't answer to that +name from your lips, at least not when we are alone. I am not Mr. +Dinsmore to you, unless you mean to be Miss Allison to me," he added, +taking her hand and gazing tenderly into her blushing face. + +"Oh! no, no; I would not have you call me that!" + +"Well then, dear Rose, I want you to call me Horace. I would almost as +soon think of being Mr. Dinsmore to Elsie, as to you. And now, what +were you going to say to me?" + +"Only that I wish to set out on my homeward way to-night, with Edward. +I think it would be best, more especially as mamma has written +complaining of our long absence, and urging a speedy return." + +"Of course your mother's wishes are the first to be consulted, until +you have given me a prior right," he said, in a playful tone; "and +so I suppose Elsie and I will be obliged to continue our journey by +ourselves. But when may I claim you for my own indeed? Let it be as +soon as possible, dearest, for I feel that I ought to return to my +home ere long, and I am not willing to do so without my wife." + +"I must have a few weeks to prepare; you know a lady's wardrobe cannot +be got ready in a day. What would you say to six weeks? I am afraid +mamma would think it entirely too short." + +"Six weeks, dear Rose? why that would bring us to the middle of +November. Surely a month will be long enough to keep me waiting for my +happiness, and give the dressmakers sufficient time for their work. +Let us say one month from to-day." + +Rose raised one objection after another, but he overruled them all and +pleaded his cause so earnestly that he gained his point at last, and +the wedding was fixed for that day month, provided the consent of +her parents, to so sudden a parting with their daughter, could be +obtained. + +While Rose was at home making her preparations, Mr. Dinsmore and his +daughter were visiting the great lakes, and travelling through Canada. +He heard frequently from her, and there were always a few lines +to Elsie, which her father allowed her to answer in a little note +enclosed in his; and sometimes he read her a little of his own, or of +Miss Rose's letter, which she always considered a very great treat. + +New York City was their last halting place on their route, and there +they spent nearly two weeks in shopping and sight-seeing. Mr. Dinsmore +purchased an elegant set of furniture for his wife's boudoir, and +sent it on to his home, with his orders to Mrs. Murray concerning +its arrangement. To this he added a splendid set of diamonds as his +wedding gift to his bride, while Elsie selected a pair of very costly +bracelets as hers. + +They arrived in Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon, the next morning +being the time appointed for the wedding. Mr. Dinsmore himself went to +his hotel, but sent Elsie and her nurse to Mr. Allison's, as he had +been urgently requested to do, the family being now in occupation of +their town residence. + +Elsie found the whole house in a bustle of preparation. Sophy met her +at the door and carried her off at once to her own room, eager to +display what she called "her wedding dress." She was quite satisfied +with the admiration Elsie expressed. "But I suppose you bought ever so +many new dresses, and lots of other pretty things, in New York?" she +said inquiringly. + +"Yes; papa and I together. And don't you think, Sophy, he let me help +him choose some of his clothes, and he says he thinks I have very good +taste in ladies' and gentlemen's dress too." + +"That was right kind of him, but isn't it odd, and real nice too, that +he and Rose are going to get married? I was so surprised. Do you like +it, Elsie? and shall you call her mamma?" + +"Oh, yes, of course. I should be quite wretched if papa were going to +marry any one else; but I love Miss Rose dearly, and I am very glad +she is coming to us. I think it is very good of her, and papa thinks +so too." + +"Yes," replied Sophy honestly, "and so do I; for I am sure I shouldn't +like to leave papa and mamma and go away off there to live, though I +do like you very much, Elsie, and your papa too. Only think! he is +going to be my brother; and then won't you be some sort of relation +too? I guess I'll be your aunt, won't I?" + +"I don't know; I haven't thought about it," said Elsie; while at the +same instant Harold put his head in at the half-open door, saying, "Of +course you will; and I'll be her uncle." + +The little girls were quite startled at first, but seeing who it was, +Elsie ran towards him, holding out her hand. + +"How do you do, Harold?" she said; "I am glad to see you." + +He had his satchel of books on his arm. "Thank you, how are you? I +am rejoiced to see you looking so well, but, as for me, I am quite +sick--of lessons," he replied in a melancholy tone, and putting on a +comically doleful expression. + +Elsie laughed and shook her head. "I thought you ware a good boy and +quite fond of your books." + +"Commonly, I believe I am, but not in these wedding times. It's quite +too bad of your father, Elsie, to be carrying off Rose, when he won't +let us have you. But never mind, I'll be even with him some of these +days;" and he gave her a meaning look. + +"Come in Harold, and put your books down," said Sophy; "you can afford +to spend a few minutes talking to Elsie, can't you?" + +"I think I will!" he replied, accepting her invitation. + +They chatted for some time, and then Adelaide came in. Elsie had heard +that she was coming on to be first bridesmaid. "Elsie, dear, how +glad I am to see you! and how well and happy you are looking!" she +exclaimed, folding her little niece in her arms, and kissing her +fondly. "But come," she added, taking her by the hand and leading her +into the next room, "Miss Rose came in from her shopping only a few +minutes ago, and she wants to see you." + +Rose was standing by the toilet-table, gazing intently, with a blush +and a smile, at something she held in her hand. She laid it down as +they came in, and embracing the little girl affectionately, said how +very glad she was to see her. + +Then, turning to the table again, she took up what she had been +looking at--which proved to be a miniature of Mr. Dinsmore--and +handed it to Adelaide, saying, "Is it not excellent? and so kind and +thoughtful of him to give it to me." + +"It is indeed a most perfect likeness," Adelaide replied. "Horace is +very thoughtful about these little matters. I hope he will make you +very happy, dear Rose. I cannot tell you how glad I was when I heard +you were to be my sister." + +"You have seemed like a sister to me ever since the winter I spent +with you," said Rose. And then she began questioning Elsie about her +journey asking if she were not fatigued, and would not like to lie +down and rest a little before tea. + +"No thank you," Elsie said; "you know it is only a short trip from New +York, and I am not at all tired." + +Just then the tea-bell rang, and Rose laughed and said it was well +Elsie had not accepted her invitation. + +On going down to tea they found Mr. Dinsmore and Mr. Travilla there. +Elsie was delighted to meet her old friend, and it was evident that he +had already made himself a favorite with all the children, from Harold +down to little May. + +The wedding was a really brilliant affair. The bride and her +attendants were beautifully dressed and, as every one remarked, looked +very charming. At an early hour in the morning carriages were in +waiting to convey the bridal party and the family to the church where +the ceremony was to be performed. When it was over they returned to +the house, where an elegant breakfast was provided for a large number +of guests; after which there was a grand reception for several hours. +Then, when the last guest had departed, Rose retired to her own room, +appearing shortly afterwards at the family dinner-table in her pretty +travelling dress, looking very sweet and engaging, but sober and +thoughtful, as were also her father and brothers; while Mrs. Allison's +eyes were constantly filling with tears at the thought of losing her +daughter. + +There was very little eating done, and the conversation flagged +several times in spite of the efforts of the gentlemen to keep it up. +At length all rose from the table, and gathered in the parlor for +a few moments. Then came the parting, and they were gone; and Mrs. +Allison, feeling almost as if she had buried her daughter, tried to +forget her loss by setting herself vigorously to work overseeing the +business of putting her house in order. + +Rose's feelings were mingled. She wept for a time, but the soothing +tenderness of her husband's manner, and Elsie's winning caresses, soon +restored her to herself, and smiles chased away the tears. + +They had a very pleasant journey, without accident or detention, and +arrived in due time at their own home, where they were welcomed with +every demonstration of delight. + +Rose was charmed with the Oaks, thought it even more lovely than +either Roselands or Elingrove, and Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie intensely +enjoyed her pleasure and admiration. + +Then came a round of parties, which Elsie thought extremely tiresome, +as she could have no share in them, and was thus deprived of the +company of her papa and mamma almost every evening for several weeks. +But at last that too was over, and they settled down into a quiet, +home life, that suited them all much better, for neither Mr. Dinsmore +nor Rose was very fond of gayety. + +And now Elsie resumed her studies regularly, reciting as before to +her father; while Rose undertook to instruct her in the more feminine +branches of housekeeping and needlework, and a master came from the +city several times a week to give her lessons in music and drawing. +She had been so long without regular employment that she found it very +difficult at first to give her mind to her studies, as she had done +in former days; but her father, though kind and considerate, was +very firm with her, and she soon fell into the traces and worked as +diligently as ever. + +Elsie did not find that her father's marriage brought any +uncomfortable change to her. There was no lessening of his love or +care; she saw as much of him as before, had full possession of her +seat upon his knee, and was caressed and fondled quite as often and as +tenderly as ever. + +And added to all this were Rose's love and sweet companionship, which +were ever grateful to the little girl, whether they were alone or with +her father. Elsie loved her new mamma dearly and was as respectful +and obedient to her as to her father, though Rose never assumed any +authority; which, however, was entirely unnecessary, as a wish or +request from her was sure to be attended to as if it had been a +command. + +And Rose was very happy in her new home. Mr. Dinsmore's family were +pleased with the match and treated her most kindly, while he was +always affectionate, thoughtful, and attentive; not less devoted as +a husband than as a father. They were well suited in taste and +disposition; seldom had the slightest disagreement on any subject, and +neither had ever cause to regret the step they had taken, for each day +they lived together seemed but to increase their love for each other, +and for their little daughter, as Mr. Dinsmore delighted to call her, +always giving Rose a share in the ownership. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Of all the joys that brighten suffering earth + What joy is welcomed like a new-born child? + + --MRS. NORTON. + + +"Massa wants you for to come right along to him in de study, darlin', +jis as soon as your ole mammy kin get you dressed," said Chloe, one +morning to her nursling. + +"What for, mammy?" Elsie asked curiously, for she noticed an odd +expression on her nurse's face. + +"Massa didn't tell me nuffin 'bout what he wanted, an' I spects you'll +have to az hisself," replied Chloe evasively. + +Elsie's curiosity was excited, and she hastened to the study as soon +as possible. Her father laid down his paper as she entered, and held +out his hand with a smile as he bade her good-morning, and it struck +her that there was an odd twinkle in his eye also, while she was +certain that she could not be mistaken in the unusually joyous +expression of his countenance. + +"Good-morning, papa. But where is mamma?" she asked, glancing about +the room in search of her. + +"She is not up yet, but do you sit down here in your little rocking +chair. I have something for you." + +He left the room as he spoke, returning again in a moment, carrying +what Elsie thought was a strange-looking bundle. + +"There! hold out your arms," he said; and placing it in them, he +gently raised one corner of the blanket, displaying to her astonished +view a tiny little face. + +"A baby! Oh, the dear little thing!" she exclaimed in tones of +rapturous delight. Then looking up into his face, "Did you say I might +have it, papa? whose baby is it?" + +"Ours; your mamma's and my son, and your brother," he answered, gazing +down with intense pleasure at her bright, happy face, sparkling all +over with delight. + +"My little brother! my darling little brother," she murmured looking +down at it again, and venturing to press her lips gently to its soft +velvet cheek. "Oh, papa, I am so glad, so glad! I have so wanted a +little brother or sister. Is not God very good to give him to us, +papa?" And happy, grateful tears were trembling in the soft eyes as +she raised them to his face again. + +"Yes," he said, bending down and kissing first her cheek, and then the +babe's, "I feel that God has indeed been very good to me in bestowing +upon me two such treasures as these." + +"What is his name, papa?" she asked. + +"He has none yet, my dear." + +"Then, papa, do let him be named Horace, for you; won't you if mamma +is willing? And then I hope he will grow up to be just like you; as +handsome and as good." + +"I should like him to be a great deal better, daughter," he answered +with a grave smile; "and about the name--I don't know yet; I should +prefer some other, but your mamma seems to want that, and I suppose +she has the best right to name him; but we will see about it." + +"Better give little marster to me now, Miss Elsie," remarked his +nurse, stepping up, "I reckon your little arms begin to feel tired." +And taking the babe she carried him from the room. + +Nothing could have better pleased Mr. Dinsmore than Elsie's joyous +welcome to her little brother; though it was scarcely more than he had +expected. + +"My own darling child; my dear, dear little daughter," he said, taking +her in his arms and kissing her again and again. "Elsie, dearest, you +are very precious to your father's heart." + +"Yes, papa, I know it," she replied, twining her arms about his neck, +and laying her cheek to his; "I know you love me dearly, and it makes +me so very happy." + +"May I go in to see mamma?" she asked presently. + +"No, darling, not yet; she is not able to see you; but she sends her +love, and hopes she may be well enough to receive a visit from you +to-morrow." + +"Poor mamma! I am sorry she is ill," she said sorrowfully; "but I will +try to keep everything very quiet that she may not be disturbed." + +That evening, after tea, Elsie was told that she would be allowed to +speak to her mamma for a moment if she chose, and she gladly availed +herself of the privilege. + +"Dear Elsie," Rose whispered, drawing Her down to kiss her cheek, "I +am so glad you are pleased with your little brother." + +"Oh, mamma, he is such a dear little fellow!" Elsie answered eagerly; +"and now, if you will only get well we will be happier than ever." + +Rose smiled and said she hoped soon to be quite well again, and then +Mr. Dinsmore led Elsie from the room. + +Rose was soon about again and in the enjoyment of her usual health and +strength. Elsie's delight knew no bounds the first time her mamma +was able to leave her room, and take her place at the table with her +father and herself. She doted on her little brother, and, if allowed, +would have had him in her arms more than half the time; but he was a +plump little fellow, and soon grew so large and heavy that her father +forbade her carrying him lest she should injure herself; but she would +romp and play with him by the hour while he was in the nurse's arms, +or seated on the bed; and when any of her little friends called, she +could not be satisfied to let them go away without seeing the baby. + +The first time Mr. Travilla called, after little Horace's arrival, she +exhibited her treasure to him with a great deal of pride, asking if he +did not envy her papa. + +"Yes," he said, looking admiringly at her, and then turning away with +a half sigh. + +A few minutes afterwards he caught hold of her, set her on his knee, +and giving her a kiss, said, "I wish you were ten years older, Elsie, +or I ten years younger." + +"Why, Mr. Travilla?" she asked rather wonderingly. + +"Oh, because we would then be nearer of an age, and maybe you would +like me better." + +"No, I wouldn't, not a bit," she said, putting her arm round his neck, +"for I like you now just as well as I could like any gentleman but +papa." + +The elder Mr. Dinsmore was very proud of his little grandson and made +a great pet of him, coming to the Oaks much more frequently after his +birth than before. + +Once he spoke of him as his first grandchild. + +"You forget Elsie, father," said Horace, putting his arm round his +little girl, who happened to be standing by his side, and giving her a +tender, loving look. + +He greatly feared that the marked difference his father made between +the two would wound Elsie's sensitive spirit, and perhaps even arouse +a feeling of jealousy towards her little brother; therefore, when his +father was present, he was even more than usually affectionate in his +manner towards her, if that were possible. + +But Elsie had no feeling of the kind; she had long ceased to expect +any manifestation of affection from her grandfather towards herself, +but was very glad indeed that he could love her dear little brother. + +"Ah, yes! to be sure, I did forget Elsie," replied the old gentleman +carelessly; "she is the first grandchild of course; but this fellow is +the first grandson, and quite proud of him I am. He is a pretty boy, +and is going to be the very image of his father." + +"I hope he will, father," said Rose, looking proudly at her husband. +And then she added, with an affectionate glance at Elsie: "If he is +only as good and obedient as his sister, I shall be quite satisfied +with him. We could not ask a better child than our dear little +daughter, nor love one more than we do her; she is a great comfort and +blessing to us both." + +The color mounted to Elsie's cheek, and her eyes beamed with pleasure. +Mr. Dinsmore, too, looked very much gratified, and the old gentleman +could not fail to perceive that the difference he made between the +children was quite distasteful to both parents. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + A lovely being, scarcely formed or moulded, + A rose with all its sweetest leaves yet folded. + + --BYRON. + + +Elsie was nearly twelve when her little brother was born. During the +next three years she led a life of quiet happiness, unmarked by any +striking event. There were no changes in the little family at the Oaks +but such as time must bring to all. Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore perhaps +looked a trifle older than when they married, Elsie was budding into +womanhood as fair and sweet a flower as ever was seen, and the baby +had grown into a healthy romping boy. + +At Roselands, on the contrary, there had been many and important +changes. Louise and Lora were both married; the former to a resident +of another State, who had taken her to his distant home; the latter to +Edward Howard, an older brother of Elsie's friend Carrie. They had not +left the neighborhood, but were residing with his parents. + +For the last two or three years Arthur Dinsmore had spent his +vacations at home; he was doing so now, having just completed his +freshman year at Princeton. On his return Walter was to accompany him +and begin his college career. + +Miss Day left soon after Lora's marriage and no effort had been made +to fill her place, Adelaide having undertaken to act as governess to +Enna, now the only remaining occupant of the school-room. + +Taking advantage of an unusually cool breezy afternoon, Elsie rode +over to Tinegrove, Mr. Howard's plantation--to make a call. She found +the family at home and was urged to stay to tea; but declined, saying +she could not without permission, and had not asked it. + +"You will at least take off your hat," said Carrie. + +"No, thank you," Elsie answered, "it is not worth while, as I must go +so soon. If you will excuse me, I can talk quite as well with it on." + +They had not met for several weeks and found a good deal to say to +each other. At length Elsie drew out her watch. + +"Ah!" she exclaimed, "I have overstayed my time! I had no idea it was +so late--you have been so entertaining; but I must go now." And she +rose hastily to take leave. + +"Nonsense!" said her Aunt Lora in whose boudoir they were sitting, +"there is no such great hurry, I am sure. You'll get home long before +dark." + +"Yes, and might just as well stay another five or ten minutes. I wish +you would; for I have ever so much to say to you," urged Carrie. + +"It would be very pleasant, thank you, but indeed I must not. See how +the shadows are lengthening, and papa does not at all like to have me +out after sunset unless he is with me." + +"He always was overcareful of you, erring on the right side, I +suppose, if that be an allowable expression," laughed Lora, as she and +Carrie followed Elsie to the door to see her mount her horse. + +The adieus were quickly spoken and the young girl, just touching the +whip to the sleek side of her pony, set off at a gallop, closely +followed by her faithful attendant Jim. + +Several miles of rather a lonely road lay between them and home, and +no time was to be lost, if they would reach the Oaks while the sun was +still above the horizon. + +They were hardly more than half a mile from the entrance to the +grounds, when Elsie caught sight of a well-known form slowly moving +down the road a few paces ahead of them. It was Arthur, and she soon +perceived that it was his intention to intercept her; he stopped, +turning his face toward her, sprang forward as she came up, and seized +her bridle. + +"Stay a moment, Elsie," he said, "I want to speak to you." + +"Then come on to the Oaks, and let us talk there; please do, for I am +in a hurry." + +"No, I prefer to say my say where I am. I'll not detain you long. You +keep out of earshot, Jim. I want to borrow a little money, Elsie; a +trifle of fifty dollars or so. Can you accommodate me?" + +"Not without papa's knowledge, Arthur. So I hope you do not wish to +conceal the matter from him." + +"I do. I see no reason why he should know all my private affairs. +Can't you raise that much without applying to him? Isn't your +allowance very large now?" + +"Fifty dollars a month, Arthur, but subject to the same conditions as +of old. I must account to papa for every cent." + +"Haven't you more than that in hand now?" + +"Yes, but what do you want it for?" + +"That's neither your business nor his; let me have it for two weeks, +I'll pay it back then, and in the meantime he need know nothing about +it." + +"I cannot; I never have any concealments from papa, and I must give in +my account in less than a week." + +"Nonsense! You are and always were the most disobliging creature +alive!" returned Arthur with an oath. + +"Oh, Arthur, how can you say such wicked words," she said, recoiling +from him with a shudder. "And you quite misjudge me. I would be glad +to do anything for you that is right. If you will let me tell papa +your wish, and he gives consent, you shall have the money at once. Now +please let me go. The sun has set and I shall be so late that papa +will be anxious and much displeased." + +"Who cares if he is!" he answered roughly, still retaining his hold +upon her bridle, and compelling her to listen while he continued to +urge his request; enforcing it with arguments and threats. + +They were alike vain, she steadfastly refused to grant it except on +the conditions she had named, and which he determinately rejected--and +insisted being left free to pursue her homeward way. + +He grew furious, and at length with a shocking oath released her +bridle, but at the same instant struck her pony a severe blow upon his +haunches, with a stout stick he held in his hand. + +The terrified animal, smarting with the pain, started aside, reared +and plunged in a way that would have unseated a less skilful rider, +and had nearly thrown Elsie from the saddle: then darted off at the +top of its speed; but fortunately turned in at the gate held open by +Jim, who had ridden on ahead and dismounted for that purpose. + +"Whoa, you Glossy! whoa dere!" he cried, springing to the head of the +excited animal, and catching its bridle in his powerful grasp. + +"Just lead her for a little, Jim," said Elsie "There, there! my poor +pretty Glossy, be quiet now. It was too cruel to serve you so; but +it shan't happen again if your mistress can help it," she added in a +voice tremulous with sympathy and indignation, patting and stroking +her pony caressingly as she spoke. + +Jim obeyed, walking on at a brisk pace, leading Glossy with his right +hand, and keeping the bridle of the other horse over his left arm. + +"I'll walk the rest of the way, Jim," said Elsie presently, "just stop +her and let me get down. There," springing lightly to the ground, "you +may lead them both to the stable now." + +She hurried forward along the broad, gravelled winding carriage road +that led to the house. The next turn brought her face to face with her +father. + +"What, Elsie! alone and on foot at this late hour?" he said in a tone +of mingled surprise and reproof. + +"I have been riding, papa, and only a moment since dismounted and let +Jim lead the horses down the other road to the stables." + +"Ah, but how did you come to be so late?" he asked, drawing her hand +within his arm and leading her onward. + +"I have been to Tinegrove, sir, and Aunt Lora, Carrie, and I found so +much to say to each other, that the time slipped away before I knew +it." + +"It must not happen again, Elsie." + +"I do not mean it shall, papa, and I am very sorry." + +"Then I excuse you this once, daughter; it is not often you give me +occasion to reprove you." + +"Thank you, papa," she said with a grateful, loving look. "Did you +come out in search of me?" + +"Yes, your mamma and I had begun to grow anxious lest some accident +had befallen you. Our little daughter is such a precious treasure that +we must needs watch over her very carefully," he added in a tone that +was half playful, half tender, while he pressed the little gloved +hand in his, and his eyes rested upon the sweet fair face with an +expression of proud fatherly affection. + +Her answering look was full of filial reverence and love. "Dear papa, +it is so nice to be so loved and cared for; so sweet to hear such +words from your lips. I do believe I'm the very happiest girl in the +land." She had already almost forgotten Arthur and his rudeness and +brutality. + +"And I the happiest father," he said with a pleased smile. "Ah, here +comes mamma to meet as with little Horace." + +The child ran forward with a glad shout to meet his sister, Rose met +her with loving words and a fond caress; one might have thought from +their joyous welcome, that she was returning after an absence of +weeks or months instead of hours. Letting go her father's arm as they +stepped upon the piazza Elsie began a romping play with her little +brother, but at a gentle reminder from her mamma that the tea bell +would soon ring, ran away to her own apartments to have her riding +habit changed for something more suitable for the drawing room. + +Chloe was in waiting and her skilful hands made rapid work, putting +the last touches to her nursling's dress just as the summons to the +supper table was given. + +Mr. Dinsmore was quite as fastidious as in former days in regard to +the neatness and tastefulness of Elsie's attire. + +"Will I do, papa?" she asked, presenting herself before him, looking +very sweet and fair in a simple white dress with blue sash and +ribbons. + +"Yes," he said with a satisfied smile, "I see nothing amiss with +dress, hair, or face." + +"Nor do I," said Rose, leading the way to the supper room, "Aunt Chloe +is an accomplished tirewoman. But come, let us sit down to our meal +and have it over." + +On their return to the drawing room they, found Mr. Travilla +comfortably ensconced in an easy chair, reading the evening paper. He +was an almost daily visitor at the Oaks, and seldom came without some +little gift for one or both of his friend's children. It was for Elsie +to-night. When the usual greetings had been exchanged, he turned to +her, saying, "I have brought you a treat. Can you guess what it is?" + +"A book!" + +"Ah, there must be something of the Yankee about you," he answered, +laughing. "Yes, it is a book in two volumes; just published and a +most delightful, charming story," he went on, drawing them from his +pockets, and handing them to her as he spoke. + +"Oh, thank you, sir!" she cried with eager gratitude, "I'm so glad, +if--if only papa will allow me to read it. May I, papa?" + +"I can tell better when I have examined it, my child," Mr. Dinsmore +answered, taking one of the volumes from her hands and looking at the +title on the back. "'The Wide, Wide World!' What sort of a book is it, +Travilla?" + +"A very good sort. I think. Just glance through it or read a few +pages, and I'm pretty sure it will be sufficient to satisfy you of, +not only its harmlessness, but that its perusal would be a benefit to +almost any one." + +Mr. Dinsmore did so, Elsie standing beside him, her hand upon his arm, +and her eyes on his face--anxiously watching its changes of expression +as he read. They grew more and more satisfactory; the book was +evidently approving itself to his taste and judgment, and presently +he returned it to her, saying, with a kind fatherly smile, "Yes, my +child, you may read it. I have no doubt it deserves all the praise Mr. +Travilla has given it." + +"Oh, thank you, papa, I'm very glad," she answered joyously, "I am +just hungry for a nice story." And seating herself near the light, she +was soon lost to everything about her in the deep interest with which +she was following Ellen Montgomery through her troubles and trials. + +She was loath to lay the book aside when at the usual hour--a quarter +before nine--the bell rang for prayers. She hardly heeded the summons +till her papa laid his hand on her shoulder, saying, "Come, daughter, +you must not be left behind." + +She started up then, hastily closing the book, and followed the others +to the dining room, where the servants were already assembled to take +part in the family devotions. + +Mr. Travilla went away immediately after and now it was Elsie's +bed-time. Her father reminded her of it as, on coming back from seeing +his friend to the door, he found her again poring over the book. + +"Oh, papa, it is so interesting! could you let me finish this +chapter?" she asked with a very entreating look up into his face as he +stood at her side. + +"I suppose I could if I should make a great effort," he answered +laughingly. "Yes, you may, for once, but don't expect always to be +allowed to do so." + +"No, sir, oh, no. Thank you, sir." + +"Well, have you come to a good stopping-place?" he asked, as she +presently closed the book and put it aside with a slight sigh. + +"No, sir, it is just as bad a one as the other. Papa, I wish I was +grown up enough to read another hour before going to bed." + +"I don't," he said, drawing her to a seat upon his knee, and passing +his arm about her waist, "I'm not ready to part with my little girl +yet." + +"Wouldn't a fine young lady daughter be just as good or better?" she +asked, giving him a hug. + +"No, not now, some of these days I may think so." + +"But mayn't I stay up and read till ten to-night?" + +He shook his head. "Till half-past nine, then?" + +"No, not even a till quarter past. Ah, it is that now," he added, +consulting his watch. + +"You must say good-night and go. Early hours and plenty of sleep for +my little girl, that she may grow up to healthful, vigorous womanhood, +capable of enjoying life and being very useful in the church and the +world." He kissed her with grave tenderness as he spoke. + +"Good-night then, you dear father," she said, returning the caress. "I +know you would indulge me if you thought it for my good." + +"Indeed I would, pet. Would it help to reconcile you to the denial +of your wish to know that I shall be reading the book, and probably +enjoying it as much as you would?" + +"Ah yes, indeed, papa! it is a real pleasure to resign it to you," she +answered with a look of delight. "It's just the nicest story! at least +as far as I've read. Read it aloud to mamma, won't you?" + +"Yes, if she wishes to hear it. Now away with you to your room and +your bed." + +Only waiting to bid her mamma an affectionate good-night, Elsie +obeyed, leaving the room with a light step, and a cheerful, happy +face. + +"Dear unselfish child!" her father said, looking after her. + +"She is that indeed," said Rose. "How happy, shall I be if Horace +grows up to be as good and lovable." + +Elsie was a fearless horsewoman, accustomed to the saddle from her +very early years. Thus Arthur's wanton attack upon her pony had failed +to give her nerves the severe shock it might have caused to those of +most young girls of her age. Her feeling was more of excitement, +and of indignation at the uncalled-for cruelty to a dumb animal, +especially her own pet horse, than of fright at the danger to herself. +But she well knew that the latter was what her father would think of +first, and that he would be very angry with Arthur; therefore she had +tried, and successfully, to control herself and suppress all signs of +agitation on meeting him upon her return. + +She felt glad now as the affair recurred to her recollection while +preparing for the night's rest, that she had been able to do so. For a +moment she questioned with herself whether she was quite right to have +this concealment from her father, but quickly decided that she was. +Had the wrong-doing been her own--that would have made it altogether +another matter. + +She was shocked at Arthur's wickedness, troubled and anxious about his +future, but freely forgave his crime against her pony and herself, +and mingled with her nightly petitions an earnest prayer for his +conversion, and his welfare temporal and spiritual. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + O love! thou sternly dost thy power maintain, + And wilt not bear a rival in thy reign. + + --DRYDEN. + + +It was the middle of the forenoon, and Elsie in her own pretty little +sitting room was busied with her books; so deep in study indeed, that +she never noticed a slight girlish figure as it glided in at the glass +doors opening upon the lawn, to-day set wide to admit the air coming +fresh and cool with a faint odor of the far-off sea, pleasantly +mingling with that of the flowers in the garden, on the other side of +the house. + +"Buried alive in her books! Dear me! what a perfect paragon of +industry you are," cried the intruder in a lively tone. "I wish you +would imbue me with some of your love of study." + +"Why, Lucy Carrington! how did you get here?" and Elsie pushed her +books away, rose hastily and greeted her friend with an affectionate +embrace. + +"How? I came in through yonder door, miss; after riding my pony +from Ashlands to the front entrance of this mansion," replied Lucy, +courtesying low in mock reverence. "I hope your ladyship will excuse +the liberty I have taken in venturing uninvited into your sanctum." + +"Provided your repentance is deep and sincere," returned Elsie in the +same jesting tone. + +"Certainly, I solemnly pledge myself never to do it again till the +next time." + +"Sit down, won't you?" and Elsie pushed forward a low rocking chair. +"It's so pleasant to see you. But if I had thought about it at all +I should have supposed you were at home, and as busy over books and +lessons as I." + +"No; my respected governess, Miss Warren, not feeling very well, has +taken a week's holiday, and left me to do the same. Fancy my afflicted +state at the thought of laying aside my beloved books for seven or +eight whole days." + +"You poor creature! how I pity you," said Elsie, laughing; "suppose +you stay here and share the instructions of my tutor; I have no doubt +I could persuade him to receive you as a pupil." + +"Horrors! I'm much obliged, very much, but I should die of fright the +first time I had to recite. There, I declare I'm growing poetical, +talking in rhyme all the time." + +"Let mammy take your hat and scarf," said Elsie. "You'll stay and +spend the day with me, won't you?" + +"Thank you, no; I came to carry you off to Ashlands to spend a week. +Will you come?" + +"I should like to, dearly well, if papa gives permission." + +"Well, run and ask him." + +"I can't; unfortunately he is out, and not expected to return till +tea-time." + +"Oh, pshaw! how provoking! But can't your mamma give permission just +as well?" + +"If it were only for a day she might, but I know she would say the +question of a longer visit must be referred to papa." + +"Dear me! I wouldn't be you for something. Why, I never ask leave of +anybody when I want to pay a visit anywhere in the neighborhood. I +tell mamma I'm going, and that's all-sufficient. I don't see how you +stand being ordered about and controlled so." + +"If you'll believe me," said Elsie, laughing a gay, sweet, silvery +laugh, "I really enjoy being controlled by papa. It saves me a deal of +trouble and responsibility in the way of deciding for myself; and then +I love him so dearly that I almost always feel it my greatest pleasure +to do whatever pleases him." + +"And he always was so strict with you." + +"Yes, he is strict; but oh, so kind." + +"But that's just because you're so good; he'd have an awful time +ruling me. I'd be in a chronic state of disgrace and punishment; and +he obliged to be so constantly improving me and frowning sternly upon +my delinquencies that he'd never be able to don a smile of approval or +slip in a word of praise edgewise." + +"Indeed you're not half so bad as you pretend," said Elsie, laughing +again; "nor I half so good as you seem determined to believe me." + +"No, I've no doubt that you're an arch hypocrite, and we shall find +out one of these days that you are really worse than any of the rest +of us. But now I must finish my errand and go, for I know you're +longing to be at those books. Do you get a ferruling every time you +miss a word?--and enjoy the pain because it pleases papa to inflict +it?" + +"Oh, Lucy, how can you be so ridiculous?" and a quick, vivid blush +mounted to Elsie's very hair. + +"I beg your pardon, Elsie, dear, I had no business to say such a +thing," cried Lucy, springing up to throw her arms round her friend +and kiss her warmly; "but of course it was nothing but the merest +nonsense. I know well enough your papa never does anything of the +kind." + +"No; if my lessons are not well prepared they have to be learned over +again, that is all; and if I see that papa is displeased with me, I +assure you it is punishment enough." + +"Do you think he'll let you accept my invitation?" + +"I don't know, indeed, Lucy. I think he will hardly like to have me +give up my studies for that length of time, and in fact I hardly like +to do so myself." + +"Oh, you must come. You can practise on my piano every day for an hour +or two, if you like. We'll learn some duets. And you can bring your +sketch-book and carry it along when we walk or ride, as we shall +every day. And we might read some improving books together,--you and +Herbert, and I. He is worse again, poor fellow! so that some days he +hardly leaves his couch even to limp across the room, and it's partly +to cheer him up that we want you to come. There's nothing puts him +into better spirits than a sight of your face." + +"You don't expect other company?" + +"No, except on our birthday; but then we're going to have a little +party, just of our own set,--we boys and girls that have grown up--or +are growing up--together, as one may say. Oh, yes, I want to have +Carrie Howard, Mary Leslie, and Enna stay a day or two after the +party. Now coax your papa hard, for we must have you," she added, +rising to go. + +"That would be a sure way to make him say no," said Elsie, smiling; +"he never allows me to coax or tease; at least, not after he has once +answered my request." + +"Then don't think of it. Good-bye. No, don't waste time in coming to +see me off, but go back to your books like a good child. I mean to +have a little chat with your mamma before I go." + +Elsie returned to her lessons with redoubled energy. She was longing +to become more intimately acquainted with Ellen Montgomery, but +resolutely denied herself even so much as a peep at the pages of the +fascinating story-book until her allotted tasks should be faithfully +performed. + +These, with her regular daily exercise in the open air, filled up the +morning; there was a half hour before, and another after dinner, which +she could call her own; then two hours for needlework, music, and +drawing, and she was free to employ herself as she would till +bed-time. + +That was very apt to be in reading, and if the weather was fine she +usually carried her book to an arbor at some distance from the house. +It was reached by a long shaded walk that led to it from the lawn, on +which the glass doors of her pretty boudoir opened. It was a cool, +breezy, quiet spot, on a terraced hillside, commanding a lovely view +of vale, river, and woodland, and from being so constantly frequented +by our heroine, had come to be called by her name,--"Elsie's Arbor." +Arthur, well acquainted with these tastes and habits, sought, and +found her here on the afternoon of this day--found her so deeply +absorbed in Miss Warner's sweet story that she was not aware of his +approach--so full of sympathy for little Ellen that her tears were +dropping upon the page as she read. + +"What, crying, eh?" he said with a sneer, as he seated himself by her +side, and rudely pulled one of her curls, very much as he had been +used to do years ago. "Well, I needn't be surprised, for you always +were the greatest baby I ever saw." + +"Please let my hair alone, Arthur; you are not very polite in either +speech or action," she answered, brushing away her tears and moving a +little farther from him. + +"It's not worth while to waste politeness on you. What's that you're +reading?" + +"A new book Mr. Travilla gave me." + +"Has no name, eh?" + +"Yes, 'Wide, Wide World.'" + +"Some namby-pamby girl's story, I s'pose, since you're allowed to read +it; or are you doing it on the sly?" + +"No, I never do such things, and hope I never shall; papa gave me +permission." + +"Oh; ah! then I haven't got you in my power: wish I had." + +"Why?" + +"Because I might turn it to good account. I know you are as afraid as +death of Horace." + +"No, I am not!" dried Elsie indignantly, rich color rushing all over +her fair face and neck; "for I know that he loves me dearly and if I +had been disobeying or deceiving him I would far sooner throw myself +on his mercy than on yours." + +"You would, eh? How mad you are; your face is as red as a beet. A +pretty sort of Christian you are, aren't you?" + +"I am not perfect, Arthur; but you mustn't judge of religion by me." + +"I shall, though. Don't you wish I'd go away?" he added teasingly, +again snatching at her curls. + +But she eluded his grasp, and rising, stood before him with an air of +gentle dignity. "Yes," she said, "since you ask me, I'll own that I +do. I don't know why it is that, though your manners are polished when +you choose to make them so, you are always rude and ungentlemanly to +me when you find me alone. So I shall be very glad if you'll just go +away and leave me to solitude and the enjoyment of my book." + +"I'll do so when I get ready; not a minute sooner. But you can get rid +of me just as soon as you like. I see you take. Yes, I want that money +I asked you for yesterday, and I am bound to have it." + +"Arthur, my answer must be just the same that it was then; I can give +you no other." + +"You're the meanest girl alive! To my certain knowledge you are worth +at least a million and a half, and yet you refuse to lend me the +pitiful sum of fifty dollars." + +"Arthur, you know I have no choice in the matter. Papa has forbidden +me to lend you money without his knowledge and consent, and I cannot +disobey him." + +"When did he forbid you?" + +"A long while ago; and though he has said nothing about it lately, he +has told me again and again that his commands are always binding until +he revokes them." + +"Fifteen years old, and not allowed to do as you please even with +your pocket money!" he said contemptuously. "Do you expect to be in +leading-strings all your life?" + +"I shall of course have control of my own money matters on coming of +age; but I expect to obey my father as long as we both live," she +answered, with gentle but firm decision. + +"Do you have to show your balance in hand when you give in your +account?" + +"No; do you suppose papa cannot trust my word?" she answered, somewhat +indignantly. + +"Then you could manage it just as easily as not. There's no occasion +for him to know whether your balance in hand is at that moment in your +possession or mine; as I told you before, I only want to borrow it for +two weeks. Come, let me have it. If you don't, the day will come when +you'll wish you had." + +She repeated her refusal; he grew very angry and abusive, and at +length went so far as to strike her. + +A quick step sounded on the gravel walk, a strong grasp was laid on +Arthur's arm, he felt himself suddenly jerked aside and flung upon +his knees, while a perfect rain of stinging, smarting blows descended +rapidly upon his back and shoulders. + +"There, you unmitigated scoundrel, you mean, miserable caitiff; lay +your hand upon her again if you dare!" cried Mr. Travilla, finishing +the castigation by applying the toe of his boot to Arthur's nether +parts with a force that sent him reeling some distance down the walk, +to fall with a heavy thud upon the ground. + +The lad rose, white with rage, and shook his fist at his antagonist. +"I'll strike her when I please," he said with an oath, "and not be +called to account by you for it either; she's my niece, and nothing to +you." + +"I'll defend her nevertheless, and see to it that you come to grief if +you attempt to harm her in any way whatever. Did he hurt you much, my +child?" And Mr. Travilla's tone changed to one of tender concern as he +turned and addressed Elsie, who had sunk pale and trembling upon the +rustic seat where Arthur had found her. + +"No, sir, but I fear you have hurt him a good deal, in your kind zeal +for my defence," she answered, looking after Arthur, as he limped away +down the path. + +"I have broken my cane, that is the worst of it," said her protector +coolly, looking regretfully down at the fragment he still held in his +hand. + +"You must have struck very hard, and oh, Mr. Travilla, what if he +should take it into his head to challenge you?" and Elsie turned pale +with terror. + +"Never fear; he is too arrant a coward for that; he knows I am a good +shot, and that, as the challenged party, I would have the right to +the choice of weapons." + +"But you wouldn't fight, Mr. Travilla? you do not approve of +duelling?" + +"So, no indeed, Elsie; both the laws of God and of the land are +against it, and I could not engage in it either as a good citizen or a +Christian." + +"Oh, I am so glad of that, and that you came to my rescue; for I was +really growing frightened, Arthur seemed in such a fury with me." + +"What was it about?" + +Elsie explained, then asked how he had happened to come to her aid. + +"I had learned from the servants that your father and mother were both +out, so came here in search of you," he said. "As I drew near I saw +that Arthur was with you, and not wishing to overhear your talk, I +waited at a little distance up there on the bank, watching you through +the trees. I perceived at once that he was in a towering passion, and +fearing he would ill-treat you in some way, I held myself in readiness +to come to your rescue; and when I saw him strike you, such a fury +suddenly came over me that I could not possibly refrain from thrashing +him for it." + +"Mr. Travilla, you will not tell papa?" she said entreatingly. + +"My child, I am inclined to think he ought to hear of it." + +"Oh, why need he? It would make him very angry with Arthur." + +"Which Arthur richly deserves. I think your father should know, in +order that he may take measures for your protection. Still, if you +promise not to ride or walk out alone until Arthur has left the +neighborhood, it shall be as you wish. But you must try to recover +your composure, or your papa will be sure to ask the cause of your +agitation. You are trembling very much, and the color has quite +forsaken your cheeks." + +"I'll try," She said, making a great effort to control herself, "and I +give you the promise." + +"This is a very pleasant place to sit with book or work," he remarked, +"but I would advise you not even to come here alone again till Arthur +has gone." + +"Thank you, sir, I think I shall follow your advice. It will be only a +few weeks now till he and Walter both go North to college." + +"I see you have your book with you," he said, taking it up from the +seat where it lay. "How do you like it?" + +"Oh, so much! How I pity poor Ellen for having such a father, so +different from my dear papa; and because she had to be separated from +her mamma, whom she loved so dearly. I can't read about her troubles +without crying, Mr. Travilla." + +"Shall I tell you a secret," he said, smiling; "I shed some tears +over it myself." Then he went on talking with her about the different +characters of the story, thus helping her to recover her composure by +turning her thoughts from herself and Arthur. + +When, half an hour later, a servant came to summon her to the house, +with the announcement that her father had returned and was ready to +hear her recitations, all signs of agitation had disappeared; she had +ceased to tremble, and her fair face was as sweet, bright, and rosy as +its wont. + +She rose instantly on hearing the summons. "You'll excuse me, I know, +Mr. Travilla. But will you not go in with me? We are always glad to +have you with us. I have no need to tell you that, I am sure." + +"Thank you," he said, "but I must return to Ion now. I shall walk to +the house with you though, if you will permit me," he added, thinking +that Arthur might be still lurking somewhere within the grounds. + +She answered gayly that she would be very glad of his company. She had +lost none of her old liking for her father's friend, and was wont to +treat him with the easy and affectionate familiarity she might have +used had he been her uncle. + +They continued their talk till they had reached the lawn at the side +of the house on which her apartments were; then he turned to bid her +good-bye. + +"I'm much obliged!" she said, taking his offered hand, and looking up +brightly into his face. + +"Welcome, fair lady; but am I to be dismissed without any reward for +my poor services?" + +"I have none to offer, sir knight, but you may help yourself if you +choose," she said, laughing and blushing, for she knew very well what +he meant. + +He stooped and snatched a kiss from her ruby lips, then walked away +sighing softly to himself, "Ah, little Elsie, if I were but ten years +younger!" + +She tripped across the lawn, and entering the open door of her +boudoir, found herself in her father's arms. He had witnessed the +little scene just enacted between Mr. Travilla and herself, had +noticed something in his friend's look and manner that had never +struck him before. He folded his child close to his heart for an +instant then held her off a little, gazing fondly into her face. + +"You are mine; you belong to me; no other earthly creature has the +least shadow of a right or title in you; do you know that?" + +"Yes, papa, and rejoice to know it," she murmured, putting her arms +about his neck and laying her head against his breast. + +"Ah!" he said, sighing, "you will not always be able to say that, I +fear. One of these days you will--" He broke off abruptly, without +finishing his sentence. + +She looked up inquiringly into his face. + +He answered her look with a smile and a tender caress. "I had better +not put the nonsense into your head: it will get there soon enough +without my help. Come now, let us have the lessons. I expect to find +them well prepared, as usual." + +"I hope so, papa," she answered, bringing her books and seating +herself on a stool at his feet, he having taken possession of an +easy-chair. + +The recitations seemed a source of keen enjoyment to both; the one +loving to impart, and the other to receive, knowledge. + +Mr. Dinsmore gave the deserved meed of warm praise for the faithful +preparation of each allotted task, prescribed those for the coming +day, and the books were laid aside. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, as she closed her desk upon them, "I +have something to say to you." + +"What is it, papa?" she asked, seating herself upon his knee. "How +very grave you look." But there was not a touch of the old fear in her +face or voice, as there had been none in his of the old sternness. + +"Yes, for I am about to speak of a serious matter," he answered, +gently smoothing back the clustering curls from her fair brow, while +he looked earnestly into the soft brown eyes. "You have not been +lending money to Arthur, Elsie?" + +The abrupt, unexpected question startled her, and a crimson tide +rushed over her face and neck; but she returned her father's gaze +steadily: "No, papa; how could you think I would disobey so?" + +"I did not, darling, and yet I felt that I must ask the question +and repeat my warning, my command to you--never to do so without my +knowledge and consent. Your grandfather and I are much troubled about +the boy." + +"I am so sorry, papa; I hope he has not been doing anything very bad." + +"He seems to have sufficient cunning to hide many of his evil deeds," +Mr. Dinsmore said, with a sigh; "yet enough has come to light to +convince us that he is very likely to become a shame and disgrace to +his family. We know that he is profane, and to some extent, at +least, intemperate and a gambler. A sad, sad beginning for a boy of +seventeen. And to furnish him with money, Elsie, would be only to +assist him in his downward course." + +"Yes, papa, I see that. Poor grandpa, I'm so sorry for him! But, papa, +God can change Arthur's heart, and make him all we could wish." + +"Yes, daughter, and we will agree together to ask Him to do this great +work, so impossible to any human power; shall we not?" + +"Yes, papa." They were silent a moment; then she turned to him again, +told of Lucy Carrington's call and its object, and asked if she might +accept the invitation. + +He considered a moment. "Yes," he said kindly, "you may if you wish. +You quite deserve a holiday, and I think perhaps would really be the +better of a week's rest from study. Go and enjoy yourself as much as +you can, my darling." + +"Thank you, you dearest, kindest, and best of papas," she said, giving +him a hug and kiss. "But I think you look a little bit sorry. You +would rather I should stay at home, if I could content myself to do +so, and it would be a strange thing if I could not." + +"No, my pet, I shall miss you, I know; the house always seems lonely +without you; but I can spare you for a week, and would rather have you +go, because I think the change will do you good. Besides, I am willing +to lend my treasure for a few days to our friends at Ashlands. I +would gladly do more than that, if I could, for that poor suffering +Herbert." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + How many pleasant faces shed their light on every side. + + --TUPPER. + + +"Remember it is for only one week; you must be back again next +Wednesday by ten o'clock; I can't spare you an hour longer," Mr. +Dinsmore said, as the next morning, shortly after breakfast, he +assisted his daughter to mount her pony. + +"Ten o'clock at night, papa?" asked Elsie in a gay, jesting tone, as +she settled herself in the saddle, and took a little gold-mounted +riding whip from his hand. + +"No, ten A.M., precisely." + +"But what if it should be storming, sir?" + +"Then come as soon as the storm is over." + +"Yes, sir; and may I come sooner if I get homesick?" + +"Just as soon as you please. Now, good-bye, my darling. Don't go into +any danger. I know I need not remind you to do nothing your father +would disapprove." + +"I hope not, papa," she said, with a loving look into the eyes that +were gazing so fondly upon her. Then kissing her hand to him and her +mamma and little Horace, who stood on the veranda to see her off, she +turned her horse's head and cantered merrily away, taking the road to +Ashlands on passing out at the gate. + +It was a bright, breezy morning, and her heart felt so light and +gay that a snatch of glad song rose to her lips. She warbled a few +bird-like notes, then fell to humming softly to herself. + +At a little distance down the road a light wagon was rumbling along, +driven by one of the man-servants from the Oaks, and carrying Aunt +Chloe and her young mistress' trunks. + +"Come, Jim," said Elsie, glancing over her shoulder at her attendant +satellite, "we must pass them. Glossy and I are in haste to-day. Ah, +mammy, are you enjoying your ride?" she called to her old nurse as she +cantered swiftly by. + +"Yes, dat I is, honey!" returned the old woman. Then sending a loving, +admiring look after the retreating form so full of symmetry and grace, +"My bressed chile!" she murmured, "you's beautiful as de mornin', your +ole mammy tinks, an' sweet as de finest rose in de garden; bright an' +happy as de day am long, too." + +"De beautifullest in all de country, an' de finest," chimed in her +charioteer. + +The young people at Ashlands were all out on the veranda enjoying the +fresh morning air--Herbert lying on a lounge with a book in his hand; +Harry and Lucy seated on opposite sides of a small round table and +deep in a game of chess; two little fellows of six and eight--John and +Archie by name--were spinning a top. + +"There she is! I had almost given her up; for I didn't believe that +old father of hers would let her come," cried Lucy, catching sight of +Glossy and her rider just entering the avenue; and she sprang up in +such haste as to upset half the men upon the board. + +"Hollo! see what you've done!" exclaimed Harry. "Why, it's Elsie, sure +enough!" and he hastily followed in the wake of his sister, who had +already flown to meet and welcome her friend; while Herbert started up +to a sitting posture, and looked enviously after them. + +"Archie, John," he called, "one of you please be good enough to hand +me my crutch and cane. Dear me, what a thing it is to be a cripple!" + +"I'll get 'em, Herbie, this minute! Don't you try to step without +'em," said Archie, jumping up to hand them. + +But Elsie had already alighted from her horse with Harry's assistance, +and shaken hands with him, returned Lucy's rapturous embrace as warmly +as it was given, and stepped upon the veranda with her before Herbert +was fairly upon his feet. As she caught sight of him she hurried +forward, her sweet face full of tender pity. + +"Oh, don't try to come to meet me, Herbert," she said, holding out her +little gloved hand; "I know your poor limb is worse than usual, and +you, must not exert yourself for an old friend like me." + +"Ah," he said, taking the offered hand, and looking at its owner with +a glad light in his eyes, "How like you that is, Elsie! You always +were more thoughtful of others than any one else I ever knew. Yes, my +limb is pretty bad just now; but the doctor thinks he'll conquer the +disease yet; at least so far as to relieve me of the pain I suffer." + +"I hope so, indeed. How patiently you have borne it all these long +years," she answered with earnest sympathy of tone and look. + +"So he has; he deserves the greatest amount of credit for it," said +Lucy, as John and Archie in turn claimed Elsie's attention for a +moment. "But come now, let me take you to mamma and grandma, and then +to your own room. Aunt Chloe and your luggage will be along presently, +I suppose." + +"Yes, they are coming up the avenue now." + +Lucy led the way to a large pleasant, airy apartment in one of the +wings of the building, where they found Mrs. Carrington busily +occupied in cutting out garments for her servants, her parents Mr. and +Mrs. Norris with her, the one reading a newspaper, the other knitting. +All three gave the young guest a very warm welcome. She was evidently +a great favorite with the whole family. + +These greetings and the usual mutual inquiries in regard to the health +of friends and relatives having been exchanged, Elsie was next carried +off by Lucy to the room prepared for her special use during her stay +at Ashlands. It also was large, airy, and cheerful, on the second +floor--opening upon a veranda on one side, on the other into a similar +apartment occupied by Lucy herself. Pine India matting, furniture of +some kind of yellow grained wood, snowy counterpanes, curtains and +toilet covers gave them both an air of coolness and simple elegance, +while vases of fresh flowers upon the mantels shed around a slight but +delicious perfume. + +Of course the two girls were full of lively, innocent chat. In the +midst of it Elsie exclaimed, "Oh, Lucy! I have just the loveliest book +you ever read! a present from Mr. Travilla the other day, and I've +brought it along. Papa had begun it, but he is so kind he insisted I +should bring it with me; and so I did." + +"Oh, I'm glad! we haven't had anything new in the story-book line for +some time. Have you read it yourself?" + +"Partly; but it is worth reading several times; and I thought we would +enjoy it all together--one reading aloud." + +"Oh, 'tis just the thing! I'm going to help mamma to-day with the +sewing, and a nice book read aloud will make it quite enjoyable. We'll +have you for reader, Elsie, if you are agreed." + +"Suppose we take turns sewing and reading? I'd like to help your +mamma, too." + +"Thank you; well, we'll see. Herbert's a good reader, and I daresay +will be glad to take his turn at it too. Ah, here comes your baggage +and Aunt Chloe following it. Here, Bob and Jack," to the two stalwart +black fellows who were carrying the trunk, "set it in this corner. How +d'ye do, Aunt Chloe?" + +"Berry well, tank you, missy," replied the old nurse, dropping a +courtesy. "I'se berry glad to see you lookin' so bright dis here +mornin'." + +"Thank you. Now make yourself at home and take good care of your young +mistress." + +"Dat I will, missy; best I knows how. Trus' dis chile for dat." + +Elsie's riding habit was quickly exchanged for a house dress, her +hair made smooth and shining as its wont, and securing her book she +returned with Lucy to the lower veranda, where they found Herbert +still extended upon his sofa. + +His face brightened at sight of Elsie. He had laid aside his book, and +was at work with his knife upon a bit of soft pine wood. He whiled +away many a tedious hour by fashioning in this manner little boxes, +whistles, sets of baby-house furniture, etc., etc., for one and +another of his small friends. Books, magazines, and newspapers filled +up the larger portion of his time, but could not occupy it all, for, +as he said, he must digest his mental food, and he liked to have +employment for his fingers while doing so. + +"Please be good enough to sit where I can look at you without too +great an effort, won't you?" he said, smiling up into Elsie's face. + +"Yes, if that will afford you any pleasure," she answered lightly, as +Lucy beckoned to a colored girl, who stepped forward and placed a low +rocking chair at the side of the couch. + +"There, that is just right. I can have a full view of your face by +merely raising my eyes," Herbert said with satisfaction, as Elsie +seated herself in it. "What, you have brought a book?" + +"Yes," and while Elsie went on to repeat the substance of what she +had told Lucy, the latter slipped away to her mamma's room to make +arrangements about the work, and ask if they would not all like to +come and listen to the reading. + +"Is it the kind of book to interest an old body like me?" asked Mrs. +Norris. + +"I don't know, grandma; but Elsie says Mr. Travilla and her papa were +both delighted with it. Mr. Dinsmore, though, had not read the whole +of it." + +"Suppose we go and try it for a while then," said Mr. Morris, laying +down his paper. "If our little Elsie is to be the reader, I for one am +pretty sure to enjoy listening, her voice is so sweet-toned and her +enunciation so clear and distinct." + +"That's you, grandpa!" cried Lucy, clapping her hands in applause. +"Yes, you'd better all come, Elsie is to be the reader at the start; +she says she does not mind beginning the story over again." + +Mrs. Carrington began gathering up her work, laying the garments +already cut out in a large basket, which was then carried by her maid +to the veranda. In a few moments Elsie had quite an audience gathered +about her, ere long a deeply interested one; scissors or needle had +now and again to be dropped to wipe away a falling tear, and the voice +of the reader needed steadying more than once or twice. Then Herbert +took his turn at the book, Elsie hers with the needle, Mrs. Carrington +half reluctantly yielding to her urgent request to be allowed to +assist them. + +So the morning, and much of the afternoon also, passed most +pleasantly, and not unprofitably either. A walk toward sundown, and +afterward a delightful moonlight ride with Harry Carrington and +Winthrop Lansing, the son of a neighboring planter, finished the +day, and Elsie retired to her own room at her usual early hour. Lucy +followed and kept her chatting quite a while, for which Elsie's tender +conscience reproached her somewhat; yet she was not long in falling +asleep after her head had once touched her pillow. + +The next day was passed in a similar manner, still more time being +given to the reading, as they were able to begin it earlier: yet the +book was not finished; but on the morning of the next day, which was +Friday, Lucy proposed that, if the plan was agreeable to Elsie, they +should spend an hour or two in a new amusement; which was no other +than going into the dominions of Aunt Viney, the cook, and assisting +in beating eggs and making cake. + +Elsie was charmed with the idea, and it was immediately carried out, +to the great astonishment of Chloe, Aunt Viney, and all her sable +tribe. + +"Sho, Miss Lucy! what fo' you go for to fotch de company right yere +into dis yere ole dirty kitchen?" cried Aunt Viney, dropping a hasty +courtesy to Elsie, then hurrying hither and thither in the vain effort +to set everything to rights in a moment of time. "Clar out o' yere, +you, Han an' Scip," she cried, addressing two small urchins of dusky +hue and driving them before her as she spoke, "dere aint no room yere +fo' you, an' kitchens aint no place for darkies o' your size or sect. +I'll fling de dishcloth at yo' brack faces ef yo' comes in agin fo' +you sent for. I 'clare Miss Elsie, an' Miss Lucy, dose dirty niggahs +make sich a muss in yere, dere aint a char fit for you to set down +in," she continued, hastily cleaning two, and wiping them with her +apron. "I'se glad to see you, ladies, but ef I'd knowed you was +a-comin' dis kitchen shu'd had a cleanin' up fo' shuah." + +"You see, Aunt Viney, you ought to keep it in order, and then you +would be ready for visitors whenever they happened to come," said Lucy +laughingly. "Why, you're really quite out of breath with whisking +about so fast. We've come to help you." + +The fat old negress, still panting from her unwonted exertions, +straightened herself, pushed back her turban, and gazed in round-eyed +wonder upon her young mistress. + +"What! Missy help ole Aunt Viney wid dose lily-white hands? Oh, go +'long! you's jokin' dis time fo' shuah." + +"No indeed; we want the fun of helping to make some of the cake for +to-morrow. You know we want ever so many kinds to celebrate our two +birthdays." + +"Two birthdays, Miss Lucy? yo's and Massa Herbert's? Yes, dat's it; I +don't disremember de day, but I do disremember de age." + +"Sixteen; and now we're going to have a nice party to celebrate the +day, and you must see that the refreshments are got up in your very +best style." + +"So I will, Miss Lucy, an' no 'casion for you and Miss Elsie to +trouble yo' young heads 'bout de makin' ob de cakes an' jellies an' +custards an' sich. Ole Aunt Viney can 'tend to it all." + +"But we want the fun of it," persisted Lucy; "we want to try our hands +at beating eggs, rolling sugar, sifting flour, etc., etc. I've got a +grand new receipt book here, and we'll read out the recipes to you, +and measure and weigh the materials, and you can do the mixing and +baking." + +"Yes, missy, you' lily hands no' hab strength to stir, an' de fire +spoil yo' buful 'plexions for shuah." + +"I've brought mamma's keys," said Lucy; "come along with us to the +store-room, Aunt Viney, and I'll deal out the sugar, spices, and +whatever else you want." + +"Yes, Miss Lucy; but 'deed I don't need no help. You's berry kind, but +ole Viney kin do it all, an' she'll have eberything fus'-rate fo' de +young gemmen an' ladies." + +"But that isn't the thing, auntie; you don't seem to understand. Miss +Elsie and I want the fun, and to learn to cook, too. Who knows but we +may some day have to do our own work?" + +"Bress de Lord, Miss Lucy, how you talk, honey!" cried the old +negress, rolling up her eyes in horror at the thought. + +"Take care; Miss Elsie will think you very wicked if you use such +exclamations as that." + +"Dat wrong, you t'ink, missy?" asked Aunt Viney, turning to the young +visitor, who had gone with them to the store-room, and was assisting +Lucy in the work of measuring and weighing the needed articles. + +"I think it is," she answered gently; "we should be very careful +not to use the sacred name lightly. To do so is to break the third +commandment." + +"Den, missy, dis ole gal won't neber do it no more." + +Chloe had been an excellent cook in her young days, and had not +forgotten or lost her former skill in the preparation of toothsome +dainties. She, too, came with offers of assistance, and the four were +soon deep in the mysteries of pastry, sweetmeats, and confections. +Novelty gave it an especial charm to the young ladies, and they grew +very merry and talkative, while their ignorance of the business in +hand, the odd mistakes they fell into in consequence, and the comical +questions they asked, gave much secret amusement to the two old +servants. + +"What's this pound cake to be mixed up in, Aunt Viney?" asked Lucy. + +"In dis yere tin pan, missy." + +"Is it clean?" + +"Yes, missy, it's clean; but maybe 'taint suffishently clean, I'll +wash it agin." + +"How many kinds of cake shall we make?" asked Elsie. + +"Every kind that Chloe and Aunt Viney can think of and know how +to make well. Let me see--delicate cake, gold, silver and clove, +fruitcake, sponge, and what else?" + +"Mammy makes delicious jumbles." + +"Will you make us some, Aunt Chloe?" + +Chloe signified her readiness to do whatever was desired, and began at +once to collect her implements. + +"Got a rollin' pin, Aunt Viney?" she asked. + +"Yes, to be shuah, a revoltin' roller, de very bes' kind. No, Miss +Elsie, don' mix de eggs dat way, you spile 'em ef you mix de yaller +all up wid de whites. An' Miss Lucy, butter an' sugar mus' be worked +up togedder fus', till de butter resolve de sugah, 'fore we puts de +udder gredinents in." + +"Ah, I see we have a good deal to learn before we can hope to rival +you as cooks, Aunt Viney," laughed Lucy. + +"I spec' so, missy; you throw all de gredinents in togedder, an' +tumble your flouah in all at once, an' you nebber get your cake nice +an light." + +They had nearly reached the end of their labors when sounds as of +scuffling, mingled with loud boyish laughter, and cries of "That's it, +Scip, hit him again! Pitch into him, Han, and pay him off well for +it!" drew them all in haste to the window and door. + +The two little darkies who had been ejected from the kitchen, were +tussling in the yard, while their young masters, John and Archie, +looked on, shaking with laughter, and clapping their hands in noisy +glee. + +"What's all this racket about?" asked Grandpa Norris, coming out upon +the veranda, newspaper in hand, Herbert limping along by his side. + +"The old feud between Roman and Carthaginian, sir," replied John. + +"Why, what do you mean, child?" + +"Hannah Ball waging a war on Skipio, you know, sir." + +"History repeating itself, eh?" laughed Herbert. + +"Ah, that's an old joke, Archie," said his grandfather. "And you're +too big a rogue to set them at such work. Han and Scip, stop that at +once." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "All your attempts + Shall fall on me like brittle shafts on armor." + + +Lucy came into Elsie's room early the next morning to show her +birthday gifts, of which she had received one or more from every +member of her family. They consisted of articles of jewelry, toilet +ornaments, and handsomely-bound books. + +They learned on meeting Herbert at breakfast that he had fared quite +as well as his sister. Elsie slipped a valuable ring on Lucy's finger +and laid a gold pencil-case beside Herbert's plate. + +"Oh, charming! a thousand thanks, mon ami!" cried Lucy, her eyes +sparkling with pleasure. + +"Thank you, I shall value it most highly; especially for the giver's +sake," said Herbert, examining his with a pleased look, then turning +to her with a blush and joyous smile, "I am so much better this +morning that I am going out for a drive. Won't you and Lucy give me +the added pleasure of your company?" + +"Thank you, I can answer for myself that I'll be very happy to do so." + +"I, too," said Lucy. "It's a lovely morning for a ride. We'll make up +a party and go, but we must be home again in good season; for Carrie +and Enna promised to come to dinner. So I'm glad we finished the book +yesterday, though we were all so sorry to part from little Ellen." + +They turned out quite a strong party; Herbert and the ladies filling +up the family carriage, while Harry on horseback, and John and Archie +each mounted upon a pony, accompanied it, now riding alongside, now +speeding on ahead, or perchance dropping behind for a time as suited +their fancy. + +They travelled some miles, and alighting in a beautiful grove, partook +of a delicate lunch they had brought with them. Then, while Herbert +rested upon the grass the others wandered hither and thither until it +was time to return. They reached home just in season to receive their +expected guests. + +Carrie Howard was growing up very pretty and graceful; womanly in her +ways, yet quite unassuming in manner, frank and sweet in disposition, +she was a general favorite with old and young, and could already boast +of several suitors for her hand. + +Enna Dinsmore, now in her fourteenth year, though by some considered +even prettier, was far less pleasing--pert, forward, and conceited as +she had been in her early childhood; she was tall for her age, and +with her perfect self-possession and grown-up air and manner, might +be easily mistaken for seventeen. She had already more worldly wisdom +than her sweet, fair niece would ever be able to attain, and was, in +her own estimation at least, a very stylish and fashionable young +lady. She assumed very superior airs toward Elsie when her brother +Horace was not by, reproving, exhorting, or directing her; and was +very proud of being usually taken by strangers for the elder of the +two. Some day she would not think that a feather in her cap. + +Elsie had lost none of the childlike simplicity of five years ago; +it still showed itself in the sweet, gentle countenance, the quiet +graceful carriage, equally removed from forwardness on the one hand, +and timid self-consciousness on the other. She did not consider +herself a personage of importance, yet was not troubled by her +supposed insignificance; in fact seldom thought of self at all, so +engaged was she in adding to the happiness of others. + +The four girls were gathered in Lucy's room. She had been showing her +birthday presents to Carrie and Enna. + +"How do you like this style of arranging the hair, girls?" asked the +latter, standing before a mirror, smoothing and patting, and pulling +out her puffs and braids. "It's the newest thing out. Isabel Carleton +just brought it from New York. I saw her with hers dressed so, and +sent Delia over to learn how." + +Delia was Miss Enna's maid, and had been brought along to Ashlands +that she might dress her young lady's hair in this new style for the +party. + +"It's pretty," said Lucy. "I think I'll have Minerva dress mine so for +to-night, and see how it becomes me." + +"Delia can show her how," said Enna. "Don't you like it, Carrie?" + +"Pretty well, but if you'll excuse me for saying so, it strikes me as +rather grown up for a young lady of thirteen," answered Carrie in a +good-naturedly bantering tone. + +Enna colored and looked vexed. "I'm nearly fourteen," she replied with +a slight toss of the head; "and I overheard Mrs. Carleton saying to +mamma the other day, that with my height and finished manners I might +pass anywhere for seventeen." + +"Perhaps so; of course, knowing your age, I can't judge so well how it +would strike a stranger." + +"I see you have gone back to the old childish way of arranging your +hair. What's that for?" asked Enna, turning to Elsie; "I should +think it was about time you were beginning to be a little womanly in +something." + +"Yes, but not in dress or the arrangement of my hair. So papa says, +and of course I know he is right." + +"He would not let you have it up in a comb?" + +"No," Elsie answered with a quiet smile. + +"Why do you smile? Did he say anything funny when you showed yourself +that day?" + +"Oh, Elsie, have you tried putting up your hair?" asked Carrie; while +Lucy exclaimed, "Try it again to-night, Elsie, I should like to see +how you would look." + +"Yes," said Elsie, answering Carrie's query first. "Enna persuaded me +one day to have mammy do it up in young-lady fashion. I liked it right +well for a change, and that was just what mamma said when I went into +the drawing-room and showed myself to her. But when papa came in, he +looked at me with a comical sort of surprise in his face, and said. +'Come here; what have you been doing to yourself?' I went to him and +he pulled out my comb, and ordered me off to mammy to have my hair +arranged again in the usual way, saying, 'I'm not going to have you +aping the woman already; don't alter the style of wearing your hair +again, till I give you permission.' + +"And you walked off as meek as Moses, and did his bidding," said Enna +sarcastically. "No man shall ever rule me so. If papa should undertake +to give me such an order, I'd just inform him that my hair was my own, +and I should arrange it as suited my own fancy." + +"I think you are making yourself out worse than you really are, +Enna," said Elsie gravely. "I am sure you could never say anything so +extremely impertinent as that to grandpa." + +"Impertinent! Well, if you believe it necessary to be so very +respectful, consistency should lead you to refrain from reproving your +aunt." + +"I did not exactly mean to reprove you, Enna, and you are younger than +I." + +"Nobody would think it," remarked Enna superciliously and with a +second toss of her head, as she turned from the glass; "you are so +extremely childish in every way, while, as mamma says, I grow more +womanly in appearance and manner every day." + +"Elsie's manners are quite perfect, I think," said Carrie; "and her +hair is so beautiful, I don't believe any other style of arrangement +could improve its appearance in the least." + +"But it's so childish, so absurdly childish! just that great mass of +ringlets hanging about her neck and shoulders. Come, Elsie, I want you +to have it dressed in this new style for to-night." + +"No, Enna, I am perfectly satisfied to wear it in this childish +fashion; and if I were not, still I could not disobey papa." + +Enna turned away with a contemptuous sniff, and Lucy proposed that +they should go down to the drawing-room, and try some new music she +had just received, until it should be time to dress for the evening. + +Herbert lay on a sofa listening to their playing. "Lucy," he said in +one of the pauses, "what amusements are we to have to-night?--anything +beside the harp, piano, and conversation?" + +"Dancing, of course. Cad's fiddle will provide as good music as any +one need care for, and this room is large enough for all who will be +here. Our party is not to be very large, you know." + +"And Elsie, for one, is too pious to dance," sneered Enna. + +Elsie colored, but remained silent. + +"Oh! I did not think of that!" cried Lucy. "Elsie, do you really think +it is a sinful amusement?" + +"I think it wrong to go to balls; at least that it would be wrong for +me, a professed Christian, Lucy." + +"But this will not be a ball, and we'll have nothing but quiet country +dances, or something of that sort, no waltzing or anything at all +objectionable. What harm can there be in jumping about in that way +more than in another?" + +"None that I know of," answered Elsie, smiling. "And I certainly shall +not object to others doing as they like, provided I am not asked to +take part in it." + +"But why not take part, if it is not wrong?" asked Harry, coming in +from the veranda. + +"Why, don't you know she never does anything without asking the +permission of papa?" queried Enna tauntingly. "But where's the use of +consulting her wishes in the matter, or urging her to take part in the +wicked amusement?--she'll have to go to bed at nine o'clock, like any +other well-trained child, and we'll have time enough for our dancing +after that." + +"Oh, Elsie, must you?--must you really leave us at that early hour? +Why, that's entirely too bad!" cried the others in excited chorus. + +"I shall stay up till ten," answered Elsie quietly, while a deep flush +suffused her cheek. + +"That is better, but we shall not know how to spare you even that +soon," said Harry. "Couldn't you make it eleven?--that would not be so +very late just for once." + +"No, for she can't break her rules, or disobey orders. If she did, +papa would be sure to find it out and punish her when she gets home." + +"For shame, Enna! that's quite too bad!" cried Carrie and Lucy in a +breath. + +Elsie's color deepened, and there was a flash of anger and scorn in +her eyes as she turned for an instant upon Enna. Then she replied +firmly, though with a slight tremble of indignation in her tones: "I +am not ashamed to own that I do find it both a duty and a pleasure to +obey my father, whether he be present or absent. I have confidence, +too, in both his wisdom and his love for me. He thinks early hours of +great importance, especially to those who are young and growing, and +therefore he made it a rule that I shall retire to my room and begin +my preparations for bed by nine o'clock. But he gave me leave to stay +up an hour later to-night, and I intend to do so." + +"I think you are a very good girl, and feel just right about it," said +Carrie. + +"I wish he had said eleven, I think he might this once," remarked +Lucy. "Why, don't you remember he let you stay up till ten Christmas +Eve that time we all spent the holidays at Roselands, which was five +years ago?" + +"Yes," said Elsie, "but this is Saturday night, and as to-morrow is +the Sabbath, I should not feel it to be right to stay up later, even +if I had permission." + +"Why not? it isn't Sunday till twelve," said Herbert. + +"No, but I should be apt to oversleep myself, and be dull and drowsy +in church next morning." + +"Quite a saint!" muttered Enna, shrugging her shoulders and marching +off to the other side of the room. + +"Suppose we go and select some flowers for our hair," said Lucy, +looking at her watch. "'Twill be tea-time presently, and we'll want to +dress directly after." + +"You always were such a dear good girl," whispered Carrie Howard, +putting her arm about Elsie's waist as they left the room. + +Enna was quite gorgeous that evening, in a bright-colored silk, +trimmed with multitudinous flounces and many yards of ribbon and gimp. +The young damsel had a decidedly gay taste, and glanced somewhat +contemptuously at Elsie's dress of simple white, albeit 'twas of the +finest India muslin and trimmed with costly lace. She wore her pearl +necklace and bracelets, a broad sash of rich white ribbon; no other +ornaments save a half-blown moss rosebud at her bosom, and another +amid the glossy ringlets of her hair, their green leaves the only bit +of color about her. + +"You look like a bride," said Herbert, gazing admiringly upon her. + +"Do I?" she answered smiling, as she turned and tripped lightly away; +for Lucy was calling to her from the next room. + +Herbert's eyes followed her with a wistful, longing look in them, and +he sighed sadly to himself as she disappeared from his view. + +Most of the guests came early; among them, Walter and Arthur Dinsmore; +Elsie had not seen the latter since his encounter with Mr. Travilla. +He gave her a sullen nod on entering the room, but took no further +notice of her. + +Chit-chat, promenading and the music of the piano and harp were +the order of the evening for a time; then games were proposed, and +"Consequences," "How do you like it?" and "Genteel lady, always +genteel," afforded much amusement. Herbert could join in these, and +did with much spirit. But dancing was a favorite pastime with the +young people of the neighborhood, and the clock had hardly struck nine +when Cadmus and his fiddle were summoned to their aid, chairs and +tables were put out of the way, and sets began to form. + +Elsie was in great request; the young gentlemen flocked about her, +with urgent entreaties that she would join in the amusement, each +claiming the honor of her hand in one or more sets, but she steadily +declined. + +A glad smile lighted up Herbert's countenance, as he saw one and +another turn and walk away with a look of chagrin and disappointment. + +"Since my misfortune compels me to act the part of a wallflower, I am +selfish enough, I own, to rejoice in your decision to be one also," he +said gleefully. "Will you take a seat with me on this sofa? I presume +your conscience does not forbid you to watch the dancers?" + +"No, not at all," she answered, accepting his invitation. + +Elsie's eyes followed with eager interest the swiftly moving forms, +but Herbert's were often turned admiringly upon her. At length he +asked if she did not find the room rather warm and close, and proposed +that they should go out upon the veranda. She gave a willing assent +and they passed quietly out and sat down side by side on a rustic +seat. + +The full moon shone upon them from a beautiful blue sky, while a +refreshing breeze, fragrant with the odor of flowers and pines, gently +fanned their cheeks and played among the rich masses of Elsie's hair. + +They found a good deal to talk about; they always did, for they were +kindred spirits. Their chat was now grave, now gay--generally the +latter; for Cad's music was inspiriting; but whatever the theme of +their discourse, Herbert's eyes were constantly seeking the face of +his companion. + +"How beautiful you are, Elsie!" he exclaimed at length, in a tone of +such earnest sincerity that it made her laugh, the words seemed to +rush spontaneously from his lips. "You are always lovely, but to-night +especially so." + +"It's the moonlight, Herbert; there's a sort of witchery about it, +that lends beauty to many an object which can boast none of itself." + +"Ah, but broad daylight never robs you of yours; you always wear it +wherever you are, and however dressed. You look like a bride to-night; +I wish you were, and that I were the groom." + +Elsie laughed again, this time more merrily than before. "Ah, what +nonsense we are talking--we two children," she said. Then starting to +her feet as the clock struck ten--"There, it is my bed-time, and I +must bid you good-night, pleasant dreams, and a happy awaking." + +"Oh, don't go yet!" he cried, but she was already gone, the skirt of +her white dress just disappearing through the open hall door. + +She encountered Mrs. Carrington at the foot of the stairs. "My dear +child, you are not leaving us already?" she cried. + +"Yes, madam; the clock has struck ten." + +"Why, you are a second Cinderella." + +"I hope not," replied Elsie, laughing. "See, my dress has not changed +in the least, but is quite as fresh and nice as ever." + +"Ah, true enough! there the resemblance fails entirely. But, my dear +child, the refreshments are just coming in, and you must have your +share. I had ordered them an hour earlier, but the servants were slow +and dilatory, and then the dancing began. Come, can you not wait long +enough to partake with us? Surely, ten o'clock is not late." + +"No, madam; not for another night of the week, but to-morrow's the +Sabbath, you know, and if I should stay up late to-night I would be +likely to find myself unfitted for its duties. Besides, papa bade me +retire at this hour; and he does not approve of my eating at night; he +thinks it is apt to cause dyspepsia." + +"Ah, that is too bad! Well, I shall see that something is set away for +you, and hope you will enjoy it to-morrow. Good-night, dear; I must +hurry away now to see the rest of my guests, and will not detain you +longer," she added, drawing the fair girl toward her and kissing her +affectionately, then hastening away to the supper-room. + +Elsie tripped up the stairs and entered her room. A lamp burned low on +the toilet table, she went to it, turned up the wick, and as she did +so a slight noise on the veranda without startled her. The windows +reached to the floor and were wide open. + +"Who's there?" she asked. + +"I," was answered, in a rough, surly tone, and Arthur stepped in. + +"Is it you?" she asked in surprise and indignation. "Why do you come +here? it is not fit you should, especially at this hour." + +"It is not fit you should set yourself up to reprove and instruct your +uncle, I've come for that money you are going to lend me." + +"I am not going to lend you any money." + +"Give it then; that will be all the better for my pocket. + +"I have none to give you either, Arthur; papa has positively forbidden +me to supply you with money." + +"How much have you here?" + +"That is a question you have no right to ask." + +"Well, I know you are never without a pretty good supply of the +needful, and I'm needy. So hand it over without any more ado; +otherwise I shall be very apt to help myself." + +"No, you will not," she said, with dignity. "If you attempt to rob me, +I shall call for assistance." + +"And disgrace the family by giving the tattlers a precious bit of +scandal to retail in regard to us." + +"If you care for the family credit you will go away at once and leave +me in peace." + +"I will, eh? I'll go when I get what I came for, and not before." + +Elsie moved toward the bell rope, but anticipating her intention, he +stepped before it, saying with a jeering laugh, "No, you don't!" + +"Arthur," she said, drawing herself up, and speaking with great +firmness and dignity, "leave this room; I wish to be alone." + +"Hoity-toity, Miss Dinsmore! do you suppose I'm to be ordered about by +you? No, indeed! And I've an old score to pay off. One of these days +I'll be revenged on you and old Travilla, too; nobody shall insult and +abuse me with impunity. Now hand over that cash!" + +"Leave this room!" she repeated. + +"None of your ---- impudence!" he cried fiercely, catching her by the +arm with a grasp that wrung from her a low, half-smothered cry of +pain. + +But footsteps and voices were heard on the stairs, and he hastily +withdrew by the window through which he had entered. + +Elsie pulled up her sleeve and looked at her arm. Each finger of +Arthur's hand had left its mark. "Oh, how angry papa would be!" she +murmured to herself, hastily drawing down her sleeve again as the door +opened and Chloe came in, followed by another servant bearing a small +silver waiter loaded with dainties. + +"Missus tole me fetch 'em up with her compliments, an' hopes de young +lady'll try to eat some," she said, setting it down on a table. + +"Mrs. Carrington is very kind. Please return her my thanks, Minerva," +said Elsie, making a strong effort to steady her voice. + +The girl, taken up with the excitement of what was going on +downstairs, failed to notice the slight tremble in its tones. But +not so with Chloe. As the other hurried from the room, she took her +nursling in her arms, and gazing into the sweet face with earnest, +loving scrutiny; asked, "What de matter, darlin'? what hab resturbed +you so, honey?" + +"You mustn't leave me alone, to-night, mammy," Elsie whispered, +clinging to her, and half hiding her face on her breast. "Don't go out +of the room at all, unless it is to step on the veranda." + +Chloe was much surprised, for Elsie had never been cowardly. + +"'Deed I won't, darling" she answered, caressing the shining hair, and +softly rounded cheek. "But what my bressed chile 'fraid of?" + +"Mr. Arthur, mammy," Elsie answered scarcely above her breath. "He was +in here a moment since, and if I were alone again he might come back." + +"An' what Marse Arthur doin' yer dis time ob night, I like ter +know?--what he want frightenin' my chile like dis?" + +"Money, mammy, and papa has forbidden me to let him have any, because +he makes a bad use of it." Elsie knew to whom she spoke. Chloe was no +ordinary servant, and could be trusted. + +"Dear, dear, it's drefful that Marse Arthur takes to dem bad ways! But +don't go for to fret, honey; we'll 'gree together to ask de Lord to +turn him to de right." + +"Yes, mammy, you must help me to pray for him. But now I must get +ready for bed; I have stayed up longer than papa said I might." + +"Won't you take some of de 'freshments fust, honey?" + +Elsie shook her head. "Eat what you want of them, mammy. I know I am +better without." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + There's not a look, a word of thine + My soul hath e'er forgot; + Thou ne'er hast bid a ringlet shine, + Nor given thy locks one graceful twine, + Which I remember not. + + --MOORE. + + +The clock on the stairway was just striking nine, as some one tapped +lightly on the door of Elsie's room, leading into the hall. Chloe rose +and opened it. "Dat you, Scip?" + +"Yes, Aunt Chloe; de missis say breakop's is ready, an' will Miss +Dinsmore please for to come if she's ready. We don't ring de bell fear +wakin' up de odder young ladies an' gemmen." + +Elsie had been up and dressed for the last hour, which she had spent +in reading her Bible; a book not less dear and beautiful in her esteem +now than it was in the days of her childhood. She rose and followed +Scip to the dining-room, where she found the older members of the +family already assembled, and about to sit down to the table. + +"Ah, my dear, good-morning," said Mrs. Carrington; "I was sure you +would be up and dressed: but the others were so late getting to bed +that I mean they shall be allowed to sleep as long as they will. Ah! +and here comes Herbert, too. We have quite a party after all." + +"I should think you would need a long nap this morning more than any +one else," Elsie said, addressing Herbert. + +"No," he answered, coloring. "I took advantage of my semi-invalidism, +and retired very shortly after you left us." + +"You must not think it is usual for us to be quite so late on Sunday +morning, Elsie," observed Mr. Carrington as he sent her her plate, +"though I'm afraid we are hardly as early risers, even on ordinary +occasions, as you are at the Oaks. I don't think it's a good plan to +have Saturday-night parties," he added, looking across the table at +his wife. + +"No," she said lightly; "but we must blame it all on the birthday, for +coming when it did. And though we are late, we shall still be in time +to get to church. Elsie, will you go with us?" + +"In the carriage with mother and me?" added Herbert. + +Elsie, had she consulted her own inclination merely, would have +greatly preferred to ride her pony, but seeing the eager look in +Herbert's eyes, she answered smilingly that she should accept the +invitation with pleasure, if there was a seat in the carriage which no +one else cared to occupy. + +"There will be plenty of room, my dear," said Mr. Carrington; "father +and mother always go by themselves, driving an ancient mare we call +old Bess, who is so very quiet and slow that no one else can bear to +ride behind her; and the boys and I either walk or ride our horses." + +It was time to set out almost immediately upon leaving the table. They +had a quiet drive through beautiful pine woods, heard an excellent +gospel sermon, and returned by another and equally beautiful route. + +Elsie's mind was full of the truth to which she had been listening, +and she had very little to say. Mrs. Carrington and Herbert, too, were +unusually silent; the latter feeling it enjoyment enough just to sit +by Elsie's side. He had known and loved her from their very early +childhood; with a love that had grown and strengthened year by year. + +"You seem much fatigued, Herbert," his mother said to him, as a +servant assisted him from the carriage, and up the steps of the +veranda. "I am almost sorry you went." + +"Oh, no, mother, I'm not at all sorry," he answered cheerfully; "I +shall have to spend the rest of the day on my couch, but that sermon +was enough to repay me for the exertion it cost me to go to hear it." +Then he added in an undertone to Elsie, who stood near, looking at him +with pitying eyes, "I shan't mind having to lie still if you will give +me your company for even a part of the time." + +"Certainly you shall have it, if it will be any comfort to you," she +answered, with her own sweet smile. + +"You must not be too exacting towards Elsie, my son," said his mother, +shaking up his pillows for him, and settling him comfortably on them; +"she is always so ready to sacrifice herself for others that she would +not, I fear, refuse such a request, however much it might cost her to +grant it. And no doubt she will want to be with the other girls." + +"Yes, it was just like my selfishness to ask it, Elsie, and never +think how distasteful it might be to you. I take it all back," he +said, blushing, but with a wistful look in his eyes that she could +never have withstood, had she wished to do so. + +"It's too late for that, since I have already accepted," she said with +an arch look as she turned away. "But don't worry yourself about me; I +shall follow my own inclination in regard to the length of my visit, +making it very short if I find your society irksome or disagreeable." + +The other girls were promenading on the upper veranda in full dinner +dress. + +Carrie hailed Elsie in a lively tone. "So you've been to church, like +a good Christian, leaving us three lazy sinners taking our ease at +home. We took our breakfasts in bed, and have only just finished our +toilets." + +"Well, and why shouldn't we?" said Enna; "we don't profess to be +saints." + +"No, I just said we were sinners. But don't think too ill of us, +Elsie, it was so late--or rather early--well on into the small +hours--when we retired, that a long morning nap became a necessity." + +"I don't pretend to judge you, Carrie," Elsie answered gently, "it +is not for me to do so; and I acknowledge that though I retired much +earlier than you, I slept a full hour past my usual time for rising." + +"You'll surely have to do penance for that," sneered Enna. + +"No, she shan't," said Lucy, putting her arm around her friend's +slender waist. "Come, promenade with me till the dinner-bell rings, +the exercise will do you good." + +The lively chat of the girls seemed to our heroine so unsuited to +the sacredness of the day that she rejoiced in the excuse Herbert's +invitation gave her for withdrawing herself from their society for the +greater part of the afternoon. She found him alone, lying on his sofa, +apparently asleep; but at the sound of her light footstep he opened +his eyes and looked up with a joyous smile. "I'm so glad to see you! +how good of you to come!" he cried delightedly. "It's abominably +selfish of me, though. Don't let me keep you from having a good time +with the rest." + +"The Sabbath is hardly the day for what people usually mean by a good +time, is it?" she said, taking possession of a low rocking-chair that +stood by the side of his couch. + +"No, but it is the day of days for real good, happy times; everything +is so quiet and still that it is easier than on other days to lift +one's thoughts to God and Heaven. Oh, Elsie, I owe you a great debt of +gratitude, that I can never repay." + +"For what, Herbert?" + +"Ah, don't you know it was you who first taught me the sweetness of +carrying all my trials and troubles to Jesus? Years ago, when we were +very little children, you told me what comfort and happiness you found +in so doing, and begged me to try it for myself." + +"And you did?" + +"Yes, and have continued to do so ever since." + +"And that is what enables you to be so patient and uncomplaining." + +"If I am. But ah! you don't know the dreadfully rebellious feelings +that sometimes will take possession of me, especially when, after +the disease has seemed almost eradicated from my system, it suddenly +returns to make me as helpless and full of pain as ever. Nobody knows +how hard it is to endure it; how weary I grow of life; how unendurably +heavy my burden seems." + +"Yes, He knows," she murmured softly. "In all their afflictions He was +afflicted; and the angel of His presence saved them." + +"Yes, He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Oh, how sweet +and comforting it is!" + +They were silent for a moment; then turning to her, he asked, "Are +you ever afraid that your troubles and cares are too trifling for +His notice? that you will weary and disgust Him with your continual +coming?" + +"I asked papa about that once, and I shall never forget the tender, +loving look he gave me as he said: 'Daughter, do I ever seem to feel +that anything which affects your comfort or happiness one way or the +other, is too trifling to interest and concern me?' 'Oh, no, no, +papa,' I said; 'you have often told me you would be glad to know that +I had not a thought or feeling concealed from you; and you always seem +to like to have me come to you with every little thing that makes me +either glad or sorry.' 'I am, my darling,' he answered, 'just because +you are so very near and dear to me; and what does the Bible tell us? +"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that +fear Him!"'" + +"Yes," said Herbert, musingly. "Then that text somewhere in Isaiah +about His love being greater than a mother's for her little helpless +babe." + +"And what Jesus said: 'Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and +not one of them shall fall to the ground without your Father. But the +very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye +are of more value than many sparrows.' And then the command: 'In +everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your +requests be made known unto God.' Papa reminded me, too, of God's +infinite wisdom and power, of the great worlds, countless in number, +that He keeps in motion--the sun and planets of many solar systems +besides our own--and then the myriads upon myriads of tiny insects +that crowd earth, air, and water; God's care and providence ever over +them all. Oh, one does not know how to take it in! one cannot realize +the half of it. God does not know the distinctions that we do between +great and small, and it costs Him no effort to attend at one and the +same time, to all His creatures and all their affairs." + +"No, that is true. Oh, how great and how good He is! and how sweet +to know of His goodness and love; to feel that he hears and answers +prayer! I would not give that up for perfect health and vigor, and all +the wealth of the world beside." + +"I think I would give up everything else first; and oh, I am so glad +for you, Herbert," she said softly. + +Then they opened their Bibles and read several chapters together, +verse about, pausing now and then to compare notes, as to their +understanding of the exact meaning of some particular passage, or to +look out a reference, or consult a commentary. + +"I'm excessively tired of the house; do let's take a walk," said Enna, +as they stood or sat about the veranda after tea. + +"Do you second the motion, Miss Howard?" asked Harry. + +"Yes," she said, rising and taking his offered arm. "Elsie, you'll go +too?" + +"Oh, there's no use in asking her!" cried Enna. "She is much too good +to do anything pleasant on Sunday." + +"Indeed! I was not aware of that." And Harry shrugged his shoulders, +and threw a comical look at Elsie. "What is your objection to pleasant +things, Miss Dinsmore? To be quite consistent you should object to +yourself." + +Elsie smiled. "Enna must excuse me for saying that she makes a slight +mistake; for while it is true my conscience would not permit me to go +pleasuring on the Sabbath, yet it does not object to many things that +I find very pleasant." + +"Such as saying your prayers, reading the Bible, and going to church?" + +"Yes. Enna; those are real pleasures to me." + +"But to come to the point, will you walk with us?" asked Lucy. + +"Thank you, no; not to-night. But please don't mind me. I have no +right, and don't presume to decide such questions for anyone but +myself." + +"Then, if you'll excuse us, we'll leave mamma and Herbert to entertain +you for a short time." + +The short time proved to be two hours or more, and long before the +return of the little party, Mrs. Carrington went into the house, +leaving the two on the veranda alone. + +They sang hymns together for a while, then fell to silent musing. +Herbert was the first to speak. He still lay upon his sofa; Elsie +sitting near, her face at that moment upturned to the sky, where the +full moon was shining, and looking wondrous sweet and fair in the +soft silvery light. Her thoughts seemed far away, and she started and +turned quickly toward him as he softly breathed her name. + +"Oh, Elsie, this has been such a happy day to me! What joy, what +bliss, if we could be always together!" + +"If you were only my brother! I wish you were, Herbert." + +"No, no, I do not; for I would be something much nearer and dearer. +Oh, Elsie, if you only would!" he went on, speaking very fast and +excitedly. "You thought I was joking last night, but I was not, I was +in earnest; never more so in my life. Oh, do you think you could like +me, Elsie?" + +"Why, yes, Herbert; I do, and always have ever since we first became +acquainted." + +"No, I didn't mean like, I meant love. Elsie, could you love me--love +me well enough to marry me?" + +"Why, Herbert; what an idea!" she stammered, her face flushing visibly +in the moonlight. "You don't know how you surprise me; surely we are +both too young to be thinking of such things. Papa says I am not even +to consider myself a young lady for three or four years yet. I'm +nothing but a child. And you, Herbert, are not much older." + +"Six months; but that's quite enough difference. And your father +needn't object on the score of our youth. You are as old now as I've +been told your mother was when he married her, and another year will +make me as old as he was. And your Aunts Louisa and Lora were both +engaged before they were sixteen. It's not at all uncommon for girls +in this part of the country to marry before they are that old. But I +know I'm not half good enough for you, Elsie. A king might be proud to +win you for his bride, and I'm only a poor, good-for-nothing cripple, +not worth anybody's acceptance." And he turned away his face, with +something that sounded very like a sob. + +Elsie's kind heart was touched. "No, Herbert, you must not talk so. +You are a dear, good, noble fellow, worthy of any lady in the land," +she said, half playfully, half tenderly and laying her little soft +white hand over his mouth. + +He caught it in his and pressed it passionately to his lips, there +holding it fast. "Oh, Elsie, if it were only mine to keep!" he cried, +"I'd be the happiest fellow in the world." + +She looked at his pale, thin face, worn with suffering, into his eyes +so full of passionate entreaty; thought what a dear lovable fellow he +had always been, and forgot herself entirely--forgot everything but +the desire to relieve and comfort him, and make him happy. + +"Only tell me that you care for me, darling, and that you are willing +some day to belong to me! only give me a little hope; I shall die if +you don't!" + +"I do care for you, Herbert; I would do anything in my power to make +you happy." + +"Then I may call you my own! Oh, darling, God bless you for your +goodness!" + +But the clock was striking nine, and with the sound, a sudden +recollection came to Elsie. "It is my bed-time, and--and, Herbert, it +will all have to be just as papa says. I belong to him, and cannot +give myself away without his permission. Good-night." She hastily +withdrew the hand he still held, and was gone ere he had time to +reply. + +"What had she done--something of which papa would highly disapprove? +Would he be very much vexed with her?" Elsie asked herself +half-tremblingly, as she sat passively under her old mammy's hands; +for her father's displeasure was the one thing she dreaded above all +others. + +She was just ready for bed when a light tap on the door was followed +by the entrance of Mrs. Carrington. + +"I wish to see your young mistress alone for a few moments, Aunt +Chloe," she said, and the faithful creature went from the room at +once. + +Mrs. Carrington threw her arms around Elsie, folded her in close, +loving embrace, and kissed her fondly again and again, "My dear child, +how happy you have made me!" she whispered at last. "Herbert has told +me all. Dear boy, he could not keep such good news from his mother. +I know of nothing that could have brought me deeper joy and +thankfulness, for I have always had a mother's love for you." + +Elsie felt bewildered, almost stunned. "I--I'm afraid you--he has +misunderstood me; it--it must be as papa says," she stammered; "I +cannot decide it for myself, I have no right." + +"Certainly, my dear, that is all very right, very proper; parents +should always be consulted in these matters. But your papa loves +you too well to raise any objection when he sees that your heart is +interested. And Herbert is worthy of you, though his mother says it; +he is a noble, true-hearted fellow, well-educated, handsome, talented, +polished in manners, indeed all that anybody could ask, if he were but +well; and we do not despair of seeing him eventually quite restored +to health. But I am keeping you up, and I know that your papa is +very strict and particular about your observance of his rules; so +good-night." And, with another caress, she left her. + +Thought was very busy in Elsie's brain as she laid her head upon her +pillow. It was delightful to have given such joy and happiness to +Herbert and his mother. Lucy, too, she felt sure would be very glad +to learn that they were to be sisters. But her own papa, how would he +feel--what would he say? Only the other day he had reminded her how +entirely she belonged to him--that no other had the slightest claim +upon her, and as he spoke, the clasp of his arms seemed to say that he +would defy the whole world to take her from him. No, he would never +give her up; and somehow she was not at all miserable at the thought; +but on the contrary it sent a thrill of joy to her heart; it was so +sweet to be so loved and cherished by him, "her own dear, dear papa!" + +But then another thing came to her remembrance; his pity for poor +suffering Herbert; his expressed willingness to do anything he could +to make him happy--and again she doubted whether he would accept or +reject the boy's suit for her hand. + +Carrie and Enna were to leave at an early hour on Monday morning. +They came into Elsie's room for a parting chat while waiting for the +ringing of the breakfast bell; so the three went down together to +answer its summons, and thus she was spared the necessity of entering +the dining room alone--an ordeal she had really dreaded; a strange and +painful shyness toward the whole family at Ashlands having suddenly +come over her. She managed to conceal it pretty well, but carefully +avoided meeting Herbert's eye, or those of his parents. + +The girls left directly on the conclusion of the meal, and having seen +them off, Elsie slipped away to her own room. But Lucy followed her +almost immediately, fairly wild with delight at the news Herbert had +just been giving her. + +"Oh, you darling!" she cried, hugging her friend with all her might. +"I never was so glad in all my life! To think that I'm to have you for +a sister! I could just eat you up!" + +"I hope you won't," said Elsie, laughing and blushing, as she returned +the embrace as heartily as it was given. "But we must not be too sure; +I'm not at all certain of papa's consent." + +"No, I just expect he'll object to Herbie on account of his lameness, +and his ill health. I don't think we ought to blame him if he does +either." And Lucy suddenly sobered down to more than her ordinary +gravity. "Ah, I forgot," she said, a moment after; "Herbert begs that +you will come down and let him talk with you a little if you are not +particularly engaged." + +Elsie answering that she had nothing to do, her time was quite at +his disposal, the two tripped downstairs, each with an arm about +the other's waist, as they had done so often in the days of their +childhood. + +They found Herbert on the veranda, not lying down, but seated on his +sofa. "You are better this morning?" Elsie said with a glad look up +into his face, as he rose, leaning on his crutch, and gave her the +other hand. + +"Yes, thank you, much better. Joy has proved so great a cordial that I +begin to hope it may work a complete cure." He drew her to a seat by +his side, and Lucy considerately went away and left them alone. + +"You have not changed your mind, Elsie?" His tone was low and half +tremulous in its eagerness. + +"No, Herbert; but it all rests with papa, you know." + +"I hardly dare ask him for you, it seems like such presumption in a--a +cripple like me." + +"Don't say that, Herbert. Would you love me less if I should become +lame or ill?" + +"No, no, never! but I couldn't bear to have any such calamity come +upon you. I can hardly bear that you should have a lame husband. The +thought of it makes my trial harder to bear than ever." + +"It is God's will, and we must not fight against it," she said softly. + +They conversed for some time longer. He was very anxious to gain Mr. +Dinsmore's consent to their engagement, yet shrank from asking it, +fearing an indignant refusal; most of all, he dreaded a personal +interview; and, but ill able to take the ride to the Oaks, it was +finally decided between them that he should make his application by +letter, doing so at once. + +A servant was summoned to bring him his writing materials, and Elsie +left him to his trying task, while she and Lucy and Harry mounted +their horses and were away for a brisk, delightful ride through the +woods and over the hills. + +"It's gone, Elsie," Herbert whispered, when she came down dressed for +dinner. "I wrote it twice; it didn't suit me then, but my strength was +quite exhausted, so it had to go. I hope the answer will come soon, +but oh, I shall be almost afraid to open it." + +"Don't feel so; papa is very good and kind. He pities you so much, +too," and she repeated what he had said about being willing to do +anything he could for him. + +Herbert's face grew bright with hope as he listened. "And do you think +he'll answer at once?" he asked. + +"Yes, papa is always very prompt and decided; never keeps one long in +suspense." + +Mr. Carrington met our heroine at the dinner-table with such a bright, +glad smile, and treated her in so kind and fatherly a manner that she +felt sure he knew all, and was much pleased with the prospect before +them. But she was afraid Harry did not like it--did not want her for a +sister. He was usually very gay and talkative, full of fun and frolic. +He had been so during their ride, but now his manner seemed strangely +altered; he was moody and taciturn, almost cross. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Keen are the pangs + Of hapless love and passion unapproved. + + --SMOLLETT'S "REGICIDE" + + +Hardly anything could have been more distasteful to Horace Dinsmore +than the state of affairs revealed to him by Herbert Carrington's +note. He was greatly vexed, not at the lad's manner of preferring his +request, but that it should have been made at all. He was not ready, +yet to listen to such a proposal coming from any person, however +eligible, much less from one so sadly afflicted as poor Herbert. He +sought his wife's presence with the missive in his hand. + +"What is the matter, my dear?" she asked; "I have seldom seen you so +disturbed." + +"The most absurd nonsense! the most ridiculously provoking affair! +Herbert Carrington asking me to give him my daughter! I don't wonder +at your astonished look, Rose; a couple of silly children. I should +have given either of them credit for more sense." + +"It has certainly taken me very much by surprise," said Rose, smiling. +"I cannot realize that Elsie is grown up enough to be beginning with +such things; yet you know she has passed her fifteenth birthday, +and that half the girls about here become engaged before they are +sixteen." + +"But Elsie shall not. I'll have no nonsense of the kind for years to +come. She shall not marry a day before she is twenty-one, I had nearly +said twenty-five; and I don't think I'll allow it before then." + +Rose laughed. "My dear, do you know what my age was when you married +me?" + +"Twenty-one, you told me." + +"Don't you think my father ought then to have kept us waiting four +years longer?" + +"No," he answered, stooping to stroke her hair, and snatch a kiss from +her rich red lips. + +She looked up smilingly into his face. "Ah, consistency is a jewel! +and pray how old were you when you married the first time? and what +was then the age of Elsie's mother?" + +"Your arguments are not unanswerable, Mrs. Dinsmore. Your father could +spare you, having several other daughters; I have but one, and can't +spare her. Elsie's mother was not older when I married her, it is +true, than Elsie is now, but was much more mature, and had neither the +happy home nor the doting father her daughter has. And as for myself, +though much too young to marry, I was a year older than this Herbert +Carrington; and I was in sound and vigorous health, while he, poor +fellow, is sadly crippled, and likely always to be an invalid, and +very unlikely to live to so much as see his majority. Do you think I +ought for a moment to contemplate allowing Elsie to sacrifice herself +to him?" + +"It would seem a terrible sacrifice; and yet after all it will depend +very much upon the state of her own feelings." + +"If she were five or six years older, I should say yes to that; but +girls of her age are not fit to choose a companion for life; taste +and judgment are not matured, and the man who pleases them now may be +utterly repugnant to them in after years. Is not that so?" + +"Yes; and I think your decision is wise and kind. Still, I am sorry +for the poor boy, and hope you will deal very gently and kindly with +him." + +"I shall certainly try to do so. I pity him, and cannot blame him for +fancying my lovely daughter--I really don't see how he or any young +fellow can help it, but he can't have her, and of course I must tell +him so. I must see Elsie first however, and have already sent her a +note ordering her home immediately." + +"Come into my room for a little, dear," Mrs. Norris whispered to +Elsie as they rose from the dinner table. "Herbert must not expect to +monopolize all your time." + +It turned out that all the old lady wanted was an opportunity to +express her delight in the prospect of some day claiming Elsie as her +granddaughter, and to pet and fondle her a little. Mr. Norris did his +share of that also, and when at length they let her go she encountered +Mr. Carrington in the hall, and had to submit to some thing more of +the same sort from him. + +"We are all heartily rejoiced, little Elsie," he said, "all of us who +know the secret; it is to be kept from the children, of course, till +your father's consent has made all certain. But there is Lucy looking +for you; Herbert has sent her, I daresay. No doubt he grudges every +moment that you are out of his sight." + +That was true, and his glad look, as she took her accustomed place by +the side of his couch, was pleasant to see. But he was not selfish in +his happiness, and seemed well satisfied to share Elsie's society with +his sister. + +The three were making very merry together, when a servant from the +Oaks was seen riding leisurely up the avenue. He had some small white +object in his hand which he began waving about his head the moment he +saw that he had attracted their attention. + +"It's a letter!" exclaimed Lucy. "Han, Scip," to the two little blacks +who, as usual, were tumbling over each other on the grass near by, +"run, one of you and get it, quick now!" + +"What--who--Miss Lucy?" they cried, jumping up. + +"Yonder; don't you see Mr. Dinsmore's man with a letter? Run and get +it, quick!" + +"Yes'm!" and both scampered off in the direction of the horseman, who, +suddenly urging on his steed, was now rapidly nearing the house. + +"Hollo! dar now, you ole Jim!" shouted Scip, making a dash at the +horse, "who dat lettah fur? You gub um to me." + +A contemptuous sniff was the only answer, and dashing by them, Jim +drew rein close to the veranda. "Massa he send dis for you, Miss +Elsie," he said, holding out the letter to her. + +She sprang forward, took it from his hand and hastily tore open the +envelope, the rich color coming and going in her cheek. A glance was +sufficient, and turning her flushed face to the anxious, expectant +Herbert: "Papa has sent for me to return home immediately," she said; +"I must go." + +"Oh, Elsie, must you indeed? and is there no word for me--none at +all?" + +"Yes, he says you shall hear from him to-day or to-morrow." + +She had gone close to him and was speaking in a low tone that the +servants might not hear. Herbert took both her hands in his. "Oh, I am +so sorry! You were to have stayed two days longer. I fear this sudden +recall does not argue well for me. Is he angry, do you think?" + +"I don't know, I can't tell. The note is simply an order for me to +come home at once and the message to you that I have given; nothing +more at all. Jim is to see me safely to the Oaks." Then turning to the +messenger, "Go and saddle Glossy, and bring her round at once, Jim," +she said. + +"Yes, Miss Elsie, hab her roun' in less dan no time." + +"Go with Jim to the stables, Han," said Herbert, sighing as he spoke. + +"Elsie, I can't bear to have you leave us so suddenly," cried Lucy; +"it does seem too bad of your father, after giving you permission to +stay a whole week, to go and dock off two days." + +"But papa has a right, and I can't complain. I've nothing to do but +obey. I'll go up and have my riding-habit put on, while Glossy is +being saddled." + +"Miss Elsie," said Jim, leisurely dismounting, "massa say de wagon be +here in 'bout an hour for de trunk, an' Aunt Chloe mus' hab 'em ready +by dat time; herself too." + +"Very well, she shall do so," and with another whispered word to +Herbert, Elsie went into the house, Lucy going with her. + +"Why, my dear, this is very sudden, is it not?" exclaimed Mrs. +Carrington, meeting her young guest as she came down dressed for her +ride. "I thought you were to stay a week, and hoped you were enjoying +your visit as much as we were." + +"Thank you, dear Mrs. Carrington; I have had a delightful time, but +papa has sent for me." + +"And like a good child, you obey at once." + +"My father's daughter would never dare to do otherwise," replied +Elsie, smiling; "though I hope I should not, if I did dare." + +"You'll come again soon--often, till I can get strength to go to you?" +Herbert said entreatingly, as he held her hand in parting. "And we'll +correspond, won't we? I should like to write and receive a note every +day when we do not meet." + +"I don't know; I can promise nothing till I have asked permission of +papa." + +"But if he allows it?" + +"If he allows it, yes; good-bye." + +Dearly as Elsie loved her father, she more than half dreaded the +meeting with him now; so entirely uncertain was she how he would feel +in regard to this matter. + +He was on the veranda, watching for her. Lifting her from her horse, +he led her into his study. Then putting an arm about her waist, his +other hand under her chin so that her blushing, downcast face was +fully exposed to his gaze, "What does all this mean?" he asked. "Look +up into my face and tell me if it is really true that you want me to +give you away? if it is possible that you love that boy better than +your father?" + +She lifted her eyes as he bade her, but dropped them again instantly; +then as he finished his sentence, "Oh, no, no, papa! not half so well; +how could you think it?" she cried, throwing her arms about his neck, +and hiding her face on his breast. + +"Ah, is that so?" he said, with a low, gleeful laugh, as he held her +close to his heart. "But he says you accepted him on condition that +papa would give consent, that you owned you cared for him." + +"And so I do, papa; I've always loved him as if he were my brother; +and I'm so sorry for all he suffers, that I would do anything I could +to make him happy." + +"Even to sacrificing yourself? It is well indeed for you that you have +a father to take care of you." + +"Are you going to say 'No' to him, papa?" she asked, looking up half +beseechingly. + +"Indeed I am." + +"Ah, papa, he said it would kill him if you did." + +"I don't believe it; people don't die so easily. And I have several +reasons for my refusal, each one of which would be quite sufficient of +itself. But you just acknowledged to me that you don't love him at all +as you ought. Why, my child, when you meet the right person you will +find that your love for him is far greater than what you feel for me." + +"Papa, I don't think that could be possible," she said, clinging +closer to him than before. + +"But you'll be convinced when the time comes, though I hope that +will not be for many a long year yet. Then Herbert's ill health and +lameness are two insuperable objections. Lastly, you are both entirely +too young to be thinking of such matters." + +"He didn't mean to ask you to give me to him now, papa; not for a year +or two at the very least." + +"But I won't have you engaging yourself while you are such a mere +child. I don't approve of long engagements, or intend to let you +marry for six or seven years to come. So you may as well dismiss all +thoughts on the subject; and if any other boy or man attempts to talk +to you as Herbert has, just tell him that your father utterly forbids +you to listen to anything of the kind. What! crying! I hope these are +not rebellious tears?" + +"No, papa; please don't be angry. It is only that I feel so sorry for +poor Herbert; he suffers so, and is so patient and good." + +"I am sorry for him too, but it cannot be helped. I must take care of +you first, and not allow anything which I think will interfere with +your happiness or well being." + +"Papa, he wants to correspond with me." + +"I shall not allow it." + +"May we see each other often?" + +"No; not at all for some time. He must get over this foolish fancy +first, it cannot be anything more; and there is great danger that he +will not unless you are kept entirely apart." + +Elsie sighed softly, but said not a word. There was no appeal from her +father's decisions, no argument or entreaty allowed after they were +once announced. + +Little feet were heard running down the hall; then there was the sound +of a tiny fist thumping on the door, and the voice of little Horace +calling, "Elsie, Elsie, tum out! me wants to see you!" + +"There, you may go now," her father said, releasing her with a kiss, +"and leave me to write that note. Well, what is it?" for she lingered, +looking up wistfully into his face. + +"Dear papa, be kind to him for my sake," she murmured softly, putting +her arm about his neck again. "He is such a sufferer, so patient and +good, and it quite makes my heart ache to think how grievously your +refusal will pain him." + +"My own sweet child! always unselfish, always concerned for the +happiness of others," thought the father as he looked down into the +pleading face; but he only stroked her hair, and kissed her more +tenderly than before, saying, "I shall try to be as kind as +circumstances will allow, daughter. You shall read the letter when it +is done, and if you think it is not kind enough it shall not be sent." + +She thanked him with a very grateful look, then hurried away, for the +tiny fists were redoubling their blows upon the door, while the baby +voice called more and more clamorously for "sister Elsie." + +She stooped to hug and kiss the little fellow, then was led off in +triumph to "mamma," whose greeting, though less noisy, was quite as +joyous and affectionate. + +"Oh, how nice it is to get home!" cried Elsie, and wondered within +herself how she had been contented to stay away so long. She had +hardly finished giving Rose an animated account of her visit, +including a minute description of the birthday party, when her +father's voice summoned her to the study again. + +"Does it satisfy you?" he asked when she had read the note. + +"Yes, papa; I think it is as kind as a refusal could possibly be +made." + +"Then I shall send it at once. And now this settles the matter, and +I bid you put the whole affair out of your mind as completely as +possible, Elsie." + +"I shall try, papa," she answered in a submissive and even cheerful +tone. + +That note, kindly worded though it was, caused great distress to +Herbert Carrington. He passed an almost sleepless night, and the next +morning, finding himself quite unable to rise from his couch, he sent +an urgent entreaty that Mr. Dinsmore would call at Ashlands at his +earliest convenience. + +His request was granted at once, and the lad pleaded with all the +eloquence of which he was master for a more favorable reception of his +suit. + +Had he been as well acquainted with Horace Dinsmore's character +as Elsie was, he would have known the utter uselessness of such a +proceeding. He received a patient hearing, then a firm, though kind +denial. Elsie was entirely too young to be allowed even to think of +love or matrimony, her father said; he was extremely sorry the subject +had been broached to her; it must not be again for years. He would not +permit any engagement, correspondence, or, for the present at least, +any exchange of visits; because he wished the matter to be dropped +entirely, and, if possible, forgotten. Nor would he hold out the +slightest hope for the future; answering Herbert's petition for that +by a gentle hint that one in his ill health should be content to +remain single. + +"Yes, you are right, Mr. Dinsmore, and I don't blame you for refusing +to give me your lovely daughter; I'm entirely unworthy of such a +treasure," said the poor boy in a broken voice. + +"Not in character, my dear boy," said Mr. Dinsmore, almost tenderly; +"in that you are all I could ask or desire, and it is all that you +are responsible for. And now while she is such a mere child, I should +reject any other suitor for her hand, quite as decidedly as I do you." + +"You don't blame me for loving her?" + +"No; oh, no!" + +"I can't help it. I've loved her ever since I first saw her, and that +was before I was five years old." + +"Well, I don't object to a brotherly affection, and when you can tone +it down to that, shall not forbid occasional intercourse. And now, +with the best wishes for your health and happiness, I must bid you +good-bye." + +"Good-bye, sir; and thank you for your kindness in coming," the boy +answered with a quivering lip. Then, turning to his mother, as Mr. +Dinsmore left the room, "I shall never get over it," he said. "I shall +not live long, and I don't want to; life without her isn't worth +having." + +Her heart ached for him, but she answered cheerily: "Why, my dear +child, don't be so despondent; I think you may take hope and courage +from some things that Mr. Dinsmore said. It is quite in your favor +that he will not allow Elsie to receive proposals from any one at +present, for who knows but, by the time he considers her old enough, +you may be well and strong." + +Mrs. Carrington's words had a very different effect from what she +intended. The next time Herbert saw his physician, he insisted so +strongly on knowing exactly what he might look forward to that there +was no evading the demand; and on learning that he was hopelessly +crippled for life, he sank into a state of utter despondency, and from +that moment grew rapidly worse, failing visibly day by day. + +Elsie, dutifully abstaining from holding any communication with +Ashlands, and giving all her thoughts as far as possible to home +duties and pleasures knew nothing of it till one day Enna came in, +asking, "Have you heard the news?" + +"No," said Elsie, pausing in a game of romps with her little brother; +"what is it?" + +"It! You should rather say they. There's more than one item of +importance." And Enna straightened herself and smoothed out her dress +with a very consequential air. "In the first place Arthur has been +found out in his evil courses; he's been betting and gambling till +he's got himself over head and ears in debt. Papa was so angry, I +almost thought he would kill him. But he seemed to cool down after +he'd paid off the debts; and Arthur is, or pretends to be, very +penitent, promises never to do the like again, and so he's got +forgiven, and he and Walter are to start for college early next week. +They've both gone to the city to-day with papa. Arthur seems to be mad +at you; he says that you could have saved him from being found out, +but didn't choose to, and some day he'll have his revenge. Now, what +was it you did, or didn't do?" + +"He wanted money, and I refused to lend it because papa had forbidden +me." + +"You're good at minding, and always were," was Enna's sneering +comment. "No, I'll take that back; I forgot that time when you nearly +died rather than mind." + +An indignant flush suffused Elsie's fair face for an instant; but +the sneer was borne in utter silence. Rose entered the room at that +moment, and, having returned her greeting, Enna proceeded to give +another important bit of news. + +"Herbert Carrington is very ill; not confined to his bed, but failing +very fast. The doctors advised them to take him from home; because +they said they thought he had something on his mind, and taking him +into new scenes might help him to forget it. They think he's not +likely to live long anyhow, but that is the last hope. His mother and +Lucy started North with him this morning." + +Elsie suddenly dropped the ball she was tossing for Horace and ran out +of the room. + +"Why, what did she do that for?" asked Enna, in a tone of surprise, +turning to Rose for an explanation. "Is she in love with him, do you +suppose?" + +"No, I know she is not; but I think she has a strong sisterly regard +for him, and I am sorry the news of his increased illness was told her +so abruptly." + +"Such a baby, as she always was," muttered Enna, "crying her eyes out +about the least little thing." + +"If she lacks sufficient control over her feelings it is almost the +only fault she has," replied Rose warmly. "And I think, Enna, you are +hardly capable of appreciating her delicately sensitive nature, and +warm, loving heart, else you would not wound her as you do. She +certainly controls her temper well, and puts up with more from you +than I should." + +"Pray, what do you mean, Mrs. Dinsmore? what have I done to your pet?" +asked the young lady angrily. + +"She is older than you, yet you treat her as if she were much younger. +Your manner toward her is often very contemptuous, and I have +frequently heard you sneer at her principles and taunt her with her +willing subjection to her father's strict rule; for which she deserves +nothing but the highest praise." + +"Nobody could ever rule me the way Horace does her!" cried Enna, with +a toss of her head. "And as to her being older than I am, I'm sure no +one would think it; she is so absurdly childish in her way; not half +so mature as I, mamma says." + +"I'm glad and thankful that she is not," answered Rose, with spirit; +"her sweet childish simplicity and perfect naturalness are very +charming in these days, when they are so rarely found in a girl who +has entered her teens." + +Little Horace, standing by the window, uttered a joyous shout, "Oh, +papa tumin'!" and rushed from the room to return the next moment +clinging to his father's hand, announcing as they came in together, +"Here papa is; me found him!" + +Mr. Dinsmore shook hands with his sister, addressed a remark to his +wife, then, glancing about the room, asked, "Where is Elsie?" + +"She left us a moment since, but did not say where she was going," +said Rose. + +"I presume you'll find her crying in her boudoir or dressing room," +added Enna. + +"Crying! Why, what is wrong with her?" + +"Nothing that I know of, except that I told her of Herbert +Carrington's being so much worse that they've taken him North as a +last hope." + +"Is that so?" and Mr. Dinsmore looked much concerned. + +"Yes, there can be no doubt about it, for I heard it from Harry +himself this morning." + +Mr. Dinsmore rose, and, putting his little son gently aside, left the +room. + +Elsie was not in her own apartments; he passed through the whole +suite, looking for her; then, going on into the grounds, found her at +last in her favorite arbor. She was crying bitterly, but at the sound +of his step checked her sobs, and hastily wiped away her tears. She +thought he would reprove her for indulging her grief, but instead he +took her in his arms and soothed her tenderly. + +"Oh, papa," she sobbed, "I feel as if I had done it--as if I had +killed him." + +"Darling, he is not past hope; he may recover, and in any event +not the slightest blame belongs to you. I have taken the whole +responsibility upon my shoulders." + +She gave him a somewhat relieved and very grateful look, and he went +on: "And even if I had allowed you to decide the matter for yourself, +you would have done what was your duty in refusing to promise to +belong to one whom you love less than you love your father." + +Some months later there came news of Herbert's death. Elsie's grief +was deep and lasting. She sorrowed as she might have done for the loss +of a very dear brother; while added to that was a half-remorseful +feeling which reason could not control or entirely relieve; and it was +long ere she was quite her own bright, gladsome sunny self again. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + The bloom of opening flowers' unsullied beauty-- + Softness and sweetest innocence she wears, + And looks like nature in the world's first spring. + + --ROWE'S "TAMERLANE." + + +"What a very peculiar hand, papa; so stiff and cramped and +old-fashioned," Elsie remarked, as her father laid down a letter he +had just been reading. + +"Yes. Did you ever hear me speak of Aunt Wealthy Stanhope?" + +His glance seemed to direct the question to Rose, who answered, with a +look of surprise and curiosity, "No, sir. Who is she?" + +"A half-sister of my own mother. She was the daughter of my maternal +grandfather by his first wife, my mother was the child of the second, +and there were some five or ten years between them. Aunt Wealthy never +married, would never live with any of her relatives, but has always +kept up a cosey little establishment of her own." + +"Do you know her, papa?" asked Elsie, who was listening with eager +interest. + +"I can hardly say that I do. I saw her once, nearly eighteen +years ago, about the time you were born--but I was not capable of +appreciating her then; indeed, was so unhappy and irritable as to be +hardly in a condition to either make or receive favorable impressions. +I now believe her to be a truly good and noble little woman, though +decidedly an oddity in some respects. Then I called her a fidgety, +fussy old maid." + +"And your letter is from her?" Rose said inquiringly. + +"Yes; she wants me to pay her a visit, taking Elsie with me, and +leaving her there for the summer." + +"There, papa! where?" + +"Lansdale, Ohio. Should you like to go?" + +"Yes, I think I should like to go, papa, if you take me; but whether I +should like to stay all summer I could hardly tell till I get there." + +"You may read the letter," he said, handing it to her. + +"It sounds as though it might be very pleasant, papa," she said, as +she laid it down after an attentive perusal. + +It spoke of Lansdale as a pretty, healthful village, surrounded by +beautiful scenery, and boasting of some excellent society: of two +lively young girls, living in the next house to her own, who would be +charming companions for Elsie, etc. + +"Your remark that your aunt was an oddity in some respects has excited +my curiosity," said Rose. + +"Ah! and I am to understand that you would like me to gratify it, eh?" +returned her husband, smiling. "Her dress and the arrangement of her +hair are in a style peculiarly her own (unless she has become more +fashionable since I saw her, which is not likely); and she has an odd +way of transposing her sentences and the names of those she addresses +or introduces, or calling them by some other name suggested by some +association with the real one. Miss Bell, for instance, she would +probably call Miss Ring; Mr. Foot, Mr. Shoe, and so on." + +"Does she do so intentionally, papa?" Elsie asked. + +"No, not at all; her mistakes are quite innocently made, and are +therefore very amusing." + +Mrs. Horace Dinsmore's parents had been urging her to visit them, and +after some further consideration it was decided that the whole family +should go North for the summer, Mr. Dinsmore see his wife and little +son safe at her father's, then take Elsie on to visit his aunt; the +length of the visit to be determined after their arrival. + + * * * * * + +It was a lovely morning early in May; the air was vocal with the songs +of birds and redolent with the breath of flowers all bathed in dew; +delicate wreaths of snowy vapor rose slowly from the rippling surface +of the river that threaded its way through the valley, and folded +themselves about the richly-wooded hill-sides, behind which bright +streaks of golden light were shooting upward, fair heralds of the +coming of the king of day. On the outskirts of the pretty village of +Lansdale, and in the midst of a well-kept garden and lawn, stood a +tasteful dwelling, of Gothic architecture. Roses, honeysuckle, and +Virginia creeper clambered over its walls, twined themselves about the +pillars of its porticos and porches, or hung in graceful festoons from +its many gables; the garden was gay with sweet spring flowers; the +trees, the grass on the lawn, and the hedge that separated it from the +road, all were liveried in that vivid green so refreshing to the eye. + +"Phillis! Simon!" called a sweet-toned voice from the foot of the back +staircase; "are you up? It's high time; nearly five o'clock now, and +the train's due at six." + +"Coming, ma'am. I'll have time to do up all my chores and git to +the depot 'fore de train; you neber fear," replied a colored lad of +fifteen or sixteen, hurrying down as he spoke. + +A matronly woman, belonging to the same race, followed close in his +rear. + +"You're smart dis mornin', missis," she said, speaking from the middle +of the stairway. "I didn't 'spect you'd git ahead o' me, and de sun +hardly showin' his face 'bove de hill-tops yit." + +"I woke early, Phillis, as I always do when something's going to +happen that I expect. Simon make haste to feed and water your horses +and be sure you have old Joan in the carriage and at the gate by a +quarter before six." + +"Am I to drive her to the depot, ma'am?" + +"No, Miss Lottie Prince will do that, and you are to take the +one-horse wagon for the trunks. Did you go to Mr. Laugh's and engage +it, as I told you yesterday?" + +"I went to Mr. Grinn's and disengaged de one-horse wagon, ma'am; +yes'm." + +"Very well. Now come into the sitting room and I'll show you the +likenesses of the lady and gentleman, and the old colored woman +they're going to bring with them," replied the mistress, leading +the way into an apartment that, spite of its plain, old-fashioned +furniture, wore a very attractive appearance, it was so exquisitely +neat; and the windows, reaching to the floor, opened upon one side +into conservatory and garden, on the other upon a porch that ran the +whole length of the front of the house. Taking a photograph album from +a side-table, she showed the three pictures to Simon, who pronounced +the gentleman very handsome, the lady the prettiest he ever saw, and +was sure he should recognise both them and their servant. + +"Now, Phillis, we'll have to bestir ourselves," said Miss Stanhope, +returning to the kitchen. "Do you think you can get breakfast in less +than an hour? such a breakfast as we should have this morning--one fit +for a king." + +"Yes, Miss Wealthy; but you don't want it that soon, do you? Folks is +apt to like to wash and dress 'fore breakfast." + +"Ah, yes! sure enough. Well, we'll give them half an hour." + +A few moments later, as Miss Stanhope was busy with broom and duster +in the front part of the house, a young girl opened the gate, tripped +gayly up the gravel walk that led from it across the lawn, and stepped +upon the porch. She was a brunette with a very rich color in her dark +cheek, raven hair, and sparkling, roguish black eyes. She wore a suit +of plain brown linen, with snowy cuffs and collar, and a little straw +hat. "Good-morning, Aunt Wealthy!" she cried, in a lively tone, "You +see I'm in good time." + +"Yes, Lottie, and looking as neat as a pin, too. It's very kind in +you, because of course I want to be here to receive them as they come, +to offer to introduce yourself and drive down to the depot for them." + +"Of course I'm wonderfully clever, considering that I don't at all +enjoy a drive in this sweet morning air, and aint in a bit of a hurry +to see your beautiful young heiress and her papa. Net wonders at my +audacity in venturing to face them alone; but I tell her I'm too +staunch a republican to quail before any amount of wealth or +consequence, and if Mr. and Miss Dinsmore see fit to turn up their +aristocratic noses at me, why--I'll just return the compliment." + +"I hope they're not of that sort, Lottie; but if they are, you will +serve them right." + +"She does not look like it," observed the young girl, taking the album +from the table and gazing earnestly upon Elsie's lovely countenance. +"What a sweet, gentle, lovable face it is! I'm sure I shall dote on +her; and if I can only persuade her to return my penchant, won't we +have grand good times while she's here? But there's Simon with old +Joan and the carriage. He'll hunt them up for me at the depot; won't +he, Aunt Wealthy?" + +"Yes, I told him to." + + * * * * * + +The shrill whistle of the locomotive echoed and re-echoed among the +hills. + +"Lansdale!" shouted the conductor, throwing open the car door. + +"So we are at our destination at last, and I am very glad for your +sake, daughter, for you are looking weary," said Mr. Dinsmore, drawing +Elsie's shawl more closely about her shoulders. + +"Oh, I'm not so very tired, papa," she answered, with a loving look +and smile, "not more so than you are, I presume. Oh, see! papa, what a +pretty girl in that carriage there!" + +"Yes, yes! Come to meet some friend, doubtless. Come, the train has +stopped; keep close to me," he said. "Aunt Chloe, see that you have +all the parcels." + +"Dis de gentleman and lady from de South, what Miss Stanhope's +'spectin'?" asked a colored lad, stepping up to our little party as +they alighted. + +"Yes." + +"Dis way den, sah, if you please, sah. Here's de carriage. De lady +will drive you up to de house, and I'll take your luggage in de little +wagon." + +"Very well; here are the checks. You will bring it up at once?" + +"Yes, sah, have it dar soon as yourself, sah. Dis cullad person better +ride wid me and de trunks." + +They were nearing the carriage and the pretty girl Elsie had noticed +from the car window. "Good-morning! Mr. and Miss Dinsmore, I presume?" +she said with a bow and smile. "Will you get in? Let me give you a +hand, Miss Dinsmore. I am Lottie King, a distant relative and near +neighbor of your aunt, Miss Stanhope." + +"And have kindly driven down for us. We are much obliged, Miss King," +Mr. Dinsmore answered, as he followed his daughter into the vehicle. +"Shall I not relieve you of the reins?" + +"Oh, no, thank you; I'm used to driving, and fond of it. And, besides, +you don't know the way." + +"True. How is my aunt?" + +"Quite well. She has been looking forward with great delight to this +visit, as have my sister Nettie and I also," Lottie answered, with a +backward glance of admiring curiosity at Elsie. "I hope you will be +pleased with Lansdale, Miss Dinsmore; sufficiently so to decide to +stay all summer." + +"Thank you; I think it is looking lovely this morning. Does my aunt +live far from the depot?" + +"Not very; about a quarter of a mile." + +"Oh, what a pretty place, and what a quaint-looking little old lady on +its porch!" Elsie presently cried out. "See, papa!" + +"Yes, that's Aunt Wealthy, and doesn't she make a picture standing +there under the vines in her odd dress?" said Miss King, driving up to +the gate. "She's the very oddest, and the very dearest and sweetest +little old lady in the world." + +Elsie listened and looked again; this time with eager interest and +curiosity. + +Certainly, Aunt Wealthy was no slave to fashion. The tyrannical dame +at that time prescribed gaiter boots, a plain pointed waist and +straight skirt, worn very long and full. Miss Stanhope wore a full +waist made with a yoke and belt, a gored skirt, extremely scant, and +so short as to afford a very distinct view of a well-turned ankle and +small, shapely foot encased in snowy stocking and low-heeled black kid +slipper. The material of her dress was chintz--white ground with a +tiny brown figure--finished at the neck with a wide white ruffle; she +had black silk mitts on her hands, and her hair, which was very gray +was worn in a little knot almost on the top of her head, and one +thick, short curl, held in place by a puff-comb, on each side of her +face. + +At sight of the carriage and its occupants, she came hurrying down +the gravel walk, meeting them as they entered the gate. She took Mr. +Dinsmore's hand, saying, "I am glad to see you, nephew Horace," and +held up her face for a kiss. Then turning to Elsie, gave her a very +warm embrace. "So, dear, you've come to see your old auntie? That's +right. Come into the house." + +Elsie was charmed with her and with all she saw; all without was so +fresh and bright, everything within so exquisitely neat and clean. The +furniture of the whole house was very plain and old-fashioned, but +Miss Stanhope never thought of apologizing for what to her wore the +double charm of ownership, and of association with the happy days of +childhood and youth, and loved ones gone. Nor did her guests deem +anything of the kind called for in the very least; house and mistress +seemed well suited the one to the other: and Elsie thought it not +unpleasant to exchange, for a time, the luxurious furnishing of her +home apartments for the simple adornments of the one assigned her +here. The snowy drapery of its bed and toilet-table, its wide-open +casements giving glimpses of garden, lawn, and shrubbery, and the +beautiful hills beyond, looked very inviting. There were vases of +fresh flowers too, on mantel and bureau, and green vines peeping in +at the windows. It seemed a haven of rest after the long, fatiguing +journey. + +"The child is sweet and fair to look upon, Horace, but I see nothing +of you or my sister in her face," observed Miss Stanhope, as her +nephew entered the breakfast-room, preceding his daughter by a moment +or two. "Whom does she resemble?" + +"Elsie is almost the exact counterpart of her own mother, Aunt +Wealthy, and looks like no one else," he answered, with a glance of +proud fatherly affection at the young creature as she entered and took +her place at the table. + +"Now my daughter," he said, at the conclusion of the meal, "you must +go and lie down until near dinner-time, if possible." + +"Yes, that is excellent advice," said Miss Stanhope. "I see, and I'm +glad, she's worth taking care of, as you are sensible, Horace. You +shall be called in season, dear. So take a good nap." + +Elsie obeyed, retired to her room, slept several hours, and woke +feeling greatly refreshed. Chloe was in waiting to dress her for +dinner. + +"Had you a nap too, my poor old mammy?" asked her young mistress. + +"Yes, darlin'. I've been lying on that coach, and feel good as ever +now. Hark! what dat?" + +"It sounds like a dog in distress," said Elsie, as they both ran to +the window and looked out. + +A fat poodle had nearly forced his plump body between the palings of +the front gate in the effort to get into the street, and sticking +fast, was yelping in distress. As they looked Miss Stanhope ran +quickly down the path, seized him by the tail, and jerked him back, he +uttering a louder yelp than before. + +"There, Albert," she said, stroking and patting him, "I don't like to +hurt you, but how was I to get you out, or in? You must be taught that +you're to stay at home, sir. Thomas! Thomas! come home, Thomas!" she +called; and a large cat came running from the opposite side of the +street. + +"So those are Aunt Wealthy's pets. What an odd name for a cat," said +Elsie, laughing. + +"Yes, Miss Elsie, dey's pets, sure nuff: Phillis says Miss Wealthy's +mighty good t'em." + +"There, she is coming in with them, and, mammy, we must make haste. +I'm afraid it's near dinner-time," said Elsie, turning away from the +window. + +Her toilet was just completed when there was a slight tap on the door, +and her father's voice asked if she was ready to go down. + +"Yes, papa," she answered, hurrying to him as Chloe opened the door. + +"Ah, you are looking something like yourself again," he said, with a +pleasant smile, as he drew her hand within his arm, and led her down +the stairs. "You have had a good sleep?" + +"A delicious rest. I must have slept at least four hours. And you, +papa?" + +"I took a nap of about the same length, and feel ready for almost +anything in the shape of dinner, etc. And there is the bell." + +Miss Stanhope cast many an admiring glance at nephew and niece during +the progress of the meal. + +"I'm thinking, Horace," she said at length, "that it's a great shame +I've been left so many years a stranger to you both." + +"I'm afraid it is, Aunt Wealthy; but the great distance that lies +between our homes must be taken as some excuse. We would have been +glad to see you at the Oaks, but you never came to visit us." + +"Ah, it was much easier for you to come here," she replied, shaking +her head. "I've been an old woman these many years. Come," she added, +rising from the table, "come into the parlor, children, and let me +show you the olden relics of time I have there--things that I value +very highly, because they've been in the family for generations." + +They followed her--Elsie unable to forbear a smile at hearing her +father and herself coupled together as "children"--and looked with +keen interest upon some half dozen old family portraits, an ancient +cabinet of curiosities, a few musty, time-worn volumes, a carpet that +had been very expensive in its day, but was now somewhat faded and +worn, and tables, sofas, and chairs of solid mahogany; each of the +last-named covered with a heavily-embroidered silken cushion. + +"That sampler," said Aunt Wealthy, pointing to a large one with a +wonderful landscape worked upon it, that, framed and glazed, +hung between two of the windows, "is a specimen of my paternal +grandmother's handiwork; these chair-cushions, too, she embroidered +and filled with her own feathers, so that I value them more than their +weight in gold." + +"My great-grandmother kept a few geese, I presume," Mr. Dinsmore +remarked aside to Elsie with a quiet smile. + +Having finished their inspection of the parlor and its curiosities, +they seated themselves upon the front porch, where trees and vines +gave a pleasant shade. Miss Stanhope had her knitting, Mr. Dinsmore +the morning paper, while Elsie sat with her pretty white hands lying +idly in her lap, doing nothing but enjoy the beautiful prospect and a +quiet chat with the sweet-voiced old lady. + +The talk between them was quite brisk for a time, but gradually it +slackened, till at length they had been silent for several minutes, +and Elsie, glancing at her aunt, saw her nodding over her work. + +"Ah, you must excuse me, dear," the old lady said apologetically, +waking with a start; "I'm not very well, and, deary, I woke unusually +early this morning, and have been stirring about ever since." + +"Can't you afford yourself a little nap, auntie?" Elsie asked in +return. "You mustn't make company of me; and, besides, I have a book +that I can amuse myself with." + +"You would be quite alone, child, for I see your father has gone in." + +"I shall not mind that at all, auntie. Do go and lie down for at least +a little while." + +"Well, then, dear, I will just lie down on the sofa in the sitting +room, and you must call me if any one comes." + +"Aunt Wealthy couldn't have meant for a child like that, unless she +comes on some important errand," thought Elsie, as, a few moments +later, a little girl came slowly across the lawn and stepped upon the +porch. + +The child looked clean and decent, in a neat calico dress and gingham +sun-bonnet. At sight of Elsie she stood still, and, gazing with +open-mouthed curiosity, asked, "Be you the rich young lady that was +coming to see Miss Wealthy from 'way down south?" + +"I have come from the South to see Miss Stanhope. What do you wish?" + +"Nothin', I just come over 'cause I wanted to." + +"Will you take a seat?" + +"Yes," taking possession of the low rocking chair Miss Stanhope had +vacated. + +"What's your name?" inquired Elsie. + +"Lenwilla Ellawea Schilling," returned the child, straightening +herself up with an air of importance; "mother made it herself." + +"I should think so," replied Elsie, with a sparkle of fun in her eye. +"And your mother is Mrs. Schilling, is she?" + +"Yes, and pap, he's dead, and my brother's named Corbinus." + +"What do they call you for short?" + +"Willy, and him Binus." + +"Where do you live?" + +"Over yonder," nodding her head towards the opposite side of the +street. "Mother's comin' over to see you some time. I guess I'll be +going now." And away she went. + +"What did that child want?" asked Miss Stanhope, coming out just in +time to see the little maiden pass through the gate. + +"Nothing but to look at and question me, I believe." Elsie answered, +with an amused smile. + +"Ah! she generally comes to borrow some little thing or other. They're +the sort of folks that always have something they're out of. Mrs. +Sixpence is a very odd sixpence indeed." + +"I think the little girl said her last name was Schilling." + +"Ah, yes, so it is: but I'm always forgetting their exact commercial +value," and Aunt Wealthy laughed softly. "In fact, I've a very good +forgetting of my own, and am more apt to get names wrong than right." + +"Mrs. Schilling must have an odd taste for names," said Elsie. + +"Yes, she's a manufacturer of them; and very proud of her success in +that line." + +Miss Stanhope was a great lover of flowers, very proud of hers, +cultivated principally by her own hands. After tea she invited her +nephew and niece to a stroll through her garden, while she exhibited +her pets with a very excusable pride in their variety, beauty, and +fragrance. + +As they passed into the house again, Phillis was feeding the chickens +in the back yard. + +"You have quite a flock of poultry, aunt," remarked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Yes, I like to see them running about, and the eggs you lay yourself +are so much better than any you can buy, and the chickens, too, have +quite another taste. Phillis, what's the matter with that speckled +hen?" + +"Dunno, mistis; she's been crippled dat way all dis week." + +"Well, well, I dare say it's the boys; one of them must have thrown a +stone and hit her between her hind legs; they're great plagues. Poor +thing! There, Albert, don't you dare to meddle with the fowls! Come +away, Thomas. That cat and dog are nearly as bad and troublesome to +the boys as the poultry." + +Puss and the poodle followed their mistress into the house, where +Albert lay down at her feet, while Thomas sprang into her lap, where +he stood purring and rubbing his head against her arm. + +"You seem to have a good many pets, auntie," Elsie remarked. + +"Yes, I am fond of them. A childless old woman must have something to +love. I've another that I'm fonder of than any of these though--my +grand-nephew, Harry Duncan. He's away at school now; but I hope to +show him to you one of these days." + +"I should like to see him. Is he a relative of ours?" Elsie asked, +turning to her father. + +"No, he belongs to the other side of the house." + +"How soft and fine this cat's fur is, aunt; he's quite handsome," +remarked Elsie, venturing to stroke Thomas very gently. + +"Yes, I raised him, and his mother before him. My sister Beulah was +first husband's child of Harry's grandmother twice married, and my +mother. Yes, I think a great deal of him, but was near losing him last +winter. A fellow in our town--he's two years old now--wanted a buffalo +robe for his sleigh, and undertook to make it out of cat-skins. He +advertised that he'd give ten cents for every cat-skin the boys would +bring him. You know the old saying that you can't have more of a cat +than its skin, and hardly anybody's was safe after that; they went +about catching all they could lay hands on, even borrowing people's +pets and killing them." + +Elsie turned to her father with a very perplexed look, puzzled to +understand who it was that had married twice, and whether her aunt had +stated Harry's age or that of the cat. + +But at that instant steps and voices were heard upon the porch, and +the door-bell rang. + +"It's Lottie and her father," said Miss Stanhope, pushing Thomas from +her lap. "Come in, friends, and don't stand for ceremony." For both +doors stood wide open. + +"Good-evening," said the young lady, coming forward, leaning upon +the arm of a middle-aged gentleman. "Mr. Dinsmore, I have brought my +father, Dr. King, to see you." + +The gentlemen shook hands, the doctor observing, "I am happy to make +your acquaintance, Mr. Dinsmore. I brought my daughter along to +introduce me, lest our good Aunt Wealthy here, in her want of +appreciation of nobility and birth, should, as she sometimes does, +give me a rank lower than my true one, making me to appear only a +Prince, while I am really a King." + +A general laugh followed this sally, Miss Stanhope insisting that that +was a mistake she did not often make now. Then Elsie was introduced, +and, all being seated again, Dr. King turned to his hostess with the +laughing remark, "Well, Aunt Wealthy, by way of amends, I'll own up +that my wife says that you're the better doctor of the two. That bran +has done her a world of good." + +"Bran?" said Mr. Dinsmore inquiringly. + +"Yes, sir; Mrs. King was suffering from indigestion; Miss Stanhope +advised her to try eating a tablespoonful or so of dry bran after her +meals, and it has had an excellent effect." + +"My father learnt it from an old sea-captain," said Miss Stanhope; +"and it has helped a great many I've recommended it to. Some prefer +to mix it with a little cream, or take a little water with it but the +best plan's to take it dry if you can." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + When to mischief mortals bend their will, + How soon they find fit instruments of ill. + + --POPE'S "RAPE OF THE LOCK." + + +"What, Art, are you going out?" + +"Yes." + +"Do you know it's after ten?" + +"Yes, you just mind your own business, Wal; learn your lessons, and +go off to bed like a good boy when you get through. I'm old enough to +take care of myself." + +"Dear me! I'm awfully afraid he's gone back to his evil courses, as +father says," muttered Walter Dinsmore to himself, as the door closed +upon his reckless elder brother. "I wonder what I ought to do about +it," he continued, leaning his head upon his hand, with a worried, +irresolute look; "ought I to report to the governor? No, I shan't, +there then; I don't know anything, and I never will be a sneak or a +tell-tale." And he drew the light nearer, returned to his book with +redoubled diligence for some ten or fifteen minutes more; then, +pushing it hastily aside, with a sigh of relief, started up, threw off +his clothes, blew out the light, and tumbled into bed. + +Meanwhile Arthur had stolen noiselessly from the college, and pursued +his way into the heart of the town. On turning a corner he came +suddenly upon another young man who seemed to have been waiting for +him; simply remarking, "You're late to-night, Dinsmore," he faced +about in the same direction, and the two walked on together. + +"Of course; but how can a fellow help it when he's obliged to watch +his opportunity till the Argus eyes are closed in sleep, or supposed +to be so?" grumbled Arthur. + +"True enough, old boy; but cheer up, your day of emancipation must +come some time or other," remarked his companion, clapping him +familiarly; on the shoulder. "Of age soon, aren't you?" + +"In about a year. But what good does that do me? I'm not so fortunate +as my older brother--shall have nothing of my own till one or other of +my respected parents sees fit to kick the bucket, and leave me a pile; +a thing which at present neither of them seems to have any notion of +doing." + +"You forget your chances at the faro-table." + +"My chances! You win everything from me, Jackson. I'm a lame duck +now, and if my luck doesn't soon begin to turn, I'll--do something +desperate, I believe." + +The lad's tone was bitter, his look reckless and half despairing. + +"Pooh, don't be a spooney! We all have our ups and downs, and you must +take your turn at both, like the rest." + +They had ascended a flight of steps, and Jackson rang the bell as he +spoke. It was answered instantly by a colored waiter, who with, a +silent bow stepped back and held the door open for their entrance. +They passed in and presently found themselves in a large, +well-lighted, and handsomely-furnished room, where tables were set out +with the choicest viands, rich wine, and trays of fine cigars. + +They seated themselves, ate and drank their fill, then, each lighting +a cigar, proceeded to a saloon, on the story above, where a number of +men were engaged in playing cards--gambling, as was evident from the +piles of gold, silver, and bank-notes lying here and there upon the +tables about which they sat. + +Here also costly furniture, bright light, and rich wines lent their +attractions to the scene. + +Arthur took possession of a velvet-cushioned chair on one side of an +elegant marble-topped table, his companion placing himself in another +directly opposite. Here, seated in the full blaze of the gas-light, +each face was brought out into strong relief. Both were young, both +handsome; Jackson, who was Arthur's senior by five or six years, +remarkably so; yet his smile was sardonic, and there was often a +sinister expression in his keen black eye as its glance fell upon his +victim, for such Arthur Dinsmore was--no match for his cunning and +unscrupulous antagonist, who was a gambler by profession. + +Arthur's pretended reformation had lasted scarcely longer than until +he was again exposed to temptation, and his face, as seen in that +brilliant light, wore unmistakable signs of indulgence in debauchery +and vice. He played in a wild, reckless way, dealing out his cards +with a trembling hand, while his cheek burned and his eye flashed. + +At first Jackson allowed him to win, and filled with a mad delight at +the idea that "his luck had turned," the boy doubled and trebled his +stakes. + +Jackson chuckled inwardly, the game went on, and at length Arthur +found all his gains suddenly swept away and himself many thousands of +dollars in debt. + +A ghastly pallor overspread his face, he threw himself back in his +chair with a groan, then starting up with a bitter laugh, "Well, I see +only one way out of this," he said. "A word in your ear, Tom; come +along with me. I've lost and you won enough for one night; haven't we, +eh?" + +"Well, yes; I'm satisfied if you are." And the two hurried into the +now dark and silent street, for it was long past midnight, and sober +and respectable people generally had retired to their beds. + +"Where are you going?" asked Jackson. + +"Anywhere you like that we can talk without danger of being +overheard." + +"This way then, down this street. You see 'tis absolutely silent and +deserted." + +They walked on, talking in an undertone. + +"You'd like your money as soon as you can get it?" said Arthur. + +"Of course; in fact I must have it before very long, for I'm hard +pushed now." + +"Suppose I could put you in the way of marrying a fortune, would you +hold me quit of all your claims against me?" + +"H'm, that would depend upon the success of the scheme." + +"And that upon your own coolness and skill. I think I've heard you +spoken of as a woman-killer?" + +"Ha, ha! Yes, I flatter myself that I have won some reputation in that +line, and that not a few of the dear creatures have been very fond of +me. It's really most too bad to break their soft little hearts; but +then a man can't marry 'em all; unless he turns Mormon." + +Arthur's lips curled with scorn and contempt, and he half turned away +in disgust and aversion; but remembering that he was in the power +of this man, whom, too late, alas! he was discovering to be an +unscrupulous villain, he checked himself, and answered in his usual +tone, "No, certainly not; and so you have never yet run your neck into +the matrimonial noose?" + +"No, not I, and don't fancy doing so either, yet I own that a fortune +would be a strong temptation. But, I say, lad, if it's a great chance, +why do you hand it over to me? Why not try for it yourself? It's not +your sister, surely?" + +"No, indeed; you're not precisely the sort of brother-in-law I should +choose," returned the boy, with a bitter, mocking laugh. "But stay, +don't be insulted"--for his companion had drawn himself up with an air +of offended pride--"the lady in question is but a step farther from +me; she is my brother's daughter." + +"Eh! you don't say? A mere child, then, I presume." + +"Eighteen, handsome as a picture, as the saying is, and only too +sweet-tempered for my taste." + +"And rich you say? that is her father's wealthy, eh?" + +"Yes, he's one of the richest men in our county, but she has a fortune +in her own right, over a million at the very lowest computation." + +"Whew! You expect me to swallow that?" + +"It's true, true as preaching. You wonder that I should be so willing +to help you to get her. Well, I owe her a grudge, I see no other way +to get out of your clutches, and I shall put you in the way of making +her acquaintance only on condition that if you succeed we share the +spoils." + +"Agreed. Now for the modus operandi. You tell me her whereabouts and +provide me with a letter of introduction, eh?" + +"No; on the contrary, you are carefully to conceal the fact that you +have the slightest knowledge of me. The introduction must come from +quite another quarter. Listen, and I'll communicate the facts and +unfold my plan. It has been running in my head for weeks, ever since I +heard that the girl was to spend the summer in the North with nobody +but an old maiden aunt, half-cracked at that, to keep guard over her; +but I couldn't quite make up my mind to it till to-night, for you must +see, Tom," he added with a forced laugh, "that it can't be exactly +delightful to my family pride to think of bringing such a dissipated +fellow as you into the connection." + +"Better look at home, lad. But you are right; one such scamp is, or +ought to be, all-sufficient for one family." + +Arthur said, "Certainly," but winced at the insinuation nevertheless. +It was not a pleasant reflection that his vices had brought him down +to a level with this man who lived by his wits--or perhaps more +correctly speaking, his rascalities--of whose antecedents he knew +nothing and whom, with his haughty Southern pride, he thoroughly +despised. + +But scorn and loathe him as he might in his secret soul, it was +necessary that he should be conciliated, because it was now in his +power to bring open disgrace and ruin upon his victim. So Arthur went +on to explain matters and, with Jackson's assistance, to concoct a +plan of getting Elsie and her fortune into their hands. + +As he had said, the idea had been in his mind for weeks, yet it was +not until that day that he could see clearly how to carry it out. +Also, his family pride had stood in the way until the excitement of +semi-intoxication and his heavy losses had enabled him to put it aside +for the time. To-morrow he would more than half regret the step he was +taking, but now he plunged recklessly into the thing with small regard +for consequences to himself or others. + +"Can you imitate the chirography of others?" he asked. + +"Perfectly, if I do say it that shouldn't." + +"Then we can manage it. My brother Walter has kept up a correspondence +with this niece ever since he left home. In a letter received +yesterday she mentions that her father was about leaving her for +the rest of the summer. Also that Miss Stanhope, the old aunt she's +staying with, was formerly very intimate with Mrs. Waters of this +city. + +"It just flashed on me at once that a letter of introduction from her +would be the very thing to put you at once on a footing of intimacy +in Miss Stanhope's house; and that if you were good at imitating +handwriting we might manage it by means of a note of invitation which +I received from Mrs. Waters some time ago, and which, as good luck +would have it, I threw into my table drawer instead of destroying." + +"But who knows that it was written by the lady herself?" + +"I do, for I heard Bob Waters say so." + +"Good! have you the note about you?" + +"Yes, here it is." And Arthur drew it from his pocket. "Let's cross +over to that lamp-post." + +They did so, and Jackson held the note up to the light for a moment, +scanning it attentively. "Ah, ha! the very thing! no trouble at all +about that," he said, pocketing it with a chuckle of delight, "But," +and a slight frown contracted his brows, "what if the old lady should +take it into her head to open a correspondence on the subject with her +old friend?" + +"I've thought of that too, but fortunately for our scheme Mrs. Waters +sails for Europe to-morrow; and by the way that should be mentioned in +the letter of introduction." + +"Yes, so it should. Come to my room at the Merchants' House to-morrow +night, and you shall find it ready for your inspection. I suppose the +sooner the ball's set in motion the better?" he added as they moved +slowly on down the street. + +"Yes, for there's no knowing how long it may take you to storm the +citadel of her ladyship's heart, or how soon her father may come to +the conclusion that he can't do without her, and go and carry her off +home. And I tell you, Tom, you'd stand no chance with him, or with her +if he were there. He'd see through you in five minutes." + +"H'm! What sort is she?" + +"The very pious!" sneered Arthur, "and you're bound to take your cue +from that or you'll make no headway with her at all." + +"A hard rôle for me, Dinsmore. I know nothing of cant." + +"You'll have to learn it then; let her once suspect your true +character--a drinking, gambling, fortune-hunting roué--and she'll turn +from you with the same fear and loathing that she would feel for a +venomous reptile." + +"Ha, ha! you're in a complimentary mood to-night, Dinsmore. Well, +well, such a fortune as you speak of is worth some sacrifice and +effort, and I think I may venture the character of a perfectly moral +and upright man with a high respect for religion. The rest I can learn +by degrees from her; and come to think of it, it mightn't be a bad +idea to let her imagine she'd converted me." + +"Capital! The very thing, Tom! But good-night. I must be off now to +the college. I'll come to your room to-morrow night and we'll finish +the arrangement of all preliminaries." + +More than a fortnight had passed since the arrival of Miss Stanhope's +guests. It had been a season of relaxation and keen enjoyment to +them, to her, and to Dr. King's family, who had joined them in many a +pleasant little excursion to points of interest in the vicinity, and +several sociable family picnics among the surrounding hills and woods. +A warm friendship had already sprung up between the three young girls, +and had done much toward reconciling Elsie to the idea of spending the +summer there away from her father. + +She had finally consented to do so, yet as the time drew near her +heart almost failed her. In all these years since they went to live +together at the Oaks, they had never been far apart--except once or +twice for a few days when he had gone to New Orleans to attend to +business connected with the care of her property; and only on a very +few occasions, when she paid a little visit in their own neighborhood, +had they been separated for more than a day. + +She could not keep back her tears as she hung about his neck on +parting. "Ah, papa, how can I do without you for weeks and months?" +she sighed. + +"Or I without you, my darling?" he responded, straining her to his +breast. "I don't know how I shall be able to stand it. You need not be +surprised to see me again at any time, returning to claim my treasure; +and in the meanwhile we will write to each other every day. I shall +want to know all you are doing, thinking, and feeling. You must tell +me of all your pursuits and pleasures; your new acquaintances, too, +if you form any. In that you must be guided by the advice of Aunt +Wealthy, together with your father's known wishes. I am sure I can +trust my daughter to obey those in my absence as carefully as in my +presence." + +"I think you may, papa. I shall try to do nothing that you would +disapprove, and to attend faithfully to all your wishes." + +Mr. Dinsmore left by the morning train, directly after breakfast. It +was a bright, clear day, and Miss Stanhope, anxious to help Elsie to +recover her spirits, proposed a little shopping expedition into the +village. + +"You have not seen our stores yet," she said, "and I think we'd better +go now before the sun gets any hotter. Should you like it, my dear?" + +"Thank you, yes, auntie. I will go and get ready at once." + +Elsie could hardly forbear smiling at the quaint little figure that +met her in the porch a few moments later, and trotted with quick, +short steps by her side across the lawn and up and down the village +streets. The white muslin dress with its short and scanty skirt, an +embroidered scarf of the same material, the close, old-fashioned +leg-horn bonnet, trimmed with one broad strip of white mantua ribbon, +put straight down over the top and tied under the chin, and the black +mitts and morocco slippers of the same hue, formed a tout ensemble +which, though odd, was not unpleasant to look upon. In one hand the +little lady carried a very large parasol, in the other a gayly-colored +silk reticule of corresponding size, this last not by a ribbon or +string, but with its hem gathered up in her hand. All in singular +contrast to Elsie with her slight, graceful form, fully a head taller, +and her simple yet elegant costume. But the niece no more thought of +feeling ashamed of her aunt, than her aunt of her. + +They entered a store, and the smiling merchant asked, "What can I do +for you to-day, ladies?" + +"I will look at shirting muslin, if you please, Mr. Under," replied +Miss Stanhope, laying parasol and reticule upon the counter. + +"Over, if you please, Miss Stanhope," he answered with an amused look. +"Just step this way, and I'll show you a piece that I think will +suit." + +"I beg your pardon, I'm always making mistakes in names," she said, +doing as requested. + +"Anything else to-day, ladies?" he asked when the muslin had been +selected. "I have quite a lot of remnants of dress goods, Miss +Stanhope. Would you like to look at them?" + +"Yes," she answered almost eagerly, and he quickly spread them on the +counter before her. She selected quite a number, Elsie wondering what +she wanted with them. + +"I'll send the package at once," said Mr. Over, as they left the +store. + +They entered another where Miss Stanhope's first inquiry was for +remnants, and the same thing was repeated till, as she assured Elsie, +they had visited every dry-goods store in the place. + +"Pretty nice ones, too, some of them are; don't you think so, dear?" + +"Yes, auntie; but do you know you have strongly excited my curiosity?" + +"Ah! how so?" + +"Why, I cannot imagine what you can want with all those remnants. I'm +sure hardly one of them could be made into a dress for yourself or for +Phillis, and you have no little folks to provide for." + +"But other folks have, child, and I shall use some of the smallest for +patchwork." + +"Dere's a lady in de parlor, Miss Stanhope," said Chloe, meeting them +at the gate; "kind of lady," she added with a very broad smile, "come +to call on you, ma'am, and Miss Elsie too." + +"We'll just go in without keeping her waiting to take off our +bonnets," said Aunt Wealthy, leading the way. + +They found a rather gaudily-dressed, and not very refined-looking +woman, who rose and came forward to meet them with a boisterous +manner, evidently assumed to cover a slight feeling of embarrassment. +"Oh, I'm quite ashamed, Aunt Wealthy, to have been so long in calling +to see your friends; you really must excuse me; it's not been for want +of a strong disinclination, I do assure you: but you see I've been +away a-nursing of a sick sister." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Sixpence." + +"Excuse me, Schilling." + +"Oh no, not at all, it's my mistake. Elsie, Mrs. Schilling. My niece, +Miss Dinsmore. Sit down, do. I'm sorry you got here before we were +through our shopping." + +"I'm afraid it's rather an early call," began Mrs. Schilling, her +rubicund countenance growing redder than ever, "but--" + +"Oh, aunt did not mean that," interposed Elsie, with gentle +kindliness. "She was only regretting that you had been kept waiting." + +"Certainly," said Miss Stanhope. "You know I'm a sad hand at talking, +always getting the horse before the cart, as they say. But tell me +about your sister. I hope she has recovered. What ailed her?" + +"She had inflammation of the tonsils; she's better now though; the +tonsils is all gone, and I think she'll get along. She's weak yet; +but that's all. There's been a good bit of sickness out there in that +neighborhood, through the winter and spring; there were several cases +of scarlet fever, and one of small-pox. That one died, and what do you +think, Aunt Wealthy; they had a reg'lar big funeral, took the corpse +into the church, and asked everybody around to come to it." + +"I think it was really wicked, and that if I'd been the congregation, +every one of me would have staid away." + +"So would I. There now, I'm bound to tell you something that happened +while I was at father's. My sister had a little girl going on two +years old, and one day the little thing took up a flat iron, and let +it fall on her toe, and mashed it so we were really afraid 'twould +have to be took off. We wrapped it up in some kind o' salve mother +keeps for hurts, and she kept crying and screamin' with pain, and we +couldn't peacify her nohow at all, till a lady that was visiting next +door come in and said we'd better give her a few drops of laud'num. So +we did, and would you believe it? it went right straight down into her +toe, and she stopped cryin', and pretty soon dropped asleep. I thought +it was the curiosest thing I ever heard of." + +"It was a wise prescription, no doubt," returned Miss Stanhope, with a +quiet smile. + +"Oh, Aunt Wealthy, won't you tell me how you make that Farmer's +fruit-cake?" asked the visitor, suddenly changing the subject. "Miss +Dinsmore, it's the nicest thing you ever eat. You'd be sure it had +raisins or currants in it." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Schilling. You must soak three cups of dried apples +in warm water over night, drain off the water through a sieve, chop +the apples slightly, them simmer them for two hours in three cups of +molasses. After that add two eggs, one cup of sugar, one cup of sweet +milk or water, three-fourths of a cup of butter or lard, one-half +teaspoonful of soda, flour to make a pretty stiff batter, cinnamon, +cloves, and other spices to suit your taste." + +"Oh, yes! but I'm afraid I'll hardly be able to remember all that." + +"I'll write the receipt and send it over to you," said Elsie. + +Mrs. Schilling returned her thanks, sat a little longer, conversing in +the same lucid style, then rose and took leave, urging the ladies to +call soon, and run in sociably as often as they could. + +She was hardly out of the door before Aunt Wealthy was beating up +her crushed chair-cushions to that state of perfect roundness and +smoothness in which her heart delighted. It amused Elsie, who had +noticed that such was her invariable custom after receiving a call in +her parlor. + +Lottie King and Mrs. Schilling passed each other on the porch, the +one coming in as the other went out. Kind Aunt Wealthy, intent on +preventing Elsie from grieving over the emptiness of her father's +accustomed seat at the table, had invited her young friend to dinner. +The hour of the meal had, however, not yet arrived, and the two girls +repaired to Elsie's room to spend the intervening time. + +Lottie, in her benevolent desire to be so entertaining to Elsie that +her absent father should not be too sorely missed, seized upon the +first topic of conversation which presented itself and rattled on in a +very lively manner. + +"So you have begun to make acquaintance with our peculiar currency, +mon ami! An odd sixpence as Aunt Wealthy calls her. Two of them I +should say, since it takes two sixpences to make a shilling." + +"I don't know; I'm inclined to think Aunt Wealthy's arithmetic has the +right of it, since she was never more than a shilling, and has lost +her better half," returned Elsie, laughing. + +"Better half, indeed! fie on you, Miss Dinsmore! have you so little +regard for the honor of your sex as to own that the man is ever that? +But I must tell you of the time when she sustained the aforesaid loss; +and let me observe, sustained is really the proper--very properest of +words to express my meaning, for it was very far from crushing her. +While her husband was lying a corpse, mother went over with a pie, +thinking it might be acceptable, as people are not apt to feel like +cooking at such a time. She did not want to disturb the new-made widow +in the midst of her grief, and did not ask for her; but Mrs. Schilling +came to the door. 'Oh, I'm so much obliged to you for bringing that +pie!' she said. 'It was so good of you. I hadn't any appetite to eat +while he was sick, but now that he's dead, I feel as if I could eat +something. You and your girls must come over and spend a day with +me some time soon. He's left me full and plenty, and you needn't be +afraid to take a meal's victuals off me'!" + +"How odd! I don't think she could be quite broken-hearted." + +"No, and she has apparently forgotten him, and bestowed her affections +upon another; a widower named Wert. Mr. Was, Aunt Wealthy usually +calls him. They both attend our church, and everybody notices how +impossible it seems to be for her to keep her eyes off him; and you +can never be five minutes in her company without hearing his name. +Didn't she talk of him to-day?" + +"Oh, yes, she spoke of Mr. Wert visiting some sick man, to talk and +pray with him, and rejoiced that the man did not die till he gave +evidence that he was repaired." + +"Yes, that sounds like her," laughed Lottie. "She's always getting the +wrong word. I told you she never could keep her eyes off Mr. Wert. +Well, the other day--three or four weeks ago--coming from church he +was behind her; she kept looking back at him, and presently came bump +up against a post. She made an outcry, of course everybody laughed, +and she hurried off with a very red face. That put an idea into my +head, and--" Lottie paused, laughing and blushing-- + +"I'm half ashamed to tell you, but I believe I will--Nettie and I +wrote a letter in a sort of manly hand, signed his initials, and put +it into an iron pot that she keeps standing near her back door. The +letter requested that she would put her answer in the same place, and +she did. Oh, it was rich! such a rapture of delight; and such spelling +and such grammar as were used to express it! It was such fun that we +went on, and there have been half a dozen letters on each side. I +daresay she is wondering why the proposal doesn't come. Ah, Elsie, I +see you don't approve; you are as grave as a judge." + +"I would prefer not to express an opinion; so please don't ask me." + +"But you don't think it was quite right, now do you?" + +"Since you have asked a direct question, Lottie, dear," Elsie +answered, with some hesitation, "I'll own that it does not seem to me +quite according to the golden rule." + +"No," Lottie said, after a moment's pause, in which she sat with +downcast eyes, and cheeks crimsoning with mortification. "I'm ashamed +of myself, and I hope I shall never again allow my love of fun to +carry me so far from what is true and kind. + +"And so Aunt Wealthy took you out shopping, and secured the benefit of +your taste and judgment in the choice of her remnants?" she exclaimed, +with a sudden change to a lively, mirthful tone. + +"How do you know that she bought remnants?" asked Elsie, in surprise. + +"Oh, she always does; that's a particular hobby of the dear old +body's; two or three times in a season she goes around to all the +stores, and buys up the most of their stock; they save the best of +them for her, and always know what she's after the moment she shows +her pleasant face. She gives them away, generally, to the minister's +wife, telling her the largest are to be made into dresses for her +little girls; and the poor lady is often in great tribulation, not +knowing how to get the dresses out of such small patterns, and afraid +to put them to any other use, lest Miss Stanhope should feel hurt or +offended. By the way, what do you think of Aunt Wealthy's own dress?" + +"That it is very quaint and odd, but suits her as no other would." + +"I'm so glad! It's just what we all think, but before you came we were +much afraid you would use your influence to induce her to adopt a more +fashionable attire." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + Bear fair presence, though your heart be tainted; + Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint. + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "COMEDY OF ERRORS." + + +"It's a very handsome present, child, very; and your old auntie will +be reminded of you every time she uses it, or looks at it." + +"Both beautiful and useful, like the giver," remarked Lottie. + +"It" was a sewing-machine, Elsie's gift to Aunt Wealthy, forwarded +from Cincinnati, by Mr. Dinsmore; the handsomest and the best to be +found in the city; so Elsie had requested that it should be, and so he +had written that it was. + +"I am glad you like it, auntie, and you too, Lottie," was all she said +in response to their praises, but her eyes sparkled with pleasure at +the old lady's evident delight. + +"It" had arrived half an hour before, on this the second morning after +Mr. Dinsmore's departure, and now stood in front of one of the windows +of Aunt Wealthy's bedroom--a delightfully shady, airy apartment on the +ground floor, back of the parlor, and with window and door opening +out upon a part of the lawn where the trees were thickest and a tiny +fountain sent up its showers of spray. + +Miss Stanhope stood at a table, cutting out shirts. Lottie was +experimenting on the machine with a bit of muslin, and Elsie sat +near by with her father's letter in her hand, her soft dark eyes now +glancing over it for perhaps the twentieth time, now at the face of +one or the other of her companions, as Lottie rattled on in her usual +gay, flighty style, and Aunt Wealthy answered her sometimes with a +straightforward sentence, and again with one so topsy-turvy that her +listeners could not forbear a smile. + +"For whom are you making shirts, aunt?" asked Elsie. + +"For my boy Harry. He writes that his last set are going wonderfully +fast; so I must send up another to make." + +"You must let us help you, Lottie and I; we have agreed that it will +be good fun for us." + +"Thank you, dearie, but I didn't suppose plain sewing was among your +accomplishments." + +"Mamma says I am quite a good needle-woman," Elsie replied with a +smile and a blush, "and if I am not it is no fault of hers. She took +great pains to teach me. I cut out a shirt for papa once, and made +every stitch of it myself." + +"And she can run the machine too," said Lottie, "though her papa won't +let her do so for more than half an hour at a time, lest she should +hurt herself." + +"He's very careful of her, and no wonder," Aunt Wealthy responded, +with a loving look at the sweet, fair face. "You may help me a little, +now and then, children, when it just suits your humor, but I want you +to have all the rides and walks, the reading and recreation of every +sort that you can enjoy." + +"Here comes Lenwilla Ellawea Schilling," said Lottie, glancing from +the window. + +"What do you want, Willy?" asked Miss Stanhope, as the child appeared +in the doorway with a teacup in her hand. + +"Mother wants a little light'ning to raise her bread." + +"Yeast? Oh, yes, just go round to Phillis, and she'll give you some." + +The door-bell rang. + +"It's a gentleman," said the child, "I seen him a-coming in at the +gate." + +Chloe answered the bell and entered the room the next moment with a +letter, which she handed to Miss Stanhope. + +The old lady adjusted her spectacles and broke the seal. "Ah, a letter +of introduction, and from my old friend and schoolmate Anna Waters; +wishes me to treat the young man with all the courtesy and kindness I +would show to her own son, for she esteems him most highly, etc., etc. +Aunt Chloe, what have you done with him?" + +"Showed him into de parlor, mistis, and leff him a-sittin' dar." + +"What's his name, auntie?" asked Lottie, as the old lady refolded the +letter and took off her glasses. + +"Bromly Egerton; quite romantic, isn't it? Excuse me for a few +minutes, dears; I must go and see what he wants." + +Aunt Wealthy found a well-dressed, handsome young man seated on one of +her softly-cushioned chairs. He rose and came forward to meet her with +courtly ease and grace. "Miss Stanhope, I presume?" + +"You are right, Mr. Ledgerfield. Pray be seated, sir." + +"Thank you, madam, but let me first help you to a seat. Excuse the +correction, but Egerton is my name." + +"Ah, yes! For the sake of my friend, Mrs. Waters, I welcome you to +Lansdale. Do you expect to make some stay in our town?" + +"Well, madam, I hardly had such expectation before arriving here, but +I find it so pretty a place that I begin to think I can scarcely do +better. My health has been somewhat impaired by very strict and close +attention to business; and my physician has ordered entire relaxation +for a time, and fresh country air. Can you recommend a boarding-place +in town? Some quiet, private hotel where drinking and things of that +kind would not be going on. I'm not used to it, and should find it +very disgusting." + +"I'm glad to hear such sentiments, young man; they do you honor. I +daresay Mrs. Sixpence,--no, Mrs. Schilling,--just opposite here, would +take you in. She told me some weeks ago that she would be glad to have +one or two gentlemen boarders." + +"Thank you, the location would suit me well; and you think she could +give me comfortable accommodations?" + +"I do; she has pleasant rooms and is a good cook." + +"A widow?" + +"Yes, not very young, and has two children. But they are old enough +not to be annoying to a boarder." + +"What sort of woman is she?" + +"A good manager, neat, industrious, honest, and obliging. Very +suitable for a landlady, if you are not looking in the person of your +hostess for an intellectual companion." + +"Oh, not at all, Miss Stanhope, unless--unless you could find it in +your benevolent heart to take me in yourself;" and his smile was very +insinuating. "In that case I should have the luxury of intellectual +companionship superadded to the other advantages of which you have +spoken." + +The old lady smiled, but shook her head quite decidedly. "I have lived +so long in the perfect house that I should not know how to give it up. +I have come to think men a care and a trouble that I cannot take upon +me in my old age." + +"Excuse me, my dear madam, for the unwarrantable liberty I took +in asking it," he said in an apologetic tone, and with a slightly +embarrassed air. "I beg ten thousand pardons." + +"That is a great many," she answered with a smile, "but you may +consider them all granted. I hope you left my friend Mrs. Waters well? +I must answer her letter directly." + +"Ah, then you are not aware that she is already on her way to Europe?" + +"No, is she indeed?" + +"Yes, she sailed the day after that letter was written; which accounts +for the date not being a very recent one. You see I did not leave +immediately on receiving it from her." + +She was beginning to wish that he would go, but he lingered for some +time, vainly hoping for a glimpse of Elsie. On finally taking his +leave, he asked her to point out Mrs. Schilling's house, and she +noticed that he went directly there. + +"Really, auntie, we began to think that your visitor must intend to +spend the day," cried Lottie, as Miss Stanhope returned to her room +and her interrupted employment. + +"Ah? Well it was not my urging that kept him; I was very near telling +him that he was making me waste a good deal of time" replied the old +lady; then seeing that Lottie was curious on the subject, she kindly +went on to tell all that she had learned in regard to the stranger and +his intentions. + +Elsie was amusing herself with Thomas, trying to cajole him to return +to the frolicsomeness of his long-forgotten kittenhood, and did not +seem to hear or heed. What interest for her had this stranger, or his +doings? + +"Young and handsome, you say, Aunt Wealthy? and going to stay in +Lansdale all summer? Would you advise me to set my cap for him?" + +"No, Lottie; not I." + +"You were not smitten with the gentleman, eh?" + +"Not enough to spare him to you anyhow, but he may improve upon +acquaintance." + +"I don't approve of marrying, though, do you, auntie? Your practice +certainly seems to speak disapproval." + +"Perhaps every one does not have the opportunity, my dear," answered +the old lady, with a quiet smile. + +"Oh, but you must have had plenty of them. Isn't that so? and why did +you never accept?" + +Elsie dropped the string she had been waving before the eyes of the +cat, and looked up with eager interest. + +"Yes, I had offers, and one of them I accepted," replied Aunt Wealthy, +with a slight sigh, while a shade of sadness stole over her usually +happy face, "but my friends interfered and the match was broken off. +Don't follow my example, children, but marry if the right one comes +along." + +"Surely you don't mean if our parents refuse their consent, auntie?" +Elsie's tone spoke both surprise and disapproval. + +"No, no, child! It is to those who keep the fifth commandment God +promises long life and prosperity." + +"And love makes it so easy and pleasant to keep it," murmured Elsie, +softly, and with a sweet, glad smile on her lips and in her eyes, +thinking of her absent father, and almost unconsciously thinking +aloud. + +"Ah, child, it can sometimes make it very hard," said Miss Stanhope, +with another little sigh, and shaking her head rather sadly. + +"Elsie, you must have had lots of lovers before this, I am sure!" +exclaimed Lottie, stopping her machine, and facing suddenly round upon +her friend. "No girl as rich and beautiful as you are could have lived +eighteen years without such an experience." + +Elsie only smiled and blushed. + +"Come now, am I not right?" persisted Lottie. + +"I do assure you that I have actually lived to this mature age quite +heart-whole," laughed Elsie. "If I have an idol, it is papa, and I +don't believe anybody can ever succeed in displacing him." + +"You have quite misunderstood me, wilfully or innocently--I asked of +your worshippers, not of your idols. Haven't you had offers?" + +"Several; money has strong attractions for most men, papa tells me." + +"May the Lord preserve you from the sad fate of a woman married for +her money, dear child!" ejaculated Aunt Wealthy, with a glance of +anxious affection at her lovely niece. "I'm sometimes tempted to think +a large amount of it altogether a curse and an affliction." + +"It is a great responsibility, auntie," replied Elsie, with a look of +gravity beyond her years. Then after a moment's pause, her expression +changing to one of gayety and joy, "Now, if you and Lottie will excuse +me for a little, I'll run up to my room, and answer papa's letter," +she said, rising to her feet. "After which I shall be ready to make +myself useful in the capacity of seamstress. Au revoir." And she +tripped away with a light, free step, every movement as graceful as +those of a young gazelle. + +Mr. Bromly Egerton, alias Tom Jackson, was fortunate enough to find +Mrs. Schilling at home. It was she who answered his knock. + +"Good-day, sir," she said. "Will you walk in? Just step into the +parlor here, and take a seat." + +He accepted the invitation and stated his business without preface, or +waiting to be questioned at all. + +She seemed to be considering for a moment. "Well, yes, I can't say as +I'd object to taking a few gentlemen boarders, but--I'd want to know +who you be, and all about you." + +"Certainly, ma'am, that's all right. I'm from the East; rather broken +down with hard work--a business man, you see--and want to spend the +summer here to recruit. Pitched upon your town because it strikes me +as an uncommonly pretty place. I brought a letter of introduction to +your neighbor, Miss Stanhope, and she recommended me to come here in +search of board, saying you'd make a capital landlady." + +"Well, if she recommends you, it's all right. Would you like to look +at the rooms?" + +She had two to dispose of--one at the back and the other in the front +of the house, both cheerful, airy, of reasonable size, and neatly +furnished. He preferred the latter, because it overlooked Miss +Stanhope's house and grounds. + +As he stood at the window, taking note of this, a young girl appeared +at the one opposite. For one minute he had a distinct view of her face +as she stood there and put out her hand to gather a blossom from the +vine that had festooned itself so gracefully over the window. + +He uttered an exclamation of delighted surprise, and turning to his +companion asked, "Who is she?" + +"Miss Dinsmore, Miss Stanhope's niece. She's here on a visit to her +aunt. She's from the South, and worth a mint of money, they say. Aint +she handsome though? handsome as a picture?" + +"Posh! handsome doesn't begin to express it! Why, she's angelic! But +there! she's gone!" And he drew a long breath as he turned away. + +"You'd better conclude to take this room if you like to look at her," +artfully suggested Mrs. Schilling. "That's her bedroom window, and +she's often at it. Besides, you can see the whole front of Miss +Stanhope's place from here, and watch all the comings and goings o' +the girls--Miss Dinsmore, and Miss Nettie and Lottie King." + +"Who are they?" + +"Kind o' fur-off cousins to Miss Stanhope. They live in that next +house to hern, and are amazin' thick with her, runnin' in and out all +times o' day. Nice, spry, likely girls they be too, not bad-lookin' +neither, but hardly fit to hold a candle to Miss Dinsmore, as fur as +beauty's concerned. Well, what do you say to the room, Mr. Egerton?" + +"That I will take it, and would like to have immediate possession." + +"All right, sir; fetch your traps whenever you've a mind; right away, +if you like." + +There was no lack of good society in Lansdale. It had even more than +the usual proportion of well-to-do, intelligent, educated, and refined +people to be found in American villages of its size. They were +hospitable folks, too, disposed to be kind to strangers tarrying in +their midst, and, Miss Stanhope being an old resident, well known and +highly esteemed, spite of her eccentricities, her friends had received +a good deal of attention. Elsie had already become slightly acquainted +with a number of pleasant families; a good many young girls, and also +several young gentlemen had called upon her, and Lottie assured her +there were many more to come. + +"Some of the very nicest are apt to be slow about calling--we're +such busy folks here," she said, laughing. "I've a notion, too, that +several of the beaux stood rather in awe of your papa." + +They were talking together over their sewing, after Elsie had come +down from finishing her letter, and sent Chloe to the post-office with +it. + +"I don't wonder," she answered, looking up with a smile; "there was a +time, a long while ago, when I was very much afraid of him myself; and +even now I have such a wholesome dread of his displeasure as would +keep me from any act of disobedience, if love was not sufficient to do +that without help from any other motive." + +"You are very fond of him, and he of you?" + +"Yes, indeed! how could it be otherwise when for so many years each +was all the other had? But I'm sure, quite sure that neither of us +loves the other less because now we have mamma and darling little +Horace." + +"I should like to know them both," said Miss Stanhope. "I hope your +father will bring them with him when he comes back for you." + +"Oh, I hope he will! I want so much to have you know them. Mamma is so +dear and sweet, almost as dear as papa himself. And Horace--well, I +can't believe there ever was quite such another darling to be found," +Elsie continued, with a light, joyous laugh. + +"Ah!" said Aunt Wealthy with a sigh and a smile, "it is a good and +pleasant thing to be young and full of life and gayety, and to have +kind, wise parents to look to for help and guidance. You will realize +that when you grow old and have to be a prop for others to lean upon +instead." + +"Yes, dear auntie," Elsie answered, giving her a look of loving +reverence, "but surely the passing years must have brought you so much +wisdom and self-reliance that that can be no such very hard task to +you." + +"Ah, child!" replied the old lady, shaking her head, "I often feel +that my stock of those is very small. But then how sweet it is to +remember that I have a Father to whom I never shall grow old; never +cease to be His little child, in constant need of His tender, watchful +care to guard and guide. Though the gray hairs are on my head, the +wrinkles of time, sorrow, and care upon my brow, He does not think me +old enough to be left to take care of myself. No; He takes my hand in +His and leads me tenderly and lovingly along, choosing each step for +me, protecting me from harm, and providing for all my needs. What does +He say? 'Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I +carry you'!" + +"Such sweet words! They almost reconcile one to growing old," murmured +Lottie, and Aunt Wealthy answered, with a subdued gladness in her +tones, "You need not dread it, child, for does not every year bring us +nearer home?" + +The needles flew briskly until the dinner-bell sounded its welcome +summons. + +"We shall finish two at least this afternoon, I think," said Lottie, +folding up her work. + +"No, we've had sewing enough for to-day," replied Miss Stanhope. "I +have ordered the carriage at two. We will have a drive this afternoon, +and music this evening; if you and Elsie do not consider it too much +of a task to play and sing for your old auntie." + +"A task, Aunt Wealthy! It would be a double delight--giving you +pleasure and ourselves enjoying the delicious tones of that splendid +piano. Its fame has already spread over the whole town," she added, +turning to Elsie, "and between its attractions and those of its owner, +I know there'll be a great influx of visitors here." + +Elsie was a very fine musician, and for her benefit during her stay in +Lansdale, Mr. Dinsmore had had a grand piano sent on from the East, +ordering it in season to have it arrive almost as soon as they +themselves. + +"Yes, Lottie is quite right about it, Aunt Wealthy, and you shall +call for all the tunes you want," Elsie said, noticing her friend's +prediction merely by a quiet smile. + +"You don't know how I enjoy that piano," Lottie rattled on as they +began their meal. "It must be vastly pleasant to have plenty of +money and such an indulgent father as yours, Elsie. Not that I would +depreciate my own at all--I wouldn't exchange him even for yours--but +he, you see, has more children and less money." + +"Yes, I think we are both blessed in our fathers," answered Elsie. "I +admire yours very much; and mine is, indeed, very indulgent, though at +the same time very strict; he never spares expense or trouble to give +me pleasure. But the most delightful thing of all is to know that he +loves me so very, very dearly;" and the soft eyes shone with the light +of love and joy. + +It was nearly tea time when they returned from their drive, some lady +callers having prevented them from setting out at the early hour +intended. + +"Now I must run right home," said Lottie, as they alighted. "Mother +complains that she gets no good of me at all of late." + +"Well, she has Nettie," returned Miss Stanhope, "and she told me Elsie +and I might have all we wanted of you till the poor child gets a +little used to her father's absence." + +"Did she, Aunt Wealthy? There, I'll remind her of that, and also of +the fact that Nettie is worth two of me any day." + +"And you'll come back to spend the evening? Indeed you must, or how is +Elsie to learn her visitors' names? You know I could never get them +straight. But there's the tea-bell, so come in with us. No need to go +home till bed-time, or till to-morrow, that I can see." + +"Thank you, but of course, auntie, I want to primp a bit, just as you +did in your young days, when the beaux were coming. So good-bye for +the present," she cried, skipping away with a merry laugh, Miss +Stanhope calling after her to bring Nettie along when she returned. + +"We have so many odd names in this town, and I such an odd sort of +memory, that I make a great many mistakes," said the old lady, leading +the way to the house. + +Elsie thought that was all very true, when in the course of the +evening she was introduced to Mr. Comings, Mr. Tizard, Mr. Stop, +Miss Lock, and Miss Over, and afterward heard her aunt address them +variously as "Mr. In-and-out," "Mr. Wizard," "Mr. Lizard," "Mr. Quit," +"Miss Under," and "Miss Key." + +But the old lady's peculiarity was so well known that no one thought +of taking offence; and her mistakes caused only mirth and amusement. + +Lottie's prediction was so fully verified that Elsie seemed to be +holding a sort of levee. + +"What faultless features, exquisitely beautiful complexion, and sweet +expression she has." "What a graceful form, what pleasant, affable +manners, so entirely free from affectation or hauteur; no patronizing +airs about her either, but perfect simplicity and kindliness." "And +such a sweet, happy, intelligent face." "Such beautiful hair too; +did you notice that? so abundant, soft and glossy, and such a +lovely color." "Yes, and what simple elegance of dress." "She's an +accomplished musician, too, and has a voice as sweet, rich, and full +as a nightingale's," remarked one and another as they went away. The +unanimous verdict seemed to be, that the young stranger was altogether +charming. + +Across the street, Mrs. Schilling's boarder paced to and fro, watching +the coming and going, listening to the merry salutations, and gay +adieux, the light laughter, and the sweet strains of music and song, +till the desire to make one of the happy throng grew so strong upon +him that it was no longer to be resisted. + +"I will go in with those," he muttered, crossing over just in time to +enter directly in the rear of a lady and gentleman, whom he saw coming +up the street. "Miss Stanhope invited me to call again, without +particularizing how soon, and I can turn my speedy acceptance into a +compliment to their music, without even a white lie, for it does sound +extremely attractive to a lonely, idle fellow like me." + +Miss Stanhope met him at the door, would scarce listen to his +apology--insisting that "none was needed; one who had come to her with +such an introduction from so valued a friend as Mrs. Waters, must +always be a welcome guest in her house"--and ushering him into the +parlor, introduced him to her niece, and all others present. + +A nearer and more critical view of Elsie only increased his +admiration; he thought her the loveliest creature he had ever seen. +But it did not suit his tactics to show immediately any strong +attraction toward her, or desire to win her regard. For this evening +he devoted himself almost exclusively to Miss Stanhope, exerting all +his powers to make a favorable impression upon her. + +In this he was entirely successful. He had, when he chose, most +agreeable and polished manners. Also he had seen much of the world, +possessed a large fund of general information, and knew exactly how to +use it to the best advantage. With these gifts, very fine, expressive +eyes, regular features, and handsome person, no wonder he could boast +himself "a woman-killer." + +Aunt Wealthy, though old enough to be invulnerable to Cupid's arrows, +showed by her warm praises, after he had left that evening, that she +was not proof against his fascinations. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Your noblest natures are most credulous. + + --CHAPMAN. + + +Bromly Egerton (we give him the name by which he had become known to +our friends in Lansdale) considered it "a very lucky chance" that +had provided him a boarding-place so near the temporary home of his +intended victim. He felicitated himself greatly upon it, and lost no +time in improving to the utmost all the advantages it conferred. +It soon came to be a customary thing for him to drop in at Miss +Stanhope's every day, or two or three times a day, and to join the +young girls in their walks and drives, for, though at first paying +court to no one but the mistress of the mansion, he gradually turned +his attention more and more to her niece and Miss King. + +As their ages were so much nearer his this seemed perfectly natural, +and excited no suspicion or remark. Aunt Wealthy was quite willing to +resign him to them; for--a very child in innocent trustfulness--she +had no thought of any evil design on the part of the handsome, +attractive young stranger so warmly recommended to her kindness and +hospitality by an old and valued friend, and only rejoiced to see the +young folks enjoying themselves so much together. + +Before leaving Lansdale Mr. Dinsmore had provided his daughter with a +gentle, but spirited and beautiful little pony, and bade her ride out +every day when the weather was favorable, as was her custom at home. +At the same time he cautioned her never to go alone; but always to +have Simon riding in her rear, and, if possible, a lady friend at her +side. + +Dr. King was not wealthy, and having a large family to provide for, +kept no horse except the one he used in his practice; but Elsie, with +her well-filled purse, was more than content to furnish ponies for +her friends Lottie and Nettie whenever they could accompany her; and +matters were so arranged by their indulgent mother that one or both +could do so every day. + +It was not long before Mr. Egerton joined them in these excursions +also, having made an arrangement with a livery-stable keeper for the +daily use of a horse. And gradually his attention, in the beginning +about equally divided between the two, or the three, were paid more +and more exclusively to Elsie. + +She was not pleased with him in their earlier interviews, she could +scarcely have told why; but there was an intuitive feeling that he was +not one to be trusted. That, however, gradually gave way under the +fascinations of his fine person, agreeable manners, and intellectual +conversation. He was very plausible and captivating, she full of +charity and ready to believe the best of everybody, and so, little by +little, he won her confidence and esteem so completely that at length +she had almost forgotten that her first impression had not been +favorable. + +He went regularly to the church she, her aunt, and the Kings attended, +appearing an interested listener, and devout worshipper; and that not +on the Sabbath only, but also at the regular weekday evening service; +he seemed also to choose his associates among good, Christian people. +The natural inference from all this was that he too was a Christian, +or at least a professor of religion; and thus all our friends soon +came to look upon him as such, and to feel the greater friendship for, +and confidence in him. + +He found that Elsie's beauty would bear the closest scrutiny, that her +graces of person and mind were the more apparent the more thoroughly +she was known; that she was highly educated and accomplished, +possessed of a keen intellect, and talents of no common order, and a +wonderful sweetness of disposition. He acknowledged to himself that, +even leaving money out of the question, she was a prize any man might +covet; yet that if she were poor, he would never try to win her. A +more voluptuous woman would have suited him better. Elsie's very +purity made her distasteful to him, his own character seeming so much +blackened by contrast that at times he could but loathe and despise +himself. + +But her fortune was an irresistible attraction, and he resolved more +firmly than ever to leave no stone unturned to make himself master of +it. + +He soon perceived that he had many rivals, but he possessed one +advantage over them all in his entire leisure from business, leaving +him at liberty to devote himself to her entertainment during the day +as well as the evening. + +For a while he greatly feared that he had a more dangerous rival at a +distance; for, watching from his windows, he saw that every morning +Simon brought one or more letters from the post, and that Elsie was +usually on the front porch awaiting his coming; that she would often +come flying across the lawn, meet her messenger at the gate, and +snatching her letter with eager, joyful haste, rush back to the house +with it, and disappear within the doorway. Then frequently he would +see her half an hour later looking so rosy and happy, that he could +hardly hope her correspondent was other than an accepted lover. + +For weeks he tormented himself with this idea; the more convinced that +he was right in his conjecture, because she almost always posted her +reply with her own hands, when going out for her daily walk, or sent +it by her faithful Chloe; but one day, venturing a jest upon the +subject, she answered him, with a merry laugh, "Ah, you are no +Yankee, Mr. Egerton, to make such a guess as that! I have a number of +correspondents, it is true; but the daily letter I am so eager for +comes from my father." + +"Is it possible, Miss Dinsmore! do you really receive and answer a +letter from your father every day?" + +"We write every day, and each receives a letter from the other every +day but Sunday; on that day we never go or send to the post-office; +and we write only on such subjects as are suited to the sacredness of +its Sabbath rest. I give papa the text and a synopsis of the sermon I +have heard, and he does the same by me." + +"You must be extremely strict Sabbath-keepers." + +"We are, but not more so than the Bible teaches that we should be." + +"But isn't it very irksome? don't you find the day very long and +tedious?" + +"Not at all; I think no other day in the week is quite so short to me, +none, I am sure, so delightful." + +"Then it isn't only because your aunt is strict too, that you go on +keeping your father's rules, while you are at a safe distance from +him?" he queried in a half jesting tone. + +Elsie turned her soft eyes full upon him, as she answered with gentle +gravity: "I feel that the commands of both my earthly and my heavenly +Father are binding upon me at all times, and in all places, and I hope +I may ever be kept from becoming an eye-servant. Love makes it easy to +obey, and God's commands are not grievous to those who love him." + +"I beg your pardon," he said; "but to go back to the letters, how +can you fill one every day to your father? I can imagine that lovers +might, in writing to each other, but fathers and daughters would not +be apt to indulge in that sort of nonsense." + +"But Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie are no common father and daughter," +remarked Lottie, who had not spoken for the last ten minutes. + +"And can find plenty to say to each other," added Elsie, with a bright +look and smile. "Papa likes to hear just how I am spending my time, +what I see in my walks, what new plants and flowers I find, etc., +etc.; what new acquaintances I make, what books I am reading, and what +I think of them." + +"The latter or the former?" he asked, resuming his jesting tone. + +"Both. And I tell him almost everything. Papa is my confidant; more so +than any other person in the world." + +They were returning from a walk over the hills, and had just reached +Miss Stanhope's gate. Mr. Egerton opened it for the ladies, closed +it after them, bowed a good-morning and retired, wondering if he was +mentioned in those letters to Mr. Dinsmore, and cautioning himself +to be exceeding careful not to say or do a single thing which, if +reported there, might be taken as a warning of danger to the heiress. + +The girls ran into Miss Wealthy's room, and found her lamenting over a +white muslin apron. + +"What is it, auntie?" Elsie asked. + +"Why, just look here, child, what a hole I have made in this! It had +got an ink-stain on it, and Phillis had put one of Harry's new shirts +into a tin basin, and iron-rusted it; so I thought I would try some +citric acid on them both; and I did; but probably made it too strong, +and this is how it served the apron." + +"And the shirt?" asked Lottie, interested for the garment she had +helped to make. + +"Well, it's a comfort I handled it very gingerly, and it seems to be +sound yet, after I saw what this has come to." + +"It is quite a pity about the apron; for it really is a very pretty +one," said Elsie, "the acid must have been very strong." + +"Yes, and I am sorry to have the apron ruined, but after all, I shall +not care so very much, if it only doesn't eat Harry's tail off, and it +will make a little one for some child." + +Both girls laughed. It was impossible to resist the inclination to do +so. + +"The shirt's tail I mean, of course, and a little apron," said Miss +Wealthy, joining in the mirth; "that's where the spots all happen to +be, which is a comfort in case a piece should have to be set in." + +"There comes Lenwilla Ellawea; for some more light'ning, I suppose, as +I see she carries a teacup in her hand," whispered Lottie, +glancing from the window, as a step sounded upon the gravel walk. +"Good-morning, little sixpence; what are you after now?" she added +aloud, as the child appeared in the open doorway. + +"Mother's out o' vinegar, and dinner's just ready, and the +gentleman'll want some for his salad, and there aint no time to send +to the grocery. And mother says, will you lend her a teacupful, Aunt +Wealthy? And she's goin' to have some folks there to-night, and she +says you're all to come over." + +"Tell her we're obliged, and she's welcome to the vinegar," said Miss +Stanhope, taking the cup and giving it to Chloe to fill. "But what +sort of company is it to be?" + +"I dunno; ladies and gentlemen, but no married folks, I heard her say. +She's goin' to have nuts, and candies, and things to hand round, and +you'd better come. I hope that pretty lady will," in a stage whisper, +bending toward Miss Stanhope, as she spoke, and nodding at Elsie. + +All three laughed. + +"Well, I'll try to coax her," said Aunt Wealthy, as Chloe re-entered +the room. "And here's your vinegar. You'd better hurry home with it." + +"Aunt Wealthy, you can't want me to go there!" cried Elsie, as the +child passed out of hearing. "Why, the woman is not a lady, and I am +sure papa would be very unwilling to have me make an associate of her. +He is very particular about such matters." + +"She is not educated or very refined, it is true, my child; and I must +acknowledge is a little silly, too; but she is a clever, kind-hearted +woman, a member of the same church with myself, and a near neighbor +whom I should feel sorry to hurt; and I am sure she would be much hurt +if you should stay away, and deeply gratified by your attendance at +her little party." + +"I wouldn't miss it for anything!" cried Lottie, pirouetting about the +room, laughing and clapping her hands; "she has such comical ways of +talking and acting. I know it will be real fun. You won't think of +staying away, Elsie?" + +"I really do not believe your father would object, if he were here, my +child," added Miss Stanhope, laying her hand on her niece's shoulder +and looking at her with a kindly persuasive smile. + +"Perhaps not, auntie; and he bade me obey you in his absence; so if +you bid me, I will go," Elsie answered, returning the smile, and +touching her ruby lips to the faded cheek. + +"That's a dear," cried Lottie. "Hold her to her word, Aunt Wealthy. +And now I must run home, and see if Nettie's had an invite, and what +she's going to wear." + +The ladies were just leaving the dinner-table, when Mrs. Schilling +came rushing in. "Oh, excuse my informality in not waiting to ring, +Miss Stanhope; but I'm in the biggest kind of a hurry. I've just put +up my mind to make some sponge-cake for to-night, and I thought I'd +best run over and get your prescription; you always have so much +better luck than me. I don't know whether it's all in the luck though, +or whether it's partly the difference in prescriptions--I know some +follows one, and some another--and so, if you'll let me have yours, +I'll be a thousand times obliged." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Sixpence, you'll be as many times welcome," returned +Aunt Wealthy, going for her receipt-book. "It's not to be a large +party, is it?" she asked, coming back. + +"No, ma'am, just a dozen or so of the young folks; such ladies and +gentlemen which I thought would be agreeable to meet Miss Dinsmore. I +hope you'll both be over and bright and early too; for I've heard say +you don't never keep very late hours, Miss Dinsmore." + +"No, papa does not approve of them; not for me at least. He is so +careful of me, so anxious that I should keep my health." + +"Well, I'm sure that's all right and kind. But you'll come, both +of you, won't you?" And receiving an assurance that such was their +intention, she hurried away as fast as she had come. + +"I wonder she cares to make a party when she must do all the work of +preparing for it herself," said Elsie, looking after her as she sped +across the lawn. + +"She is strong and healthy, and used to work; and doubtless feels +that it will be some honor and glory to be able to boast of having +entertained the Southern heiress who is visiting Lansdale," Miss +Stanhope answered in a half-jesting tone. + +Elsie looked amused, then grave, as she replied: "It is rather +humbling to one's pride to be valued merely or principally on account +of one's wealth." + +"Yes; but, dearie, those who know you don't value you for that, but +for your own dear, lovable self. My darling, your old aunt is growing +very fond of you, and can hardly bear to think how soon your father +will be coming to carry you away again," she added, twinkling away a +tear, as she took the soft, white hand, and pressed it affectionately +in both her own. + +"And I shall be so sorry to leave you, auntie. I wish we could carry +you away with us. I have so often thought how happy my friend Lucy +Carrington ought to be in having such a nice grandma. I have never +had one, you know; for papa's stepmother would never own me for her +grandchild; but you seem to be the very one I have always longed for." + +"Thank you, dear," and Miss Stanhope sighed, slightly. "Had your own +grandmother, my sweet and dear sister Eva, been spared to this time, +you would have had one to love and be proud of. Now, do you want to +take a siesta? you must feel tired after this morning's long tramp, +I should think, and I want you to be very bright and fresh to-night, +that it may not harm you if you should happen to be kept up a little +later than usual. You see I want to take such care of you, that when +your father comes he can see only improvement in you, and feel willing +to let me have you again some day." + +"Thank you, you dear old auntie!" Elsie answered, giving her a hug. +"I'm sure even he could hardly be more kindly careful of me than you +are. But I am not very tired, and sitting in an easy-chair will give +me all the rest I need. Haven't you some work for me? I've done +nothing but enjoy myself in the most idle fashion all day." + +"No, my sewing's all done now that the shirts are finished. But I must +lie down whether you will or not. I can't do without my afternoon +nap." + +"Yes, do, auntie; and I shall begin to-morrow's letter to papa; +finishing it in the morning with an account of the party." + +She was busy with her writing when Lottie burst in upon her. + +"I ran in," she said, "to propose that we all go over there together, +and to ask you to come into our house when you're dressed. Nettie and +I are going to try a new style of doing up our hair, and we want your +opinion about its becomingness." + +"I'll be happy to give it for what it is worth." + +"By the way, I admire your style extremely; but of course no one could +imitate it who was not blessed with a heavy suit of natural curls. You +always wear it one way, don't you?" + +"Yes, papa likes it so, but until within the last year, he would not +let me have it in a comb at all." + +She wore it now gathered into a loose knot behind, and falling over +a comb, in a rich mass of shining curls, while in front it waved and +rippled above her white forehead, or fell over it, in soft, tiny, +golden brown rings. + +"It is so beautiful!" continued Lottie, passing her hand caressingly +over it; "and so is its wearer. Oh, if I were only a gentleman!" + +"You don't wish it," said Elsie, laughing. "I don't believe a real, +womanly woman ever does." + +"You don't, hey? Well, I must go; for I've a lot to do to Lot King's +wearing apparel. Adieu, mon cher. Nay, don't disturb yourself to come +to the door." + +Elsie came down to tea ready dressed for the evening, in simple white, +with a white rose in her hair. + +"I like your taste in dress, child," said Aunt Wealthy, regarding her +with affectionate admiration. "The rose in your hair is lovely, and +you seem to me like a fresh, fair, sweet flower, yourself." + +"Ah, how pleasant it is to be loved, auntie, for love always sees +through rose-colored spectacles," answered the young girl gayly. + +"I promised Lottie to run in there for a moment to give my opinion +about their appearance," she said, as they rose from the table. "I'll +not be gone long; and they're to come in and go with us." + +She found her friends in the midst of their hair-dressing. + +"Isn't it a bore?" cried Lottie. "How fortunate you are in never +having to do this for yourself." + +"Why," said Elsie, "I was just admiring your independence, and feeling +ashamed of my own helplessness." + +"Did you ever try it," asked Nettie; "doing your own hair, I mean?" + +"No, never." + +"Did you ever dress yourself?" + +"No, I own that I have never so much as put on my own shoes and +stockings," Elsie answered with a blush, really mortified at the +thought. + +"Well, it is rather nice to be able to help yourself," remarked Lottie +complacently. "There! mine's done; what do you think of it, Miss +Dinsmore?" + +"That it is very pretty and extremely becoming. Girls, mammy will +dress your hair for you at any time, if you wish." + +"Oh, a thousand thanks!" exclaimed Nettie. "Do you think she would be +willing to come over and do mine now? I really can't get it to suit +me, and I know Lot wants to put on her dress." + +"Yes, I'll go back and send her." + +"Oh, no; don't go yet; can't we send for her?" + +"That would do; but I told Aunt Wealthy I wouldn't stay long; so I +think I'd better go. Perhaps I can be of use to her." + +"I don't believe she'll need any help with her toilet," said Lottie, +"she does it all her own way; but I daresay she grudges every minute +of your company. I know I should. Isn't she sweet and lovely, and good +as she can be?" she added to her sister as Elsie left the room. + +"Yes, and how tastefully she dresses; everything is rich and +beautiful, yet so simply elegant; what magnificent lace she wears, and +what jewelry; yet not a bit too much of either." + +"And she knows all about harmony of colors, and what suits her style; +though I believe she would look well in anything." + +There was a communicating gate between Dr. King's grounds and Miss +Stanhope's, and Elsie gained her aunt's house by crossing the two +gardens. As she stepped upon the porch, she saw Mr. Egerton standing +before the door. + +"Good-evening, Miss Dinsmore," he said, bowing and smiling. "I was +just about to ring; but I presume that is not necessary now." + +"No, not at all. Walk into the parlor, and help yourself to a seat. +And if you will please excuse me I shall be there in a moment." + +"I came to ask if I might have the pleasure of escorting you to the +party," he said laughingly, as she returned from giving Chloe her +directions, and asking if her aunt needed any assistance. + +"Thank you; but you are taking unnecessary trouble," she answered +gayly, "since it is only across the street, and there are four of us +to keep each other company." + +"The Misses King are going with you?" + +"Yes; they are not quite ready yet; but it is surely too early to +think of going?" + +"A little; but Mrs. Schilling is anxious to see you as soon as +possible; particularly as she understands there is no hope of keeping +you after ten o'clock. Do you really always observe such early hours?" + +"As a rule, yes. I believe the medical authorities agree that it is +the way to retain one's youth and health." + +"And beauty," he added, with an admiring glance at her blooming face. + + * * * * * + +"I do believe we shall be almost the first; very unfashionably early," +remarked Nettie King, as their little party crossed the street. + +"We are not the first, I have seen several go in," rejoined Aunt +Wealthy, as Mr. Egerton held open the gate for them to pass in. + +Mrs. Schilling in gay attire, streamers flying, cheeks glowing, and +eyes beaming with delight, met them at the door, and invited them to +enter. + +"Oh, ladies, good-evening. How do you all do? I'm powerful glad you +came so early. Walk right into the parlor." + +She ushered them in as she spoke. Four or five young misses were +standing about the centre-table, looking at prints, magazines, and +photographs, while Lenwilla Ellawea, arrayed in her Sunday best, had +ensconced herself in a large cushioned rocking-chair; she was leaning +lazily back in it, and stretching out her feet in a way to show her +shoes and stockings to full advantage. Mrs. Schilling had singular +taste in dress. The child wore a Swiss muslin over a red flannel +skirt, and her lower limbs were encased in black stockings and blue +shoes. + +"Daughter Lenwilla Ellawea, subside that chair!" exclaimed the mother, +with a wave of her hand. "You should know better than to take the best +seat, when ladies are standing. Miss Stanhope, do me the honor to take +that chair. I assure you, you will find it most commodious. Take a +seat on the sofy, Miss Dinsmore, and--ah, that is right, Mr. Egerton, +you know how to attend to the ladies." + +Greetings and introductions were exchanged; an uncomfortable pause +followed, then a young lady, with a magazine open on the table before +her, broke the silence by remarking: "What sweet verses these are!" + +"Yes," said Mrs. Schilling, looking over her shoulder, "I quite agree +in that sentiment. Indeed, she's my favorite author." + +"Who?" asked Mr. Egerton. + +"Anon." + +"Ah! does she write much for that periodical?" he asked, with assumed +gravity. + +"Oh, yes, she has a piece in nearly every number; sometimes two of +'em." + +"That's my pap, that is," said Lenwilla Ellawea, addressing a second +young lady, who was slowly turning the leaves of a photograph album. + +"Is it?" + +"Yes, and we've got two or three other picters of him." + +"Photographs, Lenwilla Ellawea," corrected her mother. "Yes, we've got +several. Miss Stanhope, do you know there's a sculpture in town? and +what do you think? He wants to make a basque relief out o' one o' them +photographs of my 'Lijah. But I don't know as I'll let him. Would +you?" + +A smile trembled about the corners of Elsie's lips, and she carefully +avoided the glance of Lottie's eyes, which she knew were dancing with +fun, while there was a half-suppressed titter from the girls at the +table. + +"I really can't say I understand exactly what it is," said Aunt +Wealthy dubiously. + +"What sort of looking creature is a sculpture, Mrs. Schilling?" asked +Mr. Egerton. + +"Excuse me; there's some more company coming," she answered, hurrying +from the room. + +"My good landlady is really quite an amusing person," he observed in +an aside to Elsie, near to whom he had seated himself. + +She made no response. The newly-arrived guests were being ushered in, +and there were fresh greetings and introductions to be gone through +with. Then conversation became quite brisk, and after a little, it +seeming to be understood that all invited, or expected, were present +some one proposed playing games. They tried several of the quieter +kind, then Lottie King proposed "Stage-coach." + +"Lot likes that because she's a regular romp," said her sister. + +"And because she tells the story so well; she's just splendid at it!" +cried two or three voices. "Will you take that part if we agree to +play it?" + +"Yes, if no one else wants it." + +"No danger of that. We'll play it. Miss Dinsmore, will you take part?" + +"Thank you; I never heard of the game before, and should not know what +to do." + +"Oh, it's easy to understand. Each player--except the +story-teller--takes the name of some part of the stage-coach, or +something connected with it;--one is the wheels, another the window, +another the whip, another the horses, driver, and so on, and so on. +After all are named and seated--leaving one of their number out, and +no vacancy in the circle--the one left out stands in the centre, and +begins a story, in which he or she introduces the names chosen by the +others as often as possible. Each must be on the qui vive, and the +instant his name is pronounced, jump up, turn round once and sit down +again. If he neglects to do so, he has to pay a forfeit. If the +word stage-coach is pronounced, all spring up and change seats; the +story-teller securing one, if he can and leaving some one else to try +his hand at that." + +Lottie acquitted herself well; Mr. Egerton followed, doing even +better; then Aunt Wealthy was the one left out, and with her crooked +sentences and backward or opposite rendering of names caused shouts +of merriment. The selling of the forfeits which followed was no less +mirth-provoking. Then the refreshments were brought in; first, several +kinds of cake--the sponge and the farmers' fruit-cake, made after Miss +Stanhope's prescription, as Mrs. Schilling informed her guests, and +one or two other sorts. Elsie declined them all, saying that she never +ate anything in the evening. + +"Oh, now that's too bad, Miss Dinsmore! do take a little bit of +something," urged her hostess; "I shall feel real hurt if you don't; +it looks just as if you didn't think my victuals good enough for you +to eat." + +"Indeed you must not think that," replied Elsie, blushing deeply. +"Your cake looks very nice, but I always decline evening refreshments; +and that solely because of the injury it would be to my health to +indulge in them." + +"Why, you aint delicate, are you? You don't look so; you've as healthy +a color as ever I see; not a bit like as though you had the dyspepsy." + +"No, I have never had a touch of dyspepsia, and I think my freedom +from it is largely owing to papa's care of me in regard to what I eat +and when. He has never allowed me to eat cake in the evening." + +"Well, I do say! you're the best girl to mind your pa that ever I see! +But you're growed up now--'most of age, I should judge--and I reckon +you've a sort o' right to decide such little matters for yourself. I +don't believe a bit o' either of these would hurt you a mite; and +if it should make you a little out o' sorts just you take a dose of +spirits of pneumonia. That's my remedy for sick stomic, and it cures +me right up, it does." + +Elsie smiled, but again gently but firmly declined. "Please don't +tempt me any more, Mrs. Schilling," she said; "for it is a temptation, +I assure you." + +"Well, p'raps you'll like the next course better," rejoined her +hostess, moving on. + +"She's a splendid cook and the cake is really nice," remarked Lottie +King in a low tone, close at her friend's side. + +"Yes, Miss Dinsmore, you'd better try a little of it; I don't believe +it would hurt you, even so much as to call for the spirits of +pneumonia," said Egerton, laughing. + +"Oh, look!" whispered Lottie, her eyes twinkling with merriment, "here +comes the second course served up in the most original style." + +Mrs. Schilling had disappeared for a moment, to return bearing a +wooden bucket filled with a mixture of candies, raisins and almonds, +and was passing it around among her guests, inviting each to take a +handful. + +"Now, Miss Dinsmore, you won't refuse to try a few of these?" she +said persuasively, as she neared their corner, "I shall be real +disappointed if you do." + +"I am very sorry to decline your kind offer, even more for my own +sake than yours," returned Elsie, laughing and blushing; "for I am +extremely fond of confectionery; but I must say no, thank you." + +"Mr. Egerton, do you think 'twas because my cakes and things wasn't +good enough for her that she wouldn't taste 'em?" asked his landlady, +in an aggrieved tone, as the last of the guests departed. + +Elsie had gone an hour before, he having had the pleasure of escorting +her and Miss Stanhope across the street, leaving them at their own +door; but he did not need to ask whom Mrs. Schilling meant. + +"Oh, no, not at all, my good woman!" he answered. "It was nothing but +filial obedience joined to the fear of losing her exuberant health. +Very wise, too, though your refreshments were remarkably nice." + +"Poor Mrs. Sixpence," Lottie King was saying to her sister at that +moment, "she whispered to me that though her party had gone off so +splendidly, she had had two great disappointments,--in Mr. Wert's +absenting himself, and the refusal of the Southern heiress to so much +as taste her carefully prepared dainties." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + A goodly apple rotten at the heart; + O what a goodly outside falsehood hath! + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "MERCHANT OF VENICE." + + +In mental power, education, good looks, courtly manners, and general +information Mr. Egerton was decidedly superior to any of the young men +resident in Lansdale; and of this fact no one was better aware than, +himself. He did not confine his attentions to Elsie, and soon found +himself a prime favorite among the ladies of the town. No female +coquette ever coveted the admiration of the other sex more than he, +or sought more assiduously to gain it. He carried on numerous small +flirtations among the belles of the place, yet paid court to Elsie +much oftener than to any one else, using every art of which he was +master in the determined effort to win her affection and to make +himself necessary to her happiness. + +He had read many books and seen much of life, having travelled all +over our own country, and visited both Europe and South America; and +possessing a retentive memory, fine descriptive powers, a fund of +humor, and a decided talent for mimicry, was able, when he chose, to +make his conversation exceedingly amusing and interesting, and very +instructive. Also, he seemed all that was good and noble, and she soon +gave him a very warm place in her regard; much warmer than she herself +at first suspected. + +According to his own account--and probably it was the truth--Bromly +Egerton had had many hair-breadth escapes from sudden and violent +death. He was telling of one of these in which he had risked and +nearly lost his life from mere love of adventure. Elsie shuddered, and +drew a long breath of relief, as the story reached its close. + +"Does it frighten you to hear of such things?" he asked, with a smile. + +"Yes, it seems to me a dreadful thing to risk the loss of one's life, +when there is no good to ourselves or others to be gained by it." + +"Ah, if you were a man or boy you would understand that more than half +the charm of such adventures lies in the risk." + +"But is it right, or wise?" + +"A mere matter of taste, or choice, I should say--a long dull life, or +a short and lively one." + +Elsie's face had grown very grave. "Are those really your sentiments, +Mr. Egerton?" she asked, in a pained, disappointed tone. "I had +thought better of you." + +"I do not understand; have I said anything very dreadful?" + +"Is it not a sin to throw away the life which God has given us to be +used in His service?" + +"Ah, perhaps that may be so; but I had not looked at it in precisely +that way. I had only thought of the fact that life in this world is +not so very delightful that one need be anxious to continue it for a +hundred years. We grow tired of it at times, and are almost ready to +throw it away; to use your expression." + +"Ah, before doing that we should be very sure of going to a better +place." + +"But how can we be sure of that, or, indeed, of anything? What is +there that we know absolutely, and beyond question? how can I be sure +of even my own existence? how do I know that I am what I believe +myself to be? There are crazy men who firmly believe themselves kings +and princes, or something else quite as far from the truth; and how do +I know that I am not as much mistaken as they?" + +She gave him a look of grieved surprise, and he laughingly asked, +"Well, now, Miss Dinsmore, is there anything of which you really are +absolutely certain? or you, Miss King?" as Lottie drew near the log on +which the two were seated. + +They had taken a long ramble through the woods that morning, and +Egerton and Elsie had some ten minutes before sat down here to rest +and wait for their companions, who had wandered a little from the path +they were pursuing. + +"Cogito, ergo sum," she answered gayly, "Also I am sure we have had a +very pleasant walk. But isn't it time we were moving toward home?" + +"Yes," Elsie answered, consulting her watch. + +"That's a pretty little thing," observed Egerton. "May I look at it?" +And he held out his hand. + +"One of papa's birthday gifts to his petted only daughter," she said, +with a smile, as she allowed him to take it. "I value it very highly +on that account even more than for its intrinsic worth; though it is +an excellent time-keeper." + +"It must have cost a pretty penny; the pearls and diamonds alone must +be worth quite a sum," he said, turning it about and examining it with +eager interest. "I would be careful, Miss Dinsmore, how I let it be +known that I carried anything so valuable about me, or wore it into +lonely places, such as these woods," he added, as he returned it to +her. + +"I never come out alone," she said, looking slightly anxious and +troubled; "papa laid his commands upon me never to do so; but I shall +leave it at home in future." + +"Riches bring cares; that's the way I comfort myself in my poverty," +remarked Lottie, lightly. "But, Elsie, my dear, don't allow anxious +fears to disturb you; we are a very moral people at Lansdale; I never +heard of a robbery there yet." + +"I believe I am naturally rather timid," said Elsie, "yet I seldom +suffer from fear. I always feel very safe when papa is near to protect +me, and our Heavenly Father's care is always about us." + +"That reminds me that you have not answered my question," remarked +Egerton, switching off the head of a clover-blossom with his cane. "Is +the care you speak of one thing of which you feel certain?" + +"Yes, and there are others." + +"May I ask what?" + +She turned her sweet, soft eyes full upon him as she answered in low, +clear tones, "'I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no +good thing.' 'I know that my Redeemer liveth.' 'I know that it shall +be well with them that fear God.'" + +"You are quoting?" + +"Yes, from a book that I know is true. Do you doubt it, Mr. Egerton?" + +"Why, Miss Dinsmore, you do not take me for an infidel, surely?" + +"No, until to-day I had hoped you were a Christian." + +Her eyes were downcast now, and there were tears in her voice as she +spoke. He saw he had made a false step and lowered himself in her +esteem, yet, remembering his talk with Arthur, he felt certain he +could more than retrieve that error. And he grew exultant in the +thought of the evident pain the discovery of his unbelief had caused +her. "She does care for me; I believe the prize is even now almost +within my reach," he said to himself, as they silently pursued their +way into the town, no one speaking again until they parted at Miss +Stanhope's gate. + +Elsie, usually full of innocent mirth and gladness, was very quiet at +dinner that day, and Aunt Wealthy, watching her furtively, thought she +noticed an unwonted shade of sadness on the fair face. + +"What is it, dear?" she asked at length; "something seems to have gone +wrong with you." + +The young girl replied by repeating the substance of the morning's +talk with Mr. Egerton, and expressing her disappointment at the +discovery that he was not the Christian man she had taken him to be. + +"Perhaps what you have taken in earnest, was but spoken in jest, my +child," said Miss Stanhope. + +"Ah, auntie, but a Christian surely could not say such things even +in jest," she answered, with a little sigh, and a look of sorrowful +concern on her face. + +Half an hour later, Elsie sat reading in the abode of the vine-covered +porch, while her aunt enjoyed her customary after-dinner nap. She +presently heard the gate swing to, and the next moment Mr. Egerton was +helping himself to a seat by her side. + +"I hope I don't intrude, Miss Dinsmore," he began, assuming a slightly +embarrassed air. + +"Oh, no, not at all," she answered, closing her book; "but aunt is +lying down, and--" + +"Ah, no matter; I wouldn't have her disturbed for the world; and in +fact I am rather glad of the opportunity of seeing you alone. I--I +have been thinking a good deal of that talk we had this morning, +and--I am really quite shocked at the sentiments I then expressed, +though they were spoken more than half in jest. Miss Dinsmore, I am +not a Christian, but--but I want to be, and would, if I only knew how; +and I've come to you to learn the way; for somehow I seem to feel that +you could make the thing plainer to me than any one else. What must I +do first?" + +Glad tears shone in the soft eyes she lifted to his face as she +answered, "'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.' +Believe, 'only believe.'" + +"But I must do something?" + +"'Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, +and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and +to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.'" + +The man was an arrant knave and hypocrite, simulating anxiety about +his soul's salvation only for the purpose of ingratiating himself +with Elsie; but "the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God," +pricked him for the moment, as she wielded it in faith and prayer. +What ways, what thoughts were his! Truly they had need to be forsaken +if he would hope ever to see that holy city of which we are told +"There shall in no wise enter it anything that defileth, neither +whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie." + +For a moment he sat silent and abashed before the gentle, earnest +young Christian, feeling her very purity a reproach, and fearing that +she must read his hypocrisy and the baseness of his motives in his +countenance. + +But hers was a most innocent and unsuspicious nature, apt to believe +others as true and honest as herself. She went on presently. "It is so +beautifully simple and easy,--God's way of saving us poor sinners: +it is its very simplicity that so stumbles wise men and women, while +little children, in their sweet trustfulness, just taking God at His +word, understand it without any difficulty." She spoke in a musing +tone, not looking at Egerton at all, but with her eyes fixed +meditatingly upon the floor. + +He perceived that she had no doubts of his sincerity, and rallying +from the thrust she had so unconsciously given him, went on with the +rôle he had laid down for himself. + +"I fear I am one of the wise ones you speak of, for I confess I do not +see the way yet. Can you not explain it more fully?" + +"I will try," she said. "You believe that you are a sinner deserving +of God's wrath?" + +"Yes." + +"You have broken His law, and His justice demands your punishment; but +Jesus has kept its requirements, and borne its penalty in your +stead, and now offers you his righteousness and salvation as a free +gift,--'without money and without price.'" + +"But what am I to do?" + +"Simply take the offered gift." + +"But how? I fear I must seem very obtuse, but I really do not +comprehend." + +"Then ask for the teachings of the Spirit; ask Jesus to give you +repentance and faith. 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye +shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one +that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that +knocketh, it shall be opened." + +Elsie's voice was low and pleading, her tones were tremulous with +earnest entreaty, the eyes she lifted to his face were half filled +with tears; for she felt that the eternal interests of her hearer were +trembling in the balance. + +He looked at her admiringly, and, lost in the contemplation of her +beauty, had almost betrayed himself by his want of interest in what +she was saying. But just then Miss Stanhope joined them, and shortly +after he took his leave. + +From this time Egerton played his part with consummate skill, +deceiving Elsie so completely that she had not the slightest doubt of +his being an humble, penitent, rejoicing believer; and great were her +joy and thankfulness when he told her that she had been the means of +leading him to Christ; that her words had made the way plain to him, +as he had never been able to see it before. It seemed to her a very +tender, strong tie between them, and he appeared to feel it to be so +also. + +She was not conscious of looking upon him in the light of a lover, but +he saw with secret exultation that he was fast winning her heart; he +read it in the flushing of her cheek and the brightening of her eye at +his approach, and in many other unmistakable signs. He wrote to Arthur +that the prize was nearly won; so nearly that he had no doubt of his +ultimate success. + +"And I'll not be long now about finishing up the job," he continued; +"it's such precious hard work to be so good and pious all the time, +that I can hardly wait till matters are fully ripe for action. I'm +in constant danger of letting the mask slip aside in some unguarded +moment, and so undoing the whole thing after the world of trouble it +has cost me. It's no joke, I can assure you, for a man of my tastes +and habits to lead the sort of life I've led for the last three +months, I believe I'd give her up this minute, fortune and all, if the +winning of them would lay me under the necessity of continuing it for +the rest of my days, or even for any length of time. But once the knot +is tied, and the property secured, there'll be an end of this farce. +I'll let her know I'm done with cant, will neither talk it nor listen +to it." + +Arthur Dinsmore's face darkened as he read, and in a sudden burst of +fury he tore the letter into fragments, then threw them into the empty +grate. He was not yet so hardened as to feel willing to see Elsie in +the power of such a heartless wretch, such a villain as he knew Tom +Jackson to be. Many times already had he bitterly repented of having +told him of her wealth, and helped him to an acquaintance with her. +His family pride revolted against the connection, and some latent +affection for his niece prompted him to save her from the life of +misery that must be hers as the wife of one so utterly devoid of honor +or integrity. + +Yet Arthur lacked the moral courage to face the disagreeable +consequences of a withdrawal from his compact with Jackson, and a +confession to his father or Horace of the wretch's designs upon Elsie +and his own disgraceful entanglement with him. He concluded to take a +middle course. He wrote immediately to Jackson, somewhat haughtily, +advising him at once to give up the whole thing. + +"You will inevitably fail to accomplish your end," he said. "Elsie +will never marry without her father's consent, and that you will find +it utterly impossible to gain. Horace is too sharp to be hoodwinked or +deceived, even by you. He will ferret out your whole past, lay bare +the whole black record of your rascalities and hypocrisies, and forbid +his daughter ever again to hold the slightest communication with you. +And she will obey if it kills her on the spot." + +"There's some comfort in that last reflection," muttered Arthur to +himself, as he folded and sealed his epistle; "no danger of the rascal +getting into the family." + +Two days later, Egerton took this letter from the post-office in +Lansdale. He read it with a scowl on his brow. "Ah! I see your game, +young man," he muttered with an oath, "but you'll find that you've got +hold of the wrong customer. My reply shall be short and sweet, and +quite to the point." + +It ran thus: "Your warning and advice come too late, my young friend; +the mischief is already wrought, and however unworthy your humble +servant may be deemed by yourself or others of its members to become +connected with the illustrious D---- family, they will find they +cannot help themselves; the girl loves me, and believes in me, and I +defy all the fathers and relations in creation to keep us apart." Then +followed some guarded allusions to various sums of borrowed money, and +so-called "debts of honor," and to some compact by which they were to +be annulled, accompanied by a threat of exposure if that agreement +were not kept to the very letter. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + Thou shall not see me blush, + Nor change my countenance for this arrest. + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "HENRY VI.," PART II. + + +It was a sultry summer night. In the grounds of one of the largest and +most beautiful of the many elegant country seats to be found in the +suburbs of Cincinnati two gentlemen were pacing leisurely to and fro. + +They were friends who had met that day for the first time in several +years; strongly attached friends, spite of a very considerable +difference in their ages. They had had much to say to each other for +the first few hours, but it was now several minutes since either had +spoken. + +The silence was broken by the younger of the two exclaiming in a tone +of hearty congratulation, "This is a magnificent place, Beresford! It +does my heart good to see you so prosperous!" + +"It is a fine place, Travilla, but," and he heaved a deep sigh, "I +sometimes fear my wealth is to prove anything but a blessing to my +children; that in fact my success in acquiring it is to be the ruin of +my first-born." + +"Ah, I hope not! Is Rudolph not doing well?" + +"Well?" groaned the father, dropping his head upon his breast, "he +seems to be rushing headlong to destruction. Have you not noticed his +poor mother's sad and careworn look? or mine? That boy is breaking +our hearts. I could not speak of it to every one, but to you, my +long-tried friend, I feel that I may unburden myself, sure of genuine +sympathy--" And he went on to tell how his son, becoming early imbued +with the idea that his father's wealth precluded all necessity of +exertion on his part, had grown up in habits of idleness that led to +dissipation, and going on from bad to worse, was now a drunkard, a +gambler, and frequenter of low haunts of vice. + +"Day and night he is a heavy burden upon our hearts," continued the +unhappy father; "when he is with us we find it most distressing to +behold the utter wreck his excesses are making of him, and when he +is out of our sight it is still worse; for we don't know what sin +or danger he may be running into. Indeed at times we are almost +distracted. Ah, Travilla, much as I love my wife and children, I +am half tempted to envy your bachelor exemption from such care and +sorrow!" + +Mr. Travilla's kind heart was deeply moved. He felt painfully +conscious of his own inability to comfort in such sorrow; but spoke +of God's power to change the heart of the most hardened sinner, his +willingness to save, and his promises to those who seek his aid in the +time of trouble. + +"Thank you. I knew you would feel for us; your sympathy does me good," +returned Mr. Beresford, grasping his friend's hand and pressing it +between his own; "your words too; for however well we know these +truths we are apt to forget them, even when they are most needed. + +"But it is growing late, and you must be weary after your journey. Let +me show you to your room." + +Three days passed in which Rudolph was not once seen in his home, and +his parents were left in ignorance of his whereabouts. They exerted +themselves for the pleasure and entertainment of their guest, but +he could see plainly that they were enduring torture of anxiety and +suspense. + +Late in the evening of the third day, Mr. Beresford said to him, "My +carriage is at the door. I must go into town and search for my boy. I +have done so vainly several times since he last left his home, but I +must try again to-night. Will you go with me?" + +Travilla consented with alacrity, and they set out at once. + +While on their way to the city Mr. Beresford explained that, for some +time past, he had had reason to fear that his son was frequenting one +of its gambling-hells; that thus far he had failed in his efforts to +gain admittance, in order to search for him; but to-day, a professed +gambler, well known in the house; had come to him and offered his +assistance. + +"As his convoy, I think we shall get in," added Mr. Beresford. "I +cannot fathom the man's motives, but suspect he owes a grudge to a +newcomer, who, he says, is winning large sums from Rudolph. I shall +drive to Smith's livery stable, leave my horse and carriage there, +then walk on to the place, which is only a few squares distant. Our +guide is to meet us at the first corner from Smith's." + +This programme was carried out, their guide was in waiting at the +appointed place, and at once conducted them to the gambling-house Mr. +Beresford had spoken of. They were admitted without question or demur, +and in another moment found themselves standing beside a table where a +number of men were at play, nearly all so absorbed in their game as to +seem entirely unconscious of the presence of spectators. + +Two of them, pitted against each other, and both young, though there +must have been several years' difference in their ages, particularly +attracted Travilla's attention; and glancing at his friend, he saw +that it was the same with him,--that his eyes were fixed upon the face +of the younger of the two, with an expression of keen distress, while +he trembled with emotion, and almost gasped for breath, as he leaned +toward him, and whispered, "It is he--my son." + +At the same instant the young man's face grew deadly pale, he started +up with a wild, ringing cry, "I am ruined!" drew a pistol from his +breast, and placed the muzzle to his mouth. + +But Mr. Travilla, springing forward, struck it from his hand ere he +could pull the trigger. + +A scene of much excitement and confusion followed, in the midst of +which young Beresford was led away by his father and Travilla. + +A week later the latter gentleman reached Lansdale, arriving there in +the early morning train. He put up at its principal hotel, and having +refreshed himself by a few hours' sleep, a bath, and breakfast, +inquired the way to Miss Stanhope's. + +Elsie was just coming down the front stairway, as he appeared before +the open door, and was about to ring for admittance. + +"Oh, Mr. Travilla, my dear old friend! who would have expected to see +you here?" she cried, in delighted surprise, as she bounded forward to +meet him, with both hands extended in joyous greeting. + +He took them in his, and kissed her first on one cheek, then on the +other. "Still fresh and blooming as a rose, and with the same happy +light in the sweet brown eyes," he said, gazing fondly into their +tender depths. + +"And you are the same old flatterer," she answered gayly, a rich color +mantling her cheek. "Come in and sit down. But oh, tell me when did +you see papa last? and mamma, and little Horace? Ah! the sight of you +makes me homesick for them." + +"I left them at Cape May, about a fortnight since, all well and happy, +but missing you very much. I think papa will hardly be able to do +without his darling much longer." + +"Nor his darling without him. Oh, dear! sometimes I get to wanting him +so badly that I feel as if I should have to write to him to come for +me at once. But excuse me while I go and call Aunt Wealthy." + +"Not yet; let us have a little chat together first." + +Of course, after so long a separation, such old and tried friends +would find a great deal to say to each other. The time slipped away +very fast, and half an hour afterward Mr. Egerton, coming in without +ringing--a liberty he sometimes took of late--found them seated close +together on the sofa, talking earnestly, Elsie with her hand in that +of her friend, and a face even brighter and happier than its wont. + +Mr. Travilla had one of those faces that often seem to come to a +stand-still as regards age, and to scarcely know any change for many +years. He was at this time thirty-four, but would have passed readily +for twenty-five. Egerton thought him no more than that, and at once +took him for a successful rival. + +"Excuse me, Miss Dinsmore," he said, bowing stiffly, "I should have +waited to ring, but--" + +"Oh, never mind, Mr. Egerton," she said; "let me introduce you to my +old friend, Mr. Travilla--" + +But she stopped in astonishment and dismay. Mr. Travilla had risen, +and the two stood confronting each other like mortal foes. + +Mr. Travilla was the first to speak. "I have met you before, sir!" he +said with stern indignation. + +"Indeed! that must be a mistake, sir, for upon my word and honor I +never set eyes on you before." + +"Your honor! the honor of a sharper, a black-leg, a ----" + +"Sir, do you mean to insult me? by what right do you apply such +epithets to me? Pray where did you ever meet me?" + +"In a gambling-hell in Cincinnati; the time, one week ago to-night; +the occasion, the playing of a game of cards between young Beresford +and yourself in which you were the winner--by what knavery you best +know--the stakes so heavy that, on perceiving that he had lost, +the young man cried out that he was ruined, and in his mad despair +attempted self-destruction. It is quite possible that you may not have +observed me in the crowd that gathered about your wretched victim; but +I can never forget the face of the man who had wrought his ruin." + +Egerton's countenance expressed the utmost astonishment and +incredulity. "I have not been in Cincinnati for two months," he +averred, "and all I know of that affair I have learned from the +daily papers. But I shall not stay here to be insulted by you, +sir. Good-afternoon, Miss Dinsmore. I hope to be allowed an early +opportunity to explain this, and to be able to do so to your entire +satisfaction." + +He bowed and withdrew, hastening from the house with the rapid step of +one who is filled with a just indignation. + +Mr. Travilla turned to Elsie. She was sitting there on the sofa, with +her hands clasped in her lap, and a look of terror and anguish on her +face, from which every trace of color had fled. + +His own grew almost as pale, and his voice shook, as again sitting +down beside her, and laying his hand on hers, he said, "My poor child! +can it be possible that you care for that wretch?" + +"Oh, don't!" she whispered hoarsely and turning away her face; "I +cannot believe it; there must be some dreadful mistake." + +Then, recovering her composure by a mighty effort, she rose and +introduced her aunt, who entered the room at that moment. + +Mr. Travilla sat for some time conversing with her, Elsie joining in +occasionally, but with a tone and manner from which all the brightness +and vivacity had fled; then he went away, declining a pressing +invitation to stay to dinner, but promising to be there to tea. + +The moment he was gone Miss Stanhope was busied in beating up her +cushions, and Elsie flew to her room, where she walked back and forth +in a state of great agitation. But the dinner-bell rang, and composing +herself as well as she could, she went down. Her cheeks were burning, +and she seemed unnaturally gay, but ate very little as her aunt +noticed with concern. + +The meal was scarcely over, when a ring at the door-bell was followed +by the sound of Mr. Egerton's voice asking for Miss Dinsmore. + +"Ah!" said Miss Stanhope with an arch smile, "he does not ask this +hour for me; knowing it's the time of my siesta." + +Elsie found Egerton pacing the parlor floor to and fro. He took her +hand, led her to the sofa, and sitting down by her side, began at once +to defend himself against Mr. Travilla's charge. He told her he had +never been guilty of gambling; he had "sowed some wild oats," years +ago--getting slightly intoxicated on two or three occasions, and +things of that sort--but it was all over and repented of; and surely +she could not think it just and right that it should be brought up +against him now. + +As to Mr. Travilla's story--the only way he could account for the +singular mistake was in the fact that he had a cousin who bore the +same name as himself, and resembled him so closely that they had +been frequently mistaken for each other. And that cousin, most +unfortunately, especially on account of the likeness, did both drink +and gamble. He was delighted by the look of relief that came over +Elsie's face, as he told her this. She cared for him, then; yet her +confidence had been shaken. + +"Ah, you doubted me, then?" he said in a tone of sorrowful reproach. + +"Oh! I could not bear to think it possible. I was sure there must be a +mistake somewhere," she said with a beautiful smile. + +"But you are quite satisfied now?" + +"Quite." + +Then he told her he loved her very dearly, better than his own soul; +that he found he could not live without her; life would not be worth +having, unless she would consent to share it with him. "Would she, oh! +would she promise some day to be his own precious little wife?" + +Elsie listened with downcast, blushing face, and soft eyes beaming +with joy; for the events of that day had revealed to her the fact that +this man had made himself master of her heart. + +"Will you not give to me a word of hope?" pleaded Egerton. + +"I--I cannot, must not, without my father's permission," she faltered, +"and oh! he forbade me to listen to anything of the kind. I am too +young he says." + +"When was that?" + +"Three years ago." + +"Ah! but you are older now; and you will let me write and ask his +consent? I may say that you are not quite indifferent to me?" + +"Yes," she murmured, turning her sweet, blushing face away from his +ardent gaze. + +"Thank you, dearest, a thousand thanks!" he cried, pressing her hand +in his. "And now may I ask who and what that Mr. Travilla is?" + +She explained, winding up by saying that he was much like a second +father to her. + +"Father!" he exclaimed, "he doesn't look a day over twenty-five." + +"He is about two years younger than papa and doesn't look any younger, +I think," she answered with a smile. "But strangers are very apt to +take papa for my brother." + +Egerton left an hour before Mr. Travilla came, and that hour Elsie +spent in her own room in a state of great excitement,--now full of the +sweet joy of loving and being loved, now trembling with apprehension +at the thought of the probable effect of Mr. Travilla's story upon her +father. She was fully convinced of Egerton's truth and innocence; yet +quite aware that his explanation might not prove so satisfactory to +Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Oh, papa, papa!" she murmured, as she paced restlessly to and fro, +"how can I obey if you bid me give him up? And yet I must. I know it +will be my duty, and that I must." + +"What a color you hab in your cheeks, darlin'! an' how your eyes +do shine. I'se 'fraid you's gettin' a fever," said Chloe, with an +anxious, troubled gaze into her young lady's face, as she came in to +dress her for the evening. + +"Oh, no, mammy, I am perfectly well," Elsie answered with a slight +laugh. Then seating herself before the glass, "Now do your best," she +said gayly, "for we are to have company to tea. I doubt if you can +guess whom?" + +"Den 'spose my pet saves her ole mammy de trouble. 'Taint massa, for +sure?" + +"No, not quite so welcome a guest; but one you'll be delighted to see. +Mr. Travilla." + +"Ki, darlin'! he not here?" + +"Yes, he came this morning. Ah! I knew you'd be delighted." + +Elsie knew that it would require the very strongest proof to convince +her father of the truth of Mr. Egerton's story, but hoped to find Mr. +Travilla much more ready to give it credence. She was proportionably +disappointed when, on hearing it from her, he scouted it as utterly +unworthy of belief, or even examination. + +"No, my child," he said, "the man's face is indelibly impressed upon +my memory, and I can not be mistaken in his identity." + +Elsie's face flushed crimson, and indignant tears sprang to her eyes +and trembled in her voice as she answered, "I never knew you so +uncharitable before, sir. I could not have believed it of my +kind-hearted, generous old friend." + +He gave her a very troubled, anxious look, as he replied, "Why should +you take it so to heart, Elsie? Surely this man is nothing to you." + +"He is to be some day, if papa will permit," she murmured, turning +away her blushing face from his gaze. + +Mr. Travilla uttered a groan, made two or three rapid turns across the +room, and coming back to her side, laid his hand in an affectionate, +fatherly manner upon her shoulder. + +"My dear," he said with emotion, "I don't know when I have heard +anything that distressed me so much; or that could give such pain and +distress to your doting father." + +"Mr. Travilla, you will not, you cannot be so unkind, so cruel, as to +try to persuade papa to think as you do of--of Mr. Egerton?" + +Her tone was half indignant, half imploring, and her eyes were lifted +pleadingly to his face. + +"My poor child," he said, "I could not be so cruel to you as to leave +him in ignorance of any of the facts; but I shall not attempt to +bias his judgment; nor would it avail if I did. Your father is an +independent thinker, and will make up his mind for himself." + +"And against poor Bromly," thought Elsie, with an emotion of anguish, +and something akin to rebellion rising in her heart. + +Mr. Travilla read it all in her speaking countenance. "Do not fear +your father's decision, my little friend." he said, sitting down +beside her again, "he is very just, and you are as the apple of his +eye. He will sift the matter thoroughly, and decide as he shall deem +best for your happiness. Can you not trust his wisdom and his love?" + +"I know he loves me very dearly, Mr. Travilla, but--he is only human, +and may make a mistake." + +"Then try to leave it all in the hands of your heavenly Father, who +cannot err, who is infinite in wisdom, power, and in His love for +you." + +"I will try," she said with a quivering lip. "Now please talk to me +of something else. Tell me of that young man. Did you say he shot +himself?" + +"Young Beresford, my friend's son? No, he was prevented." And he went +on to tell of Rudolph's horror and remorse on account of that rash +act, and of the excesses that led to it; also of the trembling hope +his parents and friends were beginning to indulge that he was now +truly penitent, and, clothed in his right mind, was sitting at the +Saviour's feet. + +Elsie listened with interest. They had had the parlor to themselves +for an hour or more, Miss Stanhope having received an unexpected +summons to the bedside of a sick neighbor. + +She was with them at tea, and during most of the evening, but left +them alone together for a moment just before Mr. Travilla took his +leave, and he seized the opportunity to say to Elsie that he thought +she ought to refrain from further intercourse with Egerton till she +should learn her father's will in regard to the matter. + +"I cannot promise--I will think of it," she said with a look of +distress. + +"You write frequently to your papa?" + +"Every day." + +"I know you would not wish to deceive him in the least. Will you tell +him what I conceive to be the facts in regard to Mr. Egerton? or shall +I?" + +"I cannot, oh, I cannot!" she murmured, turning away her face. + +"Then I shall spare you the painful task, by, doing it myself, my poor +child. I shall write to-night." + +She was silent, but he could see the tumultuous heaving of her breast, +and the tears glistening on the heavy drooping lashes that swept her +pale cheek. His heart bled for her, while his indignation waxed hot +against the hypocritical scoundrel who, he feared, had succeeded only +too well in wrecking her happiness. + +She had described to him Egerton's character as he had made it appear +to her, telling of their conversations on religious subjects, his +supposed conversion, etc., etc.; thus unintentionally enabling +Travilla to see clearly through the man's base designs. He silently +resolved to stay in Lansdale and watch over her until her father's +arrival. + +"You ride out daily?" he inquired. + +"Yes, sir." + +"May I be your escort to-morrow?" + +She cast down her eyes, which she had lifted to his face for an +instant, blushing painfully. It seemed an effort for her to reply, and +the words came slowly, and with hesitation. "I--should be glad to have +you, sir; you know I have always valued your society, but--Mr. Egerton +always goes with us--Lottie King and me--of late; and--and I can +hardly suppose either of you would now find the company of the other +agreeable." + +"No, Elsie; but what do you think your father would wish?" + +"I know he would be glad to have me under your care, and if you don't +mind the unpleasantness." + +"My dear, I would cheerfully endure far more than that, to watch over +your father's child. You will not let this unhappy circumstance turn +you against your old friend? I could hardly bear that, little Elsie." +And he drew her toward him caressingly. + +"Oh, no, no! I don't think anything could do that; you've always been +so good to me--almost a second father." + +He released her hand with a slight involuntary sigh, as at that +instant Miss Stanhope re-entered the room. The two were standing by +the piano, Mr. Travilla having risen from one of the cushioned chairs +to draw near to Elsie while talking to her. Miss Stanhope flew to the +chair, caught up the cushion, shook it, laid it down again, and with +two or three little loving pats restored it to its normal condition of +perfect roundness. Mr. Travilla watched her with a surprised, puzzled +look. + +"Have I done any mischief, Elsie?" he asked in an undertone. + +"Oh, no!" she answered with a faint smile, "it's only auntie's way." + +Their visitor had gone, and Elsie turned to her aunt to say +good-night. + +"Something is wrong with you, child; can't you tell the trouble to +your old auntie, and let her try to comfort you?" Miss Stanhope asked, +putting an arm about the slender waist, and scanning the sweet face, +usually so bright and rosy, now so pale and agitated, with a look of +keen but loving scrutiny. + +Then, in broken words, and with many a little half-sobbing sigh and +one or two scalding tears, hastily brushed away, Elsie told the whole +painful story, secure of warm sympathy from the kind heart to which +she was so tenderly folded. + +Miss Stanhope believed in Bromly Egerton almost as firmly as Elsie +herself; what comfort there was in that! She believed too in the +inspired assurances that "all things work together for good to them +that love God," and that He is the hearer and answerer of prayer. She +reminded her niece of them; bade her cast her burden on the Lord and +leave it there, and cheered her with the hope that Bromly would be +able to prove to her father that Mr. Travilla was entirely mistaken. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + My heart has been like summer skies, + When they are fair to view; + But there never yet were hearts or skies + Clouds might not wander through. + + --MRS. L.P. SMITH. + + +Walter Dinsmore was doing well at college, studying hard, and keeping +himself out of bad company. In this last he might not have been so +successful but for his brother's assistance; for, though choosing his +own associates from among the dissolute and vile, Arthur resolutely +exerted himself to preserve this young brother from such +contamination. "I've enough sins of my own to answer for, Wal," he +would say, sometimes almost fiercely, "and I won't have any of +yours added to 'em; nobody shall say I led you into bad company, or +initiated you into my own evil courses." + +For months Arthur's spirits had been very variable, his frequent fits +of gloom, alternating with unnatural gayety, exciting Walter's wonder +and sympathy. + +"I cannot imagine what ails him," he said to himself again and again; +for Arthur utterly refused to tell him the secret of his despondency. + +It had been almost constant since the receipt of Egerton's last +epistle, and Walter was debating in his own mind whether he ought not +to speak of it in his next letter to their mother, when one night he +was wakened by a sudden blow from Arthur's hand, and started up to +find him rolling and tossing, throwing his arms about, and muttering +incoherently in the delirium of fever. + +It was the beginning of a very serious illness. It was pronounced +such by the physician called in by Walter at an early hour the next +morning, and the boy sat down with a heavy heart to write the sad +tidings to his parents. + +While doing so he was startled by hearing Arthur pronounce Elsie's +name in connection with words that seemed to imply that some danger +threatened her. He rose and went to the bedside, asking, "What's wrong +with Elsie, Art?" + +"I say, Tom Jackson, she'll never take you. Horace won't consent." + +"I should think not, indeed!" muttered Walter. Then leaning over his +brother, "Art, I say, Art! what is it all about? Has Tom Jackson gone +to Lansdale?" + +No answer, save an inarticulate murmur that might be either assent or +dissent. + +The doctor had promised to send a nurse and, as Walter now glanced +about the room, the thought occurred to him that it would seem very +disorderly to the woman. Arthur's clothes lay in a heap over the back +of a chair, just as he had thrown them down on retiring. + +"I can at least hang these in the closet," thought Walter, picking up +the jacket. + +A letter fell from the pocket upon the floor. + +"Jackson's handwriting, I declare!" he exclaimed, with a start of +surprise, as he stooped to pick it up. It was without an envelope, +written in a bold, legible hand, and unintentionally he read the date, +"Lansdale, Ohio, Aug. -- 185-," and farther down the page some parts +of sentences connected with the "D---- family" ... "can't help +themselves" ... "the girl loves me and believes in me." + +He glanced at the bed. Arthur's eyes were closed. He looked down at +the letter again; there was the signature "T. J., alias B. E." + +"It's a conspiracy; there's mischief brewing, and I believe I ought to +read it," he muttered; then, turning his back toward the bed, perused +every word of it with close attention. + +It was sufficient to give him a clear insight into the whole affair. +Elsie's letters had of late spoken quite frequently of Mr. Bromly +Egerton, and so he was the "T. J., alias B. E." of this epistle, the +Tom Jackson who had been the ruin of Arthur. + +"The wretch! the sneaking, hypocritical scoundrel!" muttered Walter +between his teeth, and glancing again at the bed, though the epithet +was meant to apply to Jackson and not to Arthur. "What can I do to +circumvent him? Write to Horace, of course, and warn him of Elsie's +danger." And though usually vacillating and infirm of purpose, on this +occasion Walter showed himself both prompt and decided. The next mail +carried the news of his discovery to Elsie's natural protector,--her +father, who with Rose, the Allison family, and little Horace, was +still at Cape May. + +This letter and the three from Lansdale were handed Mr. Dinsmore +together. He opened Elsie's first. The contents puzzled, surprised, +and alarmed him. They were merely a few hastily written lines of +touching entreaty that he would not be angry, but would please forgive +her for giving her heart to one of whom he knew nothing, and daring to +let him speak to her of love; and that he would not believe anything +against him until he had heard his defence. + +With a murmured "My poor darling! you have been too long away from +your father," Mr. Dinsmore laid it down and opened the one directed in +a strange hand; rightly supposing it to come from the person to whom +she alluded. + +Egerton spoke in glowing terms of his admiration for Elsie's character +and personal charms, and the ardent love with which they had inspired +him, and modestly of his own merits. Ignoring all knowledge of her +fortune, he said that he had none, but was engaged in a flourishing +business which would enable him to support her in comfort and to +surround her with most of the elegancies and luxuries of life to which +she had been accustomed. Lastly he alluded in a very pious strain to +the deep debt of gratitude he owed her as the one who had been the +means of his hopeful conversion; said she had acknowledged that she +returned his affection, and earnestly begged for the gift of her hand. + +Mr. Dinsmore gave this missive an attentive perusal, laid it aside, +and opened Mr. Travilla's. + +Rose was in the room, putting little Horace to bed. She had heard his +little prayer, given him his good-night kiss, and now the child ran to +his father to claim the same from him. + +It was given mechanically, and Mr. Dinsmore returned to his letter. +The child lingered a moment, gazing earnestly into his father's face, +troubled by its paleness and the frown on his brow. + +"Papa," he said softly, leaning with confiding affection upon his +knee, "dear papa, are you angry with me? have I been a naughty boy, +to-day?" + +"No, son; but I am reading; don't disturb me now." + +Mr. Dinsmore's hand rested caressingly on the curly head for an +instant and the boy turned away satisfied. But Rose was not. Coming to +her husband's side the next moment, and laying her hand affectionately +on his shoulder, "What is it, dear?" she asked, "has anything gone +wrong with our darling, or at home?" + +"Trouble for her, I fear, Rose. Read these," he answered with emotion, +putting Elsie's, Egerton's, and Travilla's letters into her hands, +then opening Walter's. + +"Travilla is right! the man is an unmitigated scoundrel!" he cried, +starting up with great excitement. "Rose, I must be off by the next +train; it leaves in half an hour. I shall go alone and take only a +portmanteau with me. Can it be got ready in season?" + +"Yes, dear, I will pack it at once myself. But what is wrong? Where +are you going? and how long will you be away?" + +"To my brother's first--Arthur is seriously ill, and I must get hold +of evidence that Walter can supply--then on to Lansdale with all speed +to rescue Elsie from the wiles of a gambling, swindling, hypocritical, +fortune-hunting rascal!" + +At a very early hour of the next morning, Walter Dinsmore was roused +from his slumbers by, a knock at his door. + +"Who's there?" he asked, starting up in bed. + +"I, Walter," answered a well-known voice, and with a joyful +exclamation he sprang to the door, and opened it. + +"Horace! how glad I am to see you! I hardly dared hope you could get +here so soon." + +"Your news was of the sort to hasten a man's movements," returned Mr. +Dinsmore, holding the lad's hand in a warm brotherly grasp. "How are +you? and how's Arthur now?" + +"About the same. Hark! you may hear him moaning and muttering. This is +our study. I have had that cot-bed brought in here, and given up the +bedroom to him and the nurse; though I'm with him a good deal too." + +"You have a good nurse, and the best medical advice?" + +"Yes." + +"You must see that he has every comfort, Walter; let no expense be +spared, nothing left undone that may alleviate his sufferings or +assist his recovery. What is the physician's opinion of the case?" + +"He is not very communicative to me; may be more so to you. You'll +stay and see him when he calls, won't you?" + +"What time? I must be off again by the first train. I want to reach +Lansdale to-morrow." + +"It will give you time to do that. He calls early." + +"Now take me to Arthur; and then I must see that letter, and hear all +you have to tell me in regard to that matter." + +"What does Elsie say?" asked Walter, with intense interest; "do you +think she cares for him?" + +"I'm afraid she does," and Mr. Dinsmore shook his head sadly. + +"Oh, dear! but you won't allow--" + +"Certainly not; 'twould be to entail upon her a life of misery." + +"It's her fortune he's after, that's evident, and indeed I would hurry +to Lansdale, if I were you, lest they might take it into their heads +to elope. Such a shame as it would be for him to get her--the dear, +sweet darling!" + +"I have no fear that Elsie could ever be so lost to her sense of +filial duty; nor, I am sure, have you, Walter," answered Mr. Dinsmore +gravely. + +"No, Horace; and it's the greatest relief and comfort to me just now +to know how truly obedient and affectionate she is to you." + +Horace Dinsmore omitted nothing that he could do to add to the comfort +of his brothers, saw the physician and learned from him that he had +good hopes of a naturally vigorous constitution bringing Arthur safely +through the attack from which he was suffering, examined the evidence +Walter was able to furnish that Bromly Egerton and Tom Jackson were +one and the same--a man in whom every vice abounded--found time to +show an interest in Walter's studies and pastimes, and was ready to +leave by the train of which he had spoken. + +Jackson had not been wary enough to disguise his hand in either the +letter that had fallen from Arthur's pocket, or the one written to Mr. +Dinsmore, and a careful comparison of the two had proved conclusively +that they were the work of the same person. The broken sentences +that occasionally fell from Arthur's lips in his delirious ravings +furnished another proof not less strong. Also Walter had managed to +secure an excellent photograph of Jackson, which Mr. Dinsmore carried +with him, safely bestowed in the breast-pocket of his coat. He had +studied it attentively and felt sure he should be able instantly to +recognize the original. + +Bromly Egerton lay awake most of the night following his passage at +arms with Mr. Travilla, considering the situation, and how he would be +most likely to secure the coveted prize. He remembered perfectly well +all that Arthur Dinsmore had said about the difficulty of deceiving or +outwitting his brother, and the impossibility of persuading Elsie to +disobedience. Of the latter, he had had convincing proof that day, in +her firm refusal to engage herself to him without first obtaining her +father's consent. The conclusion he came to was, that should he remain +inactive until Mr. Dinsmore's arrival, his chances of success were +exceedingly small; in fact that his only hope lay in running away with +Elsie, and afterwards persuading her into a clandestine marriage. + +Their ride was to be taken shortly after an early breakfast, there +being a sort of tacit understanding that he was to accompany the young +ladies; but before Elsie had left her room, Chloe came up with a +message. "Marse Egerton in de parlor, darlin', axin could he see my +young missis for five minutes, just now." + +Elsie went down at once. Her visitor stood with his back toward +the door, apparently intently studying the pattern of her +great-great-grandmother's sampler, but turning instantly at the +sound of the light, quick footstep, came eagerly toward her with +outstretched hand. + +"Excuse this early call, dearest, but--ah, how lovely you are looking +this morning!" and bending his head he drew her toward him. + +But she stepped back, avoiding the intended caress, while a crimson +tide rushed over the fair face and neck, and her eyes sought the +carpet. + +"We are not engaged, Mr. Egerton; cannot be till papa has given +consent." + +"I beg ten thousand pardons," he said, coloring violently in his turn, +and feeling his hopes grow fainter. + +"Will you not take a seat?" she asked, gently withdrawing her hand +from his. + +"Thank you, no; I have but a moment to stay. My errand was to ask if +we could not so arrange it as, for once at least, to have our ride +alone together? Miss Lottie is a very nice girl, but I would give much +to have my darling all to myself to-day." + +"I would like it much too, very much, but papa bade me always have a +lady friend with me; and--and besides," she added with hesitation, and +blushing more deeply than before, "papa's friend. Mr. Travilla, is to +go with us. I--I have promised that he shall be my escort to-day." + +Egerton was furious, and had much ado to conceal the fact; indeed, +came very near uttering a horrible oath, and thus forever ruining his +hopes. He bit his lips and kept silent, but Elsie saw that he was +angry. + +"Do not be offended or hurt," she said; "do not suppose that I +followed my own inclination in consenting to such an arrangement. No, +I only acted from a sense of duty; knowing that it was what papa would +wish." + +"And you would put his wishes before mine? Love him best, I presume?" + +"He is my father, and entitled to my obedience, whether present or +absent." + +"But what very strict ideas you must have on that subject! do you +really think it your duty to obey his wishes as well as his command?" + +"I do; that is the kind of obedience he has taught me, that the Bible +teaches, and that my love for him would dictate. I love my father very +dearly, Mr. Egerton." + +"I should think so, indeed; but you must pardon me if at present I am +far more concerned about your love for me," he said, with a forced +laugh. "As for this Travilla, I can hardly be expected to feel any +great cordiality toward him after his attack upon me yesterday; and +I am free to confess that it would not cause me great grief to learn +that some sudden illness or accident had occurred to prevent his +spoiling our ride to-day." + +"Your feelings are perfectly natural; but, believe me, Mr. Travilla +has the kindest of hearts, and when he learns his mistake will be most +anxious to do all in his power to make amends for it. Will you stay +and take breakfast with us?" For at that instant the bell rang. + +"No, thank you," he said, moving toward the door. "But promise me, +Elsie, that I shall be your escort after this until your father comes. +Surely love may claim so small a concession from duty." + +She could not resist his persuasive look and tone, but with a smile +and a blush gave the promise for which he pleaded. + +Procuring as fine a horse as his landlord could furnish, Mr. Travilla +rode to Miss Stanhope's, and alighting at the gate, walked up to the +house. + +He found its mistress on the front porch, picking dead leaves from her +vines. She had mounted a step ladder to reach some that otherwise +were too high up for her small stature. Turning at the sound of +his approach, "Good-morning, sir," she said. "You see I'm like the +sycamore tree that climbed into Zaccheus. Shortness is inconvenient at +times. My, what a jar!" as she came down rather hard, missing the last +step--"I feel it from the crown of my foot to the sole of my head. +Here, Simon, take away this ladder-step; the next time I want it I +think I'll do without; I'm growing so old in my clumsy age. Walk in +and take a seat, Mr. Torville. Or shall we sit here? It's pleasanter +than indoors I think." + +"I agree with you," he said, accepting her invitation with a smile at +the oddity of her address. "You have a fine view here." + +They sat there conversing for some time before Elsie made her +appearance, Mr. Travilla both charmed and amused with his companion, +and she liking him better every moment. When Elsie did come down at +last, looking wondrous sweet and fair in a pretty, coquettish riding +hat and habit, her aunt informed her that she had been urging "Mr. +Vanilla" to come and make his home with them while in town, and that +he had consented to let her send Simon at once for his trunk. + +"If it will be agreeable to my little friend to have me here?" Mr. +Travilla said, taking her hand in his with the affectionate, fatherly +manner she had always liked so much in him. + +Her face flushed slightly, but she answered without an instant's +hesitation that she hoped he would come. + +The horses were already at the gate, Egerton was seen crossing the +street, and Lottie came tripping in at a side entrance. She had heard +a good deal of Mr. Travilla from Elsie, and seemed pleased to make his +acquaintance. + +Egerton came in, he and Mr. Travilla exchanged the coldest and most +distant of salutations, and the party set off; Mr. Travilla riding by +Elsie's side, Egerton and Lottie following a little in their rear. + +Finding it almost a necessity to devote himself to Miss King for +the time being, Egerton! took a sudden resolution to make a partial +confidante of her, hoping thus to secure a powerful ally. He told her +of the state of affairs between Elsie and himself, of Mr. Travilla's +"attack upon him;" how "utterly mistaken" it was, and how he presumed +"the mistake" had occurred; giving the story he had told Elsie of the +cousin who bore so strong a likeness to him, and so bad a character. +He professed the most ardent, devoted affection for Elsie, and the +most torturing fears lest her father, crediting him with his cousin's +vices, should forbid the match and crush all his hopes. + +The warm-hearted, innocent girl believed every word, and rushing into +her friend's room on their return, threw her arms about her, and +hugging her close, told her she knew all, was so, so sorry for her, +and for poor Egerton; and begged her not to allow anything to make her +give him up and break his heart. + +Elsie returned the embrace, shed a few tears, but answered not a word. + +"You do believe in him? and won't give him up; will you?" persisted +Lottie. + +"I do believe in him, and will not give him up unless--unless papa +commands it," Elsie answered in a choking voice. + +"I wouldn't for that!" cried Lottie. + +"'Children, obey your parents,'" repeated her friend, tears filling +the soft brown eyes, and glistening on the drooping lashes. "It is +God's command." + +"But you are not a child any longer." + +"I am papa's child; I always shall be. Oh, it would break my heart if +ever he should disown me and say, 'You are no longer my child!'" + +"How you do love him!" + +"Better than my life!" + +Mr. Travilla was already established at Miss Stanhope's, and very glad +to be there, that he might keep the more careful and constant watch +and ward over his "little friend." Thoroughly convinced of the +vileness of the wretch who had won her unsuspicious heart, he could +scarce brook the thought of leaving her alone with him, or of seeing +him draw close to her side, touch her hand, or look into the soft, +sweet eyes so full of purity and innocence. Yet these things no one +but her father might forbid, and Mr. Travilla would not force his +companionship upon Elsie when he saw or felt that it was distasteful +to her. The lovers were frequently left to themselves in the parlor or +upon the porch, though the friendly guardian, dreading he hardly knew +what, took care always to be within call. + +Elsie longed for, yet dreaded her father's coming. She knew he would +not delay one moment longer than necessary after receiving their +letters, yet he reached Lansdale almost a day sooner than she expected +him. + +Sitting alone in her room, she heard his voice and step in the hall +below. She flew down to meet him. + +"Oh, papa, dear, dear papa!" + +"My darling, precious child!" And her arms were about his neck, his +straining her to his heart. The next moment she lifted her face, and +her eyes sought his with a wistful, pleading, questioning look. He +drew her into the sitting-room, and Miss Stanhope closed the door, +leaving them alone. + +"My darling," he said, "you must give him up; he is utterly unworthy +of you." + +"Oh, papa! would you break my heart?" + +"My precious one, I would save you from a life of misery." + +"Ah, papa! you would never say that if you knew how--how I love him," +she murmured, a deep blush suffusing her face. + +"Hush! it horrifies me to hear you speak so of so vile a wretch,--a +drinking, swearing gambler, swindler, and rake; for I have learned +that he is all these." + +"Papa, it is not true! I will not hear such things said of him, even +by you!" she cried, the hot blood dyeing her face and neck, and the +soft eyes filling with indignant tears. + +He put his finger upon her lips. "My daughter forgets to whom she is +speaking," he said with something of the old sternness, though there +was tender pity also in his tones. + +"Oh, papa, I am so wretched!" she sobbed, hiding her face on his +breast. "Oh, don't believe what they say; it isn't, it can't be true." + +He caressed her silently, then taking the photograph from his pocket, +asked, "Do you know that face?" + +"Yes, it is his." + +"I knew it, and it is also the face of the man whose character I have +just described." + +"Oh, no, papa!" and with breathless eagerness she repeated the story +with which Egerton had swept away all her doubts. She read incredulity +in her father's face, "You do not believe it, papa?" + +"No, my child, no more than I do black is white. See here!" and he +produced Egerton's letter to him, and the one to Arthur, made her +read and compare them, and gave her the further proofs Walter had +furnished. + +She grew deathly pale, but was no more ready to be convinced than he. +"Oh, papa, there must be some dreadful mistake! I cannot believe he +could be guilty of such things. The cousin has been personating him, +has forged that letter, perhaps; and the photograph may be his also." + +"You are not using your good common-sense, Elsie; the proof is very +full and clear to my mind. The man is a fortune-hunter, seeking your +wealth, not you; a scoundrel whose vices should shut him out of all +decent society. I can hardly endure the thought that he has ever known +you, or dared to address a word to you, and it must never be again." + +"Must I give him up?" she asked with pale, quivering lips. + +"You must, my daughter; at once and for ever." + +A look of anguish swept over her face, then she started, flushed, and +trembled, as a voice and step were heard on the porch without. + +"It is he?" her father said inquiringly, and her look answered, "Yes." + +He rose to his feet, for they had been sitting side by side on the +sofa while they talked. She sprang up also, and clinging to his arm, +looked beseechingly into his face, pleading in a hoarse whisper, +"Papa, you will let me see him, speak to him once more?--just a few +words--in your presence--oh, papa!" + +"No, my darling, no; his touch, his breath, are contamination; his +very look is pollution, and shall never rest upon you again if I can +prevent it. Remember you are never to hold any communication with him +again--by word, letter, or in any other way; I positively forbid it; +you must never look at him, or intentionally allow him a sight of your +face. I must go now, and send him away." He held her to his heart as +he spoke; his tone was affectionate, but very firm, and decided; he +kissed her tenderly, two or three times, placed her in an easy-chair, +saying, "Stay here till I come to you," and left the room. + +For a moment she lay back against the cushions like one stunned by a +heavy blow; then, roused by the sound of the voices of the two she +loved best on earth, started and leaned forward in a listening +attitude, straining her ear to catch their words. Few of them reached +her, but her father's tones were cold and haughty, Egerton's at first +persuasive, then loud, angry, and defiant. + +He was gone, she had heard the last echo of his departing footsteps, +and again her father bent over her, his face full of tender pity. She +lifted her sad face to his, with the very look that had taunted him +for years, that he could never recall without a pang of regret and +remorse--that pleading, mournful gaze with which she had parted from +him in the time of their estrangement. + +It almost unmanned him now, almost broke his heart. "Don't, my +darling, don't look at me so," he said in low, moved tones, taking her +cold hands in his. "You don't know, precious one, how willingly your +father would bear all this pain for you if he could." + +She threw herself upon his breast, and folding her close to his heart, +he caressed her with exceeding tenderness, calling her by every fond, +endearing name. + +For many minutes she received it all passively, then suddenly raising +her head, she returned one passionate embrace, withdrew herself from +his arms, and hurried from the room. + +He let her go unquestioned; he knew she went to seek comfort and +support from One nearer and dearer, and better able to give it +than himself. He rose and walked the room with a sad and troubled +countenance, and a heart filled with grief for his child, with anger +and indignation toward the wretch who had wrecked her happiness. + +Miss Stanhope opened the door and looked in. + +"You have had no dinner, Horace. It will be ready in a few moments." + +"Thank you, aunt. I will go up to my room first and try to get rid of +some of the dust and dirt I have brought with me." + +"Stay a moment, nephew. I am sorely troubled for the child. You don't +approve of her choice?" + +"Very far from it. I have forbidden the man ever to come near her +again." + +"But you won't be hard with her, poor dear?" + +"Hard with her, Aunt Wealthy? hard and cruel to my darling whom I +love better than my life? I trust not; but it would be the height of +cruelty to allow this thing to go on. The man is a vile wretch guilty +of almost every vice, and seeking my child for her wealth, not for +herself. I have forbidden her to see or ever to hold the slightest +communication with him again." + +"Well, it is quite right if your opinion of him is correct; and I +hardly think she is likely to refuse submission." + +"I have brought up my daughter to habits of strict, unquestioning +obedience, Aunt Wealthy," he said, "and I think they will stand her in +good stead now. I have no fear that she will rebel." + +A half hour with her best Friend had done much to soothe and calm our +sweet Elsie; she had cast her burden on the Lord and He sustained her. +She knew that no trial could come to her without His will, that He +had permitted this for her good, that in His own good time and way He +would remove it, and she was willing to leave it all with Him; for was +He not all-wise, all-powerful, and full of tenderest, pitying love for +her? + +She had great faith in the wisdom and love of her earthly father also, +and doubted not that he was doing what he sincerely believed to be for +her happiness,--giving her present pain only in order to save her from +keener and more lasting distress and anguish in the future. + +It was well for her that she had such trust in him and that their +mutual love was so deep and strong; well too that she was troubled +with no doubts of the duty of implicit obedience to parental authority +when not opposed to the higher commands of God. Her heart still clung +to Egerton, refusing to credit his utter unworthiness, and she felt +it a bitter trial to be thus completely separated from him, yet hoped +that at some future, and perhaps not distant day, he might be able to +convince her father of his mistake. + +Mr. Dinsmore felt it impossible to remain long away from his suffering +child; after leaving the table, a few moments only were spent in +conversation with his aunt and Mr. Travilla, and then he sought his +darling in her room. + +"My poor little pet, you have been too long away from your father," he +said, taking her in his arms again. "I shall never forgive myself for +allowing it. But, daughter, why was this thing suffered to go on? Your +letters never spoke of this man in a way to lead me to suppose that +he was paying you serious attention; and indeed I did not intend to +permit that from any one yet." + +"Papa, I did not deceive you intentionally, I did not mean to be +disobedient," she said imploringly. "Lottie and I were almost always +together, and I did not think of him as a lover till he spoke." + +"Well, dearest, I am not chiding you; your father could never find +it in his heart to add one needless pang to what you are already +suffering." His tone was full of pitying tenderness. + +She made no answer; only hid her face on his breast and wept silently. +"Papa," she murmured at length. "I--I do so want to break one of your +rules; oh, if you would only let me, just this once!" + +"A strange request, my darling," he said, "but which of them is it?" + +"That when you have once decided a matter I must never ask you to +reconsider. Oh, papa, do, do let me entreat you just this once!" + +"I think it will be useless, daughter, only giving me the pain of +refusing, and you of being refused; but you may say on." + +"Papa, it is, that I may write a little note to--to Mr. Egerton," she +said, speaking eagerly and rapidly, yet half trembling at her own +temerity the while, "just to tell him that I cannot do anything +against your will, and that he must not come near me or try to hold +any sort of intercourse with me till you give consent; but that I +have not lost my faith in him, and if he is innocent and unjustly +suspected, we need not be wretched and despairing; for God will surely +some day cause it to be made apparent. Oh, papa, may I not? Please, +please let me! I will bring it to you when written, and there shall +not be one word in it that you do not approve." She had lifted her +face, and the soft, beseeching eyes were looking pleadingly into his. + +"My dearest child," he said, "it is hard to refuse you, but I cannot +allow it. There, there! do not cry so bitterly; every tear I see you +shed sends a pang to my heart. Listen to me, daughter. Believing what +I do of that man, I would not for a great deal have him in possession +of a single line of your writing. Have you ever given him one?" + +"No, papa, never," she sobbed. + +"Or received one from him?" + +"No, sir." + +"It is well." Then as if a sudden thought had struck him, "Elsie, have +you ever allowed him to touch your lips?" he asked almost sternly. + +"No, papa, not even my cheek. I would not while we were not engaged; +and that could not be without your consent." + +"I am truly thankful for that!" he exclaimed in a tone of relief; "to +know that he had--that these sweet lips had been polluted by contact +with his--would be worse to me than the loss of half my fortune." And +lifting her face as he spoke, he pressed his own to them again and +again. + +But for the first time in her life she turned from him as if almost +loathing his caresses, and struggled to release herself from the clasp +of his arm. + +He let her go, and hurrying to the farther side of the room, she stood +leaning against the window-frame, with her back toward him, shedding +very bitter tears of mingled grief and anger. + +But in the pauses of her sobbing a deep sigh struck upon her ear. Her +heart smote her at the sound; still more as she glanced back at her +father and noted the pained expression of his eye as it met hers. In a +moment she was at his side again, down upon the carpet, with her head +laid lovingly on his knee. + +"Papa, I am sorry." The low, street voice was tremulous with grief and +penitence. + +"My poor darling, my poor little pet!" he said, passing his hand with +soft, caressing movement over her hair and cheek, "try to keep your +love for your father and your faith in his for you, however hard this +rule may seem." + +"Ah, papa, my heart would break if I lost either," she sobbed. Then +lifting her tear-dimmed eyes with tender concern to his face, which +was very pale and sad, "Dear papa," she said, "how tired you look! you +were up all night, were you not?" + +"Last night and the one before it." + +"That you might hasten here to take care of me," she murmured in a +tone of mingled regret and gratitude. "Do lie down now and take a nap. +This couch is soft and pleasant, and I will close the blinds and sit +by your side to keep off the flies." + +He yielded to her persuasions, saying as he closed his eyes, "Don't +leave the room without waking me." + +She was still there when he woke, close at his side and ready to +greet him with an affectionate look and smile, though the latter was +touchingly sad and there were traces of tears on her cheeks. + +"How long have I slept?" he asked. + +"Two hours," she answered, holding up her watch, "and there is the +tea-bell." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + What thou bidst, + Unargued I obey; so God ordained. + + --MILTON. + + +"I hope you don't intend to hurry this child away from me, Horace?" +remarked Miss Stanhope inquiringly, glancing from him to Elsie, as she +poured out the tea. + +"I'm afraid I must, Aunt Wealthy," he answered, taking his cup from +her hand, "I can't do without her any longer, and mamma and little +brother want her almost as badly." + +"And what am I to do?" cried Miss Stanhope, setting down the teapot, +and dropping her hands into her lap. "It just makes a baby of me to +think how lonely the old house will seem when she's gone. You'd get +her back soon, for 'tisn't likely I've got long to live, if you'd only +give her to me, Horace." + +"No, indeed, Aunt Wealthy; she's a treasure I can't spare to any +one. She belongs to me, and I intend to keep her," turning upon his +daughter a proud, fond look and smile, which was answered by one of +sweet, confiding affection. + +"Good-evening!" cried a gay, girlish voice. "Mr. Dinsmore, I'd be +delighted to see you, if I didn't know you'd come to rob us of Elsie." + +"What, you too ready to abuse me on that score, Miss Lottie?" he said +laughingly, as he rose to shake hands with her. "I think I rather +deserve thanks for leaving her with you so long." + +"Well, I suppose you do. Aunt Wealthy, papa found some remarkably +fine peaches in the orchard of one of his patients, and begs you will +accept this little basketful." + +"Why, they're beautiful, Lottie!" said the old lady, rising and taking +the basket from her hand. "You must return my best thanks to your +father. I'll set them on the table just so. Take off your hat, child, +and sit down with us. There's your chair all ready to your plate, +and Phillis's farmer's fresh fruit-cake, to tempt you, and the +cream-biscuits that you are so fond of, both." + +"Thank you," said Lottie, partly in acknowledgment of the invitation, +partly of Mr. Travilla's attention, as he rose and gallantly handed +her to her seat, "I can't find it in my heart to resist so many +temptations." + +"Shall I bring a dish for de peaches, mistis?" asked Chloe, who was +waiting on the table. + +"Yes." + +"Oh, let us have them in that old-fashioned china fruit-basket I've +always admired so much, Aunt Wealthy!" cried Lottie eagerly. "I don't +believe Elsie has seen it at all." + +"No, so she hasn't; but she shall now," said the old lady, hastening +toward her china-closet. "There, Aunt Chloe, just stand on the dish, +and hand down that chair from this top shelf. Or, if you would, +Horace, you're taller, and can reach better. I'm always like the +sycamore tree that was little of stature, and couldn't see Zaccheus +till he climbed into it." + +"Rather a new and improved version of the Bible narrative, aunt, isn't +it?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, with an amused look, as he came toward her. +"And I fear I'm rather heavy to stand on a dish; but will use the +chair instead, if you like." + +"Ah! I've put the horse before the cart as usual, I see;" she said, +joining good-humoredly in the laugh the others found it impossible +to suppress. "It's an old trick of my age, that increases with my +advancing youth, till I sometimes wonder what I'm coming to; the words +will tangle themselves up in the most troublesome fashion; but if you +know what I mean, I suppose it's all the same." + +"Why, Aunt Wealthy, this is really beautiful," said Mr. Dinsmore, +stepping from the chair with the basket, in his hand. + +"Yes, it belonged to your great-grandmother, Horace, and I prize it +highly on that account. No, Aunt Chloe, I shall wipe it out and put +the peaches into it myself; it will take but a moment, and it's too +precious a relic to trust to any other hands than my own." + +Lottie was apparently in the gayest spirits, enlivening the little +party with many a merry jest and light, silvery laugh, enjoying the +good things before her, and gratifying her hostess with praises of +their excellence. Yet through it all she was furtively watching her +friends, and grieved to notice the unwonted paleness of her cheek, the +traces of tears about her eyes, that her cheerfulness was assumed, +and that if she ate anything it was only from a desire to please her +father, who seemed never to forget her for a moment, and to be a good +deal troubled at her want of appetite. In all these signs Lottie read +disappointment of Egerton's hopes, and of Elsie's, so far as he was +concerned. + +"So I suppose her father has commanded her to give him up," she said +to herself. "Poor thing! I wonder if she means to be as submissive as +she thought she would." + +The two presently slipped away together into the garden, leaving the +gentlemen conversing in the sitting-room, and Miss Stanhope busied +with some household care. + +"You poor dear, I am so sorry for you!" whispered Lottie, putting her +arm about her friend. "Must you really quite give him up?" + +"Papa says so," murmured Elsie, vainly struggling to restrain her +tears. + +"Is it that he believes Mr. Travilla was not mistaken?" + +"Yes, and--and he has heard some other things against him, and thinks +his explanation of Mr. Travilla's mistake quite absurd. Oh, Lottie, he +will not even allow us one parting interview and says I am never to +see Mr. Egerton again, or hold any communication with him in any way. +If I should meet him in the street I am not to recognize him; must +pass him by as a perfect stranger, not looking at him or permitting +him to see my face, if I can avoid doing so." + +"And will you really submit to all that? I don't believe I could be so +good." + +"I must; papa will always be obeyed." + +"But don't you feel that it's very hard? doesn't it make you feel +angry with your father and love him a little less?" + +"I was angry for a little while this afternoon," Elsie acknowledged +with a blush, "but I am sure I have no right to be; I know papa is +acting for my good,--doing just what he believes will be most likely +to secure my happiness. He says it is to save me from a life of +misery, and certainly it would be that to be united to such a man as +he believes Mr. Egerton is." + +"But you don't believe it, Elsie?" + +"No, no, indeed! I have not lost my faith in him yet, and I hope he +may some day be able to prove to papa's entire satisfaction that he is +really all that is good, noble, and honorable." + +"That is right; hope on, hope ever." + +"Ah, I don't know how we could live without hope," Elsie said, smiling +faintly through her tears. "But I ought not to be wretched--oh, very +far from it, with so many blessings, so many to love me! Papa's love +alone would brighten life very much to me. And then," she added in a +lower tone, "'that dearer Friend that sticketh closer than a brother,' +and who has promised, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'" + +"And He will keep His promise, child," said Aunt Wealthy, joining them +in the arbor where they had seated themselves. "I have proved His +faithfulness many times, and I know that it never fails. Elsie, dear, +your old auntie would save you from every trial, but He is a far wiser +and truer friend, and will cause all things to work together for your +good, and never allow you to suffer one unneeded pang." She softly +stroked her niece's sunny hair, as she spoke, and the kind old face +was full of pitying tenderness. + +"Come back to the house now, dears," she added, "I think the dew is +beginning to fall, and I heard my nephew asking for his daughter." + +"How much longer may we hope to keep you, Elsie?" Lottie asked as they +wended their way toward the house. + +"Papa has set Monday evening for the time of leaving." + +"And this is Friday; so we shall have but two more rides together. Oh, +dear! how I shall miss you when you're gone." + +"And I you. I shall never forget what pleasant times we have had +together; Aunt Wealthy and you and I. You musn't let her miss me too +much, Lottie." And Elsie turned an affectionate look upon her aged +relative. + +"As if I could prevent it! But I'll do my best; you may rest assured +of that." + +"You are dear girls, both of you," said Miss Stanhope with a very +perceptible tremble in her voice, "and you have brightened my home +wonderfully; if I could only keep you!" + +"Well, auntie, you're not likely to lose me altogether for some time +yet," returned Lottie gayly, though the tears shone in her eyes. + +Bromly Egerton went out from Mr. Dinsmore's presence with his temper +at a white heat, for he had just been treated to some plain truths +that were far from palatable; besides which it seemed evident that he +had missed the prize he so coveted and had made such strenuous efforts +to win. He had learned nothing new in regard to his own character, yet +somehow it had never looked so black as now, when seen through the +spectacles of an upright, honest, vice-detesting Christian gentleman. +He writhed at the very recollection of the disgust, loathing, and +contempt expressed in Mr. Dinsmore's voice and countenance as well as +in his words. + +He scarcely gave a thought to the loss of Elsie herself: he had no +feeling for her at all worthy of the name of love; his base, selfish +nature was, indeed, hardly capable of such a sentiment; especially +toward one so refined, so guileless in her childlike innocence and +purity that to be with her gave him an uncomfortable sense of his own +moral inferiority. + +No, the wounds under which he smarted were all stabs given to his +self-love and cupidity. He had learned how honest men looked upon him; +and he had failed in the cherished expectation of laying his +hands upon a great fortune, which he had fondly hoped to have the +opportunity of spending. + +Rushing into the street, boiling with rage and shame, he hurried +onward, scarcely knowing or caring whither he went; out into the open +country, and on through woods and over hills he tramped, nor thought +of turning back till the sun had set, and darkness began to creep +about his path. + +There was light in Miss Stanhope's parlor and strains of rich +melody greeted his ear as he passed. He turned away with a muttered +imprecation, crossed the street, and entered Mrs. Schilling's gate. +She was sitting on her doorstep, resting after her day's work, and +enjoying the cool evening air. + +"Why, la me Mr. Egerton! is that you?" she cried, starting up, and +stepping aside for him to pass in. "I'd really begun to think you was +lost. The fire's been put and everything cleaned away this two hours. +I kep' the table a-waitin' for you a right smart spell, but finally +come to the conclusion that you must 'a' stayed to Miss Stanhope's or +someone else, to tea." + +"No, I've not had supper," he answered gruffly. + +"You haint, eh? and I 'spose you're hungry, too. Well, sit down, and +I'll hunt up something or 'nother. But I'm afraid you'll get the +dyspepsy eatin' so late; why, it's nigh on to ten o'clock; and I was +just a-thinking' about shutting' up and going off to bed." + +"Well, you'll not be troubled with me long. I shall leave the place in +a few days." + +"Leave Lansdale, do you mean?" + +"Yes." + +"Why, what's up?" + +"The time I had appropriated to rest and recreation. Business men +can't play forever." + +"Well, I shouldn't wonder. And Mr. Dinsmore's come after his daughter, +too." + +"What's that got to do with it?" he muttered. But she had left the +room and was out of hearing. + +Before closing his eyes in sleep that night, Egerton resolved to make +a moving appeal to Elsie herself. He would write and find some means +by which to get the letter into her hands. Directly after breakfast +he sat down to his task, placing himself in a position to constantly +overlook Miss Stanhope's house and grounds. He was hoping to get +sight of Elsie, and anxious to watch Mr. Dinsmore's movements. Mrs. +Schilling had informed him that "Miss Stanhope's friends didn't expect +to leave till sometime a Monday; so she had learned from Phillis, +through Lenwilla Ellawea, who had been sent over for a little of +Phillis's light'ning, to raise some biscuits for breakfast," yet he +had some fear that the information might prove unreliable, and Mr. +Dinsmore slip away with his daughter that day. + +That fear was presently relieved by seeing Simon bringing out the +horses for the young ladies, and shortly after a livery-stable man +leading up two fine steeds, evidently intended for the use of the +gentlemen. He now laid down his pen, and kept close watch for a few +moments, when he was rewarded by seeing the whole party come out, +mount, and ride away; Mr. Dinsmore beside his daughter, Mr. Travilla +with Lottie. Elsie, however, was so closely veiled that he could not +so much as catch a glimpse of her face. + +With a muttered oath, he took up his pen again, feeling more desirous +than ever to outwit "that haughty Southerner," and secure the prize in +spite of him. + +Half an hour afterward Simon, who was at work gathering corn and +tomatoes for dinner in the garden behind the house, heard some one +calling softly to him from the other side of the fence. Turning his +head, he saw Mr. Egerton standing there, motioning to him to draw +near. + +"Good-mornin', sah. What you want, sah?" inquired the lad, setting +down his basket, and approaching the fence that separated them. + +"Do you know what this is?" asked Egerton, holding up a small +glittering object. + +"Yes, sah; five-dollar gold piece, sah," replied the negro, bowing and +chuckling. "What de gentleman want dis niggah do for to arn 'em?" + +"To put this into Miss Dinsmore's hands," answered Egerton, showing +a letter; "into her own hands, now, mind. If you do that, the five +dollars are yours; and if you bring me an answer, I'll make it ten. +But you are to manage it so that no one else shall see what you do. Do +you understand?" + +"Yes, sah, and I bet I do it up about right, sah." + +Very anxious to win the coveted reward, Simon was careful to be on +hand when the riding party returned. He stationed himself near Elsie's +horse. Her father assisted her to alight, and as he turned to make a +remark to Lottie, Simon, being on the alert, managed to slip the note +into Elsie's hand, unperceived by Mr. Dinsmore, or the others. + +She gave a start of surprise, turning her eyes inquiringly upon him, +the rich color rushing all over her fair face and neck; as he could +see, even through the folds of her thick veil. + +Simon grinned broadly, as, by a nod and wink toward the opposite side +of the street, he indicated whence the missive had come. + +She turned and walked quickly toward the house, her heart beating very +fast and loud, and her fingers tightly clasping the note underneath +the folds of her long riding-skirt, as she held it up. She hurried +to her room, shut and locked the door, and, throwing off her hat and +veil, dropped into a seat, trembling in every limb with the agitation +and excitement of her feelings. She longed intently to know what he +had said to her; but she had never deceived or wilfully disobeyed her +father, and should she begin now? The temptation was very great, and +perhaps she would have yielded; but Mr. Dinsmore's step came quickly +up the stairs, and the next moment he rapped lightly on the door. + +She rose and opened it, at the same time slipping the note into her +pocket. + +"Why, my darling, what is the matter?" he asked, looking much +concerned at the sight of her pale, agitated countenance. + +"Oh, papa, if you would let me! if you only would!" she cried, +bursting into tears, and putting her arms coaxingly about his neck. + +"Let you do what, my child?" he asked, stroking her hair. + +"Read this," she said, in a choking voice, taking the note from her +pocket. "Oh, if you knew how much I want to! Mayn't I, papa? do, dear +papa, say yes." + +"No, Elsie; it grieves me to deny you, but it must go back unopened. +Give it to me." + +She put it into his hand and turned away with a sob. + +"How did it come into your hands?" he inquired, going to her +writing-desk for an envelope, pen and ink. + +"Must I tell you, papa?" she asked; in a tone that spoke reluctance to +give the information he required. + +"Certainly." + +"Simon gave it to me a few moments since." + +He touched the bell, and, Chloe appearing in answer, bade her take +that note to the house on the opposite side of the street. + +"There is no message," he added; "it is directed to Mr. Egerton, and +you have nothing to do but hand it in at the door." + +"Yes, sah." And with a sorrowful, pitying glance at the wet eyes of +her young mistress, the faithful old creature left the room. + +"My poor little daughter, you feel now that your father is very +cruel," Mr. Dinsmore said tenderly, taking Elsie in his arms again, +"but some day you will thank me for all this." + +She only laid her face down on his breast and cried bitterly, while he +soothed her with caresses and words of fatherly endearment. + +"Oh, papa, don't be vexed with me," she murmured at length. "I'm +trying not to be rebellious, but it seems so like condemning him +unheard." + +"No, my child, it is not. I gave him the opportunity to refute the +charges against him, but he has no proof to bring." + +"Papa, he said it would break his heart to lose me," she cried with a +fresh burst of grief. + +"My dear child, he has no heart to break. If he could get possession +of your property, he would care very little indeed what became of +you." + +Mr. Dinsmore spoke very decidedly, but, though silenced, Elsie was not +convinced. + +Egerton, watching through the half-closed blinds of his bed-room, had +seen, with a chuckle of delight, the success of Simon's manoeuvre, +and Elsie hurrying into the house; for the purpose--he had scarcely +a doubt--of secretly reading and answering his note. He saw Chloe +crossing the street, and thought that her young mistress had sent him +a hasty line, perhaps to appoint the time and place of a clandestine +meeting; for such confidence had he in his own powers of fascination +for all the fair sex, that he could not think it possible she could +give him up without a struggle. + +Lenwilla went to the door, and in his eagerness to receive the message +he ran out and met her on the landing. What was his disappointment and +chagrin at sight of the bold, masculine characters on the outside, and +only his own handwriting within! + +"Sent back unopened! The girl must be a fool!" he cried, fairly +gnashing his teeth with rage. "She could have managed it easily +enough; she had the best chance in the world, for he didn't see her +take it, I know." + +He considered a moment, put on his hat, and, walking over to Dr. +King's, inquired for Miss Lottie. + +"Jist walk intil the parlor, sir," said Bridget, "an' I'll call the +young lady." + +Lottie came to him presently, with her kind face full of regret and +sympathy. + +He told his tale, produced his note, and begged her to be his +messenger, saying he supposed Mr. Dinsmore had come upon Elsie before +she had time to read it, and he thought it hard for both her and +himself that she should not have the chance. + +"Yes," said Lottie, "but I am very sure she would not read it without +her father's permission, and you may depend upon it, she showed it to +him of her own accord." + +He shook his head with an incredulous smile. "Do you really think she +has so little sense? Or is it that you believe she too has turned +against me?" + +"No, she has not turned against you, she believes in you still; nor is +she wanting in sense; but she is extremely conscientious about obeying +her father, and told me she meant to be entirely submissive, whatever +it cost her." + +"I can hardly think you are right," he said, with another of his +incredulous smiles, "but even supposing she was silly enough to hand +my note over to her father, I should like to give her an opportunity +to retrieve her error, so won't you undertake"-- + +"Don't ask me to carry it to her," interrupted Lottie. "It would go +against my conscience to tempt Elsie to do violence to hers, I do +assure you, though I have no idea I should be successful. So you +really must excuse me." + +He tried argument and persuasion by turns, but Lottie stood firm in +her refusal, and at length he went away, evidently very angry. + +Lottie spent the evening with her friend, and when a fitting +opportunity offered gave her an account of this interview with +Egerton, Elsie telling her in return something of what had passed +between her father and herself in regard to the note. + +That Egerton had desired to tempt her to disobedience and deception +did not tend to increase Elsie's esteem and admiration for him, but +quite the reverse. + +"I think he'll not prevent me from getting sight of her to-day," +muttered Egerton, stationing himself at the front window the next +morning, as the hour for church drew near. + +He had not been there long, when he saw Miss Stanhope and Mr. +Travilla, then Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie, come out of the house and cross +the lawn. He made a hasty exit and was in the act of opening Mrs. +Schilling's front gate as the latter couple reached the one opposite. + +"Put down your veil, Elsie; take my arm; and don't look toward that +man at all," commanded her father, and she obeyed. + +Egerton kept opposite to them all the way to the church, but without +accomplishing his object. He followed them in and placed himself in a +pew on the other side of the aisle, and a little nearer the front than +Miss Stanhope's, so that, by turning half way round, he could look +into the faces of its occupants. But Elsie kept hers partly concealed +by her veil, and never once turned her eyes in his direction. + +She was seated next her father, who seemed to watch her almost +constantly--not with the air of a jailer, but with a sort of tender, +protecting care, as one keeping guard over something belonging to him, +and which he esteemed very sweet and precious,--while now and then +her soft eyes were lifted to his for an instant with a look of loving +reverence. + +"Poor Elsie was well watched to-day," remarked Nettie King to her +sister as they walked home together; "her father scarcely took his +eyes off her for five consecutive minutes, I should think; and Mr. +Egerton stared at her from the time he came in till the benediction +was pronounced." + +"Yes, I thought he was decidedly rude." + +"Isn't Mr. Dinsmore excessively strict and exacting?" + +"Yes, I think so; yet he dotes on her, and she on him. I never saw a +father and daughter so completely wrapped up in each other." + +They were now within sight of their own home, and Miss Stanhope's. + +"Just look!" cried Nettie, "I do believe Egerton means to force +himself upon their notice and compel Elsie to speak to him." + +He was crossing the street so as to meet them face to face, just at +the gate, giving them no chance to avoid the rencontre. + +"Good-morning, Miss Dinsmore," he said in a loud, cordial tone of +greeting, as they neared each other. + +Elsie started and tightened her grasp of her father's arm, but neither +looked up nor spoke. + +"My daughter acknowledges no acquaintance with you, sir," answered Mr. +Dinsmore, haughtily, and Egerton turned and strode angrily away. + +"There, Elsie, you see what he is; his behavior is anything but +gentlemanly," remarked her father, opening the gate for her to pass +in. "But you need not tremble so, child; there is nothing to fear." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + Oh, what a feeble fort's a woman's heart, + Betrayed by nature, and besieged by art. + + --FANE'S "LOVE IN THE DARK." + + +"Dear child, what shall I do without you?" sighed Miss Stanhope, +clasping Elsie in her arms, and holding her in a long, tender embrace; +for the time of parting had come. "Horace, will you bring her to see +me again?" + +"Yes, aunt, if she wants to come. But don't ask me to leave her +again." + +"Well, if you can't stay with me, or trust her yourself, let Mr. +Vanilla come and stand guard over us both. I'd be happy, sir, at any +time when you can make it convenient for me to see you here, with +Horace and the child, or without them." + +"Thank you, Miss Stanhope; and mother and I would be delighted to see +you at Ion." + +"Come, Elsie, we must go; the carriage is waiting and the train nearly +due," said Mr. Dinsmore. "Good-bye, Aunt Wealthy. Daughter, put down +your veil." + +Egerton was at the depot, but could get neither a word with Elsie, nor +so much as a sight of her face. Her veil was not once lifted, and +her father never left her side for a moment. Mr. Travilla bought the +tickets, and Simon attended to the checking of the baggage. Then the +train came thundering up, and the fair girl was hurried into it, +Mr. Travilla, on one side, and her father on the other, effectually +preventing any near approach to her person on the part of the baffled +and disappointed fortune-hunter. + +He walked back to his boarding-house, cursing his ill luck and Messrs. +Dinsmore and Travilla, and gave notice to his landlady that his room +would become vacant the next morning. + +As the train sped onward, again Elsie laid her head down upon her +father's shoulder and wept silently behind her veil. Her feelings had +been wrought up to a high pitch of excitement in the struggle to be +perfectly submissive and obedient, and now the overstrained nerves +claimed this relief. And love's young dream, the first, and sweetest, +was over and gone. She could never hope to see again the man she still +fondly imagined to be good and noble, and with a heart full of deep, +passionate love for her. + +Her father understood and sympathized with it all. He passed his arm +about her waist, drew her closer to him, and taking her hand in his, +held it in a warm, loving clasp. + +How it soothed and comforted her. She could never be very wretched +while thus tenderly loved, and cherished. + +And, arrived at her journey's end, there were mamma and little brother +to rejoice over her return, as at the recovery of a long-lost, +precious treasure. + +"You shall never go away again," said the little fellow, hugging her +tight. "When a boy has only one sister, he can't spare her to other +folks, can he, papa?" + +"No, son," answered Mr. Dinsmore, patting his rosy cheek, and softly +stroking Elsie's hair, "and it is just the same with a man who has but +one daughter." + +"You don't look bright and merry, as you did when you went away," said +the child, bending a gaze of keen, loving scrutiny upon the sweet +face, paler, sadder, and more heavy-eyed than he had ever seen it +before. + +"Sister is tired with her journey," said mamma tenderly; "we won't +tease her to-night." + +"Yes," said her father, "she must go early to bed, and have a long +night's rest." + +"Yes, papa, and then she'll be all right to-morrow, won't she? But, +mamma, I wasn't teasing her, not a bit; was I, Elsie? And if anybody's +been making her sorry, I'll kill him. 'Cause she's my sister, and I've +got to take care of her." + +"But suppose papa was the one who had made her sorry; what then?" +asked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"But you wouldn't, papa," said the boy, shaking his head with an +incredulous smile. "You love her too much a great deal; you'd never +make her sorry unless she'd be naughty; and she's never one bit +naughty,--always minds you and mamma the minute you speak." + +"That's true, my son; I do love her far too well ever to grieve her if +it can be helped. She shall never know a pang a father's love and care +can save her from." And again his hand rested caressingly on Elsie's +head. + +She caught it in both of hers and laying her cheek lovingly against +it, looked up at him with tears trembling in her eyes. "I know it, +papa," she murmured. "I know you love your foolish little daughter +very dearly; almost as dearly as she loves you." + +"Almost, darling? If there were any gauge by which to measure love, I +know not whose would be found the greatest." + +Mr. Dinsmore and his father-in-law had taken adjoining cottages for +the summer, and though "the season" was so nearly over that the hotels +and boarding-houses were but thinly populated and would soon close, +the two families intended remaining another month. So this was in some +sort a home-coming to Elsie. + +After tea the Allisons flocked in to bid her welcome. All seemed glad +of her coming, Richard, Harold, and Sophy especially so. They were +full of plans for giving her pleasure, and crowding the greatest +possible amount of enjoyment into the four or five weeks of their +expected sojourn on the island. + +"It will be moonlight next week," said Sophy; "and we'll have some +delightful drives and walks along the beach. The sea does look so +lovely by moonlight." + +"And we'll have such fun bathing in the mornings," remarked Harold. +"You'll go in with us to-morrow, won't you, Elsie?" + +"No," said Mr. Dinsmore, speaking for his daughter; "she must be +here two or three days before she goes into the water. It will be +altogether better for her health." + +Elise looked at him inquiringly. + +"You get in the air enough of the salt water for the first few days," +he said. "Your system should become used to that before you take +more." + +"Yes, that is what some of the doctors here, and the oldest +inhabitants, tell us," remarked Mr. Allison, "and I believe it is the +better plan." + +"And in the meantime we can take some rides and drives,--down to +Diamond Beach, over to the light-house, and elsewhere," said Edward +Allison, his brother Richard adding, "and do a little fishing and +boating." + +Mr. Dinsmore was watching his daughter. She was making an effort to be +interested in the conversation, but looking worn, weary, and sad. + +"You are greatly fatigued, my child," he said. "We will excuse you and +let you retire at once." + +She was very glad to avail herself of the permission. + +Rose followed her to her room, a pleasant, breezy apartment, opening +on a veranda, and looking out upon the sea, whose dark waves, here +and there tipped with foam, could be dimly seen rolling and tossing +beneath the light of the stars and of a young moon that hung like a +golden crescent just above the horizon. + +Elsie walked to the window and looked out. "How I love the sea," she +said, sighing, "but, mamma, to-night it makes me think of a text--'All +Thy waves and Thy billows have gone over me.'" + +"It is not so bad as that, I hope, dear," said Rose, folding her +tenderly in her arms; "think how we all love you, especially your +father. I don't know how we could any of us do without you, darling. I +can't tell you how sadly we have missed you this summer." + +"Mamma, I do feel it to be very, very sweet to be so loved and cared +for. I could not tell you how dear you and my little brother are to +me, and as for papa--sometimes I am more than half afraid I make an +idol of him; and yet--oh, mamma," she murmured, hiding her face in +Rose's bosom, "why is it that I can no longer be in love with the +loves that so fully satisfied me?" + +"'Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.' It +is part of woman's curse that she must ever crave that sort of love, +often yielding to her craving, to her own terrible undoing. Be +patient, darling, and try to trust both your heavenly and your earthly +father. You know that no trial can come to you without your heavenly +Father's will, and that He means this for your good. Look to Him and +he will help you to bear it, and send relief in His own good time and +way. You know He tells us it is through much tribulation we enter +the kingdom of God; and that whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, +and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 'If ye be without +chastisements, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and no +sons!" + +"Ah, yes, mamma; better the hardest of earthly trials, than to be left +out of the number of his adopted children. And this seems to be really +my only one, while my cup of blessings is full to overflowing. I fear +I am very wicked to feel so sad." + +"Let us sit down on this couch while we talk; you are too tired +to stand," said Rose, drawing her away from the window to a +softly-cushioned lounge. "I do not think you can help grieving, +darling, though I agree with you that it is your duty to try to be +cheerful, as well as patient and submissive; and I trust you will find +it easier as the days and weeks move on. You are very young, and have +plenty of time to wait; indeed, if all had gone right, you know your +papa would not have allowed you to marry for several years yet." + +"You know all, mamma?" + +"Yes, dear; papa told me; for you know you are my darling daughter +too, and I have a very deep interest in all that concerns you." + +A tender caress accompanied the words, and was returned with equal +ardor. + +"Thank you, best and kindest of mothers; I should never want anything +kept from you." + +"Your father tells me you have behaved beautifully, though you +evidently felt it very hard to be separated so entirely and at once +fr--" + +"Yes, mamma," and Elsie's lip quivered, and her eyes filled, "and oh, +I can't believe he is the wicked man papa thinks him. From the first +he seemed to be a perfect gentleman, educated, polished, and refined; +and afterward he became--at least so I thought from the conversations +we had together--truly converted, and a very earnest, devoted +Christian. He told me he had been, at one time, a little wild, but +surely he ought not to be condemned for that, after he had repented +and reformed." + +"No, dear; and your father would agree with you in that. But he +believes you have been deceived in the man's character; and don't you +think, daughter, that he is wiser than yourself, and more capable of +finding out the truth about the matter?" + +"I know papa is far wiser than I, but, oh, my heart will not believe +what they say of--of him!" she cried with sudden, almost passionate +vehemence. + +"Well, dear, that is perfectly natural, but try to be entirely +submissive to your father, and wait patiently; and hopefully too," she +added with a smile; "for if Mr. Egerton is really good, no doubt it +will be proved in time, and then your father will at once remove his +interdict. And if you are mistaken, you will one day discover it, and +feel thankful, indeed, to your papa for taking just the course he +has." + +"There he is now!" Elsie said with a start, as Mr. Dinsmore's step was +heard without, and Chloe opened the door in answer to his rap. + +"What, Elsie disobeying orders, and mamma conniving at it!" he +exclaimed in a tone that might mean either jest or serious reproof. +"Did I not bid you go to bed at once, my daughter?" + +"I thought it was only permission, papa, not command," she answered, +lifting her eyes to his face, and moving to make room for him by her +side. "And mamma has been saying such sweet, comforting things to me." + +"Has she, darling? Bless her for it! I know you need comfort, my poor +little pet," he said, taking the offered seat, and passing his arm +round her waist. "But you need rest too, and ought not to stay up any +longer." + +"But surely papa knows I cannot go to bed without my good-night kiss +when he is in the same house with me," she said, winding her arms +about his neck. + +"And didn't like to take it before folks? Well, that was right, but +take it now. There, good-night. Now mamma and I will run away, and you +must get into bed with all speed. No mistake about the command this +time, and disobedience, if ventured on, will have to be punished," he +said with playful tenderness, as he returned her embrace, and rose to +leave the room. + +"The dear child; my heart aches for her," he remarked to his wife, +as they went out together, "and I find it almost impossible yet to +forgive either that scoundrel Jackson or my brother Arthur." + +"You have no lingering doubts as to the identity and utter +unworthiness of the man?" + +"Not one; and if I could only convince Elsie of his true character +she would detest him as thoroughly as I do. If he had his deserts, he +would be in the State's Prison; and to think of his daring to approach +my child, and even aspire to her hand!" + +Elsie lay all night in a profound slumber, and awoke at an early hour +the next morning, feeling greatly refreshed and invigorated. The +gentle murmur of old ocean came pleasantly to her ear, and sweetly +in her mind arose the thought of Him whom even the winds and the sea +obey; of His never failing love to her, and of the many great and +precious promises of His word. She remembered how He had said, "Your +Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things," and, content to +bear the cross He had sent her, and leave her future in His hands, she +rose to begin the new day more cheerful and hopeful than she had been +since learning her father's decision in regard to Egerton. + +Throwing on a dressing-gown over her night dress, she sat down before +the open window with her Bible in her hand. She still loved, as of +old, to spend the first hour of the day in the study of its pages, and +in communion with Him whose word it is. + +Chloe was just putting the finishing touches to her young lady's +toilet when little Horace came running down the hall, and rapping on +Elsie's door, called out, "Sister, papa says put on a short dress, and +your walking shoes, and come take a stroll on the beach with us before +breakfast." + +"Yes, tell papa I will. I'll be down in five minutes." + +She came down looking sweet and fresh as the morning; a smile on the +full red lips, and a faint tinge of rose color on the cheeks that had +been so pale the night before. + +"Ah, you are something like yourself again," said Rose, greeting her +with a motherly caress, as they met in the lower hall. "How nice it is +to have you at home once more." + +"Thank you, mamma, I am very glad to be here; and I had such a good +restful sleep. How well you look." + +"And feel too, I am thankful to be able to say. But there, your father +is calling to you from the sitting-room." + +Elsie hastened to obey the summons, and found him seated at his +writing desk. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, "and tell me if you obeyed orders last +night." + +"Yes, papa, I did." + +"I am writing a few lines to Aunt Wealthy, to tell her of our safe +arrival. Have you any message to send?" and laying down his pen he +drew her to his knee. + +"Only my love, papa, and--and that she must not be anxious about me, +as she said that she should. That I am very safe and happy in the +hands of my heavenly Father--and those of the kind earthly one He has +given me," she added in a whisper, putting her arms about his neck, +and looking in his face with eyes brimful of filial tenderness and +love. + +"That is right, my darling," he said, "and you shall never want for +love while your father lives. How it rejoices my heart to see you +looking so bright and well this morning." + +"I feat I have not been yielding you the cheerful obedience I ought, +papa," she murmured with tears in her eyes, "but I am resolved to try +to do so in future; and have been asking help where I know it is to be +obtained." + +"I have no fault to find with you on that score, my dear child," he +said tenderly, "but if you can be cheerful, it will be for your own +happiness, as well as ours." + +She kept her promise faithfully, and had her reward in much real +enjoyment of the many pleasures provided for her. + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were still youthful in their feelings, and +joined with great zest in the sports of the young people, going with +them in all their excursions, taking an active part in all their +pastimes, and contriving so many fresh entertainments, that during +those few weeks life seemed like one long gala day. + +Mr. Travilla was with them most of the time. He had tarried behind in +Philadelphia, as Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter passed through, but +followed them to Cape Island a few days later. + +The whole party left the shore about the last of September, the +Allisons returning to their city residence, Mr. Travilla to his +Southern home, and the Dinsmores travelling through Pennsylvania and +New York, from one romantic and picturesque spot to another; finishing +up with two or three weeks in Philadelphia, during which Rose and +Elsie were much occupied with their fall and winter shopping. + +Mr. Dinsmore took this opportunity to pay another flying visit to his +two young brothers. He found Arthur nearly recovered, and at once +asked a full explanation of the affair of Tom Jackson, alias Bromly +Egerton; his designs upon Elsie, and Arthur's participation in them. + +"I know nothing about it," was the sullen rejoinder. + +"You certainly were acquainted with Tom Jackson, and how, but through +you, could he have gained any knowledge of Elsie and her whereabouts?" + +"I don't deny that I've had some dealings with Jackson, but your +Egerton I know nothing of whatever." + +"You may as well speak the truth, sir; it will be much better for +you in the end," said Mr. Dinsmore, sternly, his eyes flashing with +indignant anger. + +"And you may as well remember that it isn't Elsie you are dealing +with. I'm not afraid of you." + +"Perhaps not, but you may well fear Him who has said, 'a lying tongue +is but for a moment.' How do you reconcile such an assertion as you +have just made with the fact of your having that letter in your +possession?" + +"I say it's a cowardly piece of business for you to give the lie to a +fellow that hasn't the strength to knock you down for it." + +"You would hardly attempt that if you were in perfect health, Arthur." + +"I would." + +"You have not answered my question about the letter. + +"I wrote it myself." + +"A likely story; it is in a very different hand from yours." + +"I can adopt that hand on occasion, as I'll prove to your +satisfaction." + +He opened his desk, wrote a sentence on a scrap of paper, and handed +it to Mr. Dinsmore. The chirography was precisely that of the letter. +While slowly convalescing, Arthur had prepared for this expected +interview with Horace, by spending many a solitary hour in laboriously +teaching himself to imitate Jackson's ordinary hand, in which most of +the letters he had received from him were written. The sentence he had +first penned was, "I did it merely for my own amusement, and to hoax +Wal." + +"I don't believe a word of it," said Mr. Dinsmore, looking sternly at +him. "Arthur, you had better be frank and open with me. You will gain +nothing by denying the hand you have had in this disgraceful business. +You can hardly suppose me credulous enough to believe an assertion so +perfectly absurd as this. I have no doubt that you sent that villain +to Lansdale to try his arts upon Elsie; and for that you are richly +deserving of my anger, and of any punishment it might be in my power +to deal out to you. + +"It has been no easy matter for me to forgive the suffering you have +caused my child, Arthur; but I came here to-day with kind feelings and +intentions. I hoped to find you penitent and ready to forsake your +evil courses; and in that case, intended to help you to pay off your +debts and begin anew, without paining father with the knowledge that +his confidence in you has been again so shamefully abused. But I must +say that your persistent denial of your complicity with that scoundrel +Jackson does not look much like contrition, or intended amendment." + +Arthur listened in sullen silence, though his rapidly changing color +showed that he felt the cutting rebuke keenly. At one time he had +resolved to confess everything, throw himself upon the mercy of his +father and brother, and begin to lead an honest, upright life; but a +threatening letter received that morning from Jackson had led him to +change his purpose, and determine to close his lips for a time. + +Mr. Dinsmore paused for a reply, but none came. + +Walter looked at Arthur in surprise. "Come, Art, speak, why don't +you?" he said. "Horace, don't look so stern and angry, I know he means +to turn over a new leaf; for he told me so. And you will help him, +won't you?" + +"I ask no favors from a man who throws the lie in my teeth," muttered +Arthur angrily. + +"And I can give none to one who persists in denying his guilt," +replied Mr. Dinsmore. "But, Arthur, I give you one more chance, and +for our father's sake I hope you will avail yourself of it. If you go +on as you have for the last three or four years, you will bring down +his gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. I presume you have put +yourself in Jackson's power; but if you will now make a full and free +confession to me, and promise amendment, I will help you to get rid of +the rascal's claims upon you, and start afresh. Will you do it?" + +"No, you've called me a liar, and what's the use of my telling you +anything? you wouldn't believe it if I did." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + She is not sad, yet in her gaze appears + Something that makes the gazer think of tears. + + --MRS. EMBURY. + + +The family at Roselands were gathered about the breakfast-table. A +much smaller party than of yore, since Horace had taken Elsie and +set up an establishment of his own, and the other sons were away at +college and two daughters married; leaving only Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, +Adelaide and Enna to occupy the old home. + +"I presume you have the lion's share as usual, papa," observed the +last named, as her father opened the letter-bag which Pomp had just +brought in. + +"And who has a better right, Miss Malapert?" retorted the old +gentleman. "Yes, here are several letters for me; but as there is one +apiece for the rest of you, nobody need complain. Here, Pomp, hand +this to your mistress. From Walter, I see." + +"Yes," she answered, opening it, "and a few lines from Arthur too. I'm +glad he's able to write again, poor fellow!" + +"Yes," said Adelaide. "Rose says Horace has been up there and found +him nearly recovered. She writes that they are coming home." + +"When?" asked Enna. + +"Why, to-day! the letter has been delayed," said her sister, looking +at the date. "I shall ride over directly, to see that all is in order +for them at the Oaks." + +"There is no need," remarked her mother. "Rose will have written to +Mrs. Murray." + +"I presume so, still I shall go; it will be pleasant to be there to +welcome them when they arrive." + +"How fond you are of Rose," said Mrs. Dinsmore in a piqued tone; "you +wouldn't do more for one of your own sisters, I believe, than for +her." + +"I wouldn't do less, mamma, and I am very fond of her; we are so +perfectly congenial." + +"And Elsie's a great pet of yours, too," said Enna sneeringly. "Well, +I shall put off my call till to-morrow, when the trunks will have been +unpacked, and I shall have a chance to see the fashions. Elsie will +have loads of new things; it's perfectly absurd the way Horace heaps +presents upon her, and pocket-money too. Such loads of jewelry as she +has,--two or three gold watches, and everything else in proportion." + +"He may as well; she can never spend the half of her income," remarked +Mr. Dinsmore. "Unless she takes to gambling," he added, in a tone that +seemed to say that his purse had suffered severely from some one's +indulgence in that vice. + +Mrs. Dinsmore winced, Enna looked vexed and annoyed, and Adelaide sad +and troubled; but when she spoke it was in answer to Enna. + +"Yes, Elsie will have a great many beautiful things to show us, of +course; but, though she wears nothing outré, she has never been, and I +think never will be a mirror of fashion. It would suit neither her own +taste nor Horace's; and you know, fond of her as he is, he will never +allow her to have a will of her own in dress or anything else. So it +is well their tastes harmonize." + +"I wouldn't be his child for all her money," said Enna. + +"There would be some fighting if you were," said her father, laughing. + +"I never could tell whether he tyrannized over Rose in the same style +or not," observed Mrs. Dinsmore interrogatively. + +"All I know about it is that they seem perfectly happy in each other," +answered Adelaide; "but I don't suppose Horace considers a husband's +authority by any means equal to a father's." + +Something delayed Adelaide, and it was nearly two hours after they +rose from the table ere she was fairly on her way to the Oaks. + +"Why, they are here before me!" she exclaimed half aloud as she came +in sight of the house. + +There were piles of luggage upon the veranda, and the whole family, +including all the house servants, were gathered round a large +open trunk from which Mrs. Dinsmore and Elsie were dealing out +gifts--dresses, aprons, bonnets, hats, gay handkerchiefs, etc., etc.; +the darkies receiving them with a delight that was pleasant to see. + +Mr. Dinsmore too was taking his part in the distribution, and as +Adelaide rode up little Horace was in the act of throwing a gay shawl +about the shoulders of his nurse, who caught him in her arms and +hugged and kissed him over and over, calling him "honey," and "pet," +and "you ole mammy's darlin' ole chil'!" + +So much engaged were they all that no one perceived Adelaide's +approach till she had reined in her horse close to the veranda, and +throwing her bridle to her attendant, sprung lightly to the ground. + +But then there was a shout of welcome from little Horace, followed +instantly by joyous exclamations and embraces from the others. + +"Dear me, what a long stay you made of it!" said Adelaide. "You can +have no idea how I missed you all; even down to this little man," +patting Horace's rosy cheek. "You look remarkably well, Rose; and the +two Horaces also; but Elsie, I think, has grown a little pale, thin, +and heavy-eyed. What ails you, child? Pining for your native air--no, +home air--I presume. Is that it?" + +"Hardly pining for it, auntie, but very glad to get back, +nevertheless," Elsie answered, with a blush and a smile. + +"And you are not pale now. But don't let me interrupt your pleasant +employment. I wish I had been in time to see the whole of it." + +"You are in season for your own gifts. Will you accept a trifle from +me?" said her brother, putting a jewel-case into her hand. + +"Coral! and what a beautiful shade!" she cried. "Thank you; they are +just what I wanted." + +"I thought they would contrast prettily with this, auntie," said +Elsie, laying a dress-pattern of black silk upon her lap. + +"And these are to be worn at the same time, if it so pleases you," +added Rose, presenting her with collar and undersleeves of point lace. + +"Oh, Rose, how lovely! and even little Horace bringing auntie a gift!" +as the child slipped something into her hand. + +"It's only a card-case; but mamma said you'd like it, Aunt Adie." + +"And I do; it's very pretty. And here's a hug and a kiss for the pet +boy that remembered his old-maid auntie." + +"Old maid, indeed! Adelaide, I'll not have you talking so," said Rose. +"There's nothing old-maidish about you; not even age yet; a girl of +twenty-six to be calling herself that! it's perfectly absurd. Isn't +it, my dear?" + +"I think so, indeed," replied Mr. Dinsmore. "Here, Jim, Cato, and the +rest of you carry in these trunks and boxes, and let us have them +unpacked and put out of sight." + +"Oh, yes!" said Adelaide, "I want to see all the fine things you have +brought, Rose. Mamma, Enna, and I are depending upon you and Elsie for +the fashions." + +"Yes, we had all our fall and winter dresses made up in Philadelphia; +we prefer their styles to the New York; they don't go to such +extremes, you know; and besides--hailing from the Quaker city as I do, +it's natural I should be partial to her plainer ways--but we brought +quantities of patterns from both places; knowing that nothing was +likely to be too gay for Enna. We will let Elsie display hers first. I +feel in a special hurry, dear, to show your aunt those elegant silks +your papa and I helped you to select. I hope you will see them all on +her, one of these days, Adelaide. + +"That child's complexion is so perfect, that she can wear anything," +she added in an aside, as they followed Elsie to her apartments; +"there's a pale blue that she looks perfectly lovely in; a pearl-color +too, and a delicate pink, and I don't know how many more. One might +think we expected her to do nothing but attend parties the coming +season." + +Elsie seemed to take a lively interest in displaying her pretty things +to her aunt, and in looking on for a little, while Rose did the same +with hers; but at length, though the two older ladies were still +turning over and discussing silks, satins, velvets, laces, ribbons, +feathers, and flowers, her father noticed her sitting in the corner of +a sofa, in an attitude of weariness and dejection, with a pale cheek, +and a dreary, far-off look in her eyes that it pained him to see. + +"You are very tired, daughter," he said, going to her side, and +smoothing her glossy brown hair with tender caressing motion, as he +spoke; "go and lie down for an hour or two. A nap would do you a great +deal of good." + +"I don't like to do so while Aunt Adie is here, papa," she said, +looking up at him with a smile, and trying to seem fresh and bright. + +"Never mind that; you can see her any day now. Come, you must take a +rest." And drawing her hand within his arm, he led her to her boudoir +and left her there, comfortably established upon a sofa. + +"A hat trimmed in that style would be becoming to Elsie," remarked +Adelaide, continuing the conversation with Rose, and turning to look +at her niece as she spoke. "Why, she's not here." + +"Papa took her away to make her lie down," said little Horace. + +"Rose, does anything ail the child?" asked Adelaide, in an undertone. + +"She does not seem to be out of health; but you know we are very +careful of her; she is so dear and sweet, and has never looked very +strong." + +"But there is something wrong with her, is there not? she does not +seem to me quite the gay, careless child she was when you went away. +Horace," and she turned to him, as he re-entered the room, "may I not +know about Elsie? You can hardly love her very much better than I do, +I think." + +"If that is so, you must love her very much indeed," he answered with +a faint smile. "Yes, I will tell you." And he explained the matter; +briefly at first, then more in detail, as she drew him on by questions +and remarks. + +Her sympathy for Elsie was deep and sincere; yet she thought her +brother's course the only wise and kind one, and her indignation waxed +hot against Arthur and Egerton. + +"And Elsie still believes in the scoundrel?" she said inquiringly. + +"Yes, her loving, trustful nature refuses to credit the proofs of +his guilt, and only her sweet, conscientious submission to parental +authority has saved her from becoming his victim." + +"She is a very good, submissive, obedient child to you, Horace." + +"I could not ask a better, Adelaide. I only wish it were in my power +to make obedience always easy and pleasant to her, poor darling." + +"I hope you have something for me there, my dear," Rose remarked to +her husband at the breakfast-table the next morning, as he looked over +the mail just brought in by his man John. + +"Yes, there is one for you; from your mother, I think; and, Elsie, do +you know the handwriting of this?" + +"No, papa, it is quite strange to me," she answered, taking the letter +he held out to her, and which bore her name and address on the back, +and examining it critically. + +"And the post-mark tells you nothing either?" + +"No, sir; I cannot quite make it out, but it doesn't seem to be any +place where I have a correspondent." + +"Well, open it and see from whom it comes. But finish your breakfast +first." + +Elsie laid the letter down by her plate, and putting aside, for the +present, her curiosity in regard to it, went on with her meal. "From +whom can it have come?" she asked herself, while listening half +absently to extracts from Mr. Allison's epistle; "not from him surely, +the hand is so very unlike that of the one he sent me in Lansdale." + +"You have not looked at that yet," her father said, seeing her take it +up as they rose from the table. "You may do so now. I wish to know who +the writer is. Don't read it till you have found that out," he added, +leading her to a sofa in the next room, and making her sit down there, +while he stood by her side. + +She felt that his eye was upon her as she broke open the envelope and, +taking the letter from it, glanced down the page, then in a little +flutter of surprise and perplexity turned to the signature. Instantly +her face flushed crimson, she trembled visibly, and her eyes were +lifted pleadingly to his. + +He frowned and held out his hand. + +"Oh, papa, let me read it!" she murmured low and tremulously, her eyes +still pleading more eloquently than her tongue. + +"No," he said, and his look and gesture were imperative. + +She silently put the letter into his hand, and turned away with a low +sob. + +"It is not worth one tear, or even an emotion of regret, my child," he +said, sitting down beside her. "I shall send it back at once; unread, +unless you prefer to have me read it first." + +"No, papa." + +"Very well, then I shall not. But, Elsie, do you not see now that he +is quite capable of imitating the handwriting of another?" + +"Yes, papa; but that does not prove that he did in the case you refer +to." + +"And he has acted quite fairly and honestly in using that talent to +elude my vigilance and tempt you to deception and disobedience, eh?" + +"He is not perfect, papa, but I can't believe him as bad as you +think." + +"There are none so blind as those that won't see, Elsie; but, +remember"--and his tone changed from one of great vexation to another +sternly authoritative--"I will be obeyed in this thing." + +"Yes, papa," she said, and rising, hastily left the room. + +"Try to be very patient with her, dear," said Rose, who had been a +silent, but deeply interested spectator of the little scene; "she +suffers enough, poor child!" + +"Yes, I know it, and my heart bleeds for her; yet she seems so +wilfully blind to the strongest proofs of the fellow's abominable +rascality that at times I feel as if I could hardly put up with it +at all. The very pain of seeing her suffer so makes me out of all +patience with her folly." + +"Yes, I understand it, but do not be stern with her; she surely does +not deserve it while she is so perfectly submissive to your will." + +"No, she does not, poor darling," he said with a sigh. "But I must +make haste to write some letters that ought to go by the next mail." + +He left the room, and Mrs. Dinsmore, longing to comfort Elsie in her +trouble, was about to go in search of her, when Mrs. Murray, who was +still housekeeper at the Oaks, came to ask advice or direction about +some household matters. + +Their consultation lasted for half an hour or more, and in the +meanwhile Mr. Dinsmore finished his correspondence and went himself to +look for his daughter. She was in the act of opening her writing-desk +as he entered the room. + +"What are you doing, daughter?" he asked. + +"I was about to write a letter to Sophy, papa." + +"It would be too late for to-day's mail; so let it wait, and come with +me for a little stroll into the grounds. Aunt Chloe, bring a garden +hat and sunshade. You would like to go, daughter?" + +"Yes, sir. Papa, you are not vexed with me? You don't think I want to +be disobedient or wilful?" There were tears in her voice and traces of +them on her cheeks. + +"No, darling!" he said, drawing her to him, "and you did not in the +least deserve to be spoken to in the stern tone that I used. But--can +you understand it?--my very love for you makes me angry and impatient +at your persistent love for that scoundrel." + +"Papa, please don't!" she said in a low, pained tone, and turning away +her face. + +"Ah, you do not like to hear a word against him!" he sighed; "I can't +bear to think it, and yet I fear you care more for him than for me, +your own father, who almost idolizes you. Is it so?" + +"Papa," she murmured, winding her arms about his neck, and laying +her head on his breast, "if I may have but one of you, I could never +hesitate for a moment to choose to cling here where I have been so +long and tenderly cherished. I know what your love is,--I might be +mistaken and deceived in another. And besides, God commands me to +honor and obey you." + +He held her close to his heart for a moment, as something too dear and +precious ever to be given up to another, then drawing her hand within +his arm, while Chloe placed the hat on her head, and gave her the +parasol, he led her out into the grounds. + +It pained him to notice the sadness of her countenance, sadder than he +had seen it for many days, and he exerted himself to entertain her +and divert her thoughts, calling her attention to some new plants and +flowers, consulting her taste in regard to improvements he designed +making, and conversing with her about a book they had been reading. + +She understood his thoughtful kindness, was grateful for it, and did +her best to be interested and cheerful. + +"It is so nice to have you treat me as your companion and friend as +well as your daughter, papa," she said, looking up at him with a +smile. + +"Your companionship is very dear and sweet to me, daughter," he +answered. "But I think we had better go in now; the sun is growing +hot." + +"Oh, here you are!" cried a girlish voice as they turned into a shaded +walk leading to the house. "I've been looking everywhere and am +glad to have found you at last. Really, if a body didn't know your +relationship, he or she might almost imagine you a pair of lovers." + +"Don't be silly, Enna. How do you do?" said Mr. Dinsmore, shaking +hands with her and giving her a brotherly kiss. + +"As usual, thank you," she answered, turning from him to Elsie, whom +she embraced with tolerable warmth, saying, "I'm really glad to have +you here again. I missed you more than I would have believed. Now come +in and show me all your pretty things. I'm dying to see them. Adelaide +says you've brought home such quantities of lovely laces, silks, +velvets, ribbons, flowers, feathers and what not, that one might +imagine you'd nearly bought out the Philadelphia merchants." + +"No, they had quite a stock still left," replied Elsie, smiling; "but, +as mamma says, papa was very indulgent and liberal to us both; and I +shall take pleasure in showing you his gifts." + +"How do you like my present to Adelaide? asked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Oh, very much; but when my turn comes please remember I want +amethysts." + +"Ah, then I have been fortunate in my selection," he said, quite +unsuspicious of the fact that Enna had instructed Elsie beforehand in +regard to her wishes, should Horace intend making her a present. Elsie +had quietly given the desired hint, but merely as though the idea had +originated with herself. + +The jewelry was highly approved, as also a rich violet silk from Rose, +and a lace set from Elsie. + +Adelaide had been intrusted with quite as rich gifts for her father +and mother; nor had Lora been forgotten; Elsie had a handsome shawl +for her, Mr. Dinsmore a beautiful pair of bracelets, and Rose a costly +volume of engravings. + +"Do you think Aunt Lora will be pleased?" asked Elsie. + +"They're splendid! It must be mighty nice to have so much money to +spend. But come now, show me what you got for yourselves." + +She spent a long while, first in Rose's apartment, then in Elsie's, +turning over and admiring the pretty things, discussing patterns, and +styles of trimming, and what colors and modes would be becoming to +her, trying on some of the dresses, laces, sacques, shawls, bonnets, +and hats--without so much as saying by your leave, when the article in +question belonged to her niece--that she might judge of the effect; +several times repeating her remark that it must be delightful to have +so much money, and that Elsie was exceedingly fortunate in being so +enormously wealthy. + +"Yes; it is something to be thankful for," Elsie said at length, "but, +Enna, it is also a great responsibility. We are only stewards, you +know, and sometimes I fear it is hardly right for me to spend so much +in personal adornment." + +"That wouldn't trouble me in the least; but why do you do it, if you +are afraid it's wrong?" + +"Papa does not think so; he says the manufacturers of these rich goods +must live as well as others, and that for one with my income, it is no +more extravagant to wear them than for one with half the means to wear +goods only half as expensive." + +"And I'm sure he's perfectly right; and of course you have no choice +but to obey. Well, I presume I've seen everything now, and I'm +actually weary with my labors," she added, throwing herself into an +easy-chair. "You've grown a little pale, I think, and your eyes look +as if you'd been crying. What ails you?" + +"I am not at all ill," returned Elsie, flushing. + +"I didn't say you were, but something's wrong with you, and you can't +deny it; you don't seem as gay as you used to before you went away." + +She paused, but receiving no reply, went on. "Come now, it isn't worth +while to be so close-mouthed with me, Miss Dinsmore; for I happen to +know pretty much all about it already. You've fallen in love with a +man that your father thinks is a scamp and though you don't believe +it, you've given him up, in obedience to orders, like the cowardly +piece that you are. Dear me, before I'd be so afraid of my father!" + +"No, you neither fear nor love your father as I do mine; but fear of +papa has very little to do with it. I love him far too well to refuse +to submit to him in this, and I fear God, who bids me obey and honor +him. But, Enna, how did you learn all this?" + +"Ah, that is my secret." + +Elsie looked disturbed. "Won't you tell me?" + +"Not I." + +"Is it generally known in the family?" + +"So far as I am aware, no one knows it but myself." + +"Ah!" thought Elsie, "I did not believe Aunt Adelaide or Walter would +tell her; but I wonder how she did find it out." + +"I wouldn't give up the man I loved for anybody," Enna went on in a +sneering tone. "I say parents have no business to interfere in such +matters; and so I told papa quite plainly when he took it upon him +to lecture me about receiving attentions from Dick Percival, and +threatened to forbid him the house." + +"Oh, Enna!" + +"You consider it wickedly disrespectful and rebellious no doubt, but +I say I'm no longer a child, and so the text, 'Children obey your +parents'--which I know is just on the end of your tongue--doesn't +apply to me." + +"The Bible doesn't say obey till you are of age, then do as you +please. You are not seventeen yet, and Isaac was twenty when he +submitted to be bound and laid upon the altar." + +"Well, when I go to the altar, it shall be leaning on Dick's arm," +said Enna, laughing. "I don't care if he is wild; I like him, and +intend to marry him too." + +"But are you not afraid?" + +"Afraid of what?" + +"That he will run through his property in a few years, and perhaps +become an habitual drunkard and abusive to his wife." + +"I mean to risk it anyhow," returned Enna sharply, "so it is not worth +while for my friends to waste their breath in lecturing me on the +subject." + +"Oh, Enna! you can't expect a blessing, if you persist in being so +undutiful; I think it would be well for you if your father were more +like mine." + +"Indeed! I wouldn't be your father's daughter for anything." + +"And I am glad and thankful that I am." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + The human heart! 'tis a thing that lives + In the light of many a shrine; + And the gem of its own pure feelings gives + Too oft on brows that are false to shine; + It has many a cloud of care and woe + To shadow o'er its springs, + And the One above alone may know + The changing tune of its thousand strings. + + --MRS. L.P. SMITH. + + +Mr. and Mrs. Horace Dinsmore were most anxious to promote Elsie's +happiness, and in order to that to win her to forgetfulness of her +unworthy suitor. Being Christians they did not take her to the +ball-room, the Opera, or the theater (nor would she have consented +to go had they proposed it), but they provided for her every sort of +suitable amusement within their reach. She was allowed to entertain as +much company and to pay as many visits to neighbors and friends as she +pleased. + +But a constant round of gayety was not to her taste; she loved quiet +home pleasures and intellectual pursuits far better. And of these also +she might take her fill, nor lack for sympathizing companionship; both +parents, but especially her father, being of like mind with herself. +They enjoyed many a book together, and she chose to pursue several +studies with him. + +And thus the weeks and months glided away not unhappily, though at +times she would be possessed with a restless longing for news from +Egerton, and for the love that was denied her; then her eyes would +occasionally meet her father's with the old wistful, pleading look +that he found so hard to resist. + +He well understood their mute petition; yet it was one he could not +grant. But he would take her in his arms, and giving her the fondest, +tenderest caresses, would say, in a moved tone, "My darling, don't +look at me in that way; it almost breaks my heart. Ah, if you could +only be satisfied with your father's love!" + +"I will try, papa," was her usual answer, "and oh, your love is very +sweet and precious!" + +Such a little scene, occurring one morning in Elsie's boudoir, was +interrupted by Chloe coming in to say that Miss Carrington had called +to see her young mistress and was waiting in the drawing-room. + +"Show her in here, mammy," Elsie said, disengaging herself from her +father's arms, and smoothing out her dress. "She used to come here in +the old times without waiting for an invitation." + +The Carringtons had not been able quite to forgive the rejection of +Herbert's suit, and since his death there had been a slight coolness +between the two families, and the girls had seen much less of each +other than in earlier days; their intercourse being confined to an +occasional exchange of formal calls, except when they met at the +house of some common acquaintance or friend. Still they were mutually +attached, and of late had resumed much of their old warmth of manner +toward each other. + +"Ah, this seems like going back to the dear old times again," Lucy +said when their greetings were over, and sending an admiring glance +about the luxuriously furnished apartment as she spoke. "I always +thought this the most charming of rooms, Elsie, but how many lovely +things,--perfect gems of art,--you have added to it since I saw it +last." + +"Papa's gifts to his spoiled darling, most of them," answered Elsie, +with a loving look and smile directed to him. + +"Petted, but not spoiled," he said, returning the smile. + +"No, indeed, I should think not," said Lucy. "Mamma says she is the +most perfectly obedient, affectionate daughter she ever saw, and I +can't tell you how often I have heard her wish I was more like her." + +"Ah," said Elsie, "I think Mrs. Carrington has always looked at me +through rose-colored spectacles." + +After a little more chat Lucy told her errand. Her parents and +herself, indeed the whole family, she said, had greatly regretted the +falling off of their former intimacy and strongly desired to renew it; +and she had come to beg Elsie to go home with her and spend a week at +Ashlands in the old familiar way. + +Elsie's eye brightened, and her cheek flushed. "Dear Lucy, how kind!" +she exclaimed; then turned inquiringly to her father. + +"Yes, it is very kind," he said. "Use your own pleasure, daughter. I +think perhaps the change might do you good." + +"Thanks, papa, then I shall go. Lucy, I accept your invitation with +pleasure." + +They were soon on their way, cantering briskly along side by side, +Lucy in gay, almost wild spirits, and Elsie's depression rapidly +vanishing beneath the combined influence of the bracing air and +exercise, the brilliant sunshine, and her friend's lively sallies. + +Arrived at Ashlands, she found herself received and welcomed with all +the old warmth of affection. Mrs. Carrington folded her to her heart +and wept over her. "My poor boy!" she whispered; "it seems almost to +bring him back again to have you with us once more. But I will not +mourn," she added, wiping her eyes; "for our loss has been his great +gain." + +Tender memories of Herbert, associated with nearly every room in the +house, saddened and subdued Elsie's spirit for a time, yet helped to +banish thoughts of Egerton from her mind. + +But Lucy had a great deal to tell her, and in listening to these +girlish confidences, Herbert was again half forgotten. Lucy too had +spent the past summer in the North, and had there "met her fate." She +was engaged, the course of true love seemed to be running smoothly, +and they expected to marry in a year. + +Elsie listened with interest, sympathizing warmly in her friend's +happiness; but Lucy, who was watching her keenly, noticed a shade of +deep sadness steal over her face. + +"Now I have told you all my secrets," she said, "won't you treat me as +generously, by trusting me with yours?" + +"If I had as happy a tale to tell," replied Elsie, the tears filling +her eyes. + +"You poor dear, what is wrong? Is it that papa refuses his consent." + +Elsie nodded; her heart was too full for speech. + +"What a shame!" cried Lucy. "Does he really mean to keep you single +all your life? is he quite determined to make an old maid of you?" + +"No, oh, no! but he does not believe my friend to be a good man. There +seems to be some sad mistake, and I cannot blame papa; because if Mr. +Egerton really was what he thinks him, it would be folly and sin for +me to have anything to do with him; and indeed I could not give either +hand or heart to one so vile,--a profane swearer, gambler, drunkard, +and rake." + +"Oh, my, no!" and Lucy looked quite horrified; "but you don't believe +him such a villain?" + +"No; on the contrary I think him a truly converted man. I believe +he was a little wild at one time; for he told me he had been; but I +believe, too, that he has truly repented, and therefore ought to be +forgiven." + +"Then I wouldn't give him up if I were you, father or no father," +remarked Lucy, with spirit. + +"But, Lucy, there is the command, 'Children, obey your parents.'" + +"But you are not a child." + +"Hardly more, not of age for more than two years." + +"Well, when you are of age, surely you will consider a lover's claims +before those of a father." + +"No," Elsie answered low and sadly. "I shall never marry without +papa's consent. I love him far too dearly to grieve him so; and it +would be running too fearful a risk." + +"Then you have resigned your lover entirely?" + +"Unless he can some day succeed in convincing papa that he is not so +unworthy." + +"Well, you are a model of filial piety! and deserve to be happy, and I +am ever so sorry for you," cried Lucy, clasping her in her arms, and +kissing her affectionately. + +"Thank you, dear," Elsie said, "but oh, I cannot bear to have my +father blamed. Believing as he does, how could he do otherwise than +forbid all intercourse between us? And he is so very, very kind, so +tenderly affectionate to me. Ah, I could never do without his dear +love!" + +After this, the two had frequent talks together on the same subject, +and though Lucy did not find any fault with Mr. Dinsmore, she yet +pleaded Egerton's cause, urging that it seemed very unfair in Elsie +to condemn him unheard, very hard not to allow him even so much as a +parting word. + +"I had no choice," Elsie said again and again, in a voice full of +tears; "it was papa's command, and I could do nothing but obey. Oh, +Lucy, it was very, very hard for me, too! and yet my father was +doing only his duty, if his judgment of Mr. Egerton's character was +correct." + +One afternoon, when Elsie had been at Ashlands four or five days, Lucy +came flying into her room; "Oh, I'm so glad to find you dressed! You +see I'm in the midst of my toilet, and Scip has just brought up word +that a gentleman is in the parlor asking for the young ladies--Miss +Dinsmore and Miss Carrington. Would you mind going down alone and +entertaining him till I come? do, there's a dear." + +"Who is he?" + +"Scip didn't seem to have quite understood the name; but it must be +some one we both know, and if you don't mind going, it would be a +relief to my nerves to know that he's not sitting there with nothing +to do but count the minutes, and think, 'What an immense time it takes +Miss Carrington to dress. She must be very anxious to make a good +impression upon me.' For you see men are so conceited, they are always +imagining we're laying ourselves out to secure their admiration." + +"I will go down then," Elsie answered, smiling, "and do what I can to +keep him from thinking any such unworthy thoughts of you. But please +follow me as soon as you can." + +The caller had the drawing-room to himself, and as Elsie entered was +standing at the centre-table with his back toward her. As she drew +near, he turned abruptly, caught her hand in his, threw his arm about +her waist, and kissed her passionately, crying in a low tone of +rapturous delight, "My darling, I have you at last! Oh, how I have +suffered from this cruel separation." + +It was Egerton, and for a few moments she forgot everything else, in +her glad surprise at the unexpected meeting. + +He drew her to a sofa, and still keeping his arm about her, poured out +a torrent of fond loverlike words, mingled with tender reproaches that +she had given him up so easily, and protestations of his innocence of +the vices and crimes laid to his charge. + +At first Elsie flushed rosy red, and a sweet light of love and joy +shone in the soft eyes, half veiled by their heavy, drooping lashes; +but as he went on her cheek grew deathly pale, and she struggled to +free herself from his embrace. + +"Let me go!" she cried, in an agitated tone of earnest entreaty, "I +must, indeed I must! I can't stay--I ought not; I should not have come +in, or allowed you to speak to, or touch me. Papa has forbidden all +intercourse between us, and he will be so angry." And she burst into +tears. + +"Then don't go back to him; stay with me, and give me a right to +protect you from his anger. I can't bear to see you weep, and if you +will be mine--my own little wife, you shall never have cause to shed +another tear," he said, drawing her closer to him and kissing them +away. + +"No, no, I cannot, I cannot! You must let me go; indeed you must!" +she cried, shrinking from the touch of his lip upon her cheek, and +averting her face, "I am doing wrong, very wrong to stay, here!" + +"No, I shall hold you fast for a few blissful moments at least;" he +answered, tightening his grasp and repeating his caresses, as she +struggled the harder to be free. "You cannot be so cruel as to refuse +to hear my defence." + +"Oh, I cannot stay another moment--I must not hear another word, for +every instant that I linger I am guilty of a fresh act of disobedience +to papa. I shall be compelled to call for help it you do not loose +your hold." + +He took his arm from her waist, but still held fast to her hand. "No, +don't do that," he said; "think what a talk it would make. I shall +detain you but a moment, and surely you may as well stay that much +longer; 'in for a penny, in for a pound,' you know. Oh, Elsie, can't +you give me a little hope." + +"If you can gain papa's approval, not otherwise." + +"But when you come of age." + +"I shall never marry without my father's consent." + +"Surely you carry your ideas of obedience too far. You owe a duty to +yourself and to me, as well as to your father. Excuse my plainness, +but in the course of nature we shall both outlive him, and is it +right to sacrifice the happiness of our two lives because he has +unfortunately imbibed a prejudice against me?" + +"I could expect no blessing upon a union entered into in direct +opposition to my father's wishes and commands," she answered with sad +and gentle firmness. + +"That's a hard kind of obedience; and I don't think it would answer to +put in practice in all cases," he said bitterly. + +"Perhaps not; I do not attempt to decide for others; but I am +convinced of my own duty; and know too that I should be wretched +indeed, if I had to live under papa's frown. And oh, how I am +disobeying him now! I must go this instant! Release my hand, Mr. +Egerton." And she tried with all her strength to wrench it free. + +"No, no, not yet," he said entreatingly. "I have not given you half +the proofs of my innocence that I can bring forward; do me the simple +justice to stay and hear them." + +She made no reply but half yielded, ceasing her struggles for a +moment. She had no strength to free her hand from his grasp, and could +not bear to call others upon the scene. Trembling with agitation and +eagerness, she waited for his promised proofs; but instead he only +poured forth a continuous stream of protestations, expostulations and +entreaties. + +"Mr. Egerton, I must, I must go," she repeated; "this is nothing to +the purpose, and I cannot stay to hear it." + +A step was heard approaching; he hastily drew her toward him, touched +his lips again to her cheek, released her, and she darted from the +room by one door, as Lucy entered by another. + +"Where is she? gone? what's the matter? wasn't she pleased to see you? +wouldn't she stay?" + +Lucy looked into the disappointed, angry, chagrined face of Egerton, +and in her surprise and vexation piled question upon question without +giving him time to answer. + +"No, the girl's a fool!" he muttered angrily, and turning hastily from +her, paced rapidly to and fro for a moment; then suddenly recollecting +himself, "I beg pardon, Miss Carrington," he said, coming back to +the sofa on which she sat regarding him with a perturbed, displeased +countenance, "I--I forgot myself; but you will perhaps, know how to +excuse an almost distracted lover." + +"Really, sir," returned Lucy coolly, "your words just now did not +sound very lover-like; and would rather lead one to suspect that +possibly Mr. Dinsmore may be in the right." + +He flushed hotly. "What can you mean, Miss Carrington?" + +"That your love is for her fortune rather than for herself." + +"Indeed you wrong me. I adore Miss Dinsmore, and would consider myself +the happiest of mortals could I but secure her hand, even though she +came to me penniless. But she has imbibed the most absurd, ridiculous +ideas of filial duty and refuses to give me the smallest encouragement +unless I can gain her father's consent and approval; which, seeing he +has conceived a violent dislike to me, is a hopeless thing. Now +can you not realize that the more ardent my love for her, the more +frantically impatient I would feel under such treatment?" + +"Perhaps so; men are so different from women; but nothing could ever +make me apply such an epithet to the man I loved." + +"Distracted with disappointed hopes, I was hardly a sane man at the +moment, Miss Carrington," he said deprecatingly. + +"The coveted interview has proved entirely unsatisfactory then?" she +said in a tone of inquiry. + +"Yes; and yet I am most thankful to have had sight and speech of her +once more; truly grateful to you for bringing it about so cleverly. +But--oh, Miss Carrington, could you be persuaded to assist me still +further, you would lay me under lasting obligations!" + +"Please explain yourself, sir," she answered coldly, moving farther +from him, as he attempted to take her hand. + +"Excuse me," he said. "I am not one inclined to take liberties with +ladies; but I am hardly myself to-day; my overpowering emotion--my +half distracted state of mind--" + +Breaking off his sentence abruptly, and putting his hand to his head, +"I believe I shall go mad if I have to resign all hope of winning the +sweet, lovely Elsie," he exclaimed excitedly, "and I see only one way +of doing it. If I could carry her off, and get her quite out of her +father's reach, so that no fear of him need deter her from following +the promptings of her own heart, I am sure I could induce her to +consent to marry me at once. Miss Carrington, will you help me?" + +"Never! If Elsie chooses to run away with you, and wants any +assistance from me, she shall have it; but I will have nothing to do +with kidnapping." + +He urged, entreated, used every argument he could think of, but with +no other effect than rousing Lucy's anger and indignation; "underhand +dealings were not in her line," she told him, and finally--upon his +intimating that what she had already done might be thought to come +under that head--almost ordered him out of the house. + +He went, and hurrying to her friend's room, she found her walking +about it in a state of great agitation, and weeping bitterly. + +"Oh, Lucy, how could you? how could you?" she cried, wringing her +hands and sobbing in pitiable distress. "I had no thought of him when +I went down; I did not know you knew him, or that he was in this part +of the country at all. I was completely taken by surprise, and have +disobeyed papa's most express commands, and he will never forgive me, +never! No, not that either, but he will be very, very angry. Oh, what +shall I do!" + +"Oh, Elsie, dear, don't be so troubled! I am as sorry as I can be," +said Lucy, with tears in her eyes. "I meant to do you a kindness; +indeed I did; I thought it would be a joyful surprise to you. + +"I met him last summer at Saratoga. He came there immediately from +Lansdale, and somehow we found out directly that we both knew you, and +that I was a near neighbor and very old friend of yours; and he told +me the whole story of your love-affair, and quite enlisted me in his +cause; he seemed so depressed and melancholy at your loss, and grieved +so over the hasty way in which your father had separated you,--not +even allowing a word of farewell. + +"He told me he hoped and believed you were still faithful to him in +your heart, but he could not get to see or speak to you, or hold any +correspondence with you. And so I arranged this way of bringing you +together." + +"It was kindly meant, I have no doubt, Lucy, but oh, you don't know +what you have done! I tremble at the very thought of papa's anger when +he hears it; for I have done and permitted things he said he would not +allow for thousands of dollars." + +"Well, dear, I don't think you could help it; and I'm so sorry for my +share in it," said Lucy, putting her arms round her, and kissing her +wet cheek. "But perhaps your father will not be so very angry with +you after all; and at any rate you are too old to be whipped, so a +scolding will be the worst you will be likely to get." + +"He never did whip me, never struck me a blow in his life; but I would +prefer the pain of a dozen whippings to what I expect," said Elsie, +with a fresh burst of tears. + +"What is that, you poor dear?" asked Lucy. "I can't imagine what he +could do worse than beat you." + +"He may put me away from his arms for weeks or months, and be cold, +and stern, and distant to me, never giving me a caress or even so much +as a kind word or look. Oh, if he should do that, how can I bear it!" + +"Well, don't tell him anything about it. I wouldn't, and I don't see +any reason why you should." + +Elsie shook her head sorrowfully. "I must; I never conceal +anything--any secret of my own--from him; and I should feel like a +guilty thing, acting a lie, and could not look him in the face; and he +would know from my very look and manner that something was wrong, and +would question me, and make me tell him all. Lucy, I must go home at +once." + +"No, indeed, you must not. Why, you were to stay a week--two days +longer than this; and if you were ready to start this minute, it would +be quite dark before you could possibly reach the Oaks." + +Elsie looked at her watch, and perceiving that her friend was right, +gave up the idea of going that day, but said she must leave the next +morning. To that Lucy again objected. "I can't bear to lose those two +days of your promised visit," she said, "for if you are determined to +tell your papa all about this, there's no knowing when he will allow +you to come here again." + +"Never, I fear," sighed Elsie. + +"I haven't been able to help feeling a little hard to him on poor +Herbert's account," Lucy went on, "and I believe that had something +to do with my readiness to help Egerton to outwit him in obtaining an +interview with you. But I'll never do anything of the kind again; so +he needn't be afraid to let you come to see us." + +She then told Elsie what had passed in the drawing-room between +Egerton and herself--his request and her indignant refusal. + +It helped to shake Elsie's confidence in the man, and made her still +more remorseful in view of that day's disobedience; for she could +not deceive herself into the belief that she had been altogether +blameless. "As I said before, I can't bear the idea of losing you so +soon," continued Lucy, "but there is still another reason why I must +beg of you to stay till the set time of your leaving. Mamma knows +nothing about this affair, and would be exceedingly displeased with +me, if she should find it out; as of course she must, if you go +to-morrow; as that would naturally call out an explanation. So, dear, +do promise me that you will give up the idea." + +Elsie hesitated, but not liking to bring Lucy into trouble, finally +yielded to her urgent entreaties, and consented to stay. + +All the enjoyment of her visit, however, was over; she felt it +impossible to rest till her father knew all, shed many tears in +secret, and had much ado to conceal the traces of them, and appear +cheerful in the presence of the family. + +But the two wretched days were over at last, and declining the urgent +invitations of her friends to linger with them a little longer, she +bade them an affectionate farewell, and set out for home. + +Jim had been sent to escort her, another servant with the wagon for +Chloe and the luggage. Struck with a sudden fear that she might meet +or be overtaken by Egerton, Elsie ordered Jim to keep up close in the +rear, then touching the whip to her horse, started off at a brisk +canter. Her thoughts were full of the coming interview with her +father, which she dreaded exceedingly, while at the same time she +longed to have it over. She drew rein at the great gates leading into +the grounds, and the servant dismounted and opened them. + +"Jim," she asked, "is your master at home?" + +"Dunno, Miss Elsie, but the missus am gone ober to Ion to spend the +day, an lef' little Marse Horace at Roselands." + +"Why, what's the matter, Jim?" + +"De missus at Ion little bit sick, I b'lieve, Miss Elsie." + +"And papa didn't go with them?" + +"Yes, miss; but he comed right back again, and I 'spect he's in de +house now." + +"Dear papa! he came back to receive me," murmured Elsie to herself, as +she rode on, and a scalding tear fell at the thought of how the loving +look and fond caress with which he was sure to greet her, would be +quickly exchanged for dark frowns, and stern, cold reproofs. + +"Oh, if I were a child again, I believe I should hope he would just +whip me at once, and then forgive me, and it would be all over; but +now--oh, dear! how long will his displeasure last?" + +It was just as she had expected; he was on the veranda, watching for +her coming--hastened forward, assisted her to alight, embraced her +tenderly, then pushing aside her veil, looked searchingly into her +face. + +"What is the matter?" he asked, as her eyes met his for an instant +with a beseeching, imploring glance, then fell beneath his gaze while +her face flushed crimson. + +She tried to answer him, but her tongue refused to do its office, +there was a choking sensation in her throat and her lips quivered. + +He led her into his private study, took off her hat and threw it +aside, and seating her on a sofa, still keeping his arm about her--for +she was trembling very much--asked again, "What is the matter? what +has gone wrong with you, my daughter?" + +His tone, his look, his manner were very gentle and tender; but that +only increased her remorse and self-reproach. + +"Papa, don't be so kind," she faltered; "I--I don't deserve it, for I +have--disobeyed you." + +"Is it possible! when? where? and how? Can it be that you have seen +and spoken with that--scoundrel, Elsie?" + +"Yes, papa." Her voice was very low and tremulous, her heart throbbed +almost to suffocation, her bosom heaved tumultuously, and her color +came and went with every breath. + +He rose and paced hurriedly across the room two or three times, +then coming back to her side, "Tell me all about it," he said +sternly--"every action, every word spoken by either, as far as you can +recall it." + +She obeyed in the same low, tremulous tones in which she had answered +him before, her voice now and then broken by a half-smothered sob, and +her eyes never once meeting his, which she felt were fixed so severely +upon her tearful, downcast face. + +He cross-questioned her till he knew all that had passed nearly as +well as if he had been present through the whole interview, his tones +growing more and more stern and angry. + +"And you dared to permit all that, Elsie?" he exclaimed when she had +finished; "to allow that vile wretch to put his arm around you, hold +your hand in his, for half an hour probably, and even to press his +lips again and again to yours or to your cheek; and that after I had +told you I would not have him take such a liberty with you for half I +am worth; and--" + +"Not to my lips, papa." + +"Then it is not quite so bad as I thought, but bad enough certainly; +and all this after I had positively forbidden you to even so much as +exchange the slightest salutation with him. What am I to think of such +high-handed rebellion?" + +"Papa," she said beseechingly, "is not that too hard a word? I did not +disobey deliberately--I don't think anything could have induced me to +go into that room knowing that he was there. I was taken by surprise, +and when he had got hold of my hand I tried in vain to get it free." + +"Don't attempt to excuse yourself, Elsie. You could have escaped from +him at once, by simply raising your voice and calling for assistance. +I do not believe it would have been impossible to avoid even that +first embrace; and it fairly makes my blood boil to think he succeeded +in giving it to you. How dared you so disobey me as to submit to it?" + +"Papa, at the moment I forgot everything but--but just that he was +there." + +The last words were spoken in a voice scarcely raised above a whisper, +while her head drooped lower and lower and her cheek grew hot with +shame. + +"Did I ever take forgetfulness of my orders as any excuse of +disobedience?" he asked in as stern a tone as he had ever used to her. + +"No, papa; but oh, don't be very angry with me!" + +"I am exceedingly displeased with you, Elsie! so much so that nothing +but your sex saves you from a severe chastisement. And I cannot allow +you to escape punishment. You must be taught that though no longer a +mere child, you are not yet old enough to disobey me with impunity. +Hush!" as she seemed about to speak, "I will not have a word of reply. +Go to your own apartments and consider yourself confined to them till +you hear further from me. Stay!" he added as she rose to obey, "when +did all this occur?" + +She told him in her low, tearful tones, her utterance half choked with +sobs. + +"Two days ago, and yet your confession has been delayed till now. Does +that look like penitence for your fault?" + +She explained why she had not returned home at once; but he refused to +accept the excuse, and ordered her away as sternly as before. + +She obeyed in silence, controlling her feelings by a great effort, +until she had gained the privacy of her own apartments, then giving +way to a fit of almost hysterical weeping. It was years since her +father had been seriously displeased with her, and loving him with +such intense affection, his anger and sternness nearly broke her +heart. + +Her tender conscience pricked her sorely too, adding greatly to her +distress by its reproaches on account of her disobedience and her +delay in confessing it. + +It came to her mind at length that her heavenly Father might be more +tender and forbearing with her, more ready to forgive and restore to +favor, than her earthly one. She remembered the sweet words, "There is +forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." "If any man sin, +we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." She +went to Him with her sin and sorrow, asking pardon for the past and +help for the future. She asked, too, that the anger of her earthly +parent might be turned away; that the Lord would dispose him to +forgive and love her as before. + +She rose from her knees with a heart, though still sad and sorrowful, +yet lightened of more than half its load. + +But the day was a very long one; with a mind so disturbed she could +not settle to any employment, or find amusement in anything. She +passed the time in wandering restlessly from room to room, starting +and trembling as now and then she thought she heard her father's step +or voice, then weeping afresh as she found that he did not come near +her. + +When the dinner-bell rang she hoped he would send, or come to her; but +instead he sent her meal to her; such an one as was usual upon their +table--both luxurious and abundant,--which comforted her with the hope +that he was less displeased with her than at other times when he had +allowed her little more than prison fare. But excitement and mental +distress had brought on a severe headache; she had no appetite, and +sent the food away almost untasted. + +It was mild, beautiful weather in the early spring; such weather as +makes one feel it a trial to be compelled to stay within doors, and +Elsie longed for her favorite retreat in the grounds. + +In the afternoon some ladies called; Mr. Dinsmore was out, and she +dared not go to the drawing room without permission; but her headache +furnished sufficient excuse for declining to see them, and they went +away. + +Shortly after, she heard her father's return. He had not been off the +estate, or out of sight of the house; he was keeping guard over her, +but still did not come near her. + +Just at tea-time she again heard the sound of wheels; then her +father's, mother's, and little brother's voices. + +"Mamma and Horace have come home," she thought with a longing desire +to run out and embrace them. + +"Oh, papa, has sister come home?" she heard the child's voice ask in +eager tones. + +"Yes." + +"Oh, then I must run into her room and kiss her!" + +"No, you must not; stay here." + +"But why mustn't I go to sister, papa?" + +"Because I forbid it." + +Every word of the short colloquy reached Elsie's ear, adding to her +grief and dismay. Was she, then, to be separated from all the rest of +the family? did her father fear that she would exert a bad influence +over Horace, teaching him to be disobedient and wilful? How deeply +humbled and ashamed she felt at the thought. + +Rose gave her husband a look of surprised, anxious inquiry. "Is Elsie +sick, dear?" she asked. + +"No, Rose, but she is in disgrace with me," he answered in an +undertone, as he led the way into the house. + +"Horace, you astonish me! what can she have done to displease you?" + +"Come in here; and I will tell you," he said, throwing open the door +of his study. + +Rose listened in silence, while he repeated to her the substance of +Elsie's confession, mingled with expressions of his own anger and +indignation. + +"Poor child!" murmured Rose, as he concluded; "Horace, don't be hard +with her; she must have suffered a great deal in these last three +days." + +"Yes," he answered in a moved tone; "when I think of that, I can +scarcely refrain from going to her, taking her in my arms, and +lavishing caresses and endearments upon her; but then comes the +thought of her allowing that scoundrel to do the same, and I am ready +almost to whip her for it." His face flushed hotly, and his dark eyes +flashed as he spoke. + +"Oh, my dear!" exclaimed Rose, half frightened at his vehemence, "you +cannot mean it?" + +"Rose," he said, pacing to and fro in increasing excitement, "the +fellow is a vile wretch, whose very touch I esteem pollution to a +sweet, fair, innocent young creature like my daughter. I told her so, +and positively forbade her to so much as look at him, or permit him +to see her face, if it could be avoided, or to recognize, or hold the +slightest communication with him in any way. Yet in defiance of all +this, she allows him to take her hand and hold it for, I don't know +how long, put his arm around her waist and kiss her a number of times. +Now what does such disobedience deserve?" + +"Had she no excuse to offer?" + +"Excuse? Yes, she did not disobey deliberately--was taken by +surprise--forgot everything but that he was there." + +"Well, my dear," and Rose's hand was laid affectionately on his arm, +while a tender smile played about her mouth, and her sweet blue eyes +looked fondly into his. "You know how it is with lovers, if you will +only look back a very few years. I think there were times when you and +I forgot that there was anybody in the wide world but just our two +selves." + +A smile, a tender caress, a few very lover-like words, and resuming +his gravity and seriousness, Mr. Dinsmore went on: "But you forget +the odious character of the man. If I had objected to him from mere +prejudice or whim, it would have been a very different thing." + +"But you know Elsie does not believe--" + +"She ought to believe what her father tells her," he interrupted +hotly; "but believe or not, she must and shall obey me; and if she +does not I shall punish her." + +"And to do that, you need only look coldly on her, and refrain from +giving her caresses and endearing words. Such treatment from her +dearly loved father would of itself be sufficient, very soon, to crush +her tender, sensitive spirit." + +His face softened, the frown left his brow, and the angry fire his +eye. "My poor darling!" he murmured, with a sigh, his thoughts going +back to a time of estrangement between them long years ago. "Yes, +Rose, you are right; she is a very tender, delicate, sensitive plant, +and it behooves her father to be exceeding gentle and forbearing with +her." + +"Then you will forgive her, and take her to your heart again?" + +"Yes--if she is penitent;--and tell her that she owes it to her +mother's intercession; for I had intended to make her feel herself in +disgrace for days or weeks." + +Chloe was at that moment carrying a large silver waiter, filled with +delicacies, into the apartments of her young mistress. "Now, darlin', +do try to eat to please your ole mammy," she said coaxingly, as she +set it down before her. "I'se taken lots ob pains to fix up dese tings +dat my pet chile so fond ob." + +Elsie's only answer was a sad sort of smile; but for the sake of the +loving heart that had prompted the careful preparation of the tempting +meal--the loving eyes that watched her as she ate, she tried to do her +best. + +Only half satisfied with the result, Chloe bore the waiter away again, +while Elsie seated herself in a large easy-chair that was drawn up +close to the glass doors opening upon the lawn and laying her head +back upon its cushions, turned her eyes toward the outer world, +looking longingly upon the shaded alleys and gay parterres, the lawn +with its velvet carpet of emerald green, where a fountain cast up +its cool showers of spray, and long shadows slept, alternating with +brilliant patches of ruddy light from the slowly sinking sun. + +She sighed deeply, and her eyes filled with tears. "How long should +she be forbidden to wander there at her own sweet will?" + +A soft, cool hand was gently laid upon her aching brow, and looking +up she saw her father standing by her side. She had not heard his +approach, for his slippered feet made no noise in passing over the +rich velvet carpet. + +His face was grave, but no longer stern or angry. "Does your head +ache, daughter?" he asked almost tenderly. + +"Yes, papa; but not half so badly as my heart does," she answered, +a tear rolling quickly down her cheek. "I am so sorry for my +disobedience. Oh, papa, will you forgive me?" And her eyes sought +his with the imploring look he ever found it well-nigh impossible to +resist. + +"Yes, I will--I do," he said, stooping to press a kiss upon the +quivering lips. "I had thought I ought to keep you in disgrace some +time longer, but your mamma has pleaded for you, and for her sake--and +for the sake of a time, long ago, when I caused my little girl much +undeserved suffering," he added, his tones growing tremulous with +emotion, "I forgive and receive you back into favor at once." + +She threw her arm about his neck, and as he drew her to his breast, +laid her head down there, weeping tears of joy and thankfulness. +"Dear, kind mamma! and you too, best and dearest of fathers! I don't +deserve it," she sobbed. "I am afraid I ought to be punished for such +disobedience." + +"I think you have been," he said pityingly, "the last three days can +hardly have been very happy ones to you." + +"No, papa; very, very wretched." + +"My poor child! Ah, I must take better care of my precious one in +future. I shall allow you to go nowhere without either your mother or +myself to guard and protect you. Also, I shall break off your intimacy +with Lucy Carrington; she is henceforth to be to you a mere speaking +acquaintance; come, now we will take a little stroll through the +grounds. The cool air will, I hope, do your head good." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + 'Twas the doubt that thou wert false, + That wrung my heart with pain; + But now I know thy perfidy, + I shall be well again. + + --BRYANT. + + +Elsie submitted without a murmur to her father's requirements and +restrictions; but though there was nothing else to remind her that she +had been for one sad day in disgrace with him--his manner toward her +having again all the old tender fondness--she did not fully recover +her spirits, but, spite of her struggles to be cheerful and hopeful, +seemed often depressed, and grew pale and thin day by day. + +Her father noticed it with deep concern and anxiety. "Something +must be done," he said one day to his wife; "the child is drooping +strangely, and I fear will lose her health. I must try what change +will do for her. What do you say to a year in Europe?" + +"For all of us?" + +"Yes, for you and me and our two children." + +"It might be very pleasant, and Elsie has never been." + +"No; I have always meant to take her, but found home so enjoyable that +I have put it off from year to year." + +Elsie entered the room as he spoke. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, making room for her on the sofa by his +side. "I was just saying to mamma that I think of taking you all to +Europe for a year. How should you like that?" + +"Oh, very much, papa!" she answered, looking up brightly; "I should so +enjoy seeing all the places you have told me of,--all the scenes of +your adventures when you travelled there before." + +"Then I think we will go. Shall we not, mamma?" + +"Yes; but I must pay a visit home first, and do some preparatory +shopping in Philadelphia. Can we go on in time to spend some weeks +there before sailing?" + +"You might, my dear; but I shall have to stay behind to arrange +matters here; which will take some time, in contemplation of so +lengthened an absence from the estate." + +"Then I suppose we must have a temporary separation," said Rose, in a +jesting tone; "I had better take the children and go home at once, so +that Elsie and I can be getting through our shopping, etc., while you +are busy here." + +"No, Rose; you may go, and take Horace with you, if you like; but +Elsie must stay with me. I cannot trust her even with you!" + +"Oh, papa!" And the sweet face flushed crimson, the soft eyes filled +with tears. + +"I think you misunderstand me, daughter," he said kindly; "I do not +mean that I fear you would fail in obedience to my commands or my +wishes; but that I must keep you under my protection. Besides, I +cannot possibly spare all my treasures--wife, son, and daughter--at +once. Would you wish to go and leave me quite alone?" + +"Oh no, no, indeed, you dear, dearest father!" she cried, putting her +arm round his neck, and gazing in his face with eyes beaming with joy +and love. + +"Yours is the better plan, I believe, my dear," said Rose. "I would +rather not have you left alone, and I think I could do what is +necessary for Elsie, in the way of shopping and ordering dresses made, +if she likes to trust me." + +So it was arranged; three days after this conversation Mrs. Dinsmore +left for Philadelphia, taking little Horace with her, and a fortnight +later Mr. Dinsmore followed with Elsie. + +Dearly as the young girl loved Rose and her little brother, it had yet +been an intense pleasure to her to have her father all to herself, and +be everything to him for those two weeks; and she was almost sorry to +have them come to an end. + +It was late at night when they reached the City of Brotherly Love. Mr. +Allison's residence was several miles distant from the depot, but his +carriage was there in waiting for them. + +"Are the family all well, Davis?" inquired Mr. Dinsmore, addressing +the coachman, as he placed Elsie in the vehicle. + +"All well, sir; Mrs. Dinsmore and the little boy too." + +"Ah, I am thankful for that. You may drive on at once. My man John +will call a hack and follow us with Aunt Chloe and the baggage." + +"Did you give John the checks, papa?" asked Elsie as he took his seat +by her side, and Davis shut the carriage door. + +"Yes. How weary you look, my poor child! There, lean on me," and he +put his arm about her and made her lay her head on his shoulder. + +They drove on rapidly, passing through several comparatively silent +and deserted streets, then suddenly the horses slackened their pace, +a bright light shone in at the carriage window and the hum of +many voices and sound of many feet attracted the attention of the +travellers. + +Elsie started and raised her head, asking, "What is it, papa?" + +"We are passing a theatre, and it seems the play is just over, judging +by the crowds that are pouring from its doors." + +Davis reined in his horses to avoid running over those who were +crossing the street, and Elsie, glancing from the window, caught sight +of a face she knew only too well. Its owner was in the act of stepping +from the door of the theatre, and staggered as he did so--would have +fallen to the ground had he not been held up by his companion, a +gaudily dressed, brazen-faced woman, whose character there was no +mistaking. + +"Ha, ha, Tom!" she cried, with a loud and boisterous laugh, "I saved +you from a downfall that time; which I'll be bound is more than that +Southern heiress of yours would have done." + +"Now don't be throwing her up to me again, Bet," he answered thickly, +reeling along so close to our travellers that they caught the scent of +his breath; "I tell you again she can't hold a candle to you, and I +never cared for her; it was the money I was after." + +Mr. Dinsmore saw a deadly pallor suddenly overspread his daughter's +face; for a single instant her eyes sought his with an expression of +mute despairing agony that wrung his heart; then all was darkness as +again the carriage rolled rapidly onward. + +"My poor, poor darling!" he murmured, drawing her close to him and +folding his arms about her as if he would shield her from every danger +and evil, while hers crept around his neck and her head dropped upon +his breast. + +The carriage rattled on over the rough stones. Elsie clung with +death-like grasp to her father, shudder after shudder shaking her +whole frame, in utter silence at first, but at length, as they came +upon a smoother road and moved with less noise and jolting, "Papa," +she whispered, "oh, what a fearful, fearful fate you have saved me +from! Thank God for a father's protecting love and care!" + +"Thank Him that I have my darling safe." he responded in a deeply +moved tone, and caressing her with exceeding tenderness. + +In another moment they had stopped before Mr. Allison's door, which +was thrown wide open almost on the instant; for Rose and Edward were +up, waiting and listening for their coming. + +"Come at last! glad to see you!" cried the latter, springing down +the steps to greet his brother-in-law as he alighted. Then, as Mr. +Dinsmore turned, lifted his daughter from the carriage, and half +carried her into the house, "But what's the matter? Elsie ill? hurt? +have you had an accident?" + +Rose stood waiting in the hall. "My dear husband!" she exclaimed in a +tone of mingled affection, surprise, and alarm. "What is it? what is +wrong with our darling? Come this way, into the sitting-room, and lay +her on the sofa." + +"She has received a heavy blow, Rose, but I think--I hope it will turn +out for her good in the end," he said low and tremulously, as he laid +her down. + +She seemed in a half-fainting condition, and Edward rushed away in +search of restoratives. + +Rose asked no more questions at the time, nor did her husband give any +further information, but in silence, broken only now and then by +a subdued whisper, they both devoted their energies to Elsie's +restoration. + +"Shall I go for a doctor?" asked Edward. + +"No, thank you. I think she will be better presently," answered Mr. +Dinsmore. + +"I am better now," murmured Elsie feebly. "Papa, if you will help me +up to bed, I shall do very well." + +"Can't you eat something first?" asked Rose, "I have a nice little +supper set out in the next room for papa and you." + +Elsie shook her head, and sighed, "I don't think I could, mamma; I am +not at all hungry." + +"I want you to try, though," said her father; "it is some hours now +since you tasted food, and I think you need it," and lifting her +tenderly in his arms he carried her into the supper-room, where he +seated her at the table in an easy-chair which Edward hastily wheeled +up for her use. + +To please her father she made a determined effort, and succeeded in +swallowing a few mouthfuls. After that he helped her to her room and +left her in the care of Rose and Chloe. + +Having seen with her own eyes, and heard with her own ears, Elsie +could no longer doubt the utter unworthiness of Egerton, or his +identity with Tom Jackson; of whose vices and crimes she had heard +from both her father and Walter, with whom she still kept up a +correspondence. She loved him no longer; nay, she had never loved him; +her affection had been bestowed upon the man she believed him to be, +not the man that he was. But now the scales had fallen from her eyes, +she saw him in all his hideous moral deformity, and shrank with horror +and loathing from the recollection that his arm had once encircled +her waist, his lip touched her cheek. She could now appreciate her +father's feelings of anger and indignation on learning that she had +permitted such liberties, and felt more deeply humbled and penitent on +account of it than ever before. + +She slept little that night, and did not leave her room for several +days. The sudden shock had quite unnerved her; but the cause of her +illness remained a secret between herself and her parents, who watched +over her with the tenderest solicitude, and spared no effort to +cheer and comfort her. She seemed at this time to shrink from all +companionship but theirs, although she and her mamma's younger +brothers and sisters had always entertained a warm friendship for each +other. + +On the fourth day after their arrival her father took her out for +a drive, and returning left her resting on the sofa in her +dressing-room, while he and Rose went for a short walk. + +The door-bell rang, and presently Chloe came up with a very smiling +face to ask if "Marse Walter" might come in. + +"Walter?" cried Elsie, starting up. "Yes, indeed!" + +She had scarcely spoken the words before he was there beside her, +shaking hands, and kissing her, saying with a gay boyish laugh, "I +suppose your uncle has a right?" + +"Yes, certainly; though I don't know when, he ever claimed it before. +But oh, how glad I am to gee you! and how you've grown and improved. +Sit down, do. There's an easy-chair. + +"Excuse my not getting up; papa bade me lie and rest for an hour." + +"Thanks, yes; and I know you always obey orders. And so you're on the +sick list? what's the matter?" + +An expression of pain crossed her features and the color faded from +her cheek. "I have been ailing a little," she said, "but am better +now. How is Arthur?" + +"H'm! well enough physically, but--in horrible disgrace with papa. +You've no idea, Elsie, to what an extent that Tom Jackson has fleeced +him. He's over head and ears in debt, and my father's furious. He has +put the whole matter into Horace's hands for settlement. Did he tell +you about it?" + +"No, he only said he expected to go to Princeton to-morrow to attend +to some business. He would have gone sooner, but didn't like to leave +me." + +"Careful of you as ever! that's right. I say, Elsie, I think Horace +has very sensible ideas about matters and things." + +"Do you? I own I think so myself," she answered with a quiet smile. + +"Yes; you see Arthur is in debt some thousands, a good share of it +what they call debts of honor. Papa had some doubt as to whether they +ought to be paid, and asked Horace what was his opinion. Adelaide +wrote me the whole story, you see. Here, I'll give it to you in his +exact words, as she reports them," he added, taking a letter from his +pocket and reading aloud, "'Father, don't think of such a thing! Why, +surely it would be encouraging gambling, which is a ruinous vice; and +paying a man for robbing and cheating. I would, if necessary, part +with the last cent to pay an honest debt; but a so-called debt of +honor (of dishonor would be more correct) I would not pay if I had +more money than I could find other uses for.' And I think he was +right. Don't you?" concluded Walter. + +"I think papa is always right." + +"Yes? Well, I was afraid you didn't think he was in regard to +that--fellow you met out in Lansdale; I've been wanting to see you to +tell you what I know of the scoundrelism of Tom Jackson, and the proof +that they are one and the same." + +"Yes, I know, I--I believe it now, Walter, and--But don't let us speak +of it again," she faltered, turning deathly pale and almost gasping +for breath. + +"I won't; I didn't know you'd mind; I--I'm very sorry," he stammered, +looking anxious, and vexed with himself. + +"Never mind; I shall soon learn not to care. Now tell me about Arthur. +Will he stay and finish his course?" + +"No; papa says his patience is worn out, and his purse can stand no +more such drains as Arthur has put upon it two or three times already. +So he is to leave and go home as soon as Horace has settled up his +affairs." + +"And you?" + +"I hope to go on and to graduate in another year." + +"Oh, Wal, I'm so glad! so thankful you have'nt followed in poor +Arthur's footsteps." + +"He wouldn't let me, Elsie; he actually wouldn't. I know I'm lacking +in self-reliance and firmness, and if Art had chosen to lead me wrong, +I'm afraid he'd have succeeded. But he says, poor fellow! that it's +enough for one to be a disgrace to the family, and has tried to keep +me out of temptation. And you can't think how much my correspondence +with you has helped to keep me straight. Your letters always did me so +much good." + +"Oh, thank you for telling me that!" she cried, with bright, glad +tears glistening in her eyes. + +"No, 'tis I that owe thanks to you," he said, looking down +meditatively at the carpet and twirling his watch-key between his +finger and thumb. + +"Poor Art! this ought to have been his last year, and doubtless would +if he had only kept out of bad company." + +"Ah, Wal, I hope that you will never forget that 'evil communications +corrupt good manners.'" + +"I hope not, Elsie. I wish you could stay and attend our commencement. +What do you say? Can't you? It comes off in about a fortnight." + +"No, Wal. I'm longing to get away, and papa has engaged our passage +in the next steamer. But perhaps we may return in time to see you +graduate next year." + +"What, in such haste to leave America! I'm afraid you're losing your +patriotism," he said playfully. + +"Ah, it is no want of love for my dear native land that makes me +impatient to be gone!" she answered half sadly. + +"And are you really to be gone a year?" + +"So papa intends, but of course everything in this world is +uncertain." + +"I shall look anxiously for my European letters, and expect them to be +very interesting." + +"I'll do my best, Wal," she said languidly, "but I don't feel, just +now, as if I could ever write anything worth reading." + +"I think I never saw you so blue," he said in a lively, jesting tone. +"I must tell you of the fun we fellows have, and if it doesn't make +you wish yourself one of us--Well," and he launched out into an +animated description of various practical jokes played off by the +students upon their professors or on each other. + +He succeeded at length in coaxing some of the old brightness into the +sweet face, and Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, mounting the stairs on their +return from their walk, exchanged glances of delighted surprise at the +sound of a silvery laugh which had not greeted their ears for days. + +Walter received a hearty welcome from both. His visit, though +necessarily short, was of real service to Elsie, doing much to rouse +her out of herself and her grief; thus beginning the cure which +time and change of scene--dulling the keen edge of sorrow and +disappointment, and giving pleasant occupation to her thoughts--would +at length carry on to completion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + "The shaken tree grows firmer at the roots; + So love grows firmer for some blasts of doubt." + + +It was two years or more since the Oaks had suffered the temporary +loss of its master and mistress, yet they had not returned; they still +lingered on foreign shores, and Mrs. Murray, who had been left at +the head of household affairs, looked in vain for news of their +home-coming. + +She now and then received a short business letter from Mr. Dinsmore +or of directions from Rose; or a longer one from the latter or Elsie, +giving entertaining bits of travel, etc.; and occasionally Adelaide +would ride over from Roselands and delight the old housekeeper's +heart by reading aloud a lively gossipy epistle one or the other had +addressed to her. + +How charmed and interested were both reader and listener; especially +when they came upon one of Rose's graphic accounts of their +presentation at court--in London, Paris, Vienna, or St. +Petersburg--wherein she gave a minute description of Elsie's dress +and appearance, and dwelt with motherly pride and delight upon the +admiration everywhere accorded to the beauty and sweetness of the +lovely American heiress. + +It was a great gratification to Adelaide's pride in her niece to learn +that more than one coronet had been laid at her feet; yet she was not +sorry to hear that they had been rejected with the gentle firmness +which she knew Elsie was capable of exercising. + +"But what more could the bairn or her father desire? would he keep the +sweet lassie single a' her days, Miss Dinsmore?" asked Mrs. Murray +when Adelaide told her this. + +"No," was the smiling rejoinder; "I know he would be very loath to +resign her; but this is Elsie's own doing. She says the man for whom +she would be willing to give up her native land must be very dear +indeed, that her hand shall never be given without her heart, and that +it still belongs more to her father than to any one else." + +"Ah, that is well, Miss Adelaide. I hae been sorely troubled aboot my +sweet bairn. I never breathed the thoct to ither mortal ear, but when +they cam hame frae that summer in the North, she was na the blythe +young thing she had been; and there was that in the wistfu' and +hungered look o' her sweet een--when she turned them whiles upon her +father--that made me think some ane he didna approve had won the +innocent young heart." + +"Ah, well, Mrs. Murray, whatever may have been amiss then, is all over +now. My sister writes me that Elsie seems very happy, and as devotedly +attached to her father as ever, insisting that no one ever can be so +dear to her as he." + +Mrs. Dinsmore's last letter was dated Naples, and there they still +lingered. + +One bright spring day they were out sight-seeing, and had wandered +into a picture-gallery which they had visited once or twice before. +Rose had her husband's arm. Elsie held her little brother's hand in +hers. + +"Sister," said the child, "look at those ladies and gentlemen. They +are English, aren't they?" + +"Yes; I think so," Elsie answered, following the direction of his +glance; "a party of English tourists. No, one of the gentlemen looks +like an American." + +"That one nearest this way? I can only see his side face, but I think +he is the handsomest. Don't you?" + +"Yes; and he has a fine form too, an easy, graceful carriage, and +polished manners," she added, as at that moment he stooped to pick +up a handkerchief, dropped by one of the ladies of his party, and +presented it to its owner. + +Elsie was partial to her own countrymen, and unaccountably to herself, +felt an unusual interest in this one. She watched him furtively, +wondering who he was, and thinking that in appearance and manners he +compared very favorably with the counts, lords, and dukes who in the +past two years had so frequently hovered about her, and hung upon her +smiles. + +But her father called her attention to something in the painting he +and Rose were examining, and when she turned to look again for the +stranger and his companions, she perceived that they were gone. + +"Papa," she asked, "did you notice that party of tourists?" + +"Not particularly. What about them?" + +"I am quite certain one of the gentlemen was an American; and I half +fancied there was something familiar in his air and manner." + +"Ah! I wish you had spoken of it while he was here, that I might have +made sure whether he were an old acquaintance. But come," he added, +taking out his watch, "it is time for us to return home." + +The Dinsmores were occupying an old palace, the property of a noble +family whose decayed fortunes compelled the renting of their +ancestral home. In the afternoon of the day of their visit to the +picture-gallery Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter were seated in its +spacious saloon, she beside a window overlooking the street, he at +a little distance from her, and near to a table covered with books, +magazines, and newspapers. That day had brought him a heavy mail from +America, and he was examining the New York and Philadelphia dailies +with keen interest. + +Elsie was evidently paying no heed to what might be passing in the +street. A bit of fancy work gave employment to her fingers, while her +thoughts were busy with the contents of a letter received from her +Aunt Adelaide that morning. + +It brought ill news. Arthur had been seriously injured by a railroad +accident and, it was feared, was crippled for life. But that was not +all. Dick Percival--whom Enna had married nearly two years before--had +now become utterly bankrupt, having wasted his patrimony in rioting +and drunkenness, losing large sums at the gaming-table; and his young +wife, left homeless and destitute, had been compelled to return to her +father's house with her infant son. + +Mr. Dinsmore uttered a slight exclamation. + +"What is it, papa?" asked Elsie, lifting her eyes to meet his fixed +upon her with an expression of mingled gratitude and tenderness. + +"Come here," he said, and as she obeyed he drew her to his knee, +passing his arm about her waist, and, holding the paper before her, +pointed to a short paragraph which had just caught his eye. + +She read it at a glance; her face flushed, then paled; she put her arm +about his neck, and laid her cheek to his, while tears trembled in the +sweet eyes, as soft and beautiful as ever. + +For a moment neither spoke; then she murmured in low, quivering tones +the same words that had fallen from her lips two years ago,--"Thank +God for a father's protecting love and care!" + +"Thank Him that I have my daughter safe in my arms," he said, +tightening his clasp about her slender waist. "Ah, my own precious +child, how could I ever have borne to see you sacrificed to that +wretch!" + +They had just learned that Tom Jackson had been tried for manslaughter +and for forgery, found guilty on both charges, and sentenced to the +State's Prison for a long term of years. + +They were quiet again for a little; then Elsie said, "Papa, I want to +ask you something." + +"Well, daughter, say on." + +"I have been thinking how sad it must be for poor Enna to find herself +so destitute, and that I should like to settle something upon her--say +ten or twenty thousand dollars, if I may--" + +"My dear child," he said with a smile, "I have no control over you +now as regards the disposal of your property. Do you forget that you +passed your majority three weeks ago?" + +"No, papa, I have not forgotten; but I don't mean ever to do anything +of importance without your approval. So please make up your mind that +I'm always to be your own little girl; never more than eighteen or +twenty to you. Now won't you answer my question about Enna?" + +"I think it would be quite as well, or better, to defer any such +action for the present. It won't hurt Enna to be made to feel poor and +dependent for a time; she needs the lesson; and her parents will not +allow her to suffer privation of any sort. Ah, here comes mamma in +walking attire. We are going out for perhaps an hour; leaving house, +servants, and the little ones in your charge. Horace, be careful to do +just as your sister tells you." + +"Yes, papa, I will," answered the child, who had come in with his +mother, and had a book in his hand. "Will you help me with my lesson, +Elsie, and hear me say it when it is learned?" + +"Yes, that I will. Here's a stool for you close by my side," she said, +going back to her seat by the window. + +"Good-bye, dears, we won't be gone long." said Rose, taking her +husband's arm. + +Elsie and Horace watched them till they had passed out of sight far +down the street, then returned to their employments; her thoughts +now going back, not to Roselands, but to Lansdale, Ashlands, and +Philadelphia; memory and imagination bringing vividly before her each +scene of her past life in which Egerton had borne a part. Did any of +the old love come back? No, for he was not the man who had won her +esteem and affection; and even while sending up a silent petition for +his final conversion, she shuddered at the thought of her past danger, +and was filled with gratitude to God and her father at the remembrance +of her narrow escape. + +Her brother's voice recalled her from her musings. "Look, sister," he +exclaimed, glancing from the window, "there is the very same gentleman +we saw this morning! and see, he's crossing the street! I do believe +he's coming here." + +Elsie looked, recognized the stranger, and perceived, with a slight +emotion of surprise and pleasure, that he was approaching their door. +That he was her countryman, and perhaps direct from her dear native +land, was sufficient to make him a welcome visitor. + +The next moment John threw open the door of the saloon and announced, +"A gentleman from America!" + +"One who brings no letter of introduction; yet hopes for an audience +of you, fair lady," he said, coming forward with smiling countenance +and outstretched hand. + +"Mr. Travilla! can it be possible!" she cried, starting up in joyful +astonishment, and hastening to bid him welcome. + +"You are not sorry to see me then, my little friend?" he said, taking +her offered hand and pressing it in both of his. + +"Sorry, my dear sir! what a question! Were you not always a most +welcome guest in my father's house? and if welcome at home, much more +so here in a foreign land." + +Mr. Travilla looked into the sweet face, more beautiful than ever, and +longed to treat her with the affectionate freedom of former days, yet +refrained; the gentle dignity of her manner seeming to forbid it, +pleased and cordial as was her greeting. + +He turned to Horace and shook hands with him, remarking that he had +grown very much. + +"I am very glad to see you, sir," said the boy. + +"You have not forgotten me then?" + +"Ah, no, indeed; and I can't think how it was that sister and I did +not know you yesterday in the picture-gallery; though we knew you were +an American!" + +"Ah, were you there? How blind I must have been!" and he turned to +Elsie again. + +"We were there for but a few minutes before your party left; and quite +at the other end of that long gallery," she said. "But I am surprised +that I failed to recognize you, even at that distance. But I had no +thought of your being in the country. How delighted papa will be +to see you. He has often spoken of the old times when you and he +travelled over Europe together, and wished that you were with him on +this trip. He and mamma have gone out, but will be in presently." + +Elsie had many inquiries to make in regard to the health and welfare +of relatives and friends, and the old family servants at the Oaks; Mr. +Travilla numerous questions to ask concerning all that she had seen +and done since leaving America. But in the midst of it all she +exclaimed, "Ah, you must see our little Frenchwoman! such a darling as +she is!" + +"I'll ring the bell, sister," said Horace, seeing her glance toward +it. + +John appeared in answer, was ordered to tell the nurse to bring the +baby, and a neatly dressed middle-aged woman presently entered the +room, carrying a lovely infant a little more than a year old. + +"See, is she not a darling?" said Elsie, taking it in her arms. "She +has mamma's own sweet pretty blue eyes, and is named for her. Our +Rosebud we call her. Papa gave her the name, and he says she is as +much like her mother as I am like mine. You don't know, Mr. Travilla, +how glad I was when she came to us; it was something so new and +delightful to have a sister of my own. Ah, I love her dearly, and she +returns my affection. There, see her lay her little head down on my +shoulder." + +Mr. Travilla admired and caressed the little creature, coaxed her to +come to him for a moment, and the nurse carried her away. + +"When do you return home, Elsie?" he asked. + +"In the fall. Mr. and Mrs. Perris, mamma's grandparents, have their +golden wedding in October. Sophy expects to be married at the same +time, and of course we wish to be present on the occasion. We have +yet to visit Turin, Venice, and Munich. After seeing these places we +intend to spend the rest of the summer in Switzerland, sailing for +America some time in September. Ah, here are papa and mamma!" she +added as the two entered the room together. + +"Travilla! what favorable wind blew you here?" cried Mr. Dinsmore, +shaking his friend's hand, in almost boyish delight. + +"A westerly one, I believe," answered Travilla, laughing and shaking +hands with Rose, who looked scarcely less pleased than her husband. +"They think at Roselands and the Oaks that your year is a very long +one, or that you have lost your reckoning, and were anxious to send +a messenger to assist you in recovering it; so I volunteered my +services." + +"Ah, that was kind! but to be able to do so to advantage you will need +to take up your abode with us for the present, and to make one of our +party when we start again upon our travels." + +"Of course you will," added Rose; "we always consider you one of the +family; a sort of brother to us and uncle to the children." + +"Thank you, you are most kind," he said, a slight flush suffusing his +cheek for an instant, while his eyes involuntarily sought Elsie's face +with a wistful, longing look. + +Her father turned laughingly to her. "Is this your stranger of the +picture-gallery? ah, are you not ashamed of failing to recognize so +old a friend?" + +"Yes, papa, but I did not catch sight of his full face, and he was +at quite a distance, and I never thinking of the possibility that he +could be anywhere out of America." + +"And time makes changes in us all--is fast turning me into a quiet +middle-aged man." + +"You are very kind to furnish another excuse for my stupidity," said +Elsie, smiling, "but I really cannot see that you have changed in the +least since I saw you last." + +"And no stranger would ever think of pronouncing you over thirty," +added Rose. + +"Ah, you flatter me, fair ladies," returned Mr. Travilla, smiling and +shaking his head. + +"No, I can vouch for the truthfulness and honesty of both," said Mr. +Dinsmore. + +Mr. Travilla did not hesitate to accept his friend's invitation, +knowing that it was honestly given, and feeling that he could not +decline it without doing violence to his own inclination. He made one +of their party during the rest of their stay in Europe and on the +voyage to America. + +His presence was most welcome to all; he saw no reason to doubt that, +and yet Elsie's manner sometimes saddened and depressed him. Not that +there was ever in it anything approaching to coolness, but it lacked +the old delightful familiarity, instead of which there was now a quiet +reserve, a gentle dignity, that kept him at a distance, and while +increasing his admiration for the fair girl, made him sigh for the old +childish days when she was scarcely under more constraint with him +than with her father. + +Our little party reached Philadelphia a fortnight before the golden +wedding. They found the handsome city residence of the Allisons +occupied by the family, and full of the pleasant stir and bustle of +preparation for the eventful day which was to witness the celebration +of the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris, and +the marriage of their granddaughter. + +Sophy, while paying a visit to Rose in her Southern home, had won the +heart of Harry Carrington, and they had been engaged a year or more. +Harry had once indulged in a secret penchant for Elsie; but now he +would not have exchanged his merry, blue-eyed Sophy for her, or for +any other lady in the land. + +The young couple were married at church, very early in the evening, +Elsie acting as first bridesmaid. Returning to the house the bridal +party were ushered into the drawing-room, which they found richly +ornamented with evergreens and flowers. In the centre rose a pyramid +of rare and beautiful blossoms, filling the air with their delicious +perfume. Above that was a wide arch of evergreens bearing the +monograms of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris, placed between the dates of their +marriage and of this anniversary. + +The old bride and groom sat together beneath the arch on one side of +the pyramid, while the newly-married pair took up a similar position, +upon the other. + +Only the family and near connections were present for the first half +hour. The eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris made a short address, +thanking his aged parents for their unselfish love and devotion to +their offspring, and exhorting the youthful bride and groom to follow +in their footsteps. Upon the conclusion of this little speech, +gifts were presented by children and grandchildren, and letters of +congratulation, in both poetry and prose, from absent friends were +read. + +After this the doors were thrown open to the invited guests, and for +the remainder of the evening the house was thronged with the elite of +the city, and with friends and acquaintances from other parts of the +country. + +Among the latter were Adelaide and Walter Dinsmore, and Mr. Travilla +and his mother. The last named was seated in the corner of a sofa, her +son standing by her side. + +He heard a low-breathed sigh, noted the quivering of her lip and +the gathering tears in the gentle eyes, as she turned them upon the +gray-haired bride and groom, and he knew that her thoughts were with +the early dead, the husband and father whose image he could scarcely +recall. His heart swelled with tender pitying, protecting love, as he +thought of her long, lonely widowhood, and of all that she had been +and still was to him. + +But her gaze wandered to the pair standing just upon the threshold of +married life; and smiling up at him, "They are a handsome couple," she +said; "how proud and happy Harry looks! Ah, Edward, when will your +turn come?" + +He shook his head with a rather melancholy smile. + +"It is your own fault, I am sure," she continued in a playful tone; +"there are plenty of pretty girls and charming young widows who would +like well to be mistress of Ion, and I am growing old, and sometimes +feel that I would be glad to resign the sceptre to younger hands." + +He gave her a glance of affectionate concern. "I shall look for a +housekeeper immediately. I ought to have thought of it before." + +"No, no, it is a daughter I want," she returned still playfully. "I +have often wondered how it has come to pass that my warm-hearted boy +seems so perfectly invulnerable to Cupid's darts." + +"All seeming, mother," he answered lightly, but with a wistful +yearning look in his eyes which were fixed upon a little group on the +farther side of the room; "to tell you a secret," and he bent down, +that the low-breathed words might catch her ear alone, "I have been +hopelessly in love for many years." + +She started with surprise,--for there was the ring of deep, earnest +feeling beneath the jesting tone--then following the direction of +his glance, and perceiving that the group upon which it rested +was composed of Adelaide and Elsie Dinsmore, with some half dozen +gentlemen who had gathered about them, she looked greatly pleased. + +"And why hopeless?" she asked. + +"Ah, the evidences of indifference are so patent that I cannot hope +she will ever learn to care for me." + +"And pray what may they be?" + +"Constraint and reserve, where formerly there was much warmth and +cordiality of manner." + +"You foolish boy! if that be all, you may take heart. I would not ask +for better symptoms. And remember the old proverb--'Faint heart never +won fair lady.' You do not fear that she still clings to the old +love?" + +"No, ah no!" + +"I never saw Adelaide look better than she does to-night," was Mrs. +Travilla's next remark; "what a queenly presence, and noble face she +has, and how very lovely our little Elsie is! She seems to have gained +every womanly grace without losing a particle of her sweet childish +simplicity and freshness." + +Her son assented with a slight sigh, and wandered off in their +direction. But before he reached the little group, Elsie had taken +Harold Allison's arm and was being led away toward the conservatory. +Harold had a rare plant to show her, and was glad of the excuse to get +her to himself for a few moments. + +For the rest of the evening Mr. Travilla devoted himself to Adelaide, +his mother looking on with beaming countenance, and thinking how +gladly she would welcome the dear girl to her heart and home. + +It was past twelve when the company dispersed. Harry and his bride +having started an hour before upon their wedding tour. + +"Get to bed as soon as you can, my dear child; you are looking sadly +fatigued," Mr. Dinsmore said, putting his arm about his daughter as +she came to him for her good-night kiss. + +"I will, papa," she answered, clinging to him with more than her usual +warmth of affection. "Dear papa, what could I ever do without you to +love me?" + +"My darling, if it please the Lord, may we be long spared to each +other," he whispered, clasping her close. "Now, good-night, and may He +bless you, and keep you, and ever cause his face to shine upon you." + +Elsie turned away with eyes full of tears, and her pillow was bedewed +with them ere she slept that night. But the morning found her +apparently her own bright, sunny self again. + +She was in her mamma's dressing-room soon after breakfast, chatting +with her and Adelaide, Mr. Dinsmore sitting by with Rosebud on his +knee. Of course they were discussing the wedding, how lovely the bride +and her attendants looked, how handsome the groom, how tasteful and +becoming was the dress of this lady and that, how attentive was Mr. +Such-an-one to Miss So-and-so, etc., etc. Rose making a little jesting +allusion to "the devotion of a certain gentleman to Adelaide;" and +saying how delighted she was; nothing could please her better than for +them to fancy each other; when in the midst of it all, a servant came +up with a message. "Mr. Travilla was in the drawing-room asking for +Miss Dinsmore,--Miss Adelaide." + +She went down at once, and as the door closed upon her, Rose turned to +her husband with the laughing remark, "It would be a splendid match! +they seem just made for each other. I wonder they didn't find it out +long ago, and I begin to quite set my heart upon it." + +"Better not, my dear, lest they disappoint you, and allow me to advise +you to let match-making alone; 'tis a dangerous business. Elsie, my +child, you are looking pale this morning; late hours do not agree +with you. I think I shall have to take to sending you to bed at nine +o'clock again, when once I get you home." + +"Won't ten be early enough, papa?" she answered with a faint smile, a +vivid color suddenly suffusing her cheek. + +"Well, we will see about it. But I can't have you looking so. Go and +put on your hat and shawl, and I will take you and mamma out for an +airing?" + +"Looking so?" said Rose, with an arch glance at the glowing cheeks, as +she stooped to take Rosebud in her arms, "she is not pale now." + +"No, certainly not," he said. "Come back, daughter," for Elsie had +risen to obey his order, and was moving toward the door, "come here +and tell me what ails you?" + +"I am quite well, papa, only a little tired from last night, I +believe," she answered, as he took her hands in his and looked +searchingly into her face. + +"I hope that is all," he said a little anxiously. "You must lie down +and try to get a nap when we return from our drive; and remember you +must be in bed by ten o'clock to-night." + +"I shall do just as my father bids me," she said, smiling up at him, +"my dear father who is so kindly careful of me." Then as he let go her +hands, she tripped lightly from the room. + +Mr. Travilla had come on an errand from his mother; she begged +Adelaide's advice and assistance in a little shopping. + +Adelaide was at leisure, and at once donned bonnet and shawl and went +with him to the Girard House, where the old lady awaited their coming, +and the three spent the remainder of the morning in attending to Mrs. +Travilla's purchases and visiting the Academy of Fine Arts. In driving +down Chestnut street, the Dinsmores passed them on their way to the +Academy. + +Adelaide did not return to Mr. Allison's to dinner, but Mr. Travilla +called presently after, to say that she had dined with his mother and +himself at the hotel, and would not return until bed-time, as they +were all going to hear Gough lecture that evening. + +He was speaking to Mrs. Allison. Several of the family were in the +room, Elsie among them. She was slipping quietly away, when he turned +toward her, saying: "Would you not like to go with us, my little +friend? I think you would find it entertaining, and we would be glad +to have you." + +"Thank you, sir, you are very kind, but a prior engagement compels me +to decline," she answered, glancing smilingly at her father. + +"She has not been looking well to-day, and I have ordered her to go +early to bed to-night," Mr. Dinsmore said. + +"Ah, that is right!" murmured Mr. Travilla, rising to take leave. + +The Travillas staid a week longer in the city. During that time +Adelaide went out with them, quite frequently, but Elsie saw scarcely +anything of her old friend; which was, however, all her own fault, +as she studiously avoided him; much to his grief and disturbance. He +could not imagine what he had done to so completely estrange her from +him. + +Mr. Dinsmore felt in some haste to be at home again, but Mrs. Allison +pleaded so hard for another week that he consented to delay. Adelaide +and Walter went with the Travillas, and wanted to take Elsie with +them, but he would not hear of such an arrangement; while she said +very decidedly that she could not think of being separated from her +father. + +She seemed gay and happy when with the family, or alone with him or +Rose; but coming upon her unexpectedly in her dressing-room, the day +after the others had left, he found her in tears. + +"Why, my darling, what can be the matter?" he asked, taking her in his +arms. + +"Nothing, papa," she said, hastily wiping away her tears and hiding +her blushing face on his breast--"I--I believe I'm a little homesick." + +"Ah, then, why did you not ask to go with the others?" + +"And leave you? Ah, do you not know that my father is more--a great +deal more than half of home to me?" she answered, hugging him close. +"And you wouldn't have let me go?" + +"No, indeed, not I; but I'm afraid I really ought to read you a +lecture. I daresay you miss Sophy very much, but still there are young +people enough left in the house to keep you from feeling very dull and +lonely, I should think; and as you have all your dear ones about you, +and expect to go home in a few days--" + +"I ought to be cheerful and happy. I know it, papa," she said, as he +paused, leaving his sentence unfinished, "and I'm afraid I'm very +wicked and ungrateful. But please don't be vexed with me, and I will +try to banish this feeling of depression." + +"I fear you are not well," he said, turning her face to the light and +examining it with keen scrutiny; "tell me, are you ill?" + +"No, papa, I think not. Don't be troubled about me." + +"I shall send for a doctor if this depression lasts," he said +decidedly, "for I shall have to conclude that it must arise from some +physical cause, since I know of no other; and it is so foreign to the +nature of my sunny-tempered little girl." + +He saw no more of it, though he watched her carefully. + +Great was the rejoicing at the Oaks when at last the family returned. +Adelaide was there to welcome them, and Elsie thought she had never +seen her look so youthful, pretty, and happy, Chloe remarked upon it +while preparing her young mistress for bed, adding that the report in +the kitchen was that Miss Adelaide and Mr. Travilla were engaged, and +would probably marry very soon. + +Elsie made no remark, but her heart seemed to sink like lead in her +bosom. "Why am I grieving so? what is there in this news to make me +sorry?" she asked herself as she wetted her pillow with her tears. +"I'm sure I'm very glad that dear Aunt Adie is so happy, and--and I +used often to wish he was my uncle." Yet the tears would not cease +their flow till she had wept herself to sleep. + +But she seemed bright and gay as usual in the morning, and meeting +her parents at the breakfast-table, thought they looked as though +something had pleased them greatly. + +It was Rose who told her the news, as an hour later they sauntered +around the garden together, noting the changes which had taken place +there in their absence. + +"I have something to tell you, dear," Rose said, and Elsie shivered +slightly, knowing what was coming; "something that pleases your father +and me very much, and I think will make you glad too. Can you guess +what it is?" + +"About Aunt Adelaide, mamma?" Elsie stooped over a plant, thus +concealing her face from view, and so controlled her voice that it +betrayed no emotion. "Yet; I know; she is engaged." + +"And you are pleased with the match, of course; I knew you would be. +You used so often to wish that he was your uncle, and now he soon will +be. Your papa and I are delighted; we think there could not have been +a more suitable match for either." + +"I am very glad for her--dear Aunt Adie--and for--for him too," Elsie +said, her voice growing a little husky at the last. + +But Rose was speaking to the gardener, and did not notice it, and +Elsie wandered on, presently turned into the path leading to her arbor +and seeking its welcome privacy, there relieved her full heart by a +flood of tears. + +Mr. Travilla called that day, but saw nothing of his "little friend," +and in consequence went away very sorrowful, and pondering deeply +the question what he could have done to alienate her affections so +entirely from him. + +The next day he came again, quite resolved to learn in what he had +offended, and was overjoyed at hearing that she was alone in her +favourite arbor. + +He sought her there and found her in tears. She hastily wiped them +away on perceiving his approach, but could not remove their traces. + +"Good-morning," she said, rising and giving him her hand; but with the +reserved manner that had now become habitual, instead of the pleasant +ease and familiarity of earlier days; "were you looking for papa? I +think he is somewhere on the plantation." + +"No, my dear child, it was you I wished to see." + +"Me, Mr. Travilla?" and she east down her eyes, while her cheek +crimsoned; for he was looking straight into them with his, so wistful +and tender, so fall of earnest, questioning, sorrowful entreaty, that +she knew not how to meet their gaze. + +"Yes, you, my little friend, for I can no longer endure this torturing +anxiety. Will you not tell me, dear child, what I have done to hurt or +grieve you so?" + +"I--I'm not hurt or gri--you have always been most kind," she +stammered, "most--But why should you think I--I was--" + +The rest of the sentence was lost in a burst of tears, and covering +her burning cheeks with her hands, she sank down upon the seat from +which she had risen to greet him. + +"My dear child, I did not mean to pain you so; do not weep, it breaks +my heart to see it. I was far from intending to blame you, or complain +of your treatment," he said in an agitated tone, and bending over her +in tender concern. "I only wanted to understand my error in order that +I might retrieve it, and be no longer deprived of your dear society. +Oh, little Elsie, if you only knew how I love you; how I have loved +you, and only you, all these years--as child and as woman--how I have +waited and longed, hoping even against hope, that some day I might be +able to win the priceless treasure of your young heart." + +Intense, glad surprise made her drop her hands and look up at him. +"But are you not--I--I thought--I understood--Aunt Adelaide--" + +"Your Aunt Adelaide!" he cried, scarcely less astonished than herself, +"can it be that you do not know--that you have not heard of her +engagement to Edward Allison?" + +A light broke upon Elsie at that question, and her face grew radiant +with happiness; there was one flash of exceeding joy in the soft eyes +that met his, and then they sought the ground. + +"Oh, my darling, could you? is it--can it be--" + +He took her in his arms, folded her close to his heart, calling her by +every tender and endearing name, and she made no effort to escape, or +to avoid his caresses; did nothing but hide her blushing face on his +breast, and weep tears of deep joy and thankfulness. + +It might have been half an hour or an hour afterward (they reckoned +nothing of the flight of time) that Mr. Dinsmore, coming in search of +his daughter, found them seated side by side, Mr. Travilla with his +arm about Elsie's waist, and her hand in his. So absorbed were they in +each other that they had not heard the approaching footsteps. + +It was a state of affairs Mr. Dinsmore was far from expecting, and +pausing upon the threshold, he stood spell-bound with astonishment. +"Elsie!" he said at length. + +Both started and looked up at the sound of his voice, and Mr. +Travilla, still holding fast to his new-found treasure, said in tones +tremulous with joy, "Will you give her to me, Dinsmore? she is willing +now." + +"Ah, is it so, Elsie, my darling?" faltered the father, opening his +arms to receive her as she flew to him. "Is it so? have I lost the +first place in my daughter's heart?" he repeated, straining her to his +breast, and pressing his lips again and again to her fair brow. + +"Dear papa, I never loved you better," she murmured, clinging more +closely to him. "I shall never cease to be your own dear daughter; can +never have any father but you--my own dear, dear papa. And you will +not be left without a little girl to pet and fondle; darling Rosebud +will fill my place." + +"She has her own; but neither she nor any one else can ever fill +yours, my darling," he answered with a quivering lip. "How can I--how +can I give you up? my first-born, my Elsie's child and mine." + +"You will give her to me, my friend?" repeated Travilla. "I will +cherish her as the apple of my eye; I shall never take her away from +you, you may see her every day. You love her tenderly, but she is +dearer to me than my own soul." + +"If you have won her heart, I cannot refuse you her hand. Say, Elsie, +my daughter, is it so?" + +"Yes, papa," she whispered, turning her blushing face away from his +keen, searching gaze. + +"I can hardly bear to do it. My precious one, I don't know how to +resign you to another," he said in a voice low and tremulous with +emotion, and holding her close to his heart; "but since it is your +wish, I must. Take her, my friend, she is yours. But God do so to you, +and more also, if ever you show her aught but love and tenderness." + +He put her hand into Travilla's, and turned to go. But she clung to +him with the other. "Yours too, papa," she said, looking up into his +sad face with eyes that were full of tears, "always your own daughter +who loves you better than life." + +"Yes, darling, and who is as dearly loved in return," he said, +stooping to press another kiss on the ruby lips. "Let us be happy, for +we are not to part." Then walking quickly away, he left them alone +together. + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Elsie's Girlhood, by Martha Finley + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD *** + +***** This file should be named 9963-8.txt or 9963-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/9/6/9963/ + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Josephine Paolucci, and +Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Elsie's Girlhood + +Author: Martha Finley + +Posting Date: November 26, 2011 [EBook #9963] +Release Date: February, 2006 +First Posted: November 5, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Josephine Paolucci, and +Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + + + + +ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD + +A SEQUEL TO + +"ELSIE DINSMORE" AND "ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS" + +BY + +MARTHA FINLEY + +1872 + + + + + + + +"Oh! time of promise, hope, and innocence, Of trust, and love, and +happy ignorance! Whose every dream is heaven, in whose fair joy +Experience yet has thrown no black alloy." + +--THOUGHTS OF A RECLUSE + + + + +PREFACE + + +Some years have now elapsed since my little heroine "ELSIE DINSMORE" +made her debut into the great world. She was sent out with many an +anxious thought regarding the reception that might await her there. +But she was kindly welcomed, and such has been the favor shown her +ever since that Publishers and Author have felt encouraged to prepare +a new volume in which will be found the story of those years that have +carried Elsie on from childhood to womanhood--the years in which +her character was developing, and mind and body were growing and +strengthening for the real work and battle of life. + +May my readers who have admired and loved her as a child find her +still more charming in her fresh young girlhood; may she prove to all +a pleasant companion and friend; and to those of them now treading the +same portion of life's pathway a useful example also, particularly in +her filial love and obedience. + +M.F. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +It is a busy, talking world. + +--ROWE. + + +"I think I shall enjoy the fortnight we are to spend here, papa; it +seems such a very pleasant place," Elsie remarked, in a tone of great +satisfaction. + +"I am glad you are pleased with it, daughter," returned Mr. Dinsmore, +opening the morning paper, which John had just brought up. + +They--Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie, Rose and Edward Allison--were occupying +very comfortable quarters in a large hotel at one of our fashionable +watering-places. A bedroom for each, and a private parlor for the +joint use of the party, had been secured in advance, and late the +night before they had arrived and taken possession. + +It was now early in the morning, Elsie and her papa were in his room, +which was in the second story and opened upon a veranda, shaded by +tall trees, and overlooking a large grassy yard at the side of the +building. Beyond were green fields, woods, and hills. + +"Papa," said Elsie, gazing longingly upon them, as she stood by the +open window, "can't we take a walk?" + +"When Miss Rose is ready to go with us." + +"May I run to her door and ask if she is?--and if she isn't, may I +wait for her out here on the veranda?" + +"Yes." + +She skipped away, but was back again almost immediately. "Papa, what +do you think? It's just too bad!" + +"What is too bad, daughter? I think I never before saw so cross a look +on my little girl's face," he said, peering at her over the top of his +newspaper. "Come here, and tell me what it is all about." + +She obeyed, hanging her head and blushing. "I think I have some reason +to be cross, papa," she said; "I thought we were going to have such a +delightful time here, and now it is all spoiled. You could never guess +who has the rooms just opposite ours; on the other side of the hall." + +"Miss Stevens?" + +"Why, papa; did you know she was here?" + +"I knew she was in the house, because I saw her name in the hotel book +last night when I went to register ours." + +"And it just spoils all our pleasure." + +"I hope not, daughter. I think she will hardly annoy you when you are +close at my side; and that is pretty much all the time, isn't it?" + +"Yes, papa, and I'll stick closer than ever to you if that will make +her let me alone," she cried, with a merry laugh, putting her arm +round his neck and kissing him two or three times. + +"Ah, now I have my own little girl again," he said, drawing her to his +knee and returning her caresses with interest: "But there, I hear Miss +Rose's step in the hall. Run to mammy and have your hat put on." + +Miss Stevens' presence proved scarcely less annoying to Elsie than the +child had anticipated. She tried to keep out of the lady's way, but it +was quite impossible. She could scarcely step out on the veranda, go +into the parlor, or take a turn in the garden by herself, but in +a moment Miss Stevens was at her side fawning upon and flattering +her--telling her how sweet and pretty and amiable she was, how dearly +she loved her, and how much she thought of her papa too: he was so +handsome and so good; everybody admired him and thought him such a +fine-looking gentleman, so polished in his manners, so agreeable and +entertaining in conversation. + +Then she would press all sorts of dainties upon the little girl +in such a way that it was next to impossible to decline them, and +occasionally even went so far as to suggest improvements, or rather +alterations, in her dress, which she said was entirely too plain. + +"You ought to have more flounces on your skirts, my dear," she +remarked one day. "Skirt flounced to the waist are so very pretty and +dressy, and you would look sweetly in them, but I notice you don't +wear them at all. Do ask your papa to let you get a new dress and have +it made so; I am sure he would consent, for any one can see that he is +very fond of you. He doesn't think of it; we can't expect gentlemen +to notice such little matters; you ought to have a mamma to attend +to such things for you. Ah! if you were my child, I would dress you +sweetly, you dear little thing!" + +"Thank you, ma'am, I daresay you mean to be very kind," replied Elsie, +trying not to look annoyed, "but I don't want a mamma, since my own +dear mother has gone to heaven; papa is enough for me, and I like the +way he dresses me. He always buys my dresses himself and says how they +are to be made. The dressmaker wanted to put more flounces on, but +papa didn't want them and neither did I. He says he doesn't like to +see little girls loaded with finery, and that my clothes shall be of +the best material and nicely made, but neat and simple." + +"Oh, yes; I know your dress is not cheap; I didn't mean that at all: +it is quite expensive enough, and some of your white dresses are +beautifully worked; but I would like a little more ornament. You wear +so little jewelry, and your father could afford to cover you with it +if he chose. A pair of gold bracelets, like mine for instance, would +be very pretty, and look charming on your lovely white arms: those +pearl ones you wear sometimes are very handsome--any one could tell +that they are the real thing--but you ought to have gold ones too, +with clasps set with diamonds. Couldn't you persuade your papa to buy +some for you?" + +"Indeed, Miss Stevens, I don't want them! I don't want anything but +what papa chooses to buy for me of his own accord. Ah! there is Miss +Rose looking for me, I must go," and the little girl, glad of an +excuse to get away, ran joyfully to her friend who had come to the +veranda, where she and Miss Stevens had been standing, to tell her +that they were going out to walk, and her papa wished to take her +along. + +Elsie went in to get her hat, and Miss Stevens came towards Rose, +saying, "I think I heard you say you were going to walk; and I +believe, if you don't forbid me, I shall do myself the pleasure of +accompanying you. I have just been waiting for pleasant company. I +will be ready in one moment." And before Rose could recover from her +astonishment sufficiently to reply she had disappeared through the +hall door. + +Elsie was out again in a moment, just as the gentlemen had joined +Rose, who excited their surprise and disgust by a repetition of Miss +Stevens' speech to her. + +Mr. Dinsmore looked excessively annoyed, and Edward "pshawed, and +wished her at the bottom of the sea." + +"No, brother," said Rose, smiling, "you don't wish any such thing; on +the contrary, you would be the very first to fly to the rescue if you +saw her in danger of drowning." + +But before there was time for anything more to be said Miss Stevens +had returned, and walking straight up to Mr. Dinsmore, she put her arm +through his, saying with a little laugh, and what was meant for a +very arch expression, "You see I don't stand upon ceremony with old +friends, Mr. Dinsmore. It isn't my way." + +"No, Miss Stevens, I think it never was," he replied, offering the +other arm to Rose. + +She was going to decline it on the plea that the path was too narrow +for three, but something in his look made her change her mind and +accept; and they moved on, while Elsie, almost ready to cry with +vexation, fell behind with Edward Allison for an escort. + +Edward tried to entertain his young companion, but was too much +provoked at the turn things had taken to make himself very agreeable +to any one; and altogether it was quite an uncomfortable walk: no +one seeming to enjoy it but Miss Stevens, who laughed and talked +incessantly; addressing nearly all her conversation to Mr. Dinsmore, +he answering her with studied politeness, but nothing more. + +Miss Stevens had, from the first, conceived a great antipathy to +Rose, whom she considered a dangerous rival, and generally avoided, +excepting when Mr. Dinsmore was with her; but she always interrupted +a tete-a-tete between them when it was in her power to do so without +being guilty of very great rudeness. This, and the covert sneers with +which she often addressed Miss Allison had not escaped Mr. Dinsmore's +notice, and it frequently cost him quite an effort to treat Miss +Stevens with the respectful politeness which he considered due to her +sex and to the daughter of his father's old friend. + +"Was it not too provoking, papa?" exclaimed Elsie, as she followed him +into his room on their return from their walk. + +"What, my dear?" + +"Why, papa, I thought we were going to have such a nice time, and she +just spoiled it all." + +"She? who, daughter?" + +"Why, papa, surely you know I mean Miss Stevens!" + +"Then why did you not mention her name, instead of speaking of her as +she? That does not sound respectful in a child of your age, and I wish +my little girl always to be respectful to those older than herself. +I thought I heard you the other day mention some gentleman's name +without the prefix of Mr., and I intended to reprove you for it at the +time. Don't do it again." + +"No, sir, I won't," Elsie answered with a blush. "But, papa," she +added the next moment, "Miss Stevens does that constantly." + +"That makes no difference, my daughter," he said gravely. "Miss +Stevens is the very last person I would have you take for your model; +the less you resemble her in dress, manners, or anything else, the +better. If you wish to copy any one let it be Miss Allison, for she is +a perfect lady in every respect." + +Elsie looked very much pleased. "Yes, indeed, papa," she said, "I +should be glad if I could be just like Miss Rose, she is always kind +and gentle to everybody; even the servants, whom Miss Stevens orders +about so crossly." + +"Elsie!" + +"What, papa?" she asked, blushing again, for his tone was reproving. + +"Come here and sit on my knee; I want to talk to you. I am afraid my +little daughter is growing censorious," he said, with a very grave +look as he drew her to his side. "You forget that we ought not to +speak of other people's faults." + +"I will try not to do it any more, papa," she replied, the tears +springing to her eyes; "but you don't know how very annoying Miss +Stevens is. I have been near telling her several times that I did wish +she would let me alone." + +"No, daughter, don't do that. You must behave in a lady-like manner +whether she does or not. We must expect annoyances in this world, my +child; and must try to bear them with patience, remembering that +God sends the little trials as well as the great, and that He has +commanded us to 'let patience have her perfect work.' I fear it is a +lack of the spirit of forgiveness that makes it so difficult for us to +bear these trifling vexations with equanimity. And you must remember +too, dear, that the Bible bids us be courteous, and teaches us to +treat others as we ourselves would wish to be treated." + +"I think you always remember the command to be courteous, papa," she +said, looking affectionately into his face. "I was wondering all the +time how you could be so very polite to Miss Stevens; for I was quite +sure you would rather not have had her along. And then, what right had +she to take your arm without being asked?" and Elsie's face flushed +with indignation. + +Her father laughed a little. "And thus deprive my little girl of her +rights," he said, softly kissing the glowing cheek. "Ah! I doubt if +you would have been angry had it been Miss Rose," he added, a little +mischievously. + +"Oh, papa, you know Miss Rose would never have done such a thing!" +exclaimed the little girl warmly. + +"Ah! well, dear," he said in a soothing tone; "we won't talk any more +about it. I acknowledge that I do not find Miss Stevens the most +agreeable company in the world, but I must treat her politely, and +show her a little attention sometimes; both because she is a lady and +because her father once saved my father's life; for which I owe a debt +of gratitude to him and his children." + +"Did he, papa? I am sure it was very good of him, and I will try to +like Miss Stevens for that. But won't you tell me about it?" + +"It was when they were both quite young men," said Mr. Dinsmore, +"before either of them was married: they were skating together and +your grandfather broke through the ice, and would have been drowned, +but for the courage and presence of mind of Mr. Stevens, who saved him +only by very great exertion, and at the risk of his own life." + +A few days after this, Elsie was playing on the veranda, with several +other little girls. "Do you think you shall like your new mamma, +Elsie?" asked one of them in a careless tone, as she tied on an apron +she had just been making for her doll, and turned it around to see how +it fitted. + +"My new mamma!" exclaimed Elsie, with unfeigned astonishment, dropping +the scissors with which she had been cutting paper dolls for some of +the little ones. "What can you mean, Annie? I am not going to have any +new mamma." + +"Yes, indeed, but you are though," asserted Annie positively; "for I +heard my mother say so only yesterday; and it must be so, for she Miss +Stevens told it herself." + +"Miss Stevens! and what does she know about it? what has she to do +with my papa's affairs?" asked Elsie indignantly, the color rushing +over face, neck, and arms. + +"Well, I should think she might know, when she is going to marry him," +returned the other, with a laugh. + +"She isn't! it's false! my"--but Elsie checked herself and shut her +teeth hard to keep down the emotion that was swelling in her breast. + +"It's true, you may depend upon it," replied Annie; "everybody in the +house knows it, and they are all talking about what a splendid match +Miss Stevens is going to make; and mamma was wondering if you knew +it, and how you would like her; and papa said he thought Mr. Dinsmore +wouldn't think much of her if he knew how she flirted and danced until +he came, and now pretends not to approve of balls, just because he +doesn't." + +Elsie made no reply, but dropping scissors, paper, and everything, +sprang up and ran swiftly along the veranda, through the hall, +upstairs, and without pausing to take breath, rushed into her father's +room, where he sat quietly reading. + +"Why, Elsie, daughter, what is the matter?" he asked in a tone of +surprise and concern, as he caught sight of her flushed and agitated +face. + +"Oh, papa, it's that hateful Miss Stevens; I can't bear her!" she +cried, throwing herself upon his breast, and bursting into a fit of +passionate weeping. + +Mr. Dinsmore said nothing for a moment; but thinking tears would prove +the best relief to her overwrought feelings, contented himself with +simply stroking her hair in a soothing way, and once or twice pressing +his lips gently to her forehead. + +"You feel better now, dearest, do you not?" he asked presently, as she +raised her head to wipe away her tears. + +"Yes, papa." + +"Now tell me what it was all about." + +"Miss Stevens does say such hateful things, papa!" + +He laid his finger upon her lips. "Don't use that word again. It does +not sound at all like my usually gentle sweet-tempered little girl." + +"I won't, papa," she murmured, blushing and hanging her head. Then +hiding her face on his breast, she lay there for several minutes +perfectly silent and still. + +"What is my little girl thinking of?" he asked at length. + +"How everybody talks about you, papa; last evening I was out on the +veranda, and I heard John and Miss Stevens' maid, Phillis, talking +together. It was moonlight, you know, papa," she went on, turning her +face toward him again: "and they were out under the trees and John had +his arm round her, and he was kissing her, and telling her how pretty +she was; and then they began talking about Miss Stevens and you, and +John told Phillis that he reckoned you were going to marry her--" + +"Who? Phillis?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, looking excessively amused. + +"Oh, papa; no; you know I mean Miss Stevens," Elsie answered in a tone +of annoyance. + +"Well, dear, and what of it all?" he asked, soothingly. "I don't think +the silly nonsense of the servants need trouble you. John is a sad +fellow, I know; he courts all the pretty colored girls wherever he +goes. I shall have to read him a serious lecture on the subject. But +it is very kind of you to be so concerned for Phillis." + +"Oh, papa, don't!" she said, turning away her face. "Please don't +tease me so. You know I don't care for Phillis or John; but that isn't +all." And then she repeated what had passed between Annie and herself. + +He looked a good deal provoked as she went on with her story; then +very grave indeed. He was quite silent for a moment after she had +done. Then drawing her closer to him, he said tenderly, "My poor +little girl, I am sorry you should be so annoyed; but you know it is +not true, daughter, and why need you care what other people think and +say?" + +"I don't like them to talk so, papa! I can't bear to have them say +such things about you!" she exclaimed indignantly. + +He was silent again for a little; then said kindly, "I think I had +better take you away from these troublesome talkers. What do you say +to going home?" + +"Oh, yes, papa, do take me home," she answered eagerly. "I wish we +were there now. I think it is the pleasantest place in the world and +it seems such a long, long while since we came away. Let us start +to-morrow, papa; can't we?" + +"But you know you will have to leave Miss Rose." + +"Ah! I forgot that," she said a little sadly; but brightening again, +she asked: "Couldn't you invite her to go home with us and spend the +winter? Ah! papa, do! it would be so pleasant to have her." + +"No, my dear, it wouldn't do," he replied with a grave shake of the +head. + +"Why, papa?" she asked with a look of keen disappointment. + +"You are too young to understand why," he said in the same grave tone, +and then relapsed into silence; sitting there for some time stroking +her hair in an absent way, with his eyes on the carpet. + +At last he said, "Elsie!" in a soft, low tone that quite made the +little girl start and look up into his face; for she, too, had been in +a deep reverie. + +"What, papa?" she asked, and she wondered to see how the color had +spread over his face, and how bright his eyes looked. + +"I have been thinking," he said, in a half hesitating way, "that +though it would not do to invite Miss Rose to spend the winter with +us, it might do very nicely to ask her to come and live at the Oaks." + +Elsie looked at him for a moment with a bewildered expression; then +suddenly comprehending, her face lighted up. + +"Would you like it, dearest?" he asked; "or would you prefer to go on +living just as we have been, you and I together? I would consult your +happiness before my own, for it lies very near my heart, my precious +one. I can never forgive myself for all I have made you suffer, and +when you were restored to me almost from the grave, I made a vow to do +all in my power to make your future life bright and happy." + +His tones were full of deep feeling, and as he spoke he drew her +closer and closer to him and kissed her tenderly again and again. + +"Speak, daughter, and tell me what you wish," he said, as she still +remained silent. + +At last she spoke, and he bent down to catch the words. "Dear papa," +she whispered, "would it make you happy? and do you think mamma knows, +and that she would like it?" + +"Your mamma loves us both too well not to be pleased with anything +that would add to our happiness," he replied gently. + +"Dear papa, you won't be angry if I ask another question?'"' + +"No, darling; ask as many as you wish." + +"Then, papa, will I have to call her mamma? and do you think my own +mamma would like it?" + +"If Miss Allison consents to take a mother's place to you, I am sure +your own mamma, if she could speak to you, would tell you she deserved +to have the title; and it would hurt us both very much if you refused +to give it. Indeed, my daughter, I cannot ask her to come to us unless +you will promise to do so, and to love and obey, her just as you do +me. Will you?" + +"I will try to obey her, papa; and I shall love her very dearly, for I +do already; but I can not love anybody quite so well as I love you, my +own dear, dear father!" she said, throwing her arms around his neck. + +He returned her caress, saying tenderly, "That is all I can ask, +dearest; I must reserve the first place in your heart for myself." + +"Do you think she will come, papa?" she asked anxiously. + +"I don't know, daughter; I have not asked her yet. But shall I tell +her that it will add to your happiness if she will be your mamma?" + +"Yes, sir; and that I will call her mamma, and obey her and love her +dearly. Oh, papa, ask her very soon, won't you?" + +"Perhaps; but don't set your heart too much on it, for she may not be +quite so willing to take such a troublesome charge as Miss Stevens +seems to be," he said, returning to his playful tone. + +Elsie looked troubled and anxious. + +"I hope she will, papa," she said; "I think she might be very glad to +come and live with you; and in such a beautiful home, too." + +"Ah! but everyone does not appreciate my society as highly as you do," +he replied, laughing and pinching her cheek; "and besides, you forget +about the troublesome little girl. I have heard ladies say they would +not marry a man who had a child." + +"But Miss Rose loves me, papa; I am sure she does," she said, +flushing, and the tears starting to her eyes. + +"Yes, darling, I know she does," he answered soothingly. "I am only +afraid she loves you better than she does me." + +A large party of equestrians were setting out from the hotel that +evening soon after tea, and Elsie, in company with several other +little girls, went out upon the veranda to watch them mount and ride +away. She was absent but a few moments from the parlor, where she had +left her father, but when she returned to it he was not there. Miss +Rose, too, was gone, she found upon further search, and though she had +not much difficulty in conjecturing why she had thus, for the first +time, been left behind, she could not help feeling rather lonely and +desolate. + +She felt no disposition to renew the afternoon's conversation with +Annie Hart, so she went quietly upstairs to their private parlor and +sat down to amuse herself with a book until Chloe came in from eating +her supper. Then the little girl brought a stool, and seating herself +in the old posture with her head in her nurse's lap, she drew her +mother's miniature from her bosom, and fixing her eyes lovingly upon +it, said, as she had done hundreds of times before: "Now, mammy, +please tell me about my dear, dear mamma." + +The soft eyes were full of tears; for with all her joy at the thought +of Rose, mingled a strange sad feeling that she was getting farther +away from that dear, precious, unknown mother, whose image had been, +since her earliest recollection, enshrined in her very heart of +hearts. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + O lady! there be many things + That seem right fair above; + But sure not one among them all + Is half so sweet as love;-- + Let us not pay our vows alone, + But join two altars into one. + + --O. W. HOLMES + + Here still is the smile that no cloud can o'ercast, + And the heart, and the hand, all thy own to the last. + + --MOORE. + + +Mr. Horace Dinsmore was quite remarkable for his conversational +powers, and Rose, who had always heretofore found him a most +entertaining companion, wondered greatly at his silence on this +particular evening. She waited in vain for him to start some topic of +conversation, but as he did not seem disposed to do so, she at length +made the attempt herself, and tried one subject after another. +Finding, however, that she was answered only in monosyllables, she too +grew silent and embarrassed, and heartily wished for the relief of +Elsie's presence. + +She had proposed summoning the child to accompany them as usual, but +Mr. Dinsmore replied that she had already had sufficient exercise, and +he would prefer having her remain at home. + +They had walked some distance, and coming to a rustic seat where they +had often rested, they sat down. The moon was shining softly down upon +them, and all nature seemed hushed and still. For some moments neither +of them spoke, but at length Mr. Dinsmore broke the silence. + +"Miss Allison," he said, in his deep, rich tones, "I would like to +tell you a story, if you will do me the favor to listen." + +It would have been quite impossible for Rose to tell why her heart +beat so fast at this very commonplace remark, but so it was; and she +could scarcely steady her voice to reply, "I always find your stories +interesting, Mr. Dinsmore." + +He began at once. + +"Somewhere between ten and eleven years ago, a wild, reckless boy +of seventeen, very much spoiled by the indulgence of a fond, doting +father, who loved and petted him as the only son of his departed +mother, was spending a few months in one of our large Southern cities, +where he met, and soon fell desperately in love with, a beautiful +orphan heiress, some two years his junior. + +"The boy was of too ardent a temperament, and too madly in love, to +brook for a moment the thought of waiting until parents and guardians +should consider them of suitable age to marry, in addition to which he +had good reason to fear that his father, with whom family pride was a +ruling passion, would entirely refuse his consent upon learning that +the father of the young lady had begun life as a poor, uneducated boy, +and worked his way up to wealth and position by dint of hard labor and +incessant application to business. + +"The boy, it is true, was almost as proud himself, but it was not +until the arrows of the boy-god had entered into his heart too +deeply to be extracted, that he learned the story of his charmer's +antecedents. Yet I doubt if the result would have been different had +he been abundantly forewarned; for oh, Miss Rose, if ever an angel +walked the earth in human form it was she!--so gentle, so good, so +beautiful!" + +He heaved a deep sigh, paused a moment, and then went on: + +"Well, Miss Rose, as you have probably surmised, they were privately +married. If that sweet girl had a fault, it was that she was too +yielding to those she loved, and she did love her young husband with +all the warmth of her young guileless heart; for she had neither +parents nor kinsfolk, and he was the one object around which her +affections might cling. They were all the world to each other, and for +a few short months they were very happy. + +"But it could not last; the marriage was discovered--her guardian and +the young man's father were both furious, and they were torn asunder; +she carried away to a distant plantation, and he sent North to attend +college. + +"They were well-nigh distracted, but cherished the hope that when +they should reach their majority and come into possession of their +property, which was now unfortunately entirely in the hands of their +guardians, they would be reunited. + +"But--it is the old story--their letters were intercepted, and the +first news the young husband received of his wife was that she had +died a few days after giving birth to a little daughter." + +Again Mr. Dinsmore paused, then continued: + +"It was a terrible stroke! For months, reason seemed almost ready to +desert her throne; but time does wonders, and in the course of years +it did much to heal his wounds. You would perhaps suppose that he +would at once--or at least as soon as he was his own master--have +sought out his child, and lavished upon it the wealth of his +affections: but no; he had conceived almost an aversion to it; for he +looked upon it as the cause--innocent, it is true--but still the cause +of his wife's death. He did not know till long years afterwards +that her heart was broken by the false story of his desertion and +subsequent death. Her guardian was a hard, cruel man, though faithful +in his care of her property. + +"With him the child remained until she was about four years old when +a change was made necessary by his death, and she, with her faithful +nurse, was received into her paternal grandfather's family until her +father, who had then gone abroad, should return. But my story is +growing very long, and you will be weary of listening. I will try to +be as brief as possible. + +"The little girl, under the care of her nurse and the faithful +instructions of a pious old Scotchwoman--who had come over with the +child's maternal grandparents, and followed the fortunes of the +daughter and granddaughter, always living as housekeeper in the +families where they resided--had grown to be a sweet, engaging child, +inheriting her mother's beauty and gentleness. She had also her +mother's craving for affection, and was constantly looking and longing +for the return of her unknown father, which was delayed from time to +time until she was nearly eight years of age. + +"At last he came; but ah, what a bitter disappointment awaited the +poor child! His mind had been poisoned against her, and instead of +the love and tenderness she had a right to expect, he met her with +coldness--almost with aversion. Poor little one! she was nearly +heartbroken, and for a time scarcely dared venture into her father's +presence. She was gentle, submissive, and patient; he cold, haughty, +and stern. But she would love him, in spite of his sternness, and at +length she succeeded in winning her way to his affections, and he +learned to love her with passionate tenderness. + +"Still her troubles were not over. She was sincerely pious, and +conscientiously strict in many things which her father deemed of +little importance; especially was this the case in regard to the +observance of the Sabbath. He was a man of iron will, and she, though +perfectly submissive in other respects, had the firmness of a martyr +in resisting any interference with her conscience. + +"Well, their wills came in collision. He required her to do what she +considered a violation of God's law, although he could see no harm +in it, and therefore considered her stubborn and disobedient. He was +firm, but so was she. He tried persuasions, threats, punishments--all +without effect. He banished her from his arms, from the family circle, +deprived her of amusements, denied her to visitors, broke off her +correspondence with a valued friend, sent away her nurse; and finding +all these acts of severity ineffectual, he at length left her, telling +her he would return only when she submitted; and even refusing her a +parting caress, which she pleaded for with heart-breaking entreaties." + +Mr. Dinsmore's voice trembled with emotion, but recovering himself, he +went on: + +"Don't think, Miss Allison, that all this time the father's heart was +not bleeding; it was, at every pore; but he was determined to conquer, +and mistook the child's motives and the source of her strength to +resist his will. + +"He had bought a beautiful estate; he caused the house to be +handsomely fitted up and furnished, especially lavishing trouble and +expense upon a suite of rooms for his little girl, and when all was +completed, he wrote to her, bidding her go and see the lovely home +he had prepared for her reception as soon as she would submit,--and +presenting, as the only alternative, banishment to a boarding-school +or convent until her education was finished. This was the one drop +which made the cup overflow. The poor suffering child was prostrated +by a brain fever which brought her to the very gates of death. Then +the father's eyes were opened; he saw his folly and his sin, and +repented in sackcloth and ashes; and God, in His great mercy, was +pleased to spare him the terrible crushing blow which seemed to have +already fallen;--for at one time they told him his child was dead. Oh, +never, never can he forget the unutterable anguish of that moment!" + +Mr. Dinsmore paused, unable to proceed. Rose had been weeping for some +time. She well knew to whose story she was listening, and her gentle, +loving heart was filled with pity for both him and for his child. + +"I have but little more to tell," he resumed; "the child has at length +entirely recovered her health; she is dearer to her father's heart +than words can express, and is very happy in the knowledge that it is +so, and that henceforward he will strive to assist her to walk in the +narrow way, instead of endeavoring to lead her from it. + +"Their home has been a very happy one; but it lacks one thing--the +wife and mother's place is vacant; she who filled it once is +gone--never to return!--but there is a sweet, gentle lady who has +won the hearts of both father and daughter, and whom they would fain +persuade to fill the void in their affections and their home. + +"Miss Rose, dare I hope that you would venture to trust your happiness +in the hands of a man who has proved himself capable of such cruelty?" + +Rose did not speak, and he seemed to read in her silence and her +averted face a rejection of his suit. + +"Ah, you cannot love or trust me!" he exclaimed bitterly. "I was +indeed a fool to hope it. Forgive me for troubling you; forgive my +presumption in imagining for a moment that I might be able to win you. +But oh, Rose, could you but guess how I love you--better than aught +else upon earth save my precious child! and even as I love her better +than life. I said that our home had been a happy one, but to me it can +be so no longer if you refuse to share it with me!" + +She turned her blushing face towards him for a single instant, and +timidly placed her hand in his. The touch sent a thrill through her +whole frame. + +"And you will dare trust me?" he said in a low tone of intense joy. +"Oh, Rose! I have not deserved such happiness as this! I am not worthy +of one so pure and good. But I will do all that man can do to make +your life bright and happy." + +"Ah, Mr. Dinsmore! I am very unfit for the place you have asked me +to fill," she murmured. "I am not old enough, or wise enough to be a +mother to your little girl." + +"I know you are young, dear Rose, but you are far from foolish," he +said tenderly, "and my little girl is quite prepared to yield you a +daughter's love and obedience; but I do not think she will be a care +or trouble to you; I do not intend that she shall, but expect to take +all that upon myself. Indeed, Rose, dearest, you shall never know any +care or trouble that I can save you from. No words can tell how dear +you are to me, and were it in my power I would shield you from every +annoyance, and give you every joy that the human heart can know. I +have loved you from the first day we met!--ah, I loved you even before +that, for all your love and kindness to my darling child; but I +scarcely dared hope that you could return my affection, or feel +willing to trust your happiness to the keeping of one who had shown +himself such a monster of cruelty in his treatment of his little +gentle daughter. Are you not afraid of me, Rose?" + +His arm was around her waist, and he was bending over her, gazing down +into her face, and eagerly awaiting her answer. + +Presently it came, in calm, gentle tones; "No, Horace; 'perfect love +casteth out fear,' and I cannot judge you hardly for what may +have been only a mistaken sense of duty, and has been so bitterly +repented." + +"Heaven bless you, dearest, for these words," he answered with +emotion, "they have made me the happiest of men." + +Horace Dinsmore wore upon his little finger a splendid diamond ring, +which had attracted a good deal of attention, especially among the +ladies; who admired it extremely, and of which Miss Stevens had hoped +to be one day the happy and envied possessor. Taking Rose's small +white hand in his again, he placed it upon her slender finger. + +"This seals our compact, and makes you mine forever," he said, +pressing the hand to his lips. + +"With the consent of my parents," murmured Rose, a soft blush mantling +her cheek. + +Elsie was still in her papa's private parlor, for though it was long +past her usual hour for retiring, she had not yet done so; her father +having left a message with Chloe to the effect that she might, if she +chose, stay up until his return. + +Chloe had dropped asleep in her chair, and the little girl was +trying to while away the time with a book. But she did not seem much +interested in it, for every now and then she laid it down to run to +the door and listen. Then sighing to herself, "They are not coming +yet," she would go back and take it up again. But at last she started +from her seat with an exclamation of delight that awoke Chloe; for +this time there could be no doubt; she had heard his well-known step +upon the stairs. + +She moved quickly towards the door--stopped--hesitated, and stood +still to the middle of the room. + +But the door opened, and her father entered with Miss Rose upon his +arm. One look at his radiant countenance, and Rose's blushing, happy +face told the whole glad story. He held out his hand with a beaming +smile, and Elsie sprang towards him. + +"My darling," he said, stooping to give her a kiss, "I have brought +you a mother." + +Then taking Rose's hand, and placing one of Elsie's in it, while he +held the other in a close, loving grasp, he added: "Rose, she is your +daughter also. I give you a share in my choicest treasure." + +Rose threw her arm around the little girl and kissed her tenderly, +whispering: "Will you love me, Elsie, dearest? you know how dearly I +love you." + +"Indeed I will; I do love you very much, and I am very glad, dear, +darling Miss Rose," Elsie replied, returning her caress. + +Mr. Dinsmore was watching them with a heart swelling with joy and +gratitude. He led Rose to a sofa, and seating himself by her side, +drew Elsie in between his knees, and put an arm round each. "My two +treasures," he said, looking affectionately from one to the other. +"Rose, I feel myself the richest man in the Union." + +Rose smiled, and Elsie laid her head on her father's shoulder with a +happy sigh. + +They sat a few moments thus, when Rose made a movement to go, +remarking that it must be growing late. She felt a secret desire to +be safe within the shelter of her own room before the return of the +riding party should expose her to Miss Stevens' prying curiosity. + +"It is not quite ten yet," said Mr. Dinsmore, looking at his watch. + +"Late enough though, is it not?" she answered with a smile. "I think I +must go. Good-night, dear little Elsie." She rose, and Mr. Dinsmore, +gently drawing her hand within his arm, led her to her room, bidding +her good-night at the door, and adding a whispered request that she +would wait for him to conduct her down to the breakfast room in the +morning. + +"Must I go to bed now, papa?" asked Elsie, as he returned to the +parlor again. + +"Not yet," he said; "I want you." And, sitting down, he took her in +his arms. "My darling, my dear little daughter!" he said; "were you +very lonely this evening?" + +"No, papa; not very, though I missed you and Miss Rose." + +He was gazing down into her face; something in its expression seemed +to strike him, and he suddenly turned her towards the light, and +looking keenly at her, said, "You have been crying; what was the +matter?" + +Elsie's face flushed crimson, and the tears started to her eyes again. +"Dear papa, don't be angry with me," she pleaded. "I couldn't help it; +indeed I could not." + +"I am not angry, darling; only pained that my little girl is not +so happy as I expected. I hoped that your joy would be unclouded +to-night, as mine has been; but will you not tell your father what +troubles you, dearest?" + +"I was looking at this, papa," she said, drawing her mother's +miniature from her bosom, and putting it into his hand; "and mammy was +telling me all about my own mamma again; and, papa, you know I love +Miss Rose, and I am very glad she is coming to us, but it seems as +if--as if--" She burst into a flood of tears, and hiding her face on +his breast, sobbed out, "Oh, papa, I can't help feeling as though +mamma--my own dear mamma--is farther away from us now; as if she is +going to be forgotten." + +There were tears in his eyes, too; but gently raising her head, he +pushed back the curls from her forehead, and kissing her tenderly, +said, in low, soothing tones, "No, darling; it is only a feeling, and +will soon pass away. Your own dear mother--my early love--can never be +forgotten by either of us. Nor would Rose wish it. There is room in +my heart for both of them, and I do not love the memory of Elsie less +because I have given a place in it to Rose." + +There was a momentary silence; then she looked up, asking timidly, +"You are not vexed with me, papa?" + +"No, dearest; not at all; and I am very glad you have told me your +feelings so freely," he said, folding her closer and closer to his +heart. "I hope you will always come to me with your sorrows, and you +need never fear that you will not find sympathy, and help too, as far +as it is in my power to give it. Elsie, do you know that you are very +like your mother?--the resemblance grows stronger every day; and it +would be quite impossible for me to forget her with this living image +always before me." + +"Am I like her, papa? I am so glad!" exclaimed the little girl +eagerly, her face lighting up with a joyous smile. + +It seemed as though Mr. Dinsmore could hardly bear to part with his +child that night; he held her a long time in his arms, but at last, +with another tender caress, and a fervent blessing, he bade her +good-night and sent her away. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + She twin'd--and her mother's gaze brought back + Each hue of her childhood's faded track. + Oh! hush the song, and let her tears + Flow to the dream of her early years! + Holy and pure are the drops that fall + When the young bride goes from her father's hall; + She goes unto love yet untried and new-- + She parts from love which hath still been true. + + --MRS. HEMANS' POEMS. + + +"How did it happen that Mr. Dinsmore was not of your party last night, +Miss Stevens?" inquired one of the lady boarders the next morning at +the breakfast-table. + +"He had been riding all the morning with his little girl, and I +presume was too much fatigued to go again in the evening," Miss +Stevens coolly replied, as she broke an egg into her cup, and +proceeded very deliberately to season it. + +"It seems he was not too much fatigued to walk," returned the other, a +little maliciously; "or to take a lady upon his arm." + +Miss Stevens started, and looked up hastily. + +"I would advise you to be on your guard, and play your cards well, +or that quiet Miss Allison may prove a serious rival," the lady +continued. "He certainly pays her a good deal of attention." + +"It is easy to account for that," remarked Miss Stevens, with a +scornful toss of the head; "he is very fond of his little girl, and +takes her out walking or riding every day, and this Miss Allison--who +is, I presume, a kind of governess--indeed, it is evident that she +is, from the care she takes of the child--goes along as a matter of +course; but if you think Horace Dinsmore would look at a governess, +you are greatly mistaken, for he is as proud as Lucifer, as well as +the rest of his family, though he does set up to be so very pious!" + +"Excuse me, madam," observed a gentleman sitting near, "but you must +be laboring under a misapprehension. I am well acquainted with the +Allison family, and can assure you that the father is one of the +wealthiest merchants in Philadelphia." + +At this moment Mr. Dinsmore entered with Rose upon his arm, and +leading Elsie with the other hand. They drew near the table; he handed +Miss Allison to a seat and took his place beside her. + +A slight murmur of surprise ran round the table, and all eyes were +turned upon Rose, who, feeling uncomfortably conscious of the fact, +cast down her own in modest embarrassment, while Elsie, with a face +all smiles and dimples, sent a triumphant glance across the table at +Annie Hart, who was whispering to her mother, "See, mamma, she has Mr. +Dinsmore's ring!" + +That lady immediately called Miss Stevens' attention to it, which was +quite unnecessary, as she was already burning with rage at the sight. + +"They walked out alone last evening, and that ring explains what they +were about," said Mrs. Hart, in an undertone. "I am really sorry for +you, Miss Stevens; for your prize has certainly slipped through your +fingers." + +"I am much obliged to you," she replied, with a toss of her head; "but +there are as good fish in the sea as ever were caught." + +The next moment she rose and left the table, Mrs. Hart following her +into the public parlor, and continuing the conversation by remarking, +"I would sue him for breach of promise if I were you, Miss Stevens. I +understood you were engaged to him." + +"I never said so; so what right had you to suppose it?" returned Miss +Stevens snappishly. + +And upon reflecting a moment, Mrs. Hart could not remember that she +had ever said so in plain terms, although she had hinted it many +times--talking a great deal of Mr. Dinsmore's splendid establishment, +and frequently speaking of the changes she thought would be desirable +in Elsie's dress, just as though she expected some day to have it +under her control. Then, too, she had always treated Mr. Dinsmore with +so much familiarity that it was perfectly natural strangers should +suppose they were engaged, even though he never reciprocated it; +for that might be only because he was naturally reserved and +undemonstrative; as indeed Miss Stevens frequently averred, seeming to +regret it very deeply. + +Presently she burst out, "I don't know why people are always so ready +to talk! I don't care for Horace Dinsmore, and never did! There was +never anything serious between us, though I must say he has paid me +marked attentions, and given me every reason to suppose he meant +something by them. I never gave him any encouragement, however; and so +he has been taken in by that artful creature. I thought he had more +sense, and could see through her manoeuvers--coaxing and petting up +the child to curry favor with the father! I thank my stars that I am +above such mean tricks! I presume she thinks, now, she is making a +splendid match; but if she doesn't repent of her bargain before she +has been married a year, I miss my guess! She'll never have her own +way--not a bit of it--I can tell her that. Everybody that knows +him will tell you that he is high-tempered and tyrannical, and as +obstinate as a mule." + +"The grapes are very sour, I think," whispered Mrs. Hart to her next +neighbor, who nodded and laughed. + +"There is Elsie out on the veranda, now," said Annie. "I mean to +go and ask her what Miss Allison had her father's ring for; may I, +mamma?" + +"Yes; go, child, if you want to; I should like to hear what she will +say; though, of course, everybody understands that there must be an +engagement." + +"Well, Elsie, what made you run away in such a hurry yesterday?" asked +Annie, running up to our little friend. "Did you ask your papa about +the new mamma?" + +"I told him what you said, Annie, and it wasn't true," Elsie answered, +with a glad look of joy. "I am going to have a new mother though, and +papa said I might tell you; but it is Miss Allison instead of Miss +Stevens, and I am very glad, because I love her dearly." + +"Is she your governess?" + +"No, indeed! what made you ask?" + +"Miss Stevens said so," replied Annie, laughing and running away. And +just then Elsie's papa called her, and bade her go upstairs and have +her hat put on, as they were going out to walk. + +Edward Allison had been talking with his sister in her room, and they +came down together to the veranda, where Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie were +waiting for them. Edward was looking very proud and happy, but Rose's +face was half hidden by her veil. She took Mr. Dinsmore's offered arm +and Elsie asked, "Aren't you going with us, Mr. Edward?" + +"Not this time," he answered, smiling. "I have an engagement to play a +game of chess with one of the ladies in the parlor yonder." + +"Then I shall have papa's other hand," she said, taking possession of +it. + +She was very merry and talkative, but neither of her companions seemed +much disposed to answer her remarks. They were following the same path +they had taken the night before, and the thoughts of both were very +busy with the past and the future. + +At length they reached the rustic seat where they had sat while Mr. +Dinsmore told his story, and he inquired of Rose if she would like to +stop and rest. + +She assented, recognizing the place with a smile and a blush, and they +sat down. + +"Papa," said Elsie, "I am not tired, mayn't I run on to the top of +that hill yonder?" + +"Yes, if you will not go out of sight or hearing, so that I can see +that you are safe, and within call when I want you," he replied, and +she bounded away. + +Rose was sitting thoughtfully, with her eyes upon the ground, while +those of her companion were following the graceful figure of his +little girl, as she tripped lightly along the road. + +"Mr. Dinsmore," Rose began. + +"I beg pardon, but were you speaking to me?" he asked, turning to her +with a half smile. + +"Certainly," she replied, smiling in return; "there is no one else +here." + +"Well then, Rose, dear, please to remember that I don't answer to that +name from your lips, at least not when we are alone. I am not Mr. +Dinsmore to you, unless you mean to be Miss Allison to me," he added, +taking her hand and gazing tenderly into her blushing face. + +"Oh! no, no; I would not have you call me that!" + +"Well then, dear Rose, I want you to call me Horace. I would almost as +soon think of being Mr. Dinsmore to Elsie, as to you. And now, what +were you going to say to me?" + +"Only that I wish to set out on my homeward way to-night, with Edward. +I think it would be best, more especially as mamma has written +complaining of our long absence, and urging a speedy return." + +"Of course your mother's wishes are the first to be consulted, until +you have given me a prior right," he said, in a playful tone; "and +so I suppose Elsie and I will be obliged to continue our journey by +ourselves. But when may I claim you for my own indeed? Let it be as +soon as possible, dearest, for I feel that I ought to return to my +home ere long, and I am not willing to do so without my wife." + +"I must have a few weeks to prepare; you know a lady's wardrobe cannot +be got ready in a day. What would you say to six weeks? I am afraid +mamma would think it entirely too short." + +"Six weeks, dear Rose? why that would bring us to the middle of +November. Surely a month will be long enough to keep me waiting for my +happiness, and give the dressmakers sufficient time for their work. +Let us say one month from to-day." + +Rose raised one objection after another, but he overruled them all and +pleaded his cause so earnestly that he gained his point at last, and +the wedding was fixed for that day month, provided the consent of +her parents, to so sudden a parting with their daughter, could be +obtained. + +While Rose was at home making her preparations, Mr. Dinsmore and his +daughter were visiting the great lakes, and travelling through Canada. +He heard frequently from her, and there were always a few lines +to Elsie, which her father allowed her to answer in a little note +enclosed in his; and sometimes he read her a little of his own, or of +Miss Rose's letter, which she always considered a very great treat. + +New York City was their last halting place on their route, and there +they spent nearly two weeks in shopping and sight-seeing. Mr. Dinsmore +purchased an elegant set of furniture for his wife's boudoir, and +sent it on to his home, with his orders to Mrs. Murray concerning +its arrangement. To this he added a splendid set of diamonds as his +wedding gift to his bride, while Elsie selected a pair of very costly +bracelets as hers. + +They arrived in Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon, the next morning +being the time appointed for the wedding. Mr. Dinsmore himself went to +his hotel, but sent Elsie and her nurse to Mr. Allison's, as he had +been urgently requested to do, the family being now in occupation of +their town residence. + +Elsie found the whole house in a bustle of preparation. Sophy met her +at the door and carried her off at once to her own room, eager to +display what she called "her wedding dress." She was quite satisfied +with the admiration Elsie expressed. "But I suppose you bought ever so +many new dresses, and lots of other pretty things, in New York?" she +said inquiringly. + +"Yes; papa and I together. And don't you think, Sophy, he let me help +him choose some of his clothes, and he says he thinks I have very good +taste in ladies' and gentlemen's dress too." + +"That was right kind of him, but isn't it odd, and real nice too, that +he and Rose are going to get married? I was so surprised. Do you like +it, Elsie? and shall you call her mamma?" + +"Oh, yes, of course. I should be quite wretched if papa were going to +marry any one else; but I love Miss Rose dearly, and I am very glad +she is coming to us. I think it is very good of her, and papa thinks +so too." + +"Yes," replied Sophy honestly, "and so do I; for I am sure I shouldn't +like to leave papa and mamma and go away off there to live, though I +do like you very much, Elsie, and your papa too. Only think! he is +going to be my brother; and then won't you be some sort of relation +too? I guess I'll be your aunt, won't I?" + +"I don't know; I haven't thought about it," said Elsie; while at the +same instant Harold put his head in at the half-open door, saying, "Of +course you will; and I'll be her uncle." + +The little girls were quite startled at first, but seeing who it was, +Elsie ran towards him, holding out her hand. + +"How do you do, Harold?" she said; "I am glad to see you." + +He had his satchel of books on his arm. "Thank you, how are you? I +am rejoiced to see you looking so well, but, as for me, I am quite +sick--of lessons," he replied in a melancholy tone, and putting on a +comically doleful expression. + +Elsie laughed and shook her head. "I thought you ware a good boy and +quite fond of your books." + +"Commonly, I believe I am, but not in these wedding times. It's quite +too bad of your father, Elsie, to be carrying off Rose, when he won't +let us have you. But never mind, I'll be even with him some of these +days;" and he gave her a meaning look. + +"Come in Harold, and put your books down," said Sophy; "you can afford +to spend a few minutes talking to Elsie, can't you?" + +"I think I will!" he replied, accepting her invitation. + +They chatted for some time, and then Adelaide came in. Elsie had heard +that she was coming on to be first bridesmaid. "Elsie, dear, how +glad I am to see you! and how well and happy you are looking!" she +exclaimed, folding her little niece in her arms, and kissing her +fondly. "But come," she added, taking her by the hand and leading her +into the next room, "Miss Rose came in from her shopping only a few +minutes ago, and she wants to see you." + +Rose was standing by the toilet-table, gazing intently, with a blush +and a smile, at something she held in her hand. She laid it down as +they came in, and embracing the little girl affectionately, said how +very glad she was to see her. + +Then, turning to the table again, she took up what she had been +looking at--which proved to be a miniature of Mr. Dinsmore--and +handed it to Adelaide, saying, "Is it not excellent? and so kind and +thoughtful of him to give it to me." + +"It is indeed a most perfect likeness," Adelaide replied. "Horace is +very thoughtful about these little matters. I hope he will make you +very happy, dear Rose. I cannot tell you how glad I was when I heard +you were to be my sister." + +"You have seemed like a sister to me ever since the winter I spent +with you," said Rose. And then she began questioning Elsie about her +journey asking if she were not fatigued, and would not like to lie +down and rest a little before tea. + +"No thank you," Elsie said; "you know it is only a short trip from New +York, and I am not at all tired." + +Just then the tea-bell rang, and Rose laughed and said it was well +Elsie had not accepted her invitation. + +On going down to tea they found Mr. Dinsmore and Mr. Travilla there. +Elsie was delighted to meet her old friend, and it was evident that he +had already made himself a favorite with all the children, from Harold +down to little May. + +The wedding was a really brilliant affair. The bride and her +attendants were beautifully dressed and, as every one remarked, looked +very charming. At an early hour in the morning carriages were in +waiting to convey the bridal party and the family to the church where +the ceremony was to be performed. When it was over they returned to +the house, where an elegant breakfast was provided for a large number +of guests; after which there was a grand reception for several hours. +Then, when the last guest had departed, Rose retired to her own room, +appearing shortly afterwards at the family dinner-table in her pretty +travelling dress, looking very sweet and engaging, but sober and +thoughtful, as were also her father and brothers; while Mrs. Allison's +eyes were constantly filling with tears at the thought of losing her +daughter. + +There was very little eating done, and the conversation flagged +several times in spite of the efforts of the gentlemen to keep it up. +At length all rose from the table, and gathered in the parlor for +a few moments. Then came the parting, and they were gone; and Mrs. +Allison, feeling almost as if she had buried her daughter, tried to +forget her loss by setting herself vigorously to work overseeing the +business of putting her house in order. + +Rose's feelings were mingled. She wept for a time, but the soothing +tenderness of her husband's manner, and Elsie's winning caresses, soon +restored her to herself, and smiles chased away the tears. + +They had a very pleasant journey, without accident or detention, and +arrived in due time at their own home, where they were welcomed with +every demonstration of delight. + +Rose was charmed with the Oaks, thought it even more lovely than +either Roselands or Elingrove, and Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie intensely +enjoyed her pleasure and admiration. + +Then came a round of parties, which Elsie thought extremely tiresome, +as she could have no share in them, and was thus deprived of the +company of her papa and mamma almost every evening for several weeks. +But at last that too was over, and they settled down into a quiet, +home life, that suited them all much better, for neither Mr. Dinsmore +nor Rose was very fond of gayety. + +And now Elsie resumed her studies regularly, reciting as before to +her father; while Rose undertook to instruct her in the more feminine +branches of housekeeping and needlework, and a master came from the +city several times a week to give her lessons in music and drawing. +She had been so long without regular employment that she found it very +difficult at first to give her mind to her studies, as she had done +in former days; but her father, though kind and considerate, was +very firm with her, and she soon fell into the traces and worked as +diligently as ever. + +Elsie did not find that her father's marriage brought any +uncomfortable change to her. There was no lessening of his love or +care; she saw as much of him as before, had full possession of her +seat upon his knee, and was caressed and fondled quite as often and as +tenderly as ever. + +And added to all this were Rose's love and sweet companionship, which +were ever grateful to the little girl, whether they were alone or with +her father. Elsie loved her new mamma dearly and was as respectful +and obedient to her as to her father, though Rose never assumed any +authority; which, however, was entirely unnecessary, as a wish or +request from her was sure to be attended to as if it had been a +command. + +And Rose was very happy in her new home. Mr. Dinsmore's family were +pleased with the match and treated her most kindly, while he was +always affectionate, thoughtful, and attentive; not less devoted as +a husband than as a father. They were well suited in taste and +disposition; seldom had the slightest disagreement on any subject, and +neither had ever cause to regret the step they had taken, for each day +they lived together seemed but to increase their love for each other, +and for their little daughter, as Mr. Dinsmore delighted to call her, +always giving Rose a share in the ownership. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Of all the joys that brighten suffering earth + What joy is welcomed like a new-born child? + + --MRS. NORTON. + + +"Massa wants you for to come right along to him in de study, darlin', +jis as soon as your ole mammy kin get you dressed," said Chloe, one +morning to her nursling. + +"What for, mammy?" Elsie asked curiously, for she noticed an odd +expression on her nurse's face. + +"Massa didn't tell me nuffin 'bout what he wanted, an' I spects you'll +have to az hisself," replied Chloe evasively. + +Elsie's curiosity was excited, and she hastened to the study as soon +as possible. Her father laid down his paper as she entered, and held +out his hand with a smile as he bade her good-morning, and it struck +her that there was an odd twinkle in his eye also, while she was +certain that she could not be mistaken in the unusually joyous +expression of his countenance. + +"Good-morning, papa. But where is mamma?" she asked, glancing about +the room in search of her. + +"She is not up yet, but do you sit down here in your little rocking +chair. I have something for you." + +He left the room as he spoke, returning again in a moment, carrying +what Elsie thought was a strange-looking bundle. + +"There! hold out your arms," he said; and placing it in them, he +gently raised one corner of the blanket, displaying to her astonished +view a tiny little face. + +"A baby! Oh, the dear little thing!" she exclaimed in tones of +rapturous delight. Then looking up into his face, "Did you say I might +have it, papa? whose baby is it?" + +"Ours; your mamma's and my son, and your brother," he answered, gazing +down with intense pleasure at her bright, happy face, sparkling all +over with delight. + +"My little brother! my darling little brother," she murmured looking +down at it again, and venturing to press her lips gently to its soft +velvet cheek. "Oh, papa, I am so glad, so glad! I have so wanted a +little brother or sister. Is not God very good to give him to us, +papa?" And happy, grateful tears were trembling in the soft eyes as +she raised them to his face again. + +"Yes," he said, bending down and kissing first her cheek, and then the +babe's, "I feel that God has indeed been very good to me in bestowing +upon me two such treasures as these." + +"What is his name, papa?" she asked. + +"He has none yet, my dear." + +"Then, papa, do let him be named Horace, for you; won't you if mamma +is willing? And then I hope he will grow up to be just like you; as +handsome and as good." + +"I should like him to be a great deal better, daughter," he answered +with a grave smile; "and about the name--I don't know yet; I should +prefer some other, but your mamma seems to want that, and I suppose +she has the best right to name him; but we will see about it." + +"Better give little marster to me now, Miss Elsie," remarked his +nurse, stepping up, "I reckon your little arms begin to feel tired." +And taking the babe she carried him from the room. + +Nothing could have better pleased Mr. Dinsmore than Elsie's joyous +welcome to her little brother; though it was scarcely more than he had +expected. + +"My own darling child; my dear, dear little daughter," he said, taking +her in his arms and kissing her again and again. "Elsie, dearest, you +are very precious to your father's heart." + +"Yes, papa, I know it," she replied, twining her arms about his neck, +and laying her cheek to his; "I know you love me dearly, and it makes +me so very happy." + +"May I go in to see mamma?" she asked presently. + +"No, darling, not yet; she is not able to see you; but she sends her +love, and hopes she may be well enough to receive a visit from you +to-morrow." + +"Poor mamma! I am sorry she is ill," she said sorrowfully; "but I will +try to keep everything very quiet that she may not be disturbed." + +That evening, after tea, Elsie was told that she would be allowed to +speak to her mamma for a moment if she chose, and she gladly availed +herself of the privilege. + +"Dear Elsie," Rose whispered, drawing Her down to kiss her cheek, "I +am so glad you are pleased with your little brother." + +"Oh, mamma, he is such a dear little fellow!" Elsie answered eagerly; +"and now, if you will only get well we will be happier than ever." + +Rose smiled and said she hoped soon to be quite well again, and then +Mr. Dinsmore led Elsie from the room. + +Rose was soon about again and in the enjoyment of her usual health and +strength. Elsie's delight knew no bounds the first time her mamma +was able to leave her room, and take her place at the table with her +father and herself. She doted on her little brother, and, if allowed, +would have had him in her arms more than half the time; but he was a +plump little fellow, and soon grew so large and heavy that her father +forbade her carrying him lest she should injure herself; but she would +romp and play with him by the hour while he was in the nurse's arms, +or seated on the bed; and when any of her little friends called, she +could not be satisfied to let them go away without seeing the baby. + +The first time Mr. Travilla called, after little Horace's arrival, she +exhibited her treasure to him with a great deal of pride, asking if he +did not envy her papa. + +"Yes," he said, looking admiringly at her, and then turning away with +a half sigh. + +A few minutes afterwards he caught hold of her, set her on his knee, +and giving her a kiss, said, "I wish you were ten years older, Elsie, +or I ten years younger." + +"Why, Mr. Travilla?" she asked rather wonderingly. + +"Oh, because we would then be nearer of an age, and maybe you would +like me better." + +"No, I wouldn't, not a bit," she said, putting her arm round his neck, +"for I like you now just as well as I could like any gentleman but +papa." + +The elder Mr. Dinsmore was very proud of his little grandson and made +a great pet of him, coming to the Oaks much more frequently after his +birth than before. + +Once he spoke of him as his first grandchild. + +"You forget Elsie, father," said Horace, putting his arm round his +little girl, who happened to be standing by his side, and giving her a +tender, loving look. + +He greatly feared that the marked difference his father made between +the two would wound Elsie's sensitive spirit, and perhaps even arouse +a feeling of jealousy towards her little brother; therefore, when his +father was present, he was even more than usually affectionate in his +manner towards her, if that were possible. + +But Elsie had no feeling of the kind; she had long ceased to expect +any manifestation of affection from her grandfather towards herself, +but was very glad indeed that he could love her dear little brother. + +"Ah, yes! to be sure, I did forget Elsie," replied the old gentleman +carelessly; "she is the first grandchild of course; but this fellow is +the first grandson, and quite proud of him I am. He is a pretty boy, +and is going to be the very image of his father." + +"I hope he will, father," said Rose, looking proudly at her husband. +And then she added, with an affectionate glance at Elsie: "If he is +only as good and obedient as his sister, I shall be quite satisfied +with him. We could not ask a better child than our dear little +daughter, nor love one more than we do her; she is a great comfort and +blessing to us both." + +The color mounted to Elsie's cheek, and her eyes beamed with pleasure. +Mr. Dinsmore, too, looked very much gratified, and the old gentleman +could not fail to perceive that the difference he made between the +children was quite distasteful to both parents. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + A lovely being, scarcely formed or moulded, + A rose with all its sweetest leaves yet folded. + + --BYRON. + + +Elsie was nearly twelve when her little brother was born. During the +next three years she led a life of quiet happiness, unmarked by any +striking event. There were no changes in the little family at the Oaks +but such as time must bring to all. Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore perhaps +looked a trifle older than when they married, Elsie was budding into +womanhood as fair and sweet a flower as ever was seen, and the baby +had grown into a healthy romping boy. + +At Roselands, on the contrary, there had been many and important +changes. Louise and Lora were both married; the former to a resident +of another State, who had taken her to his distant home; the latter to +Edward Howard, an older brother of Elsie's friend Carrie. They had not +left the neighborhood, but were residing with his parents. + +For the last two or three years Arthur Dinsmore had spent his +vacations at home; he was doing so now, having just completed his +freshman year at Princeton. On his return Walter was to accompany him +and begin his college career. + +Miss Day left soon after Lora's marriage and no effort had been made +to fill her place, Adelaide having undertaken to act as governess to +Enna, now the only remaining occupant of the school-room. + +Taking advantage of an unusually cool breezy afternoon, Elsie rode +over to Tinegrove, Mr. Howard's plantation--to make a call. She found +the family at home and was urged to stay to tea; but declined, saying +she could not without permission, and had not asked it. + +"You will at least take off your hat," said Carrie. + +"No, thank you," Elsie answered, "it is not worth while, as I must go +so soon. If you will excuse me, I can talk quite as well with it on." + +They had not met for several weeks and found a good deal to say to +each other. At length Elsie drew out her watch. + +"Ah!" she exclaimed, "I have overstayed my time! I had no idea it was +so late--you have been so entertaining; but I must go now." And she +rose hastily to take leave. + +"Nonsense!" said her Aunt Lora in whose boudoir they were sitting, +"there is no such great hurry, I am sure. You'll get home long before +dark." + +"Yes, and might just as well stay another five or ten minutes. I wish +you would; for I have ever so much to say to you," urged Carrie. + +"It would be very pleasant, thank you, but indeed I must not. See how +the shadows are lengthening, and papa does not at all like to have me +out after sunset unless he is with me." + +"He always was overcareful of you, erring on the right side, I +suppose, if that be an allowable expression," laughed Lora, as she and +Carrie followed Elsie to the door to see her mount her horse. + +The adieus were quickly spoken and the young girl, just touching the +whip to the sleek side of her pony, set off at a gallop, closely +followed by her faithful attendant Jim. + +Several miles of rather a lonely road lay between them and home, and +no time was to be lost, if they would reach the Oaks while the sun was +still above the horizon. + +They were hardly more than half a mile from the entrance to the +grounds, when Elsie caught sight of a well-known form slowly moving +down the road a few paces ahead of them. It was Arthur, and she soon +perceived that it was his intention to intercept her; he stopped, +turning his face toward her, sprang forward as she came up, and seized +her bridle. + +"Stay a moment, Elsie," he said, "I want to speak to you." + +"Then come on to the Oaks, and let us talk there; please do, for I am +in a hurry." + +"No, I prefer to say my say where I am. I'll not detain you long. You +keep out of earshot, Jim. I want to borrow a little money, Elsie; a +trifle of fifty dollars or so. Can you accommodate me?" + +"Not without papa's knowledge, Arthur. So I hope you do not wish to +conceal the matter from him." + +"I do. I see no reason why he should know all my private affairs. +Can't you raise that much without applying to him? Isn't your +allowance very large now?" + +"Fifty dollars a month, Arthur, but subject to the same conditions as +of old. I must account to papa for every cent." + +"Haven't you more than that in hand now?" + +"Yes, but what do you want it for?" + +"That's neither your business nor his; let me have it for two weeks, +I'll pay it back then, and in the meantime he need know nothing about +it." + +"I cannot; I never have any concealments from papa, and I must give in +my account in less than a week." + +"Nonsense! You are and always were the most disobliging creature +alive!" returned Arthur with an oath. + +"Oh, Arthur, how can you say such wicked words," she said, recoiling +from him with a shudder. "And you quite misjudge me. I would be glad +to do anything for you that is right. If you will let me tell papa +your wish, and he gives consent, you shall have the money at once. Now +please let me go. The sun has set and I shall be so late that papa +will be anxious and much displeased." + +"Who cares if he is!" he answered roughly, still retaining his hold +upon her bridle, and compelling her to listen while he continued to +urge his request; enforcing it with arguments and threats. + +They were alike vain, she steadfastly refused to grant it except on +the conditions she had named, and which he determinately rejected--and +insisted being left free to pursue her homeward way. + +He grew furious, and at length with a shocking oath released her +bridle, but at the same instant struck her pony a severe blow upon his +haunches, with a stout stick he held in his hand. + +The terrified animal, smarting with the pain, started aside, reared +and plunged in a way that would have unseated a less skilful rider, +and had nearly thrown Elsie from the saddle: then darted off at the +top of its speed; but fortunately turned in at the gate held open by +Jim, who had ridden on ahead and dismounted for that purpose. + +"Whoa, you Glossy! whoa dere!" he cried, springing to the head of the +excited animal, and catching its bridle in his powerful grasp. + +"Just lead her for a little, Jim," said Elsie "There, there! my poor +pretty Glossy, be quiet now. It was too cruel to serve you so; but +it shan't happen again if your mistress can help it," she added in a +voice tremulous with sympathy and indignation, patting and stroking +her pony caressingly as she spoke. + +Jim obeyed, walking on at a brisk pace, leading Glossy with his right +hand, and keeping the bridle of the other horse over his left arm. + +"I'll walk the rest of the way, Jim," said Elsie presently, "just stop +her and let me get down. There," springing lightly to the ground, "you +may lead them both to the stable now." + +She hurried forward along the broad, gravelled winding carriage road +that led to the house. The next turn brought her face to face with her +father. + +"What, Elsie! alone and on foot at this late hour?" he said in a tone +of mingled surprise and reproof. + +"I have been riding, papa, and only a moment since dismounted and let +Jim lead the horses down the other road to the stables." + +"Ah, but how did you come to be so late?" he asked, drawing her hand +within his arm and leading her onward. + +"I have been to Tinegrove, sir, and Aunt Lora, Carrie, and I found so +much to say to each other, that the time slipped away before I knew +it." + +"It must not happen again, Elsie." + +"I do not mean it shall, papa, and I am very sorry." + +"Then I excuse you this once, daughter; it is not often you give me +occasion to reprove you." + +"Thank you, papa," she said with a grateful, loving look. "Did you +come out in search of me?" + +"Yes, your mamma and I had begun to grow anxious lest some accident +had befallen you. Our little daughter is such a precious treasure that +we must needs watch over her very carefully," he added in a tone that +was half playful, half tender, while he pressed the little gloved +hand in his, and his eyes rested upon the sweet fair face with an +expression of proud fatherly affection. + +Her answering look was full of filial reverence and love. "Dear papa, +it is so nice to be so loved and cared for; so sweet to hear such +words from your lips. I do believe I'm the very happiest girl in the +land." She had already almost forgotten Arthur and his rudeness and +brutality. + +"And I the happiest father," he said with a pleased smile. "Ah, here +comes mamma to meet as with little Horace." + +The child ran forward with a glad shout to meet his sister, Rose met +her with loving words and a fond caress; one might have thought from +their joyous welcome, that she was returning after an absence of +weeks or months instead of hours. Letting go her father's arm as they +stepped upon the piazza Elsie began a romping play with her little +brother, but at a gentle reminder from her mamma that the tea bell +would soon ring, ran away to her own apartments to have her riding +habit changed for something more suitable for the drawing room. + +Chloe was in waiting and her skilful hands made rapid work, putting +the last touches to her nursling's dress just as the summons to the +supper table was given. + +Mr. Dinsmore was quite as fastidious as in former days in regard to +the neatness and tastefulness of Elsie's attire. + +"Will I do, papa?" she asked, presenting herself before him, looking +very sweet and fair in a simple white dress with blue sash and +ribbons. + +"Yes," he said with a satisfied smile, "I see nothing amiss with +dress, hair, or face." + +"Nor do I," said Rose, leading the way to the supper room, "Aunt Chloe +is an accomplished tirewoman. But come, let us sit down to our meal +and have it over." + +On their return to the drawing room they, found Mr. Travilla +comfortably ensconced in an easy chair, reading the evening paper. He +was an almost daily visitor at the Oaks, and seldom came without some +little gift for one or both of his friend's children. It was for Elsie +to-night. When the usual greetings had been exchanged, he turned to +her, saying, "I have brought you a treat. Can you guess what it is?" + +"A book!" + +"Ah, there must be something of the Yankee about you," he answered, +laughing. "Yes, it is a book in two volumes; just published and a +most delightful, charming story," he went on, drawing them from his +pockets, and handing them to her as he spoke. + +"Oh, thank you, sir!" she cried with eager gratitude, "I'm so glad, +if--if only papa will allow me to read it. May I, papa?" + +"I can tell better when I have examined it, my child," Mr. Dinsmore +answered, taking one of the volumes from her hands and looking at the +title on the back. "'The Wide, Wide World!' What sort of a book is it, +Travilla?" + +"A very good sort. I think. Just glance through it or read a few +pages, and I'm pretty sure it will be sufficient to satisfy you of, +not only its harmlessness, but that its perusal would be a benefit to +almost any one." + +Mr. Dinsmore did so, Elsie standing beside him, her hand upon his arm, +and her eyes on his face--anxiously watching its changes of expression +as he read. They grew more and more satisfactory; the book was +evidently approving itself to his taste and judgment, and presently +he returned it to her, saying, with a kind fatherly smile, "Yes, my +child, you may read it. I have no doubt it deserves all the praise Mr. +Travilla has given it." + +"Oh, thank you, papa, I'm very glad," she answered joyously, "I am +just hungry for a nice story." And seating herself near the light, she +was soon lost to everything about her in the deep interest with which +she was following Ellen Montgomery through her troubles and trials. + +She was loath to lay the book aside when at the usual hour--a quarter +before nine--the bell rang for prayers. She hardly heeded the summons +till her papa laid his hand on her shoulder, saying, "Come, daughter, +you must not be left behind." + +She started up then, hastily closing the book, and followed the others +to the dining room, where the servants were already assembled to take +part in the family devotions. + +Mr. Travilla went away immediately after and now it was Elsie's +bed-time. Her father reminded her of it as, on coming back from seeing +his friend to the door, he found her again poring over the book. + +"Oh, papa, it is so interesting! could you let me finish this +chapter?" she asked with a very entreating look up into his face as he +stood at her side. + +"I suppose I could if I should make a great effort," he answered +laughingly. "Yes, you may, for once, but don't expect always to be +allowed to do so." + +"No, sir, oh, no. Thank you, sir." + +"Well, have you come to a good stopping-place?" he asked, as she +presently closed the book and put it aside with a slight sigh. + +"No, sir, it is just as bad a one as the other. Papa, I wish I was +grown up enough to read another hour before going to bed." + +"I don't," he said, drawing her to a seat upon his knee, and passing +his arm about her waist, "I'm not ready to part with my little girl +yet." + +"Wouldn't a fine young lady daughter be just as good or better?" she +asked, giving him a hug. + +"No, not now, some of these days I may think so." + +"But mayn't I stay up and read till ten to-night?" + +He shook his head. "Till half-past nine, then?" + +"No, not even a till quarter past. Ah, it is that now," he added, +consulting his watch. + +"You must say good-night and go. Early hours and plenty of sleep for +my little girl, that she may grow up to healthful, vigorous womanhood, +capable of enjoying life and being very useful in the church and the +world." He kissed her with grave tenderness as he spoke. + +"Good-night then, you dear father," she said, returning the caress. "I +know you would indulge me if you thought it for my good." + +"Indeed I would, pet. Would it help to reconcile you to the denial +of your wish to know that I shall be reading the book, and probably +enjoying it as much as you would?" + +"Ah yes, indeed, papa! it is a real pleasure to resign it to you," she +answered with a look of delight. "It's just the nicest story! at least +as far as I've read. Read it aloud to mamma, won't you?" + +"Yes, if she wishes to hear it. Now away with you to your room and +your bed." + +Only waiting to bid her mamma an affectionate good-night, Elsie +obeyed, leaving the room with a light step, and a cheerful, happy +face. + +"Dear unselfish child!" her father said, looking after her. + +"She is that indeed," said Rose. "How happy, shall I be if Horace +grows up to be as good and lovable." + +Elsie was a fearless horsewoman, accustomed to the saddle from her +very early years. Thus Arthur's wanton attack upon her pony had failed +to give her nerves the severe shock it might have caused to those of +most young girls of her age. Her feeling was more of excitement, +and of indignation at the uncalled-for cruelty to a dumb animal, +especially her own pet horse, than of fright at the danger to herself. +But she well knew that the latter was what her father would think of +first, and that he would be very angry with Arthur; therefore she had +tried, and successfully, to control herself and suppress all signs of +agitation on meeting him upon her return. + +She felt glad now as the affair recurred to her recollection while +preparing for the night's rest, that she had been able to do so. For a +moment she questioned with herself whether she was quite right to have +this concealment from her father, but quickly decided that she was. +Had the wrong-doing been her own--that would have made it altogether +another matter. + +She was shocked at Arthur's wickedness, troubled and anxious about his +future, but freely forgave his crime against her pony and herself, +and mingled with her nightly petitions an earnest prayer for his +conversion, and his welfare temporal and spiritual. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + O love! thou sternly dost thy power maintain, + And wilt not bear a rival in thy reign. + + --DRYDEN. + + +It was the middle of the forenoon, and Elsie in her own pretty little +sitting room was busied with her books; so deep in study indeed, that +she never noticed a slight girlish figure as it glided in at the glass +doors opening upon the lawn, to-day set wide to admit the air coming +fresh and cool with a faint odor of the far-off sea, pleasantly +mingling with that of the flowers in the garden, on the other side of +the house. + +"Buried alive in her books! Dear me! what a perfect paragon of +industry you are," cried the intruder in a lively tone. "I wish you +would imbue me with some of your love of study." + +"Why, Lucy Carrington! how did you get here?" and Elsie pushed her +books away, rose hastily and greeted her friend with an affectionate +embrace. + +"How? I came in through yonder door, miss; after riding my pony +from Ashlands to the front entrance of this mansion," replied Lucy, +courtesying low in mock reverence. "I hope your ladyship will excuse +the liberty I have taken in venturing uninvited into your sanctum." + +"Provided your repentance is deep and sincere," returned Elsie in the +same jesting tone. + +"Certainly, I solemnly pledge myself never to do it again till the +next time." + +"Sit down, won't you?" and Elsie pushed forward a low rocking chair. +"It's so pleasant to see you. But if I had thought about it at all +I should have supposed you were at home, and as busy over books and +lessons as I." + +"No; my respected governess, Miss Warren, not feeling very well, has +taken a week's holiday, and left me to do the same. Fancy my afflicted +state at the thought of laying aside my beloved books for seven or +eight whole days." + +"You poor creature! how I pity you," said Elsie, laughing; "suppose +you stay here and share the instructions of my tutor; I have no doubt +I could persuade him to receive you as a pupil." + +"Horrors! I'm much obliged, very much, but I should die of fright the +first time I had to recite. There, I declare I'm growing poetical, +talking in rhyme all the time." + +"Let mammy take your hat and scarf," said Elsie. "You'll stay and +spend the day with me, won't you?" + +"Thank you, no; I came to carry you off to Ashlands to spend a week. +Will you come?" + +"I should like to, dearly well, if papa gives permission." + +"Well, run and ask him." + +"I can't; unfortunately he is out, and not expected to return till +tea-time." + +"Oh, pshaw! how provoking! But can't your mamma give permission just +as well?" + +"If it were only for a day she might, but I know she would say the +question of a longer visit must be referred to papa." + +"Dear me! I wouldn't be you for something. Why, I never ask leave of +anybody when I want to pay a visit anywhere in the neighborhood. I +tell mamma I'm going, and that's all-sufficient. I don't see how you +stand being ordered about and controlled so." + +"If you'll believe me," said Elsie, laughing a gay, sweet, silvery +laugh, "I really enjoy being controlled by papa. It saves me a deal of +trouble and responsibility in the way of deciding for myself; and then +I love him so dearly that I almost always feel it my greatest pleasure +to do whatever pleases him." + +"And he always was so strict with you." + +"Yes, he is strict; but oh, so kind." + +"But that's just because you're so good; he'd have an awful time +ruling me. I'd be in a chronic state of disgrace and punishment; and +he obliged to be so constantly improving me and frowning sternly upon +my delinquencies that he'd never be able to don a smile of approval or +slip in a word of praise edgewise." + +"Indeed you're not half so bad as you pretend," said Elsie, laughing +again; "nor I half so good as you seem determined to believe me." + +"No, I've no doubt that you're an arch hypocrite, and we shall find +out one of these days that you are really worse than any of the rest +of us. But now I must finish my errand and go, for I know you're +longing to be at those books. Do you get a ferruling every time you +miss a word?--and enjoy the pain because it pleases papa to inflict +it?" + +"Oh, Lucy, how can you be so ridiculous?" and a quick, vivid blush +mounted to Elsie's very hair. + +"I beg your pardon, Elsie, dear, I had no business to say such a +thing," cried Lucy, springing up to throw her arms round her friend +and kiss her warmly; "but of course it was nothing but the merest +nonsense. I know well enough your papa never does anything of the +kind." + +"No; if my lessons are not well prepared they have to be learned over +again, that is all; and if I see that papa is displeased with me, I +assure you it is punishment enough." + +"Do you think he'll let you accept my invitation?" + +"I don't know, indeed, Lucy. I think he will hardly like to have me +give up my studies for that length of time, and in fact I hardly like +to do so myself." + +"Oh, you must come. You can practise on my piano every day for an hour +or two, if you like. We'll learn some duets. And you can bring your +sketch-book and carry it along when we walk or ride, as we shall +every day. And we might read some improving books together,--you and +Herbert, and I. He is worse again, poor fellow! so that some days he +hardly leaves his couch even to limp across the room, and it's partly +to cheer him up that we want you to come. There's nothing puts him +into better spirits than a sight of your face." + +"You don't expect other company?" + +"No, except on our birthday; but then we're going to have a little +party, just of our own set,--we boys and girls that have grown up--or +are growing up--together, as one may say. Oh, yes, I want to have +Carrie Howard, Mary Leslie, and Enna stay a day or two after the +party. Now coax your papa hard, for we must have you," she added, +rising to go. + +"That would be a sure way to make him say no," said Elsie, smiling; +"he never allows me to coax or tease; at least, not after he has once +answered my request." + +"Then don't think of it. Good-bye. No, don't waste time in coming to +see me off, but go back to your books like a good child. I mean to +have a little chat with your mamma before I go." + +Elsie returned to her lessons with redoubled energy. She was longing +to become more intimately acquainted with Ellen Montgomery, but +resolutely denied herself even so much as a peep at the pages of the +fascinating story-book until her allotted tasks should be faithfully +performed. + +These, with her regular daily exercise in the open air, filled up the +morning; there was a half hour before, and another after dinner, which +she could call her own; then two hours for needlework, music, and +drawing, and she was free to employ herself as she would till +bed-time. + +That was very apt to be in reading, and if the weather was fine she +usually carried her book to an arbor at some distance from the house. +It was reached by a long shaded walk that led to it from the lawn, on +which the glass doors of her pretty boudoir opened. It was a cool, +breezy, quiet spot, on a terraced hillside, commanding a lovely view +of vale, river, and woodland, and from being so constantly frequented +by our heroine, had come to be called by her name,--"Elsie's Arbor." +Arthur, well acquainted with these tastes and habits, sought, and +found her here on the afternoon of this day--found her so deeply +absorbed in Miss Warner's sweet story that she was not aware of his +approach--so full of sympathy for little Ellen that her tears were +dropping upon the page as she read. + +"What, crying, eh?" he said with a sneer, as he seated himself by her +side, and rudely pulled one of her curls, very much as he had been +used to do years ago. "Well, I needn't be surprised, for you always +were the greatest baby I ever saw." + +"Please let my hair alone, Arthur; you are not very polite in either +speech or action," she answered, brushing away her tears and moving a +little farther from him. + +"It's not worth while to waste politeness on you. What's that you're +reading?" + +"A new book Mr. Travilla gave me." + +"Has no name, eh?" + +"Yes, 'Wide, Wide World.'" + +"Some namby-pamby girl's story, I s'pose, since you're allowed to read +it; or are you doing it on the sly?" + +"No, I never do such things, and hope I never shall; papa gave me +permission." + +"Oh; ah! then I haven't got you in my power: wish I had." + +"Why?" + +"Because I might turn it to good account. I know you are as afraid as +death of Horace." + +"No, I am not!" dried Elsie indignantly, rich color rushing all over +her fair face and neck; "for I know that he loves me dearly and if I +had been disobeying or deceiving him I would far sooner throw myself +on his mercy than on yours." + +"You would, eh? How mad you are; your face is as red as a beet. A +pretty sort of Christian you are, aren't you?" + +"I am not perfect, Arthur; but you mustn't judge of religion by me." + +"I shall, though. Don't you wish I'd go away?" he added teasingly, +again snatching at her curls. + +But she eluded his grasp, and rising, stood before him with an air of +gentle dignity. "Yes," she said, "since you ask me, I'll own that I +do. I don't know why it is that, though your manners are polished when +you choose to make them so, you are always rude and ungentlemanly to +me when you find me alone. So I shall be very glad if you'll just go +away and leave me to solitude and the enjoyment of my book." + +"I'll do so when I get ready; not a minute sooner. But you can get rid +of me just as soon as you like. I see you take. Yes, I want that money +I asked you for yesterday, and I am bound to have it." + +"Arthur, my answer must be just the same that it was then; I can give +you no other." + +"You're the meanest girl alive! To my certain knowledge you are worth +at least a million and a half, and yet you refuse to lend me the +pitiful sum of fifty dollars." + +"Arthur, you know I have no choice in the matter. Papa has forbidden +me to lend you money without his knowledge and consent, and I cannot +disobey him." + +"When did he forbid you?" + +"A long while ago; and though he has said nothing about it lately, he +has told me again and again that his commands are always binding until +he revokes them." + +"Fifteen years old, and not allowed to do as you please even with +your pocket money!" he said contemptuously. "Do you expect to be in +leading-strings all your life?" + +"I shall of course have control of my own money matters on coming of +age; but I expect to obey my father as long as we both live," she +answered, with gentle but firm decision. + +"Do you have to show your balance in hand when you give in your +account?" + +"No; do you suppose papa cannot trust my word?" she answered, somewhat +indignantly. + +"Then you could manage it just as easily as not. There's no occasion +for him to know whether your balance in hand is at that moment in your +possession or mine; as I told you before, I only want to borrow it for +two weeks. Come, let me have it. If you don't, the day will come when +you'll wish you had." + +She repeated her refusal; he grew very angry and abusive, and at +length went so far as to strike her. + +A quick step sounded on the gravel walk, a strong grasp was laid on +Arthur's arm, he felt himself suddenly jerked aside and flung upon +his knees, while a perfect rain of stinging, smarting blows descended +rapidly upon his back and shoulders. + +"There, you unmitigated scoundrel, you mean, miserable caitiff; lay +your hand upon her again if you dare!" cried Mr. Travilla, finishing +the castigation by applying the toe of his boot to Arthur's nether +parts with a force that sent him reeling some distance down the walk, +to fall with a heavy thud upon the ground. + +The lad rose, white with rage, and shook his fist at his antagonist. +"I'll strike her when I please," he said with an oath, "and not be +called to account by you for it either; she's my niece, and nothing to +you." + +"I'll defend her nevertheless, and see to it that you come to grief if +you attempt to harm her in any way whatever. Did he hurt you much, my +child?" And Mr. Travilla's tone changed to one of tender concern as he +turned and addressed Elsie, who had sunk pale and trembling upon the +rustic seat where Arthur had found her. + +"No, sir, but I fear you have hurt him a good deal, in your kind zeal +for my defence," she answered, looking after Arthur, as he limped away +down the path. + +"I have broken my cane, that is the worst of it," said her protector +coolly, looking regretfully down at the fragment he still held in his +hand. + +"You must have struck very hard, and oh, Mr. Travilla, what if he +should take it into his head to challenge you?" and Elsie turned pale +with terror. + +"Never fear; he is too arrant a coward for that; he knows I am a good +shot, and that, as the challenged party, I would have the right to +the choice of weapons." + +"But you wouldn't fight, Mr. Travilla? you do not approve of +duelling?" + +"So, no indeed, Elsie; both the laws of God and of the land are +against it, and I could not engage in it either as a good citizen or a +Christian." + +"Oh, I am so glad of that, and that you came to my rescue; for I was +really growing frightened, Arthur seemed in such a fury with me." + +"What was it about?" + +Elsie explained, then asked how he had happened to come to her aid. + +"I had learned from the servants that your father and mother were both +out, so came here in search of you," he said. "As I drew near I saw +that Arthur was with you, and not wishing to overhear your talk, I +waited at a little distance up there on the bank, watching you through +the trees. I perceived at once that he was in a towering passion, and +fearing he would ill-treat you in some way, I held myself in readiness +to come to your rescue; and when I saw him strike you, such a fury +suddenly came over me that I could not possibly refrain from thrashing +him for it." + +"Mr. Travilla, you will not tell papa?" she said entreatingly. + +"My child, I am inclined to think he ought to hear of it." + +"Oh, why need he? It would make him very angry with Arthur." + +"Which Arthur richly deserves. I think your father should know, in +order that he may take measures for your protection. Still, if you +promise not to ride or walk out alone until Arthur has left the +neighborhood, it shall be as you wish. But you must try to recover +your composure, or your papa will be sure to ask the cause of your +agitation. You are trembling very much, and the color has quite +forsaken your cheeks." + +"I'll try," She said, making a great effort to control herself, "and I +give you the promise." + +"This is a very pleasant place to sit with book or work," he remarked, +"but I would advise you not even to come here alone again till Arthur +has gone." + +"Thank you, sir, I think I shall follow your advice. It will be only a +few weeks now till he and Walter both go North to college." + +"I see you have your book with you," he said, taking it up from the +seat where it lay. "How do you like it?" + +"Oh, so much! How I pity poor Ellen for having such a father, so +different from my dear papa; and because she had to be separated from +her mamma, whom she loved so dearly. I can't read about her troubles +without crying, Mr. Travilla." + +"Shall I tell you a secret," he said, smiling; "I shed some tears +over it myself." Then he went on talking with her about the different +characters of the story, thus helping her to recover her composure by +turning her thoughts from herself and Arthur. + +When, half an hour later, a servant came to summon her to the house, +with the announcement that her father had returned and was ready to +hear her recitations, all signs of agitation had disappeared; she had +ceased to tremble, and her fair face was as sweet, bright, and rosy as +its wont. + +She rose instantly on hearing the summons. "You'll excuse me, I know, +Mr. Travilla. But will you not go in with me? We are always glad to +have you with us. I have no need to tell you that, I am sure." + +"Thank you," he said, "but I must return to Ion now. I shall walk to +the house with you though, if you will permit me," he added, thinking +that Arthur might be still lurking somewhere within the grounds. + +She answered gayly that she would be very glad of his company. She had +lost none of her old liking for her father's friend, and was wont to +treat him with the easy and affectionate familiarity she might have +used had he been her uncle. + +They continued their talk till they had reached the lawn at the side +of the house on which her apartments were; then he turned to bid her +good-bye. + +"I'm much obliged!" she said, taking his offered hand, and looking up +brightly into his face. + +"Welcome, fair lady; but am I to be dismissed without any reward for +my poor services?" + +"I have none to offer, sir knight, but you may help yourself if you +choose," she said, laughing and blushing, for she knew very well what +he meant. + +He stooped and snatched a kiss from her ruby lips, then walked away +sighing softly to himself, "Ah, little Elsie, if I were but ten years +younger!" + +She tripped across the lawn, and entering the open door of her +boudoir, found herself in her father's arms. He had witnessed the +little scene just enacted between Mr. Travilla and herself, had +noticed something in his friend's look and manner that had never +struck him before. He folded his child close to his heart for an +instant then held her off a little, gazing fondly into her face. + +"You are mine; you belong to me; no other earthly creature has the +least shadow of a right or title in you; do you know that?" + +"Yes, papa, and rejoice to know it," she murmured, putting her arms +about his neck and laying her head against his breast. + +"Ah!" he said, sighing, "you will not always be able to say that, I +fear. One of these days you will--" He broke off abruptly, without +finishing his sentence. + +She looked up inquiringly into his face. + +He answered her look with a smile and a tender caress. "I had better +not put the nonsense into your head: it will get there soon enough +without my help. Come now, let us have the lessons. I expect to find +them well prepared, as usual." + +"I hope so, papa," she answered, bringing her books and seating +herself on a stool at his feet, he having taken possession of an +easy-chair. + +The recitations seemed a source of keen enjoyment to both; the one +loving to impart, and the other to receive, knowledge. + +Mr. Dinsmore gave the deserved meed of warm praise for the faithful +preparation of each allotted task, prescribed those for the coming +day, and the books were laid aside. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, as she closed her desk upon them, "I +have something to say to you." + +"What is it, papa?" she asked, seating herself upon his knee. "How +very grave you look." But there was not a touch of the old fear in her +face or voice, as there had been none in his of the old sternness. + +"Yes, for I am about to speak of a serious matter," he answered, +gently smoothing back the clustering curls from her fair brow, while +he looked earnestly into the soft brown eyes. "You have not been +lending money to Arthur, Elsie?" + +The abrupt, unexpected question startled her, and a crimson tide +rushed over her face and neck; but she returned her father's gaze +steadily: "No, papa; how could you think I would disobey so?" + +"I did not, darling, and yet I felt that I must ask the question +and repeat my warning, my command to you--never to do so without my +knowledge and consent. Your grandfather and I are much troubled about +the boy." + +"I am so sorry, papa; I hope he has not been doing anything very bad." + +"He seems to have sufficient cunning to hide many of his evil deeds," +Mr. Dinsmore said, with a sigh; "yet enough has come to light to +convince us that he is very likely to become a shame and disgrace to +his family. We know that he is profane, and to some extent, at +least, intemperate and a gambler. A sad, sad beginning for a boy of +seventeen. And to furnish him with money, Elsie, would be only to +assist him in his downward course." + +"Yes, papa, I see that. Poor grandpa, I'm so sorry for him! But, papa, +God can change Arthur's heart, and make him all we could wish." + +"Yes, daughter, and we will agree together to ask Him to do this great +work, so impossible to any human power; shall we not?" + +"Yes, papa." They were silent a moment; then she turned to him again, +told of Lucy Carrington's call and its object, and asked if she might +accept the invitation. + +He considered a moment. "Yes," he said kindly, "you may if you wish. +You quite deserve a holiday, and I think perhaps would really be the +better of a week's rest from study. Go and enjoy yourself as much as +you can, my darling." + +"Thank you, you dearest, kindest, and best of papas," she said, giving +him a hug and kiss. "But I think you look a little bit sorry. You +would rather I should stay at home, if I could content myself to do +so, and it would be a strange thing if I could not." + +"No, my pet, I shall miss you, I know; the house always seems lonely +without you; but I can spare you for a week, and would rather have you +go, because I think the change will do you good. Besides, I am willing +to lend my treasure for a few days to our friends at Ashlands. I +would gladly do more than that, if I could, for that poor suffering +Herbert." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + How many pleasant faces shed their light on every side. + + --TUPPER. + + +"Remember it is for only one week; you must be back again next +Wednesday by ten o'clock; I can't spare you an hour longer," Mr. +Dinsmore said, as the next morning, shortly after breakfast, he +assisted his daughter to mount her pony. + +"Ten o'clock at night, papa?" asked Elsie in a gay, jesting tone, as +she settled herself in the saddle, and took a little gold-mounted +riding whip from his hand. + +"No, ten A.M., precisely." + +"But what if it should be storming, sir?" + +"Then come as soon as the storm is over." + +"Yes, sir; and may I come sooner if I get homesick?" + +"Just as soon as you please. Now, good-bye, my darling. Don't go into +any danger. I know I need not remind you to do nothing your father +would disapprove." + +"I hope not, papa," she said, with a loving look into the eyes that +were gazing so fondly upon her. Then kissing her hand to him and her +mamma and little Horace, who stood on the veranda to see her off, she +turned her horse's head and cantered merrily away, taking the road to +Ashlands on passing out at the gate. + +It was a bright, breezy morning, and her heart felt so light and +gay that a snatch of glad song rose to her lips. She warbled a few +bird-like notes, then fell to humming softly to herself. + +At a little distance down the road a light wagon was rumbling along, +driven by one of the man-servants from the Oaks, and carrying Aunt +Chloe and her young mistress' trunks. + +"Come, Jim," said Elsie, glancing over her shoulder at her attendant +satellite, "we must pass them. Glossy and I are in haste to-day. Ah, +mammy, are you enjoying your ride?" she called to her old nurse as she +cantered swiftly by. + +"Yes, dat I is, honey!" returned the old woman. Then sending a loving, +admiring look after the retreating form so full of symmetry and grace, +"My bressed chile!" she murmured, "you's beautiful as de mornin', your +ole mammy tinks, an' sweet as de finest rose in de garden; bright an' +happy as de day am long, too." + +"De beautifullest in all de country, an' de finest," chimed in her +charioteer. + +The young people at Ashlands were all out on the veranda enjoying the +fresh morning air--Herbert lying on a lounge with a book in his hand; +Harry and Lucy seated on opposite sides of a small round table and +deep in a game of chess; two little fellows of six and eight--John and +Archie by name--were spinning a top. + +"There she is! I had almost given her up; for I didn't believe that +old father of hers would let her come," cried Lucy, catching sight of +Glossy and her rider just entering the avenue; and she sprang up in +such haste as to upset half the men upon the board. + +"Hollo! see what you've done!" exclaimed Harry. "Why, it's Elsie, sure +enough!" and he hastily followed in the wake of his sister, who had +already flown to meet and welcome her friend; while Herbert started up +to a sitting posture, and looked enviously after them. + +"Archie, John," he called, "one of you please be good enough to hand +me my crutch and cane. Dear me, what a thing it is to be a cripple!" + +"I'll get 'em, Herbie, this minute! Don't you try to step without +'em," said Archie, jumping up to hand them. + +But Elsie had already alighted from her horse with Harry's assistance, +and shaken hands with him, returned Lucy's rapturous embrace as warmly +as it was given, and stepped upon the veranda with her before Herbert +was fairly upon his feet. As she caught sight of him she hurried +forward, her sweet face full of tender pity. + +"Oh, don't try to come to meet me, Herbert," she said, holding out her +little gloved hand; "I know your poor limb is worse than usual, and +you, must not exert yourself for an old friend like me." + +"Ah," he said, taking the offered hand, and looking at its owner with +a glad light in his eyes, "How like you that is, Elsie! You always +were more thoughtful of others than any one else I ever knew. Yes, my +limb is pretty bad just now; but the doctor thinks he'll conquer the +disease yet; at least so far as to relieve me of the pain I suffer." + +"I hope so, indeed. How patiently you have borne it all these long +years," she answered with earnest sympathy of tone and look. + +"So he has; he deserves the greatest amount of credit for it," said +Lucy, as John and Archie in turn claimed Elsie's attention for a +moment. "But come now, let me take you to mamma and grandma, and then +to your own room. Aunt Chloe and your luggage will be along presently, +I suppose." + +"Yes, they are coming up the avenue now." + +Lucy led the way to a large pleasant, airy apartment in one of the +wings of the building, where they found Mrs. Carrington busily +occupied in cutting out garments for her servants, her parents Mr. and +Mrs. Norris with her, the one reading a newspaper, the other knitting. +All three gave the young guest a very warm welcome. She was evidently +a great favorite with the whole family. + +These greetings and the usual mutual inquiries in regard to the health +of friends and relatives having been exchanged, Elsie was next carried +off by Lucy to the room prepared for her special use during her stay +at Ashlands. It also was large, airy, and cheerful, on the second +floor--opening upon a veranda on one side, on the other into a similar +apartment occupied by Lucy herself. Pine India matting, furniture of +some kind of yellow grained wood, snowy counterpanes, curtains and +toilet covers gave them both an air of coolness and simple elegance, +while vases of fresh flowers upon the mantels shed around a slight but +delicious perfume. + +Of course the two girls were full of lively, innocent chat. In the +midst of it Elsie exclaimed, "Oh, Lucy! I have just the loveliest book +you ever read! a present from Mr. Travilla the other day, and I've +brought it along. Papa had begun it, but he is so kind he insisted I +should bring it with me; and so I did." + +"Oh, I'm glad! we haven't had anything new in the story-book line for +some time. Have you read it yourself?" + +"Partly; but it is worth reading several times; and I thought we would +enjoy it all together--one reading aloud." + +"Oh, 'tis just the thing! I'm going to help mamma to-day with the +sewing, and a nice book read aloud will make it quite enjoyable. We'll +have you for reader, Elsie, if you are agreed." + +"Suppose we take turns sewing and reading? I'd like to help your +mamma, too." + +"Thank you; well, we'll see. Herbert's a good reader, and I daresay +will be glad to take his turn at it too. Ah, here comes your baggage +and Aunt Chloe following it. Here, Bob and Jack," to the two stalwart +black fellows who were carrying the trunk, "set it in this corner. How +d'ye do, Aunt Chloe?" + +"Berry well, tank you, missy," replied the old nurse, dropping a +courtesy. "I'se berry glad to see you lookin' so bright dis here +mornin'." + +"Thank you. Now make yourself at home and take good care of your young +mistress." + +"Dat I will, missy; best I knows how. Trus' dis chile for dat." + +Elsie's riding habit was quickly exchanged for a house dress, her +hair made smooth and shining as its wont, and securing her book she +returned with Lucy to the lower veranda, where they found Herbert +still extended upon his sofa. + +His face brightened at sight of Elsie. He had laid aside his book, and +was at work with his knife upon a bit of soft pine wood. He whiled +away many a tedious hour by fashioning in this manner little boxes, +whistles, sets of baby-house furniture, etc., etc., for one and +another of his small friends. Books, magazines, and newspapers filled +up the larger portion of his time, but could not occupy it all, for, +as he said, he must digest his mental food, and he liked to have +employment for his fingers while doing so. + +"Please be good enough to sit where I can look at you without too +great an effort, won't you?" he said, smiling up into Elsie's face. + +"Yes, if that will afford you any pleasure," she answered lightly, as +Lucy beckoned to a colored girl, who stepped forward and placed a low +rocking chair at the side of the couch. + +"There, that is just right. I can have a full view of your face by +merely raising my eyes," Herbert said with satisfaction, as Elsie +seated herself in it. "What, you have brought a book?" + +"Yes," and while Elsie went on to repeat the substance of what she +had told Lucy, the latter slipped away to her mamma's room to make +arrangements about the work, and ask if they would not all like to +come and listen to the reading. + +"Is it the kind of book to interest an old body like me?" asked Mrs. +Norris. + +"I don't know, grandma; but Elsie says Mr. Travilla and her papa were +both delighted with it. Mr. Dinsmore, though, had not read the whole +of it." + +"Suppose we go and try it for a while then," said Mr. Morris, laying +down his paper. "If our little Elsie is to be the reader, I for one am +pretty sure to enjoy listening, her voice is so sweet-toned and her +enunciation so clear and distinct." + +"That's you, grandpa!" cried Lucy, clapping her hands in applause. +"Yes, you'd better all come, Elsie is to be the reader at the start; +she says she does not mind beginning the story over again." + +Mrs. Carrington began gathering up her work, laying the garments +already cut out in a large basket, which was then carried by her maid +to the veranda. In a few moments Elsie had quite an audience gathered +about her, ere long a deeply interested one; scissors or needle had +now and again to be dropped to wipe away a falling tear, and the voice +of the reader needed steadying more than once or twice. Then Herbert +took his turn at the book, Elsie hers with the needle, Mrs. Carrington +half reluctantly yielding to her urgent request to be allowed to +assist them. + +So the morning, and much of the afternoon also, passed most +pleasantly, and not unprofitably either. A walk toward sundown, and +afterward a delightful moonlight ride with Harry Carrington and +Winthrop Lansing, the son of a neighboring planter, finished the +day, and Elsie retired to her own room at her usual early hour. Lucy +followed and kept her chatting quite a while, for which Elsie's tender +conscience reproached her somewhat; yet she was not long in falling +asleep after her head had once touched her pillow. + +The next day was passed in a similar manner, still more time being +given to the reading, as they were able to begin it earlier: yet the +book was not finished; but on the morning of the next day, which was +Friday, Lucy proposed that, if the plan was agreeable to Elsie, they +should spend an hour or two in a new amusement; which was no other +than going into the dominions of Aunt Viney, the cook, and assisting +in beating eggs and making cake. + +Elsie was charmed with the idea, and it was immediately carried out, +to the great astonishment of Chloe, Aunt Viney, and all her sable +tribe. + +"Sho, Miss Lucy! what fo' you go for to fotch de company right yere +into dis yere ole dirty kitchen?" cried Aunt Viney, dropping a hasty +courtesy to Elsie, then hurrying hither and thither in the vain effort +to set everything to rights in a moment of time. "Clar out o' yere, +you, Han an' Scip," she cried, addressing two small urchins of dusky +hue and driving them before her as she spoke, "dere aint no room yere +fo' you, an' kitchens aint no place for darkies o' your size or sect. +I'll fling de dishcloth at yo' brack faces ef yo' comes in agin fo' +you sent for. I 'clare Miss Elsie, an' Miss Lucy, dose dirty niggahs +make sich a muss in yere, dere aint a char fit for you to set down +in," she continued, hastily cleaning two, and wiping them with her +apron. "I'se glad to see you, ladies, but ef I'd knowed you was +a-comin' dis kitchen shu'd had a cleanin' up fo' shuah." + +"You see, Aunt Viney, you ought to keep it in order, and then you +would be ready for visitors whenever they happened to come," said Lucy +laughingly. "Why, you're really quite out of breath with whisking +about so fast. We've come to help you." + +The fat old negress, still panting from her unwonted exertions, +straightened herself, pushed back her turban, and gazed in round-eyed +wonder upon her young mistress. + +"What! Missy help ole Aunt Viney wid dose lily-white hands? Oh, go +'long! you's jokin' dis time fo' shuah." + +"No indeed; we want the fun of helping to make some of the cake for +to-morrow. You know we want ever so many kinds to celebrate our two +birthdays." + +"Two birthdays, Miss Lucy? yo's and Massa Herbert's? Yes, dat's it; I +don't disremember de day, but I do disremember de age." + +"Sixteen; and now we're going to have a nice party to celebrate the +day, and you must see that the refreshments are got up in your very +best style." + +"So I will, Miss Lucy, an' no 'casion for you and Miss Elsie to +trouble yo' young heads 'bout de makin' ob de cakes an' jellies an' +custards an' sich. Ole Aunt Viney can 'tend to it all." + +"But we want the fun of it," persisted Lucy; "we want to try our hands +at beating eggs, rolling sugar, sifting flour, etc., etc. I've got a +grand new receipt book here, and we'll read out the recipes to you, +and measure and weigh the materials, and you can do the mixing and +baking." + +"Yes, missy, you' lily hands no' hab strength to stir, an' de fire +spoil yo' buful 'plexions for shuah." + +"I've brought mamma's keys," said Lucy; "come along with us to the +store-room, Aunt Viney, and I'll deal out the sugar, spices, and +whatever else you want." + +"Yes, Miss Lucy; but 'deed I don't need no help. You's berry kind, but +ole Viney kin do it all, an' she'll have eberything fus'-rate fo' de +young gemmen an' ladies." + +"But that isn't the thing, auntie; you don't seem to understand. Miss +Elsie and I want the fun, and to learn to cook, too. Who knows but we +may some day have to do our own work?" + +"Bress de Lord, Miss Lucy, how you talk, honey!" cried the old +negress, rolling up her eyes in horror at the thought. + +"Take care; Miss Elsie will think you very wicked if you use such +exclamations as that." + +"Dat wrong, you t'ink, missy?" asked Aunt Viney, turning to the young +visitor, who had gone with them to the store-room, and was assisting +Lucy in the work of measuring and weighing the needed articles. + +"I think it is," she answered gently; "we should be very careful +not to use the sacred name lightly. To do so is to break the third +commandment." + +"Den, missy, dis ole gal won't neber do it no more." + +Chloe had been an excellent cook in her young days, and had not +forgotten or lost her former skill in the preparation of toothsome +dainties. She, too, came with offers of assistance, and the four were +soon deep in the mysteries of pastry, sweetmeats, and confections. +Novelty gave it an especial charm to the young ladies, and they grew +very merry and talkative, while their ignorance of the business in +hand, the odd mistakes they fell into in consequence, and the comical +questions they asked, gave much secret amusement to the two old +servants. + +"What's this pound cake to be mixed up in, Aunt Viney?" asked Lucy. + +"In dis yere tin pan, missy." + +"Is it clean?" + +"Yes, missy, it's clean; but maybe 'taint suffishently clean, I'll +wash it agin." + +"How many kinds of cake shall we make?" asked Elsie. + +"Every kind that Chloe and Aunt Viney can think of and know how +to make well. Let me see--delicate cake, gold, silver and clove, +fruitcake, sponge, and what else?" + +"Mammy makes delicious jumbles." + +"Will you make us some, Aunt Chloe?" + +Chloe signified her readiness to do whatever was desired, and began at +once to collect her implements. + +"Got a rollin' pin, Aunt Viney?" she asked. + +"Yes, to be shuah, a revoltin' roller, de very bes' kind. No, Miss +Elsie, don' mix de eggs dat way, you spile 'em ef you mix de yaller +all up wid de whites. An' Miss Lucy, butter an' sugar mus' be worked +up togedder fus', till de butter resolve de sugah, 'fore we puts de +udder gredinents in." + +"Ah, I see we have a good deal to learn before we can hope to rival +you as cooks, Aunt Viney," laughed Lucy. + +"I spec' so, missy; you throw all de gredinents in togedder, an' +tumble your flouah in all at once, an' you nebber get your cake nice +an light." + +They had nearly reached the end of their labors when sounds as of +scuffling, mingled with loud boyish laughter, and cries of "That's it, +Scip, hit him again! Pitch into him, Han, and pay him off well for +it!" drew them all in haste to the window and door. + +The two little darkies who had been ejected from the kitchen, were +tussling in the yard, while their young masters, John and Archie, +looked on, shaking with laughter, and clapping their hands in noisy +glee. + +"What's all this racket about?" asked Grandpa Norris, coming out upon +the veranda, newspaper in hand, Herbert limping along by his side. + +"The old feud between Roman and Carthaginian, sir," replied John. + +"Why, what do you mean, child?" + +"Hannah Ball waging a war on Skipio, you know, sir." + +"History repeating itself, eh?" laughed Herbert. + +"Ah, that's an old joke, Archie," said his grandfather. "And you're +too big a rogue to set them at such work. Han and Scip, stop that at +once." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "All your attempts + Shall fall on me like brittle shafts on armor." + + +Lucy came into Elsie's room early the next morning to show her +birthday gifts, of which she had received one or more from every +member of her family. They consisted of articles of jewelry, toilet +ornaments, and handsomely-bound books. + +They learned on meeting Herbert at breakfast that he had fared quite +as well as his sister. Elsie slipped a valuable ring on Lucy's finger +and laid a gold pencil-case beside Herbert's plate. + +"Oh, charming! a thousand thanks, mon ami!" cried Lucy, her eyes +sparkling with pleasure. + +"Thank you, I shall value it most highly; especially for the giver's +sake," said Herbert, examining his with a pleased look, then turning +to her with a blush and joyous smile, "I am so much better this +morning that I am going out for a drive. Won't you and Lucy give me +the added pleasure of your company?" + +"Thank you, I can answer for myself that I'll be very happy to do so." + +"I, too," said Lucy. "It's a lovely morning for a ride. We'll make up +a party and go, but we must be home again in good season; for Carrie +and Enna promised to come to dinner. So I'm glad we finished the book +yesterday, though we were all so sorry to part from little Ellen." + +They turned out quite a strong party; Herbert and the ladies filling +up the family carriage, while Harry on horseback, and John and Archie +each mounted upon a pony, accompanied it, now riding alongside, now +speeding on ahead, or perchance dropping behind for a time as suited +their fancy. + +They travelled some miles, and alighting in a beautiful grove, partook +of a delicate lunch they had brought with them. Then, while Herbert +rested upon the grass the others wandered hither and thither until it +was time to return. They reached home just in season to receive their +expected guests. + +Carrie Howard was growing up very pretty and graceful; womanly in her +ways, yet quite unassuming in manner, frank and sweet in disposition, +she was a general favorite with old and young, and could already boast +of several suitors for her hand. + +Enna Dinsmore, now in her fourteenth year, though by some considered +even prettier, was far less pleasing--pert, forward, and conceited as +she had been in her early childhood; she was tall for her age, and +with her perfect self-possession and grown-up air and manner, might +be easily mistaken for seventeen. She had already more worldly wisdom +than her sweet, fair niece would ever be able to attain, and was, in +her own estimation at least, a very stylish and fashionable young +lady. She assumed very superior airs toward Elsie when her brother +Horace was not by, reproving, exhorting, or directing her; and was +very proud of being usually taken by strangers for the elder of the +two. Some day she would not think that a feather in her cap. + +Elsie had lost none of the childlike simplicity of five years ago; +it still showed itself in the sweet, gentle countenance, the quiet +graceful carriage, equally removed from forwardness on the one hand, +and timid self-consciousness on the other. She did not consider +herself a personage of importance, yet was not troubled by her +supposed insignificance; in fact seldom thought of self at all, so +engaged was she in adding to the happiness of others. + +The four girls were gathered in Lucy's room. She had been showing her +birthday presents to Carrie and Enna. + +"How do you like this style of arranging the hair, girls?" asked the +latter, standing before a mirror, smoothing and patting, and pulling +out her puffs and braids. "It's the newest thing out. Isabel Carleton +just brought it from New York. I saw her with hers dressed so, and +sent Delia over to learn how." + +Delia was Miss Enna's maid, and had been brought along to Ashlands +that she might dress her young lady's hair in this new style for the +party. + +"It's pretty," said Lucy. "I think I'll have Minerva dress mine so for +to-night, and see how it becomes me." + +"Delia can show her how," said Enna. "Don't you like it, Carrie?" + +"Pretty well, but if you'll excuse me for saying so, it strikes me as +rather grown up for a young lady of thirteen," answered Carrie in a +good-naturedly bantering tone. + +Enna colored and looked vexed. "I'm nearly fourteen," she replied with +a slight toss of the head; "and I overheard Mrs. Carleton saying to +mamma the other day, that with my height and finished manners I might +pass anywhere for seventeen." + +"Perhaps so; of course, knowing your age, I can't judge so well how it +would strike a stranger." + +"I see you have gone back to the old childish way of arranging your +hair. What's that for?" asked Enna, turning to Elsie; "I should +think it was about time you were beginning to be a little womanly in +something." + +"Yes, but not in dress or the arrangement of my hair. So papa says, +and of course I know he is right." + +"He would not let you have it up in a comb?" + +"No," Elsie answered with a quiet smile. + +"Why do you smile? Did he say anything funny when you showed yourself +that day?" + +"Oh, Elsie, have you tried putting up your hair?" asked Carrie; while +Lucy exclaimed, "Try it again to-night, Elsie, I should like to see +how you would look." + +"Yes," said Elsie, answering Carrie's query first. "Enna persuaded me +one day to have mammy do it up in young-lady fashion. I liked it right +well for a change, and that was just what mamma said when I went into +the drawing-room and showed myself to her. But when papa came in, he +looked at me with a comical sort of surprise in his face, and said. +'Come here; what have you been doing to yourself?' I went to him and +he pulled out my comb, and ordered me off to mammy to have my hair +arranged again in the usual way, saying, 'I'm not going to have you +aping the woman already; don't alter the style of wearing your hair +again, till I give you permission.' + +"And you walked off as meek as Moses, and did his bidding," said Enna +sarcastically. "No man shall ever rule me so. If papa should undertake +to give me such an order, I'd just inform him that my hair was my own, +and I should arrange it as suited my own fancy." + +"I think you are making yourself out worse than you really are, +Enna," said Elsie gravely. "I am sure you could never say anything so +extremely impertinent as that to grandpa." + +"Impertinent! Well, if you believe it necessary to be so very +respectful, consistency should lead you to refrain from reproving your +aunt." + +"I did not exactly mean to reprove you, Enna, and you are younger than +I." + +"Nobody would think it," remarked Enna superciliously and with a +second toss of her head, as she turned from the glass; "you are so +extremely childish in every way, while, as mamma says, I grow more +womanly in appearance and manner every day." + +"Elsie's manners are quite perfect, I think," said Carrie; "and her +hair is so beautiful, I don't believe any other style of arrangement +could improve its appearance in the least." + +"But it's so childish, so absurdly childish! just that great mass of +ringlets hanging about her neck and shoulders. Come, Elsie, I want you +to have it dressed in this new style for to-night." + +"No, Enna, I am perfectly satisfied to wear it in this childish +fashion; and if I were not, still I could not disobey papa." + +Enna turned away with a contemptuous sniff, and Lucy proposed that +they should go down to the drawing-room, and try some new music she +had just received, until it should be time to dress for the evening. + +Herbert lay on a sofa listening to their playing. "Lucy," he said in +one of the pauses, "what amusements are we to have to-night?--anything +beside the harp, piano, and conversation?" + +"Dancing, of course. Cad's fiddle will provide as good music as any +one need care for, and this room is large enough for all who will be +here. Our party is not to be very large, you know." + +"And Elsie, for one, is too pious to dance," sneered Enna. + +Elsie colored, but remained silent. + +"Oh! I did not think of that!" cried Lucy. "Elsie, do you really think +it is a sinful amusement?" + +"I think it wrong to go to balls; at least that it would be wrong for +me, a professed Christian, Lucy." + +"But this will not be a ball, and we'll have nothing but quiet country +dances, or something of that sort, no waltzing or anything at all +objectionable. What harm can there be in jumping about in that way +more than in another?" + +"None that I know of," answered Elsie, smiling. "And I certainly shall +not object to others doing as they like, provided I am not asked to +take part in it." + +"But why not take part, if it is not wrong?" asked Harry, coming in +from the veranda. + +"Why, don't you know she never does anything without asking the +permission of papa?" queried Enna tauntingly. "But where's the use of +consulting her wishes in the matter, or urging her to take part in the +wicked amusement?--she'll have to go to bed at nine o'clock, like any +other well-trained child, and we'll have time enough for our dancing +after that." + +"Oh, Elsie, must you?--must you really leave us at that early hour? +Why, that's entirely too bad!" cried the others in excited chorus. + +"I shall stay up till ten," answered Elsie quietly, while a deep flush +suffused her cheek. + +"That is better, but we shall not know how to spare you even that +soon," said Harry. "Couldn't you make it eleven?--that would not be so +very late just for once." + +"No, for she can't break her rules, or disobey orders. If she did, +papa would be sure to find it out and punish her when she gets home." + +"For shame, Enna! that's quite too bad!" cried Carrie and Lucy in a +breath. + +Elsie's color deepened, and there was a flash of anger and scorn in +her eyes as she turned for an instant upon Enna. Then she replied +firmly, though with a slight tremble of indignation in her tones: "I +am not ashamed to own that I do find it both a duty and a pleasure to +obey my father, whether he be present or absent. I have confidence, +too, in both his wisdom and his love for me. He thinks early hours of +great importance, especially to those who are young and growing, and +therefore he made it a rule that I shall retire to my room and begin +my preparations for bed by nine o'clock. But he gave me leave to stay +up an hour later to-night, and I intend to do so." + +"I think you are a very good girl, and feel just right about it," said +Carrie. + +"I wish he had said eleven, I think he might this once," remarked +Lucy. "Why, don't you remember he let you stay up till ten Christmas +Eve that time we all spent the holidays at Roselands, which was five +years ago?" + +"Yes," said Elsie, "but this is Saturday night, and as to-morrow is +the Sabbath, I should not feel it to be right to stay up later, even +if I had permission." + +"Why not? it isn't Sunday till twelve," said Herbert. + +"No, but I should be apt to oversleep myself, and be dull and drowsy +in church next morning." + +"Quite a saint!" muttered Enna, shrugging her shoulders and marching +off to the other side of the room. + +"Suppose we go and select some flowers for our hair," said Lucy, +looking at her watch. "'Twill be tea-time presently, and we'll want to +dress directly after." + +"You always were such a dear good girl," whispered Carrie Howard, +putting her arm about Elsie's waist as they left the room. + +Enna was quite gorgeous that evening, in a bright-colored silk, +trimmed with multitudinous flounces and many yards of ribbon and gimp. +The young damsel had a decidedly gay taste, and glanced somewhat +contemptuously at Elsie's dress of simple white, albeit 'twas of the +finest India muslin and trimmed with costly lace. She wore her pearl +necklace and bracelets, a broad sash of rich white ribbon; no other +ornaments save a half-blown moss rosebud at her bosom, and another +amid the glossy ringlets of her hair, their green leaves the only bit +of color about her. + +"You look like a bride," said Herbert, gazing admiringly upon her. + +"Do I?" she answered smiling, as she turned and tripped lightly away; +for Lucy was calling to her from the next room. + +Herbert's eyes followed her with a wistful, longing look in them, and +he sighed sadly to himself as she disappeared from his view. + +Most of the guests came early; among them, Walter and Arthur Dinsmore; +Elsie had not seen the latter since his encounter with Mr. Travilla. +He gave her a sullen nod on entering the room, but took no further +notice of her. + +Chit-chat, promenading and the music of the piano and harp were +the order of the evening for a time; then games were proposed, and +"Consequences," "How do you like it?" and "Genteel lady, always +genteel," afforded much amusement. Herbert could join in these, and +did with much spirit. But dancing was a favorite pastime with the +young people of the neighborhood, and the clock had hardly struck nine +when Cadmus and his fiddle were summoned to their aid, chairs and +tables were put out of the way, and sets began to form. + +Elsie was in great request; the young gentlemen flocked about her, +with urgent entreaties that she would join in the amusement, each +claiming the honor of her hand in one or more sets, but she steadily +declined. + +A glad smile lighted up Herbert's countenance, as he saw one and +another turn and walk away with a look of chagrin and disappointment. + +"Since my misfortune compels me to act the part of a wallflower, I am +selfish enough, I own, to rejoice in your decision to be one also," he +said gleefully. "Will you take a seat with me on this sofa? I presume +your conscience does not forbid you to watch the dancers?" + +"No, not at all," she answered, accepting his invitation. + +Elsie's eyes followed with eager interest the swiftly moving forms, +but Herbert's were often turned admiringly upon her. At length he +asked if she did not find the room rather warm and close, and proposed +that they should go out upon the veranda. She gave a willing assent +and they passed quietly out and sat down side by side on a rustic +seat. + +The full moon shone upon them from a beautiful blue sky, while a +refreshing breeze, fragrant with the odor of flowers and pines, gently +fanned their cheeks and played among the rich masses of Elsie's hair. + +They found a good deal to talk about; they always did, for they were +kindred spirits. Their chat was now grave, now gay--generally the +latter; for Cad's music was inspiriting; but whatever the theme of +their discourse, Herbert's eyes were constantly seeking the face of +his companion. + +"How beautiful you are, Elsie!" he exclaimed at length, in a tone of +such earnest sincerity that it made her laugh, the words seemed to +rush spontaneously from his lips. "You are always lovely, but to-night +especially so." + +"It's the moonlight, Herbert; there's a sort of witchery about it, +that lends beauty to many an object which can boast none of itself." + +"Ah, but broad daylight never robs you of yours; you always wear it +wherever you are, and however dressed. You look like a bride to-night; +I wish you were, and that I were the groom." + +Elsie laughed again, this time more merrily than before. "Ah, what +nonsense we are talking--we two children," she said. Then starting to +her feet as the clock struck ten--"There, it is my bed-time, and I +must bid you good-night, pleasant dreams, and a happy awaking." + +"Oh, don't go yet!" he cried, but she was already gone, the skirt of +her white dress just disappearing through the open hall door. + +She encountered Mrs. Carrington at the foot of the stairs. "My dear +child, you are not leaving us already?" she cried. + +"Yes, madam; the clock has struck ten." + +"Why, you are a second Cinderella." + +"I hope not," replied Elsie, laughing. "See, my dress has not changed +in the least, but is quite as fresh and nice as ever." + +"Ah, true enough! there the resemblance fails entirely. But, my dear +child, the refreshments are just coming in, and you must have your +share. I had ordered them an hour earlier, but the servants were slow +and dilatory, and then the dancing began. Come, can you not wait long +enough to partake with us? Surely, ten o'clock is not late." + +"No, madam; not for another night of the week, but to-morrow's the +Sabbath, you know, and if I should stay up late to-night I would be +likely to find myself unfitted for its duties. Besides, papa bade me +retire at this hour; and he does not approve of my eating at night; he +thinks it is apt to cause dyspepsia." + +"Ah, that is too bad! Well, I shall see that something is set away for +you, and hope you will enjoy it to-morrow. Good-night, dear; I must +hurry away now to see the rest of my guests, and will not detain you +longer," she added, drawing the fair girl toward her and kissing her +affectionately, then hastening away to the supper-room. + +Elsie tripped up the stairs and entered her room. A lamp burned low on +the toilet table, she went to it, turned up the wick, and as she did +so a slight noise on the veranda without startled her. The windows +reached to the floor and were wide open. + +"Who's there?" she asked. + +"I," was answered, in a rough, surly tone, and Arthur stepped in. + +"Is it you?" she asked in surprise and indignation. "Why do you come +here? it is not fit you should, especially at this hour." + +"It is not fit you should set yourself up to reprove and instruct your +uncle, I've come for that money you are going to lend me." + +"I am not going to lend you any money." + +"Give it then; that will be all the better for my pocket. + +"I have none to give you either, Arthur; papa has positively forbidden +me to supply you with money." + +"How much have you here?" + +"That is a question you have no right to ask." + +"Well, I know you are never without a pretty good supply of the +needful, and I'm needy. So hand it over without any more ado; +otherwise I shall be very apt to help myself." + +"No, you will not," she said, with dignity. "If you attempt to rob me, +I shall call for assistance." + +"And disgrace the family by giving the tattlers a precious bit of +scandal to retail in regard to us." + +"If you care for the family credit you will go away at once and leave +me in peace." + +"I will, eh? I'll go when I get what I came for, and not before." + +Elsie moved toward the bell rope, but anticipating her intention, he +stepped before it, saying with a jeering laugh, "No, you don't!" + +"Arthur," she said, drawing herself up, and speaking with great +firmness and dignity, "leave this room; I wish to be alone." + +"Hoity-toity, Miss Dinsmore! do you suppose I'm to be ordered about by +you? No, indeed! And I've an old score to pay off. One of these days +I'll be revenged on you and old Travilla, too; nobody shall insult and +abuse me with impunity. Now hand over that cash!" + +"Leave this room!" she repeated. + +"None of your ---- impudence!" he cried fiercely, catching her by the +arm with a grasp that wrung from her a low, half-smothered cry of +pain. + +But footsteps and voices were heard on the stairs, and he hastily +withdrew by the window through which he had entered. + +Elsie pulled up her sleeve and looked at her arm. Each finger of +Arthur's hand had left its mark. "Oh, how angry papa would be!" she +murmured to herself, hastily drawing down her sleeve again as the door +opened and Chloe came in, followed by another servant bearing a small +silver waiter loaded with dainties. + +"Missus tole me fetch 'em up with her compliments, an' hopes de young +lady'll try to eat some," she said, setting it down on a table. + +"Mrs. Carrington is very kind. Please return her my thanks, Minerva," +said Elsie, making a strong effort to steady her voice. + +The girl, taken up with the excitement of what was going on +downstairs, failed to notice the slight tremble in its tones. But +not so with Chloe. As the other hurried from the room, she took her +nursling in her arms, and gazing into the sweet face with earnest, +loving scrutiny; asked, "What de matter, darlin'? what hab resturbed +you so, honey?" + +"You mustn't leave me alone, to-night, mammy," Elsie whispered, +clinging to her, and half hiding her face on her breast. "Don't go out +of the room at all, unless it is to step on the veranda." + +Chloe was much surprised, for Elsie had never been cowardly. + +"'Deed I won't, darling" she answered, caressing the shining hair, and +softly rounded cheek. "But what my bressed chile 'fraid of?" + +"Mr. Arthur, mammy," Elsie answered scarcely above her breath. "He was +in here a moment since, and if I were alone again he might come back." + +"An' what Marse Arthur doin' yer dis time ob night, I like ter +know?--what he want frightenin' my chile like dis?" + +"Money, mammy, and papa has forbidden me to let him have any, because +he makes a bad use of it." Elsie knew to whom she spoke. Chloe was no +ordinary servant, and could be trusted. + +"Dear, dear, it's drefful that Marse Arthur takes to dem bad ways! But +don't go for to fret, honey; we'll 'gree together to ask de Lord to +turn him to de right." + +"Yes, mammy, you must help me to pray for him. But now I must get +ready for bed; I have stayed up longer than papa said I might." + +"Won't you take some of de 'freshments fust, honey?" + +Elsie shook her head. "Eat what you want of them, mammy. I know I am +better without." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + There's not a look, a word of thine + My soul hath e'er forgot; + Thou ne'er hast bid a ringlet shine, + Nor given thy locks one graceful twine, + Which I remember not. + + --MOORE. + + +The clock on the stairway was just striking nine, as some one tapped +lightly on the door of Elsie's room, leading into the hall. Chloe rose +and opened it. "Dat you, Scip?" + +"Yes, Aunt Chloe; de missis say breakop's is ready, an' will Miss +Dinsmore please for to come if she's ready. We don't ring de bell fear +wakin' up de odder young ladies an' gemmen." + +Elsie had been up and dressed for the last hour, which she had spent +in reading her Bible; a book not less dear and beautiful in her esteem +now than it was in the days of her childhood. She rose and followed +Scip to the dining-room, where she found the older members of the +family already assembled, and about to sit down to the table. + +"Ah, my dear, good-morning," said Mrs. Carrington; "I was sure you +would be up and dressed: but the others were so late getting to bed +that I mean they shall be allowed to sleep as long as they will. Ah! +and here comes Herbert, too. We have quite a party after all." + +"I should think you would need a long nap this morning more than any +one else," Elsie said, addressing Herbert. + +"No," he answered, coloring. "I took advantage of my semi-invalidism, +and retired very shortly after you left us." + +"You must not think it is usual for us to be quite so late on Sunday +morning, Elsie," observed Mr. Carrington as he sent her her plate, +"though I'm afraid we are hardly as early risers, even on ordinary +occasions, as you are at the Oaks. I don't think it's a good plan to +have Saturday-night parties," he added, looking across the table at +his wife. + +"No," she said lightly; "but we must blame it all on the birthday, for +coming when it did. And though we are late, we shall still be in time +to get to church. Elsie, will you go with us?" + +"In the carriage with mother and me?" added Herbert. + +Elsie, had she consulted her own inclination merely, would have +greatly preferred to ride her pony, but seeing the eager look in +Herbert's eyes, she answered smilingly that she should accept the +invitation with pleasure, if there was a seat in the carriage which no +one else cared to occupy. + +"There will be plenty of room, my dear," said Mr. Carrington; "father +and mother always go by themselves, driving an ancient mare we call +old Bess, who is so very quiet and slow that no one else can bear to +ride behind her; and the boys and I either walk or ride our horses." + +It was time to set out almost immediately upon leaving the table. They +had a quiet drive through beautiful pine woods, heard an excellent +gospel sermon, and returned by another and equally beautiful route. + +Elsie's mind was full of the truth to which she had been listening, +and she had very little to say. Mrs. Carrington and Herbert, too, were +unusually silent; the latter feeling it enjoyment enough just to sit +by Elsie's side. He had known and loved her from their very early +childhood; with a love that had grown and strengthened year by year. + +"You seem much fatigued, Herbert," his mother said to him, as a +servant assisted him from the carriage, and up the steps of the +veranda. "I am almost sorry you went." + +"Oh, no, mother, I'm not at all sorry," he answered cheerfully; "I +shall have to spend the rest of the day on my couch, but that sermon +was enough to repay me for the exertion it cost me to go to hear it." +Then he added in an undertone to Elsie, who stood near, looking at him +with pitying eyes, "I shan't mind having to lie still if you will give +me your company for even a part of the time." + +"Certainly you shall have it, if it will be any comfort to you," she +answered, with her own sweet smile. + +"You must not be too exacting towards Elsie, my son," said his mother, +shaking up his pillows for him, and settling him comfortably on them; +"she is always so ready to sacrifice herself for others that she would +not, I fear, refuse such a request, however much it might cost her to +grant it. And no doubt she will want to be with the other girls." + +"Yes, it was just like my selfishness to ask it, Elsie, and never +think how distasteful it might be to you. I take it all back," he +said, blushing, but with a wistful look in his eyes that she could +never have withstood, had she wished to do so. + +"It's too late for that, since I have already accepted," she said with +an arch look as she turned away. "But don't worry yourself about me; I +shall follow my own inclination in regard to the length of my visit, +making it very short if I find your society irksome or disagreeable." + +The other girls were promenading on the upper veranda in full dinner +dress. + +Carrie hailed Elsie in a lively tone. "So you've been to church, like +a good Christian, leaving us three lazy sinners taking our ease at +home. We took our breakfasts in bed, and have only just finished our +toilets." + +"Well, and why shouldn't we?" said Enna; "we don't profess to be +saints." + +"No, I just said we were sinners. But don't think too ill of us, +Elsie, it was so late--or rather early--well on into the small +hours--when we retired, that a long morning nap became a necessity." + +"I don't pretend to judge you, Carrie," Elsie answered gently, "it +is not for me to do so; and I acknowledge that though I retired much +earlier than you, I slept a full hour past my usual time for rising." + +"You'll surely have to do penance for that," sneered Enna. + +"No, she shan't," said Lucy, putting her arm around her friend's +slender waist. "Come, promenade with me till the dinner-bell rings, +the exercise will do you good." + +The lively chat of the girls seemed to our heroine so unsuited to +the sacredness of the day that she rejoiced in the excuse Herbert's +invitation gave her for withdrawing herself from their society for the +greater part of the afternoon. She found him alone, lying on his sofa, +apparently asleep; but at the sound of her light footstep he opened +his eyes and looked up with a joyous smile. "I'm so glad to see you! +how good of you to come!" he cried delightedly. "It's abominably +selfish of me, though. Don't let me keep you from having a good time +with the rest." + +"The Sabbath is hardly the day for what people usually mean by a good +time, is it?" she said, taking possession of a low rocking-chair that +stood by the side of his couch. + +"No, but it is the day of days for real good, happy times; everything +is so quiet and still that it is easier than on other days to lift +one's thoughts to God and Heaven. Oh, Elsie, I owe you a great debt of +gratitude, that I can never repay." + +"For what, Herbert?" + +"Ah, don't you know it was you who first taught me the sweetness of +carrying all my trials and troubles to Jesus? Years ago, when we were +very little children, you told me what comfort and happiness you found +in so doing, and begged me to try it for myself." + +"And you did?" + +"Yes, and have continued to do so ever since." + +"And that is what enables you to be so patient and uncomplaining." + +"If I am. But ah! you don't know the dreadfully rebellious feelings +that sometimes will take possession of me, especially when, after +the disease has seemed almost eradicated from my system, it suddenly +returns to make me as helpless and full of pain as ever. Nobody knows +how hard it is to endure it; how weary I grow of life; how unendurably +heavy my burden seems." + +"Yes, He knows," she murmured softly. "In all their afflictions He was +afflicted; and the angel of His presence saved them." + +"Yes, He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Oh, how sweet +and comforting it is!" + +They were silent for a moment; then turning to her, he asked, "Are +you ever afraid that your troubles and cares are too trifling for +His notice? that you will weary and disgust Him with your continual +coming?" + +"I asked papa about that once, and I shall never forget the tender, +loving look he gave me as he said: 'Daughter, do I ever seem to feel +that anything which affects your comfort or happiness one way or the +other, is too trifling to interest and concern me?' 'Oh, no, no, +papa,' I said; 'you have often told me you would be glad to know that +I had not a thought or feeling concealed from you; and you always seem +to like to have me come to you with every little thing that makes me +either glad or sorry.' 'I am, my darling,' he answered, 'just because +you are so very near and dear to me; and what does the Bible tell us? +"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that +fear Him!"'" + +"Yes," said Herbert, musingly. "Then that text somewhere in Isaiah +about His love being greater than a mother's for her little helpless +babe." + +"And what Jesus said: 'Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and +not one of them shall fall to the ground without your Father. But the +very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye +are of more value than many sparrows.' And then the command: 'In +everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your +requests be made known unto God.' Papa reminded me, too, of God's +infinite wisdom and power, of the great worlds, countless in number, +that He keeps in motion--the sun and planets of many solar systems +besides our own--and then the myriads upon myriads of tiny insects +that crowd earth, air, and water; God's care and providence ever over +them all. Oh, one does not know how to take it in! one cannot realize +the half of it. God does not know the distinctions that we do between +great and small, and it costs Him no effort to attend at one and the +same time, to all His creatures and all their affairs." + +"No, that is true. Oh, how great and how good He is! and how sweet +to know of His goodness and love; to feel that he hears and answers +prayer! I would not give that up for perfect health and vigor, and all +the wealth of the world beside." + +"I think I would give up everything else first; and oh, I am so glad +for you, Herbert," she said softly. + +Then they opened their Bibles and read several chapters together, +verse about, pausing now and then to compare notes, as to their +understanding of the exact meaning of some particular passage, or to +look out a reference, or consult a commentary. + +"I'm excessively tired of the house; do let's take a walk," said Enna, +as they stood or sat about the veranda after tea. + +"Do you second the motion, Miss Howard?" asked Harry. + +"Yes," she said, rising and taking his offered arm. "Elsie, you'll go +too?" + +"Oh, there's no use in asking her!" cried Enna. "She is much too good +to do anything pleasant on Sunday." + +"Indeed! I was not aware of that." And Harry shrugged his shoulders, +and threw a comical look at Elsie. "What is your objection to pleasant +things, Miss Dinsmore? To be quite consistent you should object to +yourself." + +Elsie smiled. "Enna must excuse me for saying that she makes a slight +mistake; for while it is true my conscience would not permit me to go +pleasuring on the Sabbath, yet it does not object to many things that +I find very pleasant." + +"Such as saying your prayers, reading the Bible, and going to church?" + +"Yes. Enna; those are real pleasures to me." + +"But to come to the point, will you walk with us?" asked Lucy. + +"Thank you, no; not to-night. But please don't mind me. I have no +right, and don't presume to decide such questions for anyone but +myself." + +"Then, if you'll excuse us, we'll leave mamma and Herbert to entertain +you for a short time." + +The short time proved to be two hours or more, and long before the +return of the little party, Mrs. Carrington went into the house, +leaving the two on the veranda alone. + +They sang hymns together for a while, then fell to silent musing. +Herbert was the first to speak. He still lay upon his sofa; Elsie +sitting near, her face at that moment upturned to the sky, where the +full moon was shining, and looking wondrous sweet and fair in the +soft silvery light. Her thoughts seemed far away, and she started and +turned quickly toward him as he softly breathed her name. + +"Oh, Elsie, this has been such a happy day to me! What joy, what +bliss, if we could be always together!" + +"If you were only my brother! I wish you were, Herbert." + +"No, no, I do not; for I would be something much nearer and dearer. +Oh, Elsie, if you only would!" he went on, speaking very fast and +excitedly. "You thought I was joking last night, but I was not, I was +in earnest; never more so in my life. Oh, do you think you could like +me, Elsie?" + +"Why, yes, Herbert; I do, and always have ever since we first became +acquainted." + +"No, I didn't mean like, I meant love. Elsie, could you love me--love +me well enough to marry me?" + +"Why, Herbert; what an idea!" she stammered, her face flushing visibly +in the moonlight. "You don't know how you surprise me; surely we are +both too young to be thinking of such things. Papa says I am not even +to consider myself a young lady for three or four years yet. I'm +nothing but a child. And you, Herbert, are not much older." + +"Six months; but that's quite enough difference. And your father +needn't object on the score of our youth. You are as old now as I've +been told your mother was when he married her, and another year will +make me as old as he was. And your Aunts Louisa and Lora were both +engaged before they were sixteen. It's not at all uncommon for girls +in this part of the country to marry before they are that old. But I +know I'm not half good enough for you, Elsie. A king might be proud to +win you for his bride, and I'm only a poor, good-for-nothing cripple, +not worth anybody's acceptance." And he turned away his face, with +something that sounded very like a sob. + +Elsie's kind heart was touched. "No, Herbert, you must not talk so. +You are a dear, good, noble fellow, worthy of any lady in the land," +she said, half playfully, half tenderly and laying her little soft +white hand over his mouth. + +He caught it in his and pressed it passionately to his lips, there +holding it fast. "Oh, Elsie, if it were only mine to keep!" he cried, +"I'd be the happiest fellow in the world." + +She looked at his pale, thin face, worn with suffering, into his eyes +so full of passionate entreaty; thought what a dear lovable fellow he +had always been, and forgot herself entirely--forgot everything but +the desire to relieve and comfort him, and make him happy. + +"Only tell me that you care for me, darling, and that you are willing +some day to belong to me! only give me a little hope; I shall die if +you don't!" + +"I do care for you, Herbert; I would do anything in my power to make +you happy." + +"Then I may call you my own! Oh, darling, God bless you for your +goodness!" + +But the clock was striking nine, and with the sound, a sudden +recollection came to Elsie. "It is my bed-time, and--and, Herbert, it +will all have to be just as papa says. I belong to him, and cannot +give myself away without his permission. Good-night." She hastily +withdrew the hand he still held, and was gone ere he had time to +reply. + +"What had she done--something of which papa would highly disapprove? +Would he be very much vexed with her?" Elsie asked herself +half-tremblingly, as she sat passively under her old mammy's hands; +for her father's displeasure was the one thing she dreaded above all +others. + +She was just ready for bed when a light tap on the door was followed +by the entrance of Mrs. Carrington. + +"I wish to see your young mistress alone for a few moments, Aunt +Chloe," she said, and the faithful creature went from the room at +once. + +Mrs. Carrington threw her arms around Elsie, folded her in close, +loving embrace, and kissed her fondly again and again, "My dear child, +how happy you have made me!" she whispered at last. "Herbert has told +me all. Dear boy, he could not keep such good news from his mother. +I know of nothing that could have brought me deeper joy and +thankfulness, for I have always had a mother's love for you." + +Elsie felt bewildered, almost stunned. "I--I'm afraid you--he has +misunderstood me; it--it must be as papa says," she stammered; "I +cannot decide it for myself, I have no right." + +"Certainly, my dear, that is all very right, very proper; parents +should always be consulted in these matters. But your papa loves +you too well to raise any objection when he sees that your heart is +interested. And Herbert is worthy of you, though his mother says it; +he is a noble, true-hearted fellow, well-educated, handsome, talented, +polished in manners, indeed all that anybody could ask, if he were but +well; and we do not despair of seeing him eventually quite restored +to health. But I am keeping you up, and I know that your papa is +very strict and particular about your observance of his rules; so +good-night." And, with another caress, she left her. + +Thought was very busy in Elsie's brain as she laid her head upon her +pillow. It was delightful to have given such joy and happiness to +Herbert and his mother. Lucy, too, she felt sure would be very glad +to learn that they were to be sisters. But her own papa, how would he +feel--what would he say? Only the other day he had reminded her how +entirely she belonged to him--that no other had the slightest claim +upon her, and as he spoke, the clasp of his arms seemed to say that he +would defy the whole world to take her from him. No, he would never +give her up; and somehow she was not at all miserable at the thought; +but on the contrary it sent a thrill of joy to her heart; it was so +sweet to be so loved and cherished by him, "her own dear, dear papa!" + +But then another thing came to her remembrance; his pity for poor +suffering Herbert; his expressed willingness to do anything he could +to make him happy--and again she doubted whether he would accept or +reject the boy's suit for her hand. + +Carrie and Enna were to leave at an early hour on Monday morning. +They came into Elsie's room for a parting chat while waiting for the +ringing of the breakfast bell; so the three went down together to +answer its summons, and thus she was spared the necessity of entering +the dining room alone--an ordeal she had really dreaded; a strange and +painful shyness toward the whole family at Ashlands having suddenly +come over her. She managed to conceal it pretty well, but carefully +avoided meeting Herbert's eye, or those of his parents. + +The girls left directly on the conclusion of the meal, and having seen +them off, Elsie slipped away to her own room. But Lucy followed her +almost immediately, fairly wild with delight at the news Herbert had +just been giving her. + +"Oh, you darling!" she cried, hugging her friend with all her might. +"I never was so glad in all my life! To think that I'm to have you for +a sister! I could just eat you up!" + +"I hope you won't," said Elsie, laughing and blushing, as she returned +the embrace as heartily as it was given. "But we must not be too sure; +I'm not at all certain of papa's consent." + +"No, I just expect he'll object to Herbie on account of his lameness, +and his ill health. I don't think we ought to blame him if he does +either." And Lucy suddenly sobered down to more than her ordinary +gravity. "Ah, I forgot," she said, a moment after; "Herbert begs that +you will come down and let him talk with you a little if you are not +particularly engaged." + +Elsie answering that she had nothing to do, her time was quite at +his disposal, the two tripped downstairs, each with an arm about +the other's waist, as they had done so often in the days of their +childhood. + +They found Herbert on the veranda, not lying down, but seated on his +sofa. "You are better this morning?" Elsie said with a glad look up +into his face, as he rose, leaning on his crutch, and gave her the +other hand. + +"Yes, thank you, much better. Joy has proved so great a cordial that I +begin to hope it may work a complete cure." He drew her to a seat by +his side, and Lucy considerately went away and left them alone. + +"You have not changed your mind, Elsie?" His tone was low and half +tremulous in its eagerness. + +"No, Herbert; but it all rests with papa, you know." + +"I hardly dare ask him for you, it seems like such presumption in a--a +cripple like me." + +"Don't say that, Herbert. Would you love me less if I should become +lame or ill?" + +"No, no, never! but I couldn't bear to have any such calamity come +upon you. I can hardly bear that you should have a lame husband. The +thought of it makes my trial harder to bear than ever." + +"It is God's will, and we must not fight against it," she said softly. + +They conversed for some time longer. He was very anxious to gain Mr. +Dinsmore's consent to their engagement, yet shrank from asking it, +fearing an indignant refusal; most of all, he dreaded a personal +interview; and, but ill able to take the ride to the Oaks, it was +finally decided between them that he should make his application by +letter, doing so at once. + +A servant was summoned to bring him his writing materials, and Elsie +left him to his trying task, while she and Lucy and Harry mounted +their horses and were away for a brisk, delightful ride through the +woods and over the hills. + +"It's gone, Elsie," Herbert whispered, when she came down dressed for +dinner. "I wrote it twice; it didn't suit me then, but my strength was +quite exhausted, so it had to go. I hope the answer will come soon, +but oh, I shall be almost afraid to open it." + +"Don't feel so; papa is very good and kind. He pities you so much, +too," and she repeated what he had said about being willing to do +anything he could for him. + +Herbert's face grew bright with hope as he listened. "And do you think +he'll answer at once?" he asked. + +"Yes, papa is always very prompt and decided; never keeps one long in +suspense." + +Mr. Carrington met our heroine at the dinner-table with such a bright, +glad smile, and treated her in so kind and fatherly a manner that she +felt sure he knew all, and was much pleased with the prospect before +them. But she was afraid Harry did not like it--did not want her for a +sister. He was usually very gay and talkative, full of fun and frolic. +He had been so during their ride, but now his manner seemed strangely +altered; he was moody and taciturn, almost cross. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Keen are the pangs + Of hapless love and passion unapproved. + + --SMOLLETT'S "REGICIDE" + + +Hardly anything could have been more distasteful to Horace Dinsmore +than the state of affairs revealed to him by Herbert Carrington's +note. He was greatly vexed, not at the lad's manner of preferring his +request, but that it should have been made at all. He was not ready, +yet to listen to such a proposal coming from any person, however +eligible, much less from one so sadly afflicted as poor Herbert. He +sought his wife's presence with the missive in his hand. + +"What is the matter, my dear?" she asked; "I have seldom seen you so +disturbed." + +"The most absurd nonsense! the most ridiculously provoking affair! +Herbert Carrington asking me to give him my daughter! I don't wonder +at your astonished look, Rose; a couple of silly children. I should +have given either of them credit for more sense." + +"It has certainly taken me very much by surprise," said Rose, smiling. +"I cannot realize that Elsie is grown up enough to be beginning with +such things; yet you know she has passed her fifteenth birthday, +and that half the girls about here become engaged before they are +sixteen." + +"But Elsie shall not. I'll have no nonsense of the kind for years to +come. She shall not marry a day before she is twenty-one, I had nearly +said twenty-five; and I don't think I'll allow it before then." + +Rose laughed. "My dear, do you know what my age was when you married +me?" + +"Twenty-one, you told me." + +"Don't you think my father ought then to have kept us waiting four +years longer?" + +"No," he answered, stooping to stroke her hair, and snatch a kiss from +her rich red lips. + +She looked up smilingly into his face. "Ah, consistency is a jewel! +and pray how old were you when you married the first time? and what +was then the age of Elsie's mother?" + +"Your arguments are not unanswerable, Mrs. Dinsmore. Your father could +spare you, having several other daughters; I have but one, and can't +spare her. Elsie's mother was not older when I married her, it is +true, than Elsie is now, but was much more mature, and had neither the +happy home nor the doting father her daughter has. And as for myself, +though much too young to marry, I was a year older than this Herbert +Carrington; and I was in sound and vigorous health, while he, poor +fellow, is sadly crippled, and likely always to be an invalid, and +very unlikely to live to so much as see his majority. Do you think I +ought for a moment to contemplate allowing Elsie to sacrifice herself +to him?" + +"It would seem a terrible sacrifice; and yet after all it will depend +very much upon the state of her own feelings." + +"If she were five or six years older, I should say yes to that; but +girls of her age are not fit to choose a companion for life; taste +and judgment are not matured, and the man who pleases them now may be +utterly repugnant to them in after years. Is not that so?" + +"Yes; and I think your decision is wise and kind. Still, I am sorry +for the poor boy, and hope you will deal very gently and kindly with +him." + +"I shall certainly try to do so. I pity him, and cannot blame him for +fancying my lovely daughter--I really don't see how he or any young +fellow can help it, but he can't have her, and of course I must tell +him so. I must see Elsie first however, and have already sent her a +note ordering her home immediately." + +"Come into my room for a little, dear," Mrs. Norris whispered to +Elsie as they rose from the dinner table. "Herbert must not expect to +monopolize all your time." + +It turned out that all the old lady wanted was an opportunity to +express her delight in the prospect of some day claiming Elsie as her +granddaughter, and to pet and fondle her a little. Mr. Norris did his +share of that also, and when at length they let her go she encountered +Mr. Carrington in the hall, and had to submit to some thing more of +the same sort from him. + +"We are all heartily rejoiced, little Elsie," he said, "all of us who +know the secret; it is to be kept from the children, of course, till +your father's consent has made all certain. But there is Lucy looking +for you; Herbert has sent her, I daresay. No doubt he grudges every +moment that you are out of his sight." + +That was true, and his glad look, as she took her accustomed place by +the side of his couch, was pleasant to see. But he was not selfish in +his happiness, and seemed well satisfied to share Elsie's society with +his sister. + +The three were making very merry together, when a servant from the +Oaks was seen riding leisurely up the avenue. He had some small white +object in his hand which he began waving about his head the moment he +saw that he had attracted their attention. + +"It's a letter!" exclaimed Lucy. "Han, Scip," to the two little blacks +who, as usual, were tumbling over each other on the grass near by, +"run, one of you and get it, quick now!" + +"What--who--Miss Lucy?" they cried, jumping up. + +"Yonder; don't you see Mr. Dinsmore's man with a letter? Run and get +it, quick!" + +"Yes'm!" and both scampered off in the direction of the horseman, who, +suddenly urging on his steed, was now rapidly nearing the house. + +"Hollo! dar now, you ole Jim!" shouted Scip, making a dash at the +horse, "who dat lettah fur? You gub um to me." + +A contemptuous sniff was the only answer, and dashing by them, Jim +drew rein close to the veranda. "Massa he send dis for you, Miss +Elsie," he said, holding out the letter to her. + +She sprang forward, took it from his hand and hastily tore open the +envelope, the rich color coming and going in her cheek. A glance was +sufficient, and turning her flushed face to the anxious, expectant +Herbert: "Papa has sent for me to return home immediately," she said; +"I must go." + +"Oh, Elsie, must you indeed? and is there no word for me--none at +all?" + +"Yes, he says you shall hear from him to-day or to-morrow." + +She had gone close to him and was speaking in a low tone that the +servants might not hear. Herbert took both her hands in his. "Oh, I am +so sorry! You were to have stayed two days longer. I fear this sudden +recall does not argue well for me. Is he angry, do you think?" + +"I don't know, I can't tell. The note is simply an order for me to +come home at once and the message to you that I have given; nothing +more at all. Jim is to see me safely to the Oaks." Then turning to the +messenger, "Go and saddle Glossy, and bring her round at once, Jim," +she said. + +"Yes, Miss Elsie, hab her roun' in less dan no time." + +"Go with Jim to the stables, Han," said Herbert, sighing as he spoke. + +"Elsie, I can't bear to have you leave us so suddenly," cried Lucy; +"it does seem too bad of your father, after giving you permission to +stay a whole week, to go and dock off two days." + +"But papa has a right, and I can't complain. I've nothing to do but +obey. I'll go up and have my riding-habit put on, while Glossy is +being saddled." + +"Miss Elsie," said Jim, leisurely dismounting, "massa say de wagon be +here in 'bout an hour for de trunk, an' Aunt Chloe mus' hab 'em ready +by dat time; herself too." + +"Very well, she shall do so," and with another whispered word to +Herbert, Elsie went into the house, Lucy going with her. + +"Why, my dear, this is very sudden, is it not?" exclaimed Mrs. +Carrington, meeting her young guest as she came down dressed for her +ride. "I thought you were to stay a week, and hoped you were enjoying +your visit as much as we were." + +"Thank you, dear Mrs. Carrington; I have had a delightful time, but +papa has sent for me." + +"And like a good child, you obey at once." + +"My father's daughter would never dare to do otherwise," replied +Elsie, smiling; "though I hope I should not, if I did dare." + +"You'll come again soon--often, till I can get strength to go to you?" +Herbert said entreatingly, as he held her hand in parting. "And we'll +correspond, won't we? I should like to write and receive a note every +day when we do not meet." + +"I don't know; I can promise nothing till I have asked permission of +papa." + +"But if he allows it?" + +"If he allows it, yes; good-bye." + +Dearly as Elsie loved her father, she more than half dreaded the +meeting with him now; so entirely uncertain was she how he would feel +in regard to this matter. + +He was on the veranda, watching for her. Lifting her from her horse, +he led her into his study. Then putting an arm about her waist, his +other hand under her chin so that her blushing, downcast face was +fully exposed to his gaze, "What does all this mean?" he asked. "Look +up into my face and tell me if it is really true that you want me to +give you away? if it is possible that you love that boy better than +your father?" + +She lifted her eyes as he bade her, but dropped them again instantly; +then as he finished his sentence, "Oh, no, no, papa! not half so well; +how could you think it?" she cried, throwing her arms about his neck, +and hiding her face on his breast. + +"Ah, is that so?" he said, with a low, gleeful laugh, as he held her +close to his heart. "But he says you accepted him on condition that +papa would give consent, that you owned you cared for him." + +"And so I do, papa; I've always loved him as if he were my brother; +and I'm so sorry for all he suffers, that I would do anything I could +to make him happy." + +"Even to sacrificing yourself? It is well indeed for you that you have +a father to take care of you." + +"Are you going to say 'No' to him, papa?" she asked, looking up half +beseechingly. + +"Indeed I am." + +"Ah, papa, he said it would kill him if you did." + +"I don't believe it; people don't die so easily. And I have several +reasons for my refusal, each one of which would be quite sufficient of +itself. But you just acknowledged to me that you don't love him at all +as you ought. Why, my child, when you meet the right person you will +find that your love for him is far greater than what you feel for me." + +"Papa, I don't think that could be possible," she said, clinging +closer to him than before. + +"But you'll be convinced when the time comes, though I hope that +will not be for many a long year yet. Then Herbert's ill health and +lameness are two insuperable objections. Lastly, you are both entirely +too young to be thinking of such matters." + +"He didn't mean to ask you to give me to him now, papa; not for a year +or two at the very least." + +"But I won't have you engaging yourself while you are such a mere +child. I don't approve of long engagements, or intend to let you +marry for six or seven years to come. So you may as well dismiss all +thoughts on the subject; and if any other boy or man attempts to talk +to you as Herbert has, just tell him that your father utterly forbids +you to listen to anything of the kind. What! crying! I hope these are +not rebellious tears?" + +"No, papa; please don't be angry. It is only that I feel so sorry for +poor Herbert; he suffers so, and is so patient and good." + +"I am sorry for him too, but it cannot be helped. I must take care of +you first, and not allow anything which I think will interfere with +your happiness or well being." + +"Papa, he wants to correspond with me." + +"I shall not allow it." + +"May we see each other often?" + +"No; not at all for some time. He must get over this foolish fancy +first, it cannot be anything more; and there is great danger that he +will not unless you are kept entirely apart." + +Elsie sighed softly, but said not a word. There was no appeal from her +father's decisions, no argument or entreaty allowed after they were +once announced. + +Little feet were heard running down the hall; then there was the sound +of a tiny fist thumping on the door, and the voice of little Horace +calling, "Elsie, Elsie, tum out! me wants to see you!" + +"There, you may go now," her father said, releasing her with a kiss, +"and leave me to write that note. Well, what is it?" for she lingered, +looking up wistfully into his face. + +"Dear papa, be kind to him for my sake," she murmured softly, putting +her arm about his neck again. "He is such a sufferer, so patient and +good, and it quite makes my heart ache to think how grievously your +refusal will pain him." + +"My own sweet child! always unselfish, always concerned for the +happiness of others," thought the father as he looked down into the +pleading face; but he only stroked her hair, and kissed her more +tenderly than before, saying, "I shall try to be as kind as +circumstances will allow, daughter. You shall read the letter when it +is done, and if you think it is not kind enough it shall not be sent." + +She thanked him with a very grateful look, then hurried away, for the +tiny fists were redoubling their blows upon the door, while the baby +voice called more and more clamorously for "sister Elsie." + +She stooped to hug and kiss the little fellow, then was led off in +triumph to "mamma," whose greeting, though less noisy, was quite as +joyous and affectionate. + +"Oh, how nice it is to get home!" cried Elsie, and wondered within +herself how she had been contented to stay away so long. She had +hardly finished giving Rose an animated account of her visit, +including a minute description of the birthday party, when her +father's voice summoned her to the study again. + +"Does it satisfy you?" he asked when she had read the note. + +"Yes, papa; I think it is as kind as a refusal could possibly be +made." + +"Then I shall send it at once. And now this settles the matter, and +I bid you put the whole affair out of your mind as completely as +possible, Elsie." + +"I shall try, papa," she answered in a submissive and even cheerful +tone. + +That note, kindly worded though it was, caused great distress to +Herbert Carrington. He passed an almost sleepless night, and the next +morning, finding himself quite unable to rise from his couch, he sent +an urgent entreaty that Mr. Dinsmore would call at Ashlands at his +earliest convenience. + +His request was granted at once, and the lad pleaded with all the +eloquence of which he was master for a more favorable reception of his +suit. + +Had he been as well acquainted with Horace Dinsmore's character +as Elsie was, he would have known the utter uselessness of such a +proceeding. He received a patient hearing, then a firm, though kind +denial. Elsie was entirely too young to be allowed even to think of +love or matrimony, her father said; he was extremely sorry the subject +had been broached to her; it must not be again for years. He would not +permit any engagement, correspondence, or, for the present at least, +any exchange of visits; because he wished the matter to be dropped +entirely, and, if possible, forgotten. Nor would he hold out the +slightest hope for the future; answering Herbert's petition for that +by a gentle hint that one in his ill health should be content to +remain single. + +"Yes, you are right, Mr. Dinsmore, and I don't blame you for refusing +to give me your lovely daughter; I'm entirely unworthy of such a +treasure," said the poor boy in a broken voice. + +"Not in character, my dear boy," said Mr. Dinsmore, almost tenderly; +"in that you are all I could ask or desire, and it is all that you +are responsible for. And now while she is such a mere child, I should +reject any other suitor for her hand, quite as decidedly as I do you." + +"You don't blame me for loving her?" + +"No; oh, no!" + +"I can't help it. I've loved her ever since I first saw her, and that +was before I was five years old." + +"Well, I don't object to a brotherly affection, and when you can tone +it down to that, shall not forbid occasional intercourse. And now, +with the best wishes for your health and happiness, I must bid you +good-bye." + +"Good-bye, sir; and thank you for your kindness in coming," the boy +answered with a quivering lip. Then, turning to his mother, as Mr. +Dinsmore left the room, "I shall never get over it," he said. "I shall +not live long, and I don't want to; life without her isn't worth +having." + +Her heart ached for him, but she answered cheerily: "Why, my dear +child, don't be so despondent; I think you may take hope and courage +from some things that Mr. Dinsmore said. It is quite in your favor +that he will not allow Elsie to receive proposals from any one at +present, for who knows but, by the time he considers her old enough, +you may be well and strong." + +Mrs. Carrington's words had a very different effect from what she +intended. The next time Herbert saw his physician, he insisted so +strongly on knowing exactly what he might look forward to that there +was no evading the demand; and on learning that he was hopelessly +crippled for life, he sank into a state of utter despondency, and from +that moment grew rapidly worse, failing visibly day by day. + +Elsie, dutifully abstaining from holding any communication with +Ashlands, and giving all her thoughts as far as possible to home +duties and pleasures knew nothing of it till one day Enna came in, +asking, "Have you heard the news?" + +"No," said Elsie, pausing in a game of romps with her little brother; +"what is it?" + +"It! You should rather say they. There's more than one item of +importance." And Enna straightened herself and smoothed out her dress +with a very consequential air. "In the first place Arthur has been +found out in his evil courses; he's been betting and gambling till +he's got himself over head and ears in debt. Papa was so angry, I +almost thought he would kill him. But he seemed to cool down after +he'd paid off the debts; and Arthur is, or pretends to be, very +penitent, promises never to do the like again, and so he's got +forgiven, and he and Walter are to start for college early next week. +They've both gone to the city to-day with papa. Arthur seems to be mad +at you; he says that you could have saved him from being found out, +but didn't choose to, and some day he'll have his revenge. Now, what +was it you did, or didn't do?" + +"He wanted money, and I refused to lend it because papa had forbidden +me." + +"You're good at minding, and always were," was Enna's sneering +comment. "No, I'll take that back; I forgot that time when you nearly +died rather than mind." + +An indignant flush suffused Elsie's fair face for an instant; but +the sneer was borne in utter silence. Rose entered the room at that +moment, and, having returned her greeting, Enna proceeded to give +another important bit of news. + +"Herbert Carrington is very ill; not confined to his bed, but failing +very fast. The doctors advised them to take him from home; because +they said they thought he had something on his mind, and taking him +into new scenes might help him to forget it. They think he's not +likely to live long anyhow, but that is the last hope. His mother and +Lucy started North with him this morning." + +Elsie suddenly dropped the ball she was tossing for Horace and ran out +of the room. + +"Why, what did she do that for?" asked Enna, in a tone of surprise, +turning to Rose for an explanation. "Is she in love with him, do you +suppose?" + +"No, I know she is not; but I think she has a strong sisterly regard +for him, and I am sorry the news of his increased illness was told her +so abruptly." + +"Such a baby, as she always was," muttered Enna, "crying her eyes out +about the least little thing." + +"If she lacks sufficient control over her feelings it is almost the +only fault she has," replied Rose warmly. "And I think, Enna, you are +hardly capable of appreciating her delicately sensitive nature, and +warm, loving heart, else you would not wound her as you do. She +certainly controls her temper well, and puts up with more from you +than I should." + +"Pray, what do you mean, Mrs. Dinsmore? what have I done to your pet?" +asked the young lady angrily. + +"She is older than you, yet you treat her as if she were much younger. +Your manner toward her is often very contemptuous, and I have +frequently heard you sneer at her principles and taunt her with her +willing subjection to her father's strict rule; for which she deserves +nothing but the highest praise." + +"Nobody could ever rule me the way Horace does her!" cried Enna, with +a toss of her head. "And as to her being older than I am, I'm sure no +one would think it; she is so absurdly childish in her way; not half +so mature as I, mamma says." + +"I'm glad and thankful that she is not," answered Rose, with spirit; +"her sweet childish simplicity and perfect naturalness are very +charming in these days, when they are so rarely found in a girl who +has entered her teens." + +Little Horace, standing by the window, uttered a joyous shout, "Oh, +papa tumin'!" and rushed from the room to return the next moment +clinging to his father's hand, announcing as they came in together, +"Here papa is; me found him!" + +Mr. Dinsmore shook hands with his sister, addressed a remark to his +wife, then, glancing about the room, asked, "Where is Elsie?" + +"She left us a moment since, but did not say where she was going," +said Rose. + +"I presume you'll find her crying in her boudoir or dressing room," +added Enna. + +"Crying! Why, what is wrong with her?" + +"Nothing that I know of, except that I told her of Herbert +Carrington's being so much worse that they've taken him North as a +last hope." + +"Is that so?" and Mr. Dinsmore looked much concerned. + +"Yes, there can be no doubt about it, for I heard it from Harry +himself this morning." + +Mr. Dinsmore rose, and, putting his little son gently aside, left the +room. + +Elsie was not in her own apartments; he passed through the whole +suite, looking for her; then, going on into the grounds, found her at +last in her favorite arbor. She was crying bitterly, but at the sound +of his step checked her sobs, and hastily wiped away her tears. She +thought he would reprove her for indulging her grief, but instead he +took her in his arms and soothed her tenderly. + +"Oh, papa," she sobbed, "I feel as if I had done it--as if I had +killed him." + +"Darling, he is not past hope; he may recover, and in any event +not the slightest blame belongs to you. I have taken the whole +responsibility upon my shoulders." + +She gave him a somewhat relieved and very grateful look, and he went +on: "And even if I had allowed you to decide the matter for yourself, +you would have done what was your duty in refusing to promise to +belong to one whom you love less than you love your father." + +Some months later there came news of Herbert's death. Elsie's grief +was deep and lasting. She sorrowed as she might have done for the loss +of a very dear brother; while added to that was a half-remorseful +feeling which reason could not control or entirely relieve; and it was +long ere she was quite her own bright, gladsome sunny self again. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + The bloom of opening flowers' unsullied beauty-- + Softness and sweetest innocence she wears, + And looks like nature in the world's first spring. + + --ROWE'S "TAMERLANE." + + +"What a very peculiar hand, papa; so stiff and cramped and +old-fashioned," Elsie remarked, as her father laid down a letter he +had just been reading. + +"Yes. Did you ever hear me speak of Aunt Wealthy Stanhope?" + +His glance seemed to direct the question to Rose, who answered, with a +look of surprise and curiosity, "No, sir. Who is she?" + +"A half-sister of my own mother. She was the daughter of my maternal +grandfather by his first wife, my mother was the child of the second, +and there were some five or ten years between them. Aunt Wealthy never +married, would never live with any of her relatives, but has always +kept up a cosey little establishment of her own." + +"Do you know her, papa?" asked Elsie, who was listening with eager +interest. + +"I can hardly say that I do. I saw her once, nearly eighteen +years ago, about the time you were born--but I was not capable of +appreciating her then; indeed, was so unhappy and irritable as to be +hardly in a condition to either make or receive favorable impressions. +I now believe her to be a truly good and noble little woman, though +decidedly an oddity in some respects. Then I called her a fidgety, +fussy old maid." + +"And your letter is from her?" Rose said inquiringly. + +"Yes; she wants me to pay her a visit, taking Elsie with me, and +leaving her there for the summer." + +"There, papa! where?" + +"Lansdale, Ohio. Should you like to go?" + +"Yes, I think I should like to go, papa, if you take me; but whether I +should like to stay all summer I could hardly tell till I get there." + +"You may read the letter," he said, handing it to her. + +"It sounds as though it might be very pleasant, papa," she said, as +she laid it down after an attentive perusal. + +It spoke of Lansdale as a pretty, healthful village, surrounded by +beautiful scenery, and boasting of some excellent society: of two +lively young girls, living in the next house to her own, who would be +charming companions for Elsie, etc. + +"Your remark that your aunt was an oddity in some respects has excited +my curiosity," said Rose. + +"Ah! and I am to understand that you would like me to gratify it, eh?" +returned her husband, smiling. "Her dress and the arrangement of her +hair are in a style peculiarly her own (unless she has become more +fashionable since I saw her, which is not likely); and she has an odd +way of transposing her sentences and the names of those she addresses +or introduces, or calling them by some other name suggested by some +association with the real one. Miss Bell, for instance, she would +probably call Miss Ring; Mr. Foot, Mr. Shoe, and so on." + +"Does she do so intentionally, papa?" Elsie asked. + +"No, not at all; her mistakes are quite innocently made, and are +therefore very amusing." + +Mrs. Horace Dinsmore's parents had been urging her to visit them, and +after some further consideration it was decided that the whole family +should go North for the summer, Mr. Dinsmore see his wife and little +son safe at her father's, then take Elsie on to visit his aunt; the +length of the visit to be determined after their arrival. + + * * * * * + +It was a lovely morning early in May; the air was vocal with the songs +of birds and redolent with the breath of flowers all bathed in dew; +delicate wreaths of snowy vapor rose slowly from the rippling surface +of the river that threaded its way through the valley, and folded +themselves about the richly-wooded hill-sides, behind which bright +streaks of golden light were shooting upward, fair heralds of the +coming of the king of day. On the outskirts of the pretty village of +Lansdale, and in the midst of a well-kept garden and lawn, stood a +tasteful dwelling, of Gothic architecture. Roses, honeysuckle, and +Virginia creeper clambered over its walls, twined themselves about the +pillars of its porticos and porches, or hung in graceful festoons from +its many gables; the garden was gay with sweet spring flowers; the +trees, the grass on the lawn, and the hedge that separated it from the +road, all were liveried in that vivid green so refreshing to the eye. + +"Phillis! Simon!" called a sweet-toned voice from the foot of the back +staircase; "are you up? It's high time; nearly five o'clock now, and +the train's due at six." + +"Coming, ma'am. I'll have time to do up all my chores and git to +the depot 'fore de train; you neber fear," replied a colored lad of +fifteen or sixteen, hurrying down as he spoke. + +A matronly woman, belonging to the same race, followed close in his +rear. + +"You're smart dis mornin', missis," she said, speaking from the middle +of the stairway. "I didn't 'spect you'd git ahead o' me, and de sun +hardly showin' his face 'bove de hill-tops yit." + +"I woke early, Phillis, as I always do when something's going to +happen that I expect. Simon make haste to feed and water your horses +and be sure you have old Joan in the carriage and at the gate by a +quarter before six." + +"Am I to drive her to the depot, ma'am?" + +"No, Miss Lottie Prince will do that, and you are to take the +one-horse wagon for the trunks. Did you go to Mr. Laugh's and engage +it, as I told you yesterday?" + +"I went to Mr. Grinn's and disengaged de one-horse wagon, ma'am; +yes'm." + +"Very well. Now come into the sitting room and I'll show you the +likenesses of the lady and gentleman, and the old colored woman +they're going to bring with them," replied the mistress, leading +the way into an apartment that, spite of its plain, old-fashioned +furniture, wore a very attractive appearance, it was so exquisitely +neat; and the windows, reaching to the floor, opened upon one side +into conservatory and garden, on the other upon a porch that ran the +whole length of the front of the house. Taking a photograph album from +a side-table, she showed the three pictures to Simon, who pronounced +the gentleman very handsome, the lady the prettiest he ever saw, and +was sure he should recognise both them and their servant. + +"Now, Phillis, we'll have to bestir ourselves," said Miss Stanhope, +returning to the kitchen. "Do you think you can get breakfast in less +than an hour? such a breakfast as we should have this morning--one fit +for a king." + +"Yes, Miss Wealthy; but you don't want it that soon, do you? Folks is +apt to like to wash and dress 'fore breakfast." + +"Ah, yes! sure enough. Well, we'll give them half an hour." + +A few moments later, as Miss Stanhope was busy with broom and duster +in the front part of the house, a young girl opened the gate, tripped +gayly up the gravel walk that led from it across the lawn, and stepped +upon the porch. She was a brunette with a very rich color in her dark +cheek, raven hair, and sparkling, roguish black eyes. She wore a suit +of plain brown linen, with snowy cuffs and collar, and a little straw +hat. "Good-morning, Aunt Wealthy!" she cried, in a lively tone, "You +see I'm in good time." + +"Yes, Lottie, and looking as neat as a pin, too. It's very kind in +you, because of course I want to be here to receive them as they come, +to offer to introduce yourself and drive down to the depot for them." + +"Of course I'm wonderfully clever, considering that I don't at all +enjoy a drive in this sweet morning air, and aint in a bit of a hurry +to see your beautiful young heiress and her papa. Net wonders at my +audacity in venturing to face them alone; but I tell her I'm too +staunch a republican to quail before any amount of wealth or +consequence, and if Mr. and Miss Dinsmore see fit to turn up their +aristocratic noses at me, why--I'll just return the compliment." + +"I hope they're not of that sort, Lottie; but if they are, you will +serve them right." + +"She does not look like it," observed the young girl, taking the album +from the table and gazing earnestly upon Elsie's lovely countenance. +"What a sweet, gentle, lovable face it is! I'm sure I shall dote on +her; and if I can only persuade her to return my penchant, won't we +have grand good times while she's here? But there's Simon with old +Joan and the carriage. He'll hunt them up for me at the depot; won't +he, Aunt Wealthy?" + +"Yes, I told him to." + + * * * * * + +The shrill whistle of the locomotive echoed and re-echoed among the +hills. + +"Lansdale!" shouted the conductor, throwing open the car door. + +"So we are at our destination at last, and I am very glad for your +sake, daughter, for you are looking weary," said Mr. Dinsmore, drawing +Elsie's shawl more closely about her shoulders. + +"Oh, I'm not so very tired, papa," she answered, with a loving look +and smile, "not more so than you are, I presume. Oh, see! papa, what a +pretty girl in that carriage there!" + +"Yes, yes! Come to meet some friend, doubtless. Come, the train has +stopped; keep close to me," he said. "Aunt Chloe, see that you have +all the parcels." + +"Dis de gentleman and lady from de South, what Miss Stanhope's +'spectin'?" asked a colored lad, stepping up to our little party as +they alighted. + +"Yes." + +"Dis way den, sah, if you please, sah. Here's de carriage. De lady +will drive you up to de house, and I'll take your luggage in de little +wagon." + +"Very well; here are the checks. You will bring it up at once?" + +"Yes, sah, have it dar soon as yourself, sah. Dis cullad person better +ride wid me and de trunks." + +They were nearing the carriage and the pretty girl Elsie had noticed +from the car window. "Good-morning! Mr. and Miss Dinsmore, I presume?" +she said with a bow and smile. "Will you get in? Let me give you a +hand, Miss Dinsmore. I am Lottie King, a distant relative and near +neighbor of your aunt, Miss Stanhope." + +"And have kindly driven down for us. We are much obliged, Miss King," +Mr. Dinsmore answered, as he followed his daughter into the vehicle. +"Shall I not relieve you of the reins?" + +"Oh, no, thank you; I'm used to driving, and fond of it. And, besides, +you don't know the way." + +"True. How is my aunt?" + +"Quite well. She has been looking forward with great delight to this +visit, as have my sister Nettie and I also," Lottie answered, with a +backward glance of admiring curiosity at Elsie. "I hope you will be +pleased with Lansdale, Miss Dinsmore; sufficiently so to decide to +stay all summer." + +"Thank you; I think it is looking lovely this morning. Does my aunt +live far from the depot?" + +"Not very; about a quarter of a mile." + +"Oh, what a pretty place, and what a quaint-looking little old lady on +its porch!" Elsie presently cried out. "See, papa!" + +"Yes, that's Aunt Wealthy, and doesn't she make a picture standing +there under the vines in her odd dress?" said Miss King, driving up to +the gate. "She's the very oddest, and the very dearest and sweetest +little old lady in the world." + +Elsie listened and looked again; this time with eager interest and +curiosity. + +Certainly, Aunt Wealthy was no slave to fashion. The tyrannical dame +at that time prescribed gaiter boots, a plain pointed waist and +straight skirt, worn very long and full. Miss Stanhope wore a full +waist made with a yoke and belt, a gored skirt, extremely scant, and +so short as to afford a very distinct view of a well-turned ankle and +small, shapely foot encased in snowy stocking and low-heeled black kid +slipper. The material of her dress was chintz--white ground with a +tiny brown figure--finished at the neck with a wide white ruffle; she +had black silk mitts on her hands, and her hair, which was very gray +was worn in a little knot almost on the top of her head, and one +thick, short curl, held in place by a puff-comb, on each side of her +face. + +At sight of the carriage and its occupants, she came hurrying down +the gravel walk, meeting them as they entered the gate. She took Mr. +Dinsmore's hand, saying, "I am glad to see you, nephew Horace," and +held up her face for a kiss. Then turning to Elsie, gave her a very +warm embrace. "So, dear, you've come to see your old auntie? That's +right. Come into the house." + +Elsie was charmed with her and with all she saw; all without was so +fresh and bright, everything within so exquisitely neat and clean. The +furniture of the whole house was very plain and old-fashioned, but +Miss Stanhope never thought of apologizing for what to her wore the +double charm of ownership, and of association with the happy days of +childhood and youth, and loved ones gone. Nor did her guests deem +anything of the kind called for in the very least; house and mistress +seemed well suited the one to the other: and Elsie thought it not +unpleasant to exchange, for a time, the luxurious furnishing of her +home apartments for the simple adornments of the one assigned her +here. The snowy drapery of its bed and toilet-table, its wide-open +casements giving glimpses of garden, lawn, and shrubbery, and the +beautiful hills beyond, looked very inviting. There were vases of +fresh flowers too, on mantel and bureau, and green vines peeping in +at the windows. It seemed a haven of rest after the long, fatiguing +journey. + +"The child is sweet and fair to look upon, Horace, but I see nothing +of you or my sister in her face," observed Miss Stanhope, as her +nephew entered the breakfast-room, preceding his daughter by a moment +or two. "Whom does she resemble?" + +"Elsie is almost the exact counterpart of her own mother, Aunt +Wealthy, and looks like no one else," he answered, with a glance of +proud fatherly affection at the young creature as she entered and took +her place at the table. + +"Now my daughter," he said, at the conclusion of the meal, "you must +go and lie down until near dinner-time, if possible." + +"Yes, that is excellent advice," said Miss Stanhope. "I see, and I'm +glad, she's worth taking care of, as you are sensible, Horace. You +shall be called in season, dear. So take a good nap." + +Elsie obeyed, retired to her room, slept several hours, and woke +feeling greatly refreshed. Chloe was in waiting to dress her for +dinner. + +"Had you a nap too, my poor old mammy?" asked her young mistress. + +"Yes, darlin'. I've been lying on that coach, and feel good as ever +now. Hark! what dat?" + +"It sounds like a dog in distress," said Elsie, as they both ran to +the window and looked out. + +A fat poodle had nearly forced his plump body between the palings of +the front gate in the effort to get into the street, and sticking +fast, was yelping in distress. As they looked Miss Stanhope ran +quickly down the path, seized him by the tail, and jerked him back, he +uttering a louder yelp than before. + +"There, Albert," she said, stroking and patting him, "I don't like to +hurt you, but how was I to get you out, or in? You must be taught that +you're to stay at home, sir. Thomas! Thomas! come home, Thomas!" she +called; and a large cat came running from the opposite side of the +street. + +"So those are Aunt Wealthy's pets. What an odd name for a cat," said +Elsie, laughing. + +"Yes, Miss Elsie, dey's pets, sure nuff: Phillis says Miss Wealthy's +mighty good t'em." + +"There, she is coming in with them, and, mammy, we must make haste. +I'm afraid it's near dinner-time," said Elsie, turning away from the +window. + +Her toilet was just completed when there was a slight tap on the door, +and her father's voice asked if she was ready to go down. + +"Yes, papa," she answered, hurrying to him as Chloe opened the door. + +"Ah, you are looking something like yourself again," he said, with a +pleasant smile, as he drew her hand within his arm, and led her down +the stairs. "You have had a good sleep?" + +"A delicious rest. I must have slept at least four hours. And you, +papa?" + +"I took a nap of about the same length, and feel ready for almost +anything in the shape of dinner, etc. And there is the bell." + +Miss Stanhope cast many an admiring glance at nephew and niece during +the progress of the meal. + +"I'm thinking, Horace," she said at length, "that it's a great shame +I've been left so many years a stranger to you both." + +"I'm afraid it is, Aunt Wealthy; but the great distance that lies +between our homes must be taken as some excuse. We would have been +glad to see you at the Oaks, but you never came to visit us." + +"Ah, it was much easier for you to come here," she replied, shaking +her head. "I've been an old woman these many years. Come," she added, +rising from the table, "come into the parlor, children, and let me +show you the olden relics of time I have there--things that I value +very highly, because they've been in the family for generations." + +They followed her--Elsie unable to forbear a smile at hearing her +father and herself coupled together as "children"--and looked with +keen interest upon some half dozen old family portraits, an ancient +cabinet of curiosities, a few musty, time-worn volumes, a carpet that +had been very expensive in its day, but was now somewhat faded and +worn, and tables, sofas, and chairs of solid mahogany; each of the +last-named covered with a heavily-embroidered silken cushion. + +"That sampler," said Aunt Wealthy, pointing to a large one with a +wonderful landscape worked upon it, that, framed and glazed, +hung between two of the windows, "is a specimen of my paternal +grandmother's handiwork; these chair-cushions, too, she embroidered +and filled with her own feathers, so that I value them more than their +weight in gold." + +"My great-grandmother kept a few geese, I presume," Mr. Dinsmore +remarked aside to Elsie with a quiet smile. + +Having finished their inspection of the parlor and its curiosities, +they seated themselves upon the front porch, where trees and vines +gave a pleasant shade. Miss Stanhope had her knitting, Mr. Dinsmore +the morning paper, while Elsie sat with her pretty white hands lying +idly in her lap, doing nothing but enjoy the beautiful prospect and a +quiet chat with the sweet-voiced old lady. + +The talk between them was quite brisk for a time, but gradually it +slackened, till at length they had been silent for several minutes, +and Elsie, glancing at her aunt, saw her nodding over her work. + +"Ah, you must excuse me, dear," the old lady said apologetically, +waking with a start; "I'm not very well, and, deary, I woke unusually +early this morning, and have been stirring about ever since." + +"Can't you afford yourself a little nap, auntie?" Elsie asked in +return. "You mustn't make company of me; and, besides, I have a book +that I can amuse myself with." + +"You would be quite alone, child, for I see your father has gone in." + +"I shall not mind that at all, auntie. Do go and lie down for at least +a little while." + +"Well, then, dear, I will just lie down on the sofa in the sitting +room, and you must call me if any one comes." + +"Aunt Wealthy couldn't have meant for a child like that, unless she +comes on some important errand," thought Elsie, as, a few moments +later, a little girl came slowly across the lawn and stepped upon the +porch. + +The child looked clean and decent, in a neat calico dress and gingham +sun-bonnet. At sight of Elsie she stood still, and, gazing with +open-mouthed curiosity, asked, "Be you the rich young lady that was +coming to see Miss Wealthy from 'way down south?" + +"I have come from the South to see Miss Stanhope. What do you wish?" + +"Nothin', I just come over 'cause I wanted to." + +"Will you take a seat?" + +"Yes," taking possession of the low rocking chair Miss Stanhope had +vacated. + +"What's your name?" inquired Elsie. + +"Lenwilla Ellawea Schilling," returned the child, straightening +herself up with an air of importance; "mother made it herself." + +"I should think so," replied Elsie, with a sparkle of fun in her eye. +"And your mother is Mrs. Schilling, is she?" + +"Yes, and pap, he's dead, and my brother's named Corbinus." + +"What do they call you for short?" + +"Willy, and him Binus." + +"Where do you live?" + +"Over yonder," nodding her head towards the opposite side of the +street. "Mother's comin' over to see you some time. I guess I'll be +going now." And away she went. + +"What did that child want?" asked Miss Stanhope, coming out just in +time to see the little maiden pass through the gate. + +"Nothing but to look at and question me, I believe." Elsie answered, +with an amused smile. + +"Ah! she generally comes to borrow some little thing or other. They're +the sort of folks that always have something they're out of. Mrs. +Sixpence is a very odd sixpence indeed." + +"I think the little girl said her last name was Schilling." + +"Ah, yes, so it is: but I'm always forgetting their exact commercial +value," and Aunt Wealthy laughed softly. "In fact, I've a very good +forgetting of my own, and am more apt to get names wrong than right." + +"Mrs. Schilling must have an odd taste for names," said Elsie. + +"Yes, she's a manufacturer of them; and very proud of her success in +that line." + +Miss Stanhope was a great lover of flowers, very proud of hers, +cultivated principally by her own hands. After tea she invited her +nephew and niece to a stroll through her garden, while she exhibited +her pets with a very excusable pride in their variety, beauty, and +fragrance. + +As they passed into the house again, Phillis was feeding the chickens +in the back yard. + +"You have quite a flock of poultry, aunt," remarked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Yes, I like to see them running about, and the eggs you lay yourself +are so much better than any you can buy, and the chickens, too, have +quite another taste. Phillis, what's the matter with that speckled +hen?" + +"Dunno, mistis; she's been crippled dat way all dis week." + +"Well, well, I dare say it's the boys; one of them must have thrown a +stone and hit her between her hind legs; they're great plagues. Poor +thing! There, Albert, don't you dare to meddle with the fowls! Come +away, Thomas. That cat and dog are nearly as bad and troublesome to +the boys as the poultry." + +Puss and the poodle followed their mistress into the house, where +Albert lay down at her feet, while Thomas sprang into her lap, where +he stood purring and rubbing his head against her arm. + +"You seem to have a good many pets, auntie," Elsie remarked. + +"Yes, I am fond of them. A childless old woman must have something to +love. I've another that I'm fonder of than any of these though--my +grand-nephew, Harry Duncan. He's away at school now; but I hope to +show him to you one of these days." + +"I should like to see him. Is he a relative of ours?" Elsie asked, +turning to her father. + +"No, he belongs to the other side of the house." + +"How soft and fine this cat's fur is, aunt; he's quite handsome," +remarked Elsie, venturing to stroke Thomas very gently. + +"Yes, I raised him, and his mother before him. My sister Beulah was +first husband's child of Harry's grandmother twice married, and my +mother. Yes, I think a great deal of him, but was near losing him last +winter. A fellow in our town--he's two years old now--wanted a buffalo +robe for his sleigh, and undertook to make it out of cat-skins. He +advertised that he'd give ten cents for every cat-skin the boys would +bring him. You know the old saying that you can't have more of a cat +than its skin, and hardly anybody's was safe after that; they went +about catching all they could lay hands on, even borrowing people's +pets and killing them." + +Elsie turned to her father with a very perplexed look, puzzled to +understand who it was that had married twice, and whether her aunt had +stated Harry's age or that of the cat. + +But at that instant steps and voices were heard upon the porch, and +the door-bell rang. + +"It's Lottie and her father," said Miss Stanhope, pushing Thomas from +her lap. "Come in, friends, and don't stand for ceremony." For both +doors stood wide open. + +"Good-evening," said the young lady, coming forward, leaning upon +the arm of a middle-aged gentleman. "Mr. Dinsmore, I have brought my +father, Dr. King, to see you." + +The gentlemen shook hands, the doctor observing, "I am happy to make +your acquaintance, Mr. Dinsmore. I brought my daughter along to +introduce me, lest our good Aunt Wealthy here, in her want of +appreciation of nobility and birth, should, as she sometimes does, +give me a rank lower than my true one, making me to appear only a +Prince, while I am really a King." + +A general laugh followed this sally, Miss Stanhope insisting that that +was a mistake she did not often make now. Then Elsie was introduced, +and, all being seated again, Dr. King turned to his hostess with the +laughing remark, "Well, Aunt Wealthy, by way of amends, I'll own up +that my wife says that you're the better doctor of the two. That bran +has done her a world of good." + +"Bran?" said Mr. Dinsmore inquiringly. + +"Yes, sir; Mrs. King was suffering from indigestion; Miss Stanhope +advised her to try eating a tablespoonful or so of dry bran after her +meals, and it has had an excellent effect." + +"My father learnt it from an old sea-captain," said Miss Stanhope; +"and it has helped a great many I've recommended it to. Some prefer +to mix it with a little cream, or take a little water with it but the +best plan's to take it dry if you can." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + When to mischief mortals bend their will, + How soon they find fit instruments of ill. + + --POPE'S "RAPE OF THE LOCK." + + +"What, Art, are you going out?" + +"Yes." + +"Do you know it's after ten?" + +"Yes, you just mind your own business, Wal; learn your lessons, and +go off to bed like a good boy when you get through. I'm old enough to +take care of myself." + +"Dear me! I'm awfully afraid he's gone back to his evil courses, as +father says," muttered Walter Dinsmore to himself, as the door closed +upon his reckless elder brother. "I wonder what I ought to do about +it," he continued, leaning his head upon his hand, with a worried, +irresolute look; "ought I to report to the governor? No, I shan't, +there then; I don't know anything, and I never will be a sneak or a +tell-tale." And he drew the light nearer, returned to his book with +redoubled diligence for some ten or fifteen minutes more; then, +pushing it hastily aside, with a sigh of relief, started up, threw off +his clothes, blew out the light, and tumbled into bed. + +Meanwhile Arthur had stolen noiselessly from the college, and pursued +his way into the heart of the town. On turning a corner he came +suddenly upon another young man who seemed to have been waiting for +him; simply remarking, "You're late to-night, Dinsmore," he faced +about in the same direction, and the two walked on together. + +"Of course; but how can a fellow help it when he's obliged to watch +his opportunity till the Argus eyes are closed in sleep, or supposed +to be so?" grumbled Arthur. + +"True enough, old boy; but cheer up, your day of emancipation must +come some time or other," remarked his companion, clapping him +familiarly; on the shoulder. "Of age soon, aren't you?" + +"In about a year. But what good does that do me? I'm not so fortunate +as my older brother--shall have nothing of my own till one or other of +my respected parents sees fit to kick the bucket, and leave me a pile; +a thing which at present neither of them seems to have any notion of +doing." + +"You forget your chances at the faro-table." + +"My chances! You win everything from me, Jackson. I'm a lame duck +now, and if my luck doesn't soon begin to turn, I'll--do something +desperate, I believe." + +The lad's tone was bitter, his look reckless and half despairing. + +"Pooh, don't be a spooney! We all have our ups and downs, and you must +take your turn at both, like the rest." + +They had ascended a flight of steps, and Jackson rang the bell as he +spoke. It was answered instantly by a colored waiter, who with, a +silent bow stepped back and held the door open for their entrance. +They passed in and presently found themselves in a large, +well-lighted, and handsomely-furnished room, where tables were set out +with the choicest viands, rich wine, and trays of fine cigars. + +They seated themselves, ate and drank their fill, then, each lighting +a cigar, proceeded to a saloon, on the story above, where a number of +men were engaged in playing cards--gambling, as was evident from the +piles of gold, silver, and bank-notes lying here and there upon the +tables about which they sat. + +Here also costly furniture, bright light, and rich wines lent their +attractions to the scene. + +Arthur took possession of a velvet-cushioned chair on one side of an +elegant marble-topped table, his companion placing himself in another +directly opposite. Here, seated in the full blaze of the gas-light, +each face was brought out into strong relief. Both were young, both +handsome; Jackson, who was Arthur's senior by five or six years, +remarkably so; yet his smile was sardonic, and there was often a +sinister expression in his keen black eye as its glance fell upon his +victim, for such Arthur Dinsmore was--no match for his cunning and +unscrupulous antagonist, who was a gambler by profession. + +Arthur's pretended reformation had lasted scarcely longer than until +he was again exposed to temptation, and his face, as seen in that +brilliant light, wore unmistakable signs of indulgence in debauchery +and vice. He played in a wild, reckless way, dealing out his cards +with a trembling hand, while his cheek burned and his eye flashed. + +At first Jackson allowed him to win, and filled with a mad delight at +the idea that "his luck had turned," the boy doubled and trebled his +stakes. + +Jackson chuckled inwardly, the game went on, and at length Arthur +found all his gains suddenly swept away and himself many thousands of +dollars in debt. + +A ghastly pallor overspread his face, he threw himself back in his +chair with a groan, then starting up with a bitter laugh, "Well, I see +only one way out of this," he said. "A word in your ear, Tom; come +along with me. I've lost and you won enough for one night; haven't we, +eh?" + +"Well, yes; I'm satisfied if you are." And the two hurried into the +now dark and silent street, for it was long past midnight, and sober +and respectable people generally had retired to their beds. + +"Where are you going?" asked Jackson. + +"Anywhere you like that we can talk without danger of being +overheard." + +"This way then, down this street. You see 'tis absolutely silent and +deserted." + +They walked on, talking in an undertone. + +"You'd like your money as soon as you can get it?" said Arthur. + +"Of course; in fact I must have it before very long, for I'm hard +pushed now." + +"Suppose I could put you in the way of marrying a fortune, would you +hold me quit of all your claims against me?" + +"H'm, that would depend upon the success of the scheme." + +"And that upon your own coolness and skill. I think I've heard you +spoken of as a woman-killer?" + +"Ha, ha! Yes, I flatter myself that I have won some reputation in that +line, and that not a few of the dear creatures have been very fond of +me. It's really most too bad to break their soft little hearts; but +then a man can't marry 'em all; unless he turns Mormon." + +Arthur's lips curled with scorn and contempt, and he half turned away +in disgust and aversion; but remembering that he was in the power +of this man, whom, too late, alas! he was discovering to be an +unscrupulous villain, he checked himself, and answered in his usual +tone, "No, certainly not; and so you have never yet run your neck into +the matrimonial noose?" + +"No, not I, and don't fancy doing so either, yet I own that a fortune +would be a strong temptation. But, I say, lad, if it's a great chance, +why do you hand it over to me? Why not try for it yourself? It's not +your sister, surely?" + +"No, indeed; you're not precisely the sort of brother-in-law I should +choose," returned the boy, with a bitter, mocking laugh. "But stay, +don't be insulted"--for his companion had drawn himself up with an air +of offended pride--"the lady in question is but a step farther from +me; she is my brother's daughter." + +"Eh! you don't say? A mere child, then, I presume." + +"Eighteen, handsome as a picture, as the saying is, and only too +sweet-tempered for my taste." + +"And rich you say? that is her father's wealthy, eh?" + +"Yes, he's one of the richest men in our county, but she has a fortune +in her own right, over a million at the very lowest computation." + +"Whew! You expect me to swallow that?" + +"It's true, true as preaching. You wonder that I should be so willing +to help you to get her. Well, I owe her a grudge, I see no other way +to get out of your clutches, and I shall put you in the way of making +her acquaintance only on condition that if you succeed we share the +spoils." + +"Agreed. Now for the modus operandi. You tell me her whereabouts and +provide me with a letter of introduction, eh?" + +"No; on the contrary, you are carefully to conceal the fact that you +have the slightest knowledge of me. The introduction must come from +quite another quarter. Listen, and I'll communicate the facts and +unfold my plan. It has been running in my head for weeks, ever since I +heard that the girl was to spend the summer in the North with nobody +but an old maiden aunt, half-cracked at that, to keep guard over her; +but I couldn't quite make up my mind to it till to-night, for you must +see, Tom," he added with a forced laugh, "that it can't be exactly +delightful to my family pride to think of bringing such a dissipated +fellow as you into the connection." + +"Better look at home, lad. But you are right; one such scamp is, or +ought to be, all-sufficient for one family." + +Arthur said, "Certainly," but winced at the insinuation nevertheless. +It was not a pleasant reflection that his vices had brought him down +to a level with this man who lived by his wits--or perhaps more +correctly speaking, his rascalities--of whose antecedents he knew +nothing and whom, with his haughty Southern pride, he thoroughly +despised. + +But scorn and loathe him as he might in his secret soul, it was +necessary that he should be conciliated, because it was now in his +power to bring open disgrace and ruin upon his victim. So Arthur went +on to explain matters and, with Jackson's assistance, to concoct a +plan of getting Elsie and her fortune into their hands. + +As he had said, the idea had been in his mind for weeks, yet it was +not until that day that he could see clearly how to carry it out. +Also, his family pride had stood in the way until the excitement of +semi-intoxication and his heavy losses had enabled him to put it aside +for the time. To-morrow he would more than half regret the step he was +taking, but now he plunged recklessly into the thing with small regard +for consequences to himself or others. + +"Can you imitate the chirography of others?" he asked. + +"Perfectly, if I do say it that shouldn't." + +"Then we can manage it. My brother Walter has kept up a correspondence +with this niece ever since he left home. In a letter received +yesterday she mentions that her father was about leaving her for +the rest of the summer. Also that Miss Stanhope, the old aunt she's +staying with, was formerly very intimate with Mrs. Waters of this +city. + +"It just flashed on me at once that a letter of introduction from her +would be the very thing to put you at once on a footing of intimacy +in Miss Stanhope's house; and that if you were good at imitating +handwriting we might manage it by means of a note of invitation which +I received from Mrs. Waters some time ago, and which, as good luck +would have it, I threw into my table drawer instead of destroying." + +"But who knows that it was written by the lady herself?" + +"I do, for I heard Bob Waters say so." + +"Good! have you the note about you?" + +"Yes, here it is." And Arthur drew it from his pocket. "Let's cross +over to that lamp-post." + +They did so, and Jackson held the note up to the light for a moment, +scanning it attentively. "Ah, ha! the very thing! no trouble at all +about that," he said, pocketing it with a chuckle of delight, "But," +and a slight frown contracted his brows, "what if the old lady should +take it into her head to open a correspondence on the subject with her +old friend?" + +"I've thought of that too, but fortunately for our scheme Mrs. Waters +sails for Europe to-morrow; and by the way that should be mentioned in +the letter of introduction." + +"Yes, so it should. Come to my room at the Merchants' House to-morrow +night, and you shall find it ready for your inspection. I suppose the +sooner the ball's set in motion the better?" he added as they moved +slowly on down the street. + +"Yes, for there's no knowing how long it may take you to storm the +citadel of her ladyship's heart, or how soon her father may come to +the conclusion that he can't do without her, and go and carry her off +home. And I tell you, Tom, you'd stand no chance with him, or with her +if he were there. He'd see through you in five minutes." + +"H'm! What sort is she?" + +"The very pious!" sneered Arthur, "and you're bound to take your cue +from that or you'll make no headway with her at all." + +"A hard role for me, Dinsmore. I know nothing of cant." + +"You'll have to learn it then; let her once suspect your true +character--a drinking, gambling, fortune-hunting roue--and she'll turn +from you with the same fear and loathing that she would feel for a +venomous reptile." + +"Ha, ha! you're in a complimentary mood to-night, Dinsmore. Well, +well, such a fortune as you speak of is worth some sacrifice and +effort, and I think I may venture the character of a perfectly moral +and upright man with a high respect for religion. The rest I can learn +by degrees from her; and come to think of it, it mightn't be a bad +idea to let her imagine she'd converted me." + +"Capital! The very thing, Tom! But good-night. I must be off now to +the college. I'll come to your room to-morrow night and we'll finish +the arrangement of all preliminaries." + +More than a fortnight had passed since the arrival of Miss Stanhope's +guests. It had been a season of relaxation and keen enjoyment to +them, to her, and to Dr. King's family, who had joined them in many a +pleasant little excursion to points of interest in the vicinity, and +several sociable family picnics among the surrounding hills and woods. +A warm friendship had already sprung up between the three young girls, +and had done much toward reconciling Elsie to the idea of spending the +summer there away from her father. + +She had finally consented to do so, yet as the time drew near her +heart almost failed her. In all these years since they went to live +together at the Oaks, they had never been far apart--except once or +twice for a few days when he had gone to New Orleans to attend to +business connected with the care of her property; and only on a very +few occasions, when she paid a little visit in their own neighborhood, +had they been separated for more than a day. + +She could not keep back her tears as she hung about his neck on +parting. "Ah, papa, how can I do without you for weeks and months?" +she sighed. + +"Or I without you, my darling?" he responded, straining her to his +breast. "I don't know how I shall be able to stand it. You need not be +surprised to see me again at any time, returning to claim my treasure; +and in the meanwhile we will write to each other every day. I shall +want to know all you are doing, thinking, and feeling. You must tell +me of all your pursuits and pleasures; your new acquaintances, too, +if you form any. In that you must be guided by the advice of Aunt +Wealthy, together with your father's known wishes. I am sure I can +trust my daughter to obey those in my absence as carefully as in my +presence." + +"I think you may, papa. I shall try to do nothing that you would +disapprove, and to attend faithfully to all your wishes." + +Mr. Dinsmore left by the morning train, directly after breakfast. It +was a bright, clear day, and Miss Stanhope, anxious to help Elsie to +recover her spirits, proposed a little shopping expedition into the +village. + +"You have not seen our stores yet," she said, "and I think we'd better +go now before the sun gets any hotter. Should you like it, my dear?" + +"Thank you, yes, auntie. I will go and get ready at once." + +Elsie could hardly forbear smiling at the quaint little figure that +met her in the porch a few moments later, and trotted with quick, +short steps by her side across the lawn and up and down the village +streets. The white muslin dress with its short and scanty skirt, an +embroidered scarf of the same material, the close, old-fashioned +leg-horn bonnet, trimmed with one broad strip of white mantua ribbon, +put straight down over the top and tied under the chin, and the black +mitts and morocco slippers of the same hue, formed a tout ensemble +which, though odd, was not unpleasant to look upon. In one hand the +little lady carried a very large parasol, in the other a gayly-colored +silk reticule of corresponding size, this last not by a ribbon or +string, but with its hem gathered up in her hand. All in singular +contrast to Elsie with her slight, graceful form, fully a head taller, +and her simple yet elegant costume. But the niece no more thought of +feeling ashamed of her aunt, than her aunt of her. + +They entered a store, and the smiling merchant asked, "What can I do +for you to-day, ladies?" + +"I will look at shirting muslin, if you please, Mr. Under," replied +Miss Stanhope, laying parasol and reticule upon the counter. + +"Over, if you please, Miss Stanhope," he answered with an amused look. +"Just step this way, and I'll show you a piece that I think will +suit." + +"I beg your pardon, I'm always making mistakes in names," she said, +doing as requested. + +"Anything else to-day, ladies?" he asked when the muslin had been +selected. "I have quite a lot of remnants of dress goods, Miss +Stanhope. Would you like to look at them?" + +"Yes," she answered almost eagerly, and he quickly spread them on the +counter before her. She selected quite a number, Elsie wondering what +she wanted with them. + +"I'll send the package at once," said Mr. Over, as they left the +store. + +They entered another where Miss Stanhope's first inquiry was for +remnants, and the same thing was repeated till, as she assured Elsie, +they had visited every dry-goods store in the place. + +"Pretty nice ones, too, some of them are; don't you think so, dear?" + +"Yes, auntie; but do you know you have strongly excited my curiosity?" + +"Ah! how so?" + +"Why, I cannot imagine what you can want with all those remnants. I'm +sure hardly one of them could be made into a dress for yourself or for +Phillis, and you have no little folks to provide for." + +"But other folks have, child, and I shall use some of the smallest for +patchwork." + +"Dere's a lady in de parlor, Miss Stanhope," said Chloe, meeting them +at the gate; "kind of lady," she added with a very broad smile, "come +to call on you, ma'am, and Miss Elsie too." + +"We'll just go in without keeping her waiting to take off our +bonnets," said Aunt Wealthy, leading the way. + +They found a rather gaudily-dressed, and not very refined-looking +woman, who rose and came forward to meet them with a boisterous +manner, evidently assumed to cover a slight feeling of embarrassment. +"Oh, I'm quite ashamed, Aunt Wealthy, to have been so long in calling +to see your friends; you really must excuse me; it's not been for want +of a strong disinclination, I do assure you: but you see I've been +away a-nursing of a sick sister." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Sixpence." + +"Excuse me, Schilling." + +"Oh no, not at all, it's my mistake. Elsie, Mrs. Schilling. My niece, +Miss Dinsmore. Sit down, do. I'm sorry you got here before we were +through our shopping." + +"I'm afraid it's rather an early call," began Mrs. Schilling, her +rubicund countenance growing redder than ever, "but--" + +"Oh, aunt did not mean that," interposed Elsie, with gentle +kindliness. "She was only regretting that you had been kept waiting." + +"Certainly," said Miss Stanhope. "You know I'm a sad hand at talking, +always getting the horse before the cart, as they say. But tell me +about your sister. I hope she has recovered. What ailed her?" + +"She had inflammation of the tonsils; she's better now though; the +tonsils is all gone, and I think she'll get along. She's weak yet; +but that's all. There's been a good bit of sickness out there in that +neighborhood, through the winter and spring; there were several cases +of scarlet fever, and one of small-pox. That one died, and what do you +think, Aunt Wealthy; they had a reg'lar big funeral, took the corpse +into the church, and asked everybody around to come to it." + +"I think it was really wicked, and that if I'd been the congregation, +every one of me would have staid away." + +"So would I. There now, I'm bound to tell you something that happened +while I was at father's. My sister had a little girl going on two +years old, and one day the little thing took up a flat iron, and let +it fall on her toe, and mashed it so we were really afraid 'twould +have to be took off. We wrapped it up in some kind o' salve mother +keeps for hurts, and she kept crying and screamin' with pain, and we +couldn't peacify her nohow at all, till a lady that was visiting next +door come in and said we'd better give her a few drops of laud'num. So +we did, and would you believe it? it went right straight down into her +toe, and she stopped cryin', and pretty soon dropped asleep. I thought +it was the curiosest thing I ever heard of." + +"It was a wise prescription, no doubt," returned Miss Stanhope, with a +quiet smile. + +"Oh, Aunt Wealthy, won't you tell me how you make that Farmer's +fruit-cake?" asked the visitor, suddenly changing the subject. "Miss +Dinsmore, it's the nicest thing you ever eat. You'd be sure it had +raisins or currants in it." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Schilling. You must soak three cups of dried apples +in warm water over night, drain off the water through a sieve, chop +the apples slightly, them simmer them for two hours in three cups of +molasses. After that add two eggs, one cup of sugar, one cup of sweet +milk or water, three-fourths of a cup of butter or lard, one-half +teaspoonful of soda, flour to make a pretty stiff batter, cinnamon, +cloves, and other spices to suit your taste." + +"Oh, yes! but I'm afraid I'll hardly be able to remember all that." + +"I'll write the receipt and send it over to you," said Elsie. + +Mrs. Schilling returned her thanks, sat a little longer, conversing in +the same lucid style, then rose and took leave, urging the ladies to +call soon, and run in sociably as often as they could. + +She was hardly out of the door before Aunt Wealthy was beating up +her crushed chair-cushions to that state of perfect roundness and +smoothness in which her heart delighted. It amused Elsie, who had +noticed that such was her invariable custom after receiving a call in +her parlor. + +Lottie King and Mrs. Schilling passed each other on the porch, the +one coming in as the other went out. Kind Aunt Wealthy, intent on +preventing Elsie from grieving over the emptiness of her father's +accustomed seat at the table, had invited her young friend to dinner. +The hour of the meal had, however, not yet arrived, and the two girls +repaired to Elsie's room to spend the intervening time. + +Lottie, in her benevolent desire to be so entertaining to Elsie that +her absent father should not be too sorely missed, seized upon the +first topic of conversation which presented itself and rattled on in a +very lively manner. + +"So you have begun to make acquaintance with our peculiar currency, +mon ami! An odd sixpence as Aunt Wealthy calls her. Two of them I +should say, since it takes two sixpences to make a shilling." + +"I don't know; I'm inclined to think Aunt Wealthy's arithmetic has the +right of it, since she was never more than a shilling, and has lost +her better half," returned Elsie, laughing. + +"Better half, indeed! fie on you, Miss Dinsmore! have you so little +regard for the honor of your sex as to own that the man is ever that? +But I must tell you of the time when she sustained the aforesaid loss; +and let me observe, sustained is really the proper--very properest of +words to express my meaning, for it was very far from crushing her. +While her husband was lying a corpse, mother went over with a pie, +thinking it might be acceptable, as people are not apt to feel like +cooking at such a time. She did not want to disturb the new-made widow +in the midst of her grief, and did not ask for her; but Mrs. Schilling +came to the door. 'Oh, I'm so much obliged to you for bringing that +pie!' she said. 'It was so good of you. I hadn't any appetite to eat +while he was sick, but now that he's dead, I feel as if I could eat +something. You and your girls must come over and spend a day with +me some time soon. He's left me full and plenty, and you needn't be +afraid to take a meal's victuals off me'!" + +"How odd! I don't think she could be quite broken-hearted." + +"No, and she has apparently forgotten him, and bestowed her affections +upon another; a widower named Wert. Mr. Was, Aunt Wealthy usually +calls him. They both attend our church, and everybody notices how +impossible it seems to be for her to keep her eyes off him; and you +can never be five minutes in her company without hearing his name. +Didn't she talk of him to-day?" + +"Oh, yes, she spoke of Mr. Wert visiting some sick man, to talk and +pray with him, and rejoiced that the man did not die till he gave +evidence that he was repaired." + +"Yes, that sounds like her," laughed Lottie. "She's always getting the +wrong word. I told you she never could keep her eyes off Mr. Wert. +Well, the other day--three or four weeks ago--coming from church he +was behind her; she kept looking back at him, and presently came bump +up against a post. She made an outcry, of course everybody laughed, +and she hurried off with a very red face. That put an idea into my +head, and--" Lottie paused, laughing and blushing-- + +"I'm half ashamed to tell you, but I believe I will--Nettie and I +wrote a letter in a sort of manly hand, signed his initials, and put +it into an iron pot that she keeps standing near her back door. The +letter requested that she would put her answer in the same place, and +she did. Oh, it was rich! such a rapture of delight; and such spelling +and such grammar as were used to express it! It was such fun that we +went on, and there have been half a dozen letters on each side. I +daresay she is wondering why the proposal doesn't come. Ah, Elsie, I +see you don't approve; you are as grave as a judge." + +"I would prefer not to express an opinion; so please don't ask me." + +"But you don't think it was quite right, now do you?" + +"Since you have asked a direct question, Lottie, dear," Elsie +answered, with some hesitation, "I'll own that it does not seem to me +quite according to the golden rule." + +"No," Lottie said, after a moment's pause, in which she sat with +downcast eyes, and cheeks crimsoning with mortification. "I'm ashamed +of myself, and I hope I shall never again allow my love of fun to +carry me so far from what is true and kind. + +"And so Aunt Wealthy took you out shopping, and secured the benefit of +your taste and judgment in the choice of her remnants?" she exclaimed, +with a sudden change to a lively, mirthful tone. + +"How do you know that she bought remnants?" asked Elsie, in surprise. + +"Oh, she always does; that's a particular hobby of the dear old +body's; two or three times in a season she goes around to all the +stores, and buys up the most of their stock; they save the best of +them for her, and always know what she's after the moment she shows +her pleasant face. She gives them away, generally, to the minister's +wife, telling her the largest are to be made into dresses for her +little girls; and the poor lady is often in great tribulation, not +knowing how to get the dresses out of such small patterns, and afraid +to put them to any other use, lest Miss Stanhope should feel hurt or +offended. By the way, what do you think of Aunt Wealthy's own dress?" + +"That it is very quaint and odd, but suits her as no other would." + +"I'm so glad! It's just what we all think, but before you came we were +much afraid you would use your influence to induce her to adopt a more +fashionable attire." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + Bear fair presence, though your heart be tainted; + Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint. + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "COMEDY OF ERRORS." + + +"It's a very handsome present, child, very; and your old auntie will +be reminded of you every time she uses it, or looks at it." + +"Both beautiful and useful, like the giver," remarked Lottie. + +"It" was a sewing-machine, Elsie's gift to Aunt Wealthy, forwarded +from Cincinnati, by Mr. Dinsmore; the handsomest and the best to be +found in the city; so Elsie had requested that it should be, and so he +had written that it was. + +"I am glad you like it, auntie, and you too, Lottie," was all she said +in response to their praises, but her eyes sparkled with pleasure at +the old lady's evident delight. + +"It" had arrived half an hour before, on this the second morning after +Mr. Dinsmore's departure, and now stood in front of one of the windows +of Aunt Wealthy's bedroom--a delightfully shady, airy apartment on the +ground floor, back of the parlor, and with window and door opening +out upon a part of the lawn where the trees were thickest and a tiny +fountain sent up its showers of spray. + +Miss Stanhope stood at a table, cutting out shirts. Lottie was +experimenting on the machine with a bit of muslin, and Elsie sat +near by with her father's letter in her hand, her soft dark eyes now +glancing over it for perhaps the twentieth time, now at the face of +one or the other of her companions, as Lottie rattled on in her usual +gay, flighty style, and Aunt Wealthy answered her sometimes with a +straightforward sentence, and again with one so topsy-turvy that her +listeners could not forbear a smile. + +"For whom are you making shirts, aunt?" asked Elsie. + +"For my boy Harry. He writes that his last set are going wonderfully +fast; so I must send up another to make." + +"You must let us help you, Lottie and I; we have agreed that it will +be good fun for us." + +"Thank you, dearie, but I didn't suppose plain sewing was among your +accomplishments." + +"Mamma says I am quite a good needle-woman," Elsie replied with a +smile and a blush, "and if I am not it is no fault of hers. She took +great pains to teach me. I cut out a shirt for papa once, and made +every stitch of it myself." + +"And she can run the machine too," said Lottie, "though her papa won't +let her do so for more than half an hour at a time, lest she should +hurt herself." + +"He's very careful of her, and no wonder," Aunt Wealthy responded, +with a loving look at the sweet, fair face. "You may help me a little, +now and then, children, when it just suits your humor, but I want you +to have all the rides and walks, the reading and recreation of every +sort that you can enjoy." + +"Here comes Lenwilla Ellawea Schilling," said Lottie, glancing from +the window. + +"What do you want, Willy?" asked Miss Stanhope, as the child appeared +in the doorway with a teacup in her hand. + +"Mother wants a little light'ning to raise her bread." + +"Yeast? Oh, yes, just go round to Phillis, and she'll give you some." + +The door-bell rang. + +"It's a gentleman," said the child, "I seen him a-coming in at the +gate." + +Chloe answered the bell and entered the room the next moment with a +letter, which she handed to Miss Stanhope. + +The old lady adjusted her spectacles and broke the seal. "Ah, a letter +of introduction, and from my old friend and schoolmate Anna Waters; +wishes me to treat the young man with all the courtesy and kindness I +would show to her own son, for she esteems him most highly, etc., etc. +Aunt Chloe, what have you done with him?" + +"Showed him into de parlor, mistis, and leff him a-sittin' dar." + +"What's his name, auntie?" asked Lottie, as the old lady refolded the +letter and took off her glasses. + +"Bromly Egerton; quite romantic, isn't it? Excuse me for a few +minutes, dears; I must go and see what he wants." + +Aunt Wealthy found a well-dressed, handsome young man seated on one of +her softly-cushioned chairs. He rose and came forward to meet her with +courtly ease and grace. "Miss Stanhope, I presume?" + +"You are right, Mr. Ledgerfield. Pray be seated, sir." + +"Thank you, madam, but let me first help you to a seat. Excuse the +correction, but Egerton is my name." + +"Ah, yes! For the sake of my friend, Mrs. Waters, I welcome you to +Lansdale. Do you expect to make some stay in our town?" + +"Well, madam, I hardly had such expectation before arriving here, but +I find it so pretty a place that I begin to think I can scarcely do +better. My health has been somewhat impaired by very strict and close +attention to business; and my physician has ordered entire relaxation +for a time, and fresh country air. Can you recommend a boarding-place +in town? Some quiet, private hotel where drinking and things of that +kind would not be going on. I'm not used to it, and should find it +very disgusting." + +"I'm glad to hear such sentiments, young man; they do you honor. I +daresay Mrs. Sixpence,--no, Mrs. Schilling,--just opposite here, would +take you in. She told me some weeks ago that she would be glad to have +one or two gentlemen boarders." + +"Thank you, the location would suit me well; and you think she could +give me comfortable accommodations?" + +"I do; she has pleasant rooms and is a good cook." + +"A widow?" + +"Yes, not very young, and has two children. But they are old enough +not to be annoying to a boarder." + +"What sort of woman is she?" + +"A good manager, neat, industrious, honest, and obliging. Very +suitable for a landlady, if you are not looking in the person of your +hostess for an intellectual companion." + +"Oh, not at all, Miss Stanhope, unless--unless you could find it in +your benevolent heart to take me in yourself;" and his smile was very +insinuating. "In that case I should have the luxury of intellectual +companionship superadded to the other advantages of which you have +spoken." + +The old lady smiled, but shook her head quite decidedly. "I have lived +so long in the perfect house that I should not know how to give it up. +I have come to think men a care and a trouble that I cannot take upon +me in my old age." + +"Excuse me, my dear madam, for the unwarrantable liberty I took +in asking it," he said in an apologetic tone, and with a slightly +embarrassed air. "I beg ten thousand pardons." + +"That is a great many," she answered with a smile, "but you may +consider them all granted. I hope you left my friend Mrs. Waters well? +I must answer her letter directly." + +"Ah, then you are not aware that she is already on her way to Europe?" + +"No, is she indeed?" + +"Yes, she sailed the day after that letter was written; which accounts +for the date not being a very recent one. You see I did not leave +immediately on receiving it from her." + +She was beginning to wish that he would go, but he lingered for some +time, vainly hoping for a glimpse of Elsie. On finally taking his +leave, he asked her to point out Mrs. Schilling's house, and she +noticed that he went directly there. + +"Really, auntie, we began to think that your visitor must intend to +spend the day," cried Lottie, as Miss Stanhope returned to her room +and her interrupted employment. + +"Ah? Well it was not my urging that kept him; I was very near telling +him that he was making me waste a good deal of time" replied the old +lady; then seeing that Lottie was curious on the subject, she kindly +went on to tell all that she had learned in regard to the stranger and +his intentions. + +Elsie was amusing herself with Thomas, trying to cajole him to return +to the frolicsomeness of his long-forgotten kittenhood, and did not +seem to hear or heed. What interest for her had this stranger, or his +doings? + +"Young and handsome, you say, Aunt Wealthy? and going to stay in +Lansdale all summer? Would you advise me to set my cap for him?" + +"No, Lottie; not I." + +"You were not smitten with the gentleman, eh?" + +"Not enough to spare him to you anyhow, but he may improve upon +acquaintance." + +"I don't approve of marrying, though, do you, auntie? Your practice +certainly seems to speak disapproval." + +"Perhaps every one does not have the opportunity, my dear," answered +the old lady, with a quiet smile. + +"Oh, but you must have had plenty of them. Isn't that so? and why did +you never accept?" + +Elsie dropped the string she had been waving before the eyes of the +cat, and looked up with eager interest. + +"Yes, I had offers, and one of them I accepted," replied Aunt Wealthy, +with a slight sigh, while a shade of sadness stole over her usually +happy face, "but my friends interfered and the match was broken off. +Don't follow my example, children, but marry if the right one comes +along." + +"Surely you don't mean if our parents refuse their consent, auntie?" +Elsie's tone spoke both surprise and disapproval. + +"No, no, child! It is to those who keep the fifth commandment God +promises long life and prosperity." + +"And love makes it so easy and pleasant to keep it," murmured Elsie, +softly, and with a sweet, glad smile on her lips and in her eyes, +thinking of her absent father, and almost unconsciously thinking +aloud. + +"Ah, child, it can sometimes make it very hard," said Miss Stanhope, +with another little sigh, and shaking her head rather sadly. + +"Elsie, you must have had lots of lovers before this, I am sure!" +exclaimed Lottie, stopping her machine, and facing suddenly round upon +her friend. "No girl as rich and beautiful as you are could have lived +eighteen years without such an experience." + +Elsie only smiled and blushed. + +"Come now, am I not right?" persisted Lottie. + +"I do assure you that I have actually lived to this mature age quite +heart-whole," laughed Elsie. "If I have an idol, it is papa, and I +don't believe anybody can ever succeed in displacing him." + +"You have quite misunderstood me, wilfully or innocently--I asked of +your worshippers, not of your idols. Haven't you had offers?" + +"Several; money has strong attractions for most men, papa tells me." + +"May the Lord preserve you from the sad fate of a woman married for +her money, dear child!" ejaculated Aunt Wealthy, with a glance of +anxious affection at her lovely niece. "I'm sometimes tempted to think +a large amount of it altogether a curse and an affliction." + +"It is a great responsibility, auntie," replied Elsie, with a look of +gravity beyond her years. Then after a moment's pause, her expression +changing to one of gayety and joy, "Now, if you and Lottie will excuse +me for a little, I'll run up to my room, and answer papa's letter," +she said, rising to her feet. "After which I shall be ready to make +myself useful in the capacity of seamstress. Au revoir." And she +tripped away with a light, free step, every movement as graceful as +those of a young gazelle. + +Mr. Bromly Egerton, alias Tom Jackson, was fortunate enough to find +Mrs. Schilling at home. It was she who answered his knock. + +"Good-day, sir," she said. "Will you walk in? Just step into the +parlor here, and take a seat." + +He accepted the invitation and stated his business without preface, or +waiting to be questioned at all. + +She seemed to be considering for a moment. "Well, yes, I can't say as +I'd object to taking a few gentlemen boarders, but--I'd want to know +who you be, and all about you." + +"Certainly, ma'am, that's all right. I'm from the East; rather broken +down with hard work--a business man, you see--and want to spend the +summer here to recruit. Pitched upon your town because it strikes me +as an uncommonly pretty place. I brought a letter of introduction to +your neighbor, Miss Stanhope, and she recommended me to come here in +search of board, saying you'd make a capital landlady." + +"Well, if she recommends you, it's all right. Would you like to look +at the rooms?" + +She had two to dispose of--one at the back and the other in the front +of the house, both cheerful, airy, of reasonable size, and neatly +furnished. He preferred the latter, because it overlooked Miss +Stanhope's house and grounds. + +As he stood at the window, taking note of this, a young girl appeared +at the one opposite. For one minute he had a distinct view of her face +as she stood there and put out her hand to gather a blossom from the +vine that had festooned itself so gracefully over the window. + +He uttered an exclamation of delighted surprise, and turning to his +companion asked, "Who is she?" + +"Miss Dinsmore, Miss Stanhope's niece. She's here on a visit to her +aunt. She's from the South, and worth a mint of money, they say. Aint +she handsome though? handsome as a picture?" + +"Posh! handsome doesn't begin to express it! Why, she's angelic! But +there! she's gone!" And he drew a long breath as he turned away. + +"You'd better conclude to take this room if you like to look at her," +artfully suggested Mrs. Schilling. "That's her bedroom window, and +she's often at it. Besides, you can see the whole front of Miss +Stanhope's place from here, and watch all the comings and goings o' +the girls--Miss Dinsmore, and Miss Nettie and Lottie King." + +"Who are they?" + +"Kind o' fur-off cousins to Miss Stanhope. They live in that next +house to hern, and are amazin' thick with her, runnin' in and out all +times o' day. Nice, spry, likely girls they be too, not bad-lookin' +neither, but hardly fit to hold a candle to Miss Dinsmore, as fur as +beauty's concerned. Well, what do you say to the room, Mr. Egerton?" + +"That I will take it, and would like to have immediate possession." + +"All right, sir; fetch your traps whenever you've a mind; right away, +if you like." + +There was no lack of good society in Lansdale. It had even more than +the usual proportion of well-to-do, intelligent, educated, and refined +people to be found in American villages of its size. They were +hospitable folks, too, disposed to be kind to strangers tarrying in +their midst, and, Miss Stanhope being an old resident, well known and +highly esteemed, spite of her eccentricities, her friends had received +a good deal of attention. Elsie had already become slightly acquainted +with a number of pleasant families; a good many young girls, and also +several young gentlemen had called upon her, and Lottie assured her +there were many more to come. + +"Some of the very nicest are apt to be slow about calling--we're +such busy folks here," she said, laughing. "I've a notion, too, that +several of the beaux stood rather in awe of your papa." + +They were talking together over their sewing, after Elsie had come +down from finishing her letter, and sent Chloe to the post-office with +it. + +"I don't wonder," she answered, looking up with a smile; "there was a +time, a long while ago, when I was very much afraid of him myself; and +even now I have such a wholesome dread of his displeasure as would +keep me from any act of disobedience, if love was not sufficient to do +that without help from any other motive." + +"You are very fond of him, and he of you?" + +"Yes, indeed! how could it be otherwise when for so many years each +was all the other had? But I'm sure, quite sure that neither of us +loves the other less because now we have mamma and darling little +Horace." + +"I should like to know them both," said Miss Stanhope. "I hope your +father will bring them with him when he comes back for you." + +"Oh, I hope he will! I want so much to have you know them. Mamma is so +dear and sweet, almost as dear as papa himself. And Horace--well, I +can't believe there ever was quite such another darling to be found," +Elsie continued, with a light, joyous laugh. + +"Ah!" said Aunt Wealthy with a sigh and a smile, "it is a good and +pleasant thing to be young and full of life and gayety, and to have +kind, wise parents to look to for help and guidance. You will realize +that when you grow old and have to be a prop for others to lean upon +instead." + +"Yes, dear auntie," Elsie answered, giving her a look of loving +reverence, "but surely the passing years must have brought you so much +wisdom and self-reliance that that can be no such very hard task to +you." + +"Ah, child!" replied the old lady, shaking her head, "I often feel +that my stock of those is very small. But then how sweet it is to +remember that I have a Father to whom I never shall grow old; never +cease to be His little child, in constant need of His tender, watchful +care to guard and guide. Though the gray hairs are on my head, the +wrinkles of time, sorrow, and care upon my brow, He does not think me +old enough to be left to take care of myself. No; He takes my hand in +His and leads me tenderly and lovingly along, choosing each step for +me, protecting me from harm, and providing for all my needs. What does +He say? 'Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I +carry you'!" + +"Such sweet words! They almost reconcile one to growing old," murmured +Lottie, and Aunt Wealthy answered, with a subdued gladness in her +tones, "You need not dread it, child, for does not every year bring us +nearer home?" + +The needles flew briskly until the dinner-bell sounded its welcome +summons. + +"We shall finish two at least this afternoon, I think," said Lottie, +folding up her work. + +"No, we've had sewing enough for to-day," replied Miss Stanhope. "I +have ordered the carriage at two. We will have a drive this afternoon, +and music this evening; if you and Elsie do not consider it too much +of a task to play and sing for your old auntie." + +"A task, Aunt Wealthy! It would be a double delight--giving you +pleasure and ourselves enjoying the delicious tones of that splendid +piano. Its fame has already spread over the whole town," she added, +turning to Elsie, "and between its attractions and those of its owner, +I know there'll be a great influx of visitors here." + +Elsie was a very fine musician, and for her benefit during her stay in +Lansdale, Mr. Dinsmore had had a grand piano sent on from the East, +ordering it in season to have it arrive almost as soon as they +themselves. + +"Yes, Lottie is quite right about it, Aunt Wealthy, and you shall +call for all the tunes you want," Elsie said, noticing her friend's +prediction merely by a quiet smile. + +"You don't know how I enjoy that piano," Lottie rattled on as they +began their meal. "It must be vastly pleasant to have plenty of +money and such an indulgent father as yours, Elsie. Not that I would +depreciate my own at all--I wouldn't exchange him even for yours--but +he, you see, has more children and less money." + +"Yes, I think we are both blessed in our fathers," answered Elsie. "I +admire yours very much; and mine is, indeed, very indulgent, though at +the same time very strict; he never spares expense or trouble to give +me pleasure. But the most delightful thing of all is to know that he +loves me so very, very dearly;" and the soft eyes shone with the light +of love and joy. + +It was nearly tea time when they returned from their drive, some lady +callers having prevented them from setting out at the early hour +intended. + +"Now I must run right home," said Lottie, as they alighted. "Mother +complains that she gets no good of me at all of late." + +"Well, she has Nettie," returned Miss Stanhope, "and she told me Elsie +and I might have all we wanted of you till the poor child gets a +little used to her father's absence." + +"Did she, Aunt Wealthy? There, I'll remind her of that, and also of +the fact that Nettie is worth two of me any day." + +"And you'll come back to spend the evening? Indeed you must, or how is +Elsie to learn her visitors' names? You know I could never get them +straight. But there's the tea-bell, so come in with us. No need to go +home till bed-time, or till to-morrow, that I can see." + +"Thank you, but of course, auntie, I want to primp a bit, just as you +did in your young days, when the beaux were coming. So good-bye for +the present," she cried, skipping away with a merry laugh, Miss +Stanhope calling after her to bring Nettie along when she returned. + +"We have so many odd names in this town, and I such an odd sort of +memory, that I make a great many mistakes," said the old lady, leading +the way to the house. + +Elsie thought that was all very true, when in the course of the +evening she was introduced to Mr. Comings, Mr. Tizard, Mr. Stop, +Miss Lock, and Miss Over, and afterward heard her aunt address them +variously as "Mr. In-and-out," "Mr. Wizard," "Mr. Lizard," "Mr. Quit," +"Miss Under," and "Miss Key." + +But the old lady's peculiarity was so well known that no one thought +of taking offence; and her mistakes caused only mirth and amusement. + +Lottie's prediction was so fully verified that Elsie seemed to be +holding a sort of levee. + +"What faultless features, exquisitely beautiful complexion, and sweet +expression she has." "What a graceful form, what pleasant, affable +manners, so entirely free from affectation or hauteur; no patronizing +airs about her either, but perfect simplicity and kindliness." "And +such a sweet, happy, intelligent face." "Such beautiful hair too; +did you notice that? so abundant, soft and glossy, and such a +lovely color." "Yes, and what simple elegance of dress." "She's an +accomplished musician, too, and has a voice as sweet, rich, and full +as a nightingale's," remarked one and another as they went away. The +unanimous verdict seemed to be, that the young stranger was altogether +charming. + +Across the street, Mrs. Schilling's boarder paced to and fro, watching +the coming and going, listening to the merry salutations, and gay +adieux, the light laughter, and the sweet strains of music and song, +till the desire to make one of the happy throng grew so strong upon +him that it was no longer to be resisted. + +"I will go in with those," he muttered, crossing over just in time to +enter directly in the rear of a lady and gentleman, whom he saw coming +up the street. "Miss Stanhope invited me to call again, without +particularizing how soon, and I can turn my speedy acceptance into a +compliment to their music, without even a white lie, for it does sound +extremely attractive to a lonely, idle fellow like me." + +Miss Stanhope met him at the door, would scarce listen to his +apology--insisting that "none was needed; one who had come to her with +such an introduction from so valued a friend as Mrs. Waters, must +always be a welcome guest in her house"--and ushering him into the +parlor, introduced him to her niece, and all others present. + +A nearer and more critical view of Elsie only increased his +admiration; he thought her the loveliest creature he had ever seen. +But it did not suit his tactics to show immediately any strong +attraction toward her, or desire to win her regard. For this evening +he devoted himself almost exclusively to Miss Stanhope, exerting all +his powers to make a favorable impression upon her. + +In this he was entirely successful. He had, when he chose, most +agreeable and polished manners. Also he had seen much of the world, +possessed a large fund of general information, and knew exactly how to +use it to the best advantage. With these gifts, very fine, expressive +eyes, regular features, and handsome person, no wonder he could boast +himself "a woman-killer." + +Aunt Wealthy, though old enough to be invulnerable to Cupid's arrows, +showed by her warm praises, after he had left that evening, that she +was not proof against his fascinations. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Your noblest natures are most credulous. + + --CHAPMAN. + + +Bromly Egerton (we give him the name by which he had become known to +our friends in Lansdale) considered it "a very lucky chance" that +had provided him a boarding-place so near the temporary home of his +intended victim. He felicitated himself greatly upon it, and lost no +time in improving to the utmost all the advantages it conferred. +It soon came to be a customary thing for him to drop in at Miss +Stanhope's every day, or two or three times a day, and to join the +young girls in their walks and drives, for, though at first paying +court to no one but the mistress of the mansion, he gradually turned +his attention more and more to her niece and Miss King. + +As their ages were so much nearer his this seemed perfectly natural, +and excited no suspicion or remark. Aunt Wealthy was quite willing to +resign him to them; for--a very child in innocent trustfulness--she +had no thought of any evil design on the part of the handsome, +attractive young stranger so warmly recommended to her kindness and +hospitality by an old and valued friend, and only rejoiced to see the +young folks enjoying themselves so much together. + +Before leaving Lansdale Mr. Dinsmore had provided his daughter with a +gentle, but spirited and beautiful little pony, and bade her ride out +every day when the weather was favorable, as was her custom at home. +At the same time he cautioned her never to go alone; but always to +have Simon riding in her rear, and, if possible, a lady friend at her +side. + +Dr. King was not wealthy, and having a large family to provide for, +kept no horse except the one he used in his practice; but Elsie, with +her well-filled purse, was more than content to furnish ponies for +her friends Lottie and Nettie whenever they could accompany her; and +matters were so arranged by their indulgent mother that one or both +could do so every day. + +It was not long before Mr. Egerton joined them in these excursions +also, having made an arrangement with a livery-stable keeper for the +daily use of a horse. And gradually his attention, in the beginning +about equally divided between the two, or the three, were paid more +and more exclusively to Elsie. + +She was not pleased with him in their earlier interviews, she could +scarcely have told why; but there was an intuitive feeling that he was +not one to be trusted. That, however, gradually gave way under the +fascinations of his fine person, agreeable manners, and intellectual +conversation. He was very plausible and captivating, she full of +charity and ready to believe the best of everybody, and so, little by +little, he won her confidence and esteem so completely that at length +she had almost forgotten that her first impression had not been +favorable. + +He went regularly to the church she, her aunt, and the Kings attended, +appearing an interested listener, and devout worshipper; and that not +on the Sabbath only, but also at the regular weekday evening service; +he seemed also to choose his associates among good, Christian people. +The natural inference from all this was that he too was a Christian, +or at least a professor of religion; and thus all our friends soon +came to look upon him as such, and to feel the greater friendship for, +and confidence in him. + +He found that Elsie's beauty would bear the closest scrutiny, that her +graces of person and mind were the more apparent the more thoroughly +she was known; that she was highly educated and accomplished, +possessed of a keen intellect, and talents of no common order, and a +wonderful sweetness of disposition. He acknowledged to himself that, +even leaving money out of the question, she was a prize any man might +covet; yet that if she were poor, he would never try to win her. A +more voluptuous woman would have suited him better. Elsie's very +purity made her distasteful to him, his own character seeming so much +blackened by contrast that at times he could but loathe and despise +himself. + +But her fortune was an irresistible attraction, and he resolved more +firmly than ever to leave no stone unturned to make himself master of +it. + +He soon perceived that he had many rivals, but he possessed one +advantage over them all in his entire leisure from business, leaving +him at liberty to devote himself to her entertainment during the day +as well as the evening. + +For a while he greatly feared that he had a more dangerous rival at a +distance; for, watching from his windows, he saw that every morning +Simon brought one or more letters from the post, and that Elsie was +usually on the front porch awaiting his coming; that she would often +come flying across the lawn, meet her messenger at the gate, and +snatching her letter with eager, joyful haste, rush back to the house +with it, and disappear within the doorway. Then frequently he would +see her half an hour later looking so rosy and happy, that he could +hardly hope her correspondent was other than an accepted lover. + +For weeks he tormented himself with this idea; the more convinced that +he was right in his conjecture, because she almost always posted her +reply with her own hands, when going out for her daily walk, or sent +it by her faithful Chloe; but one day, venturing a jest upon the +subject, she answered him, with a merry laugh, "Ah, you are no +Yankee, Mr. Egerton, to make such a guess as that! I have a number of +correspondents, it is true; but the daily letter I am so eager for +comes from my father." + +"Is it possible, Miss Dinsmore! do you really receive and answer a +letter from your father every day?" + +"We write every day, and each receives a letter from the other every +day but Sunday; on that day we never go or send to the post-office; +and we write only on such subjects as are suited to the sacredness of +its Sabbath rest. I give papa the text and a synopsis of the sermon I +have heard, and he does the same by me." + +"You must be extremely strict Sabbath-keepers." + +"We are, but not more so than the Bible teaches that we should be." + +"But isn't it very irksome? don't you find the day very long and +tedious?" + +"Not at all; I think no other day in the week is quite so short to me, +none, I am sure, so delightful." + +"Then it isn't only because your aunt is strict too, that you go on +keeping your father's rules, while you are at a safe distance from +him?" he queried in a half jesting tone. + +Elsie turned her soft eyes full upon him, as she answered with gentle +gravity: "I feel that the commands of both my earthly and my heavenly +Father are binding upon me at all times, and in all places, and I hope +I may ever be kept from becoming an eye-servant. Love makes it easy to +obey, and God's commands are not grievous to those who love him." + +"I beg your pardon," he said; "but to go back to the letters, how +can you fill one every day to your father? I can imagine that lovers +might, in writing to each other, but fathers and daughters would not +be apt to indulge in that sort of nonsense." + +"But Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie are no common father and daughter," +remarked Lottie, who had not spoken for the last ten minutes. + +"And can find plenty to say to each other," added Elsie, with a bright +look and smile. "Papa likes to hear just how I am spending my time, +what I see in my walks, what new plants and flowers I find, etc., +etc.; what new acquaintances I make, what books I am reading, and what +I think of them." + +"The latter or the former?" he asked, resuming his jesting tone. + +"Both. And I tell him almost everything. Papa is my confidant; more so +than any other person in the world." + +They were returning from a walk over the hills, and had just reached +Miss Stanhope's gate. Mr. Egerton opened it for the ladies, closed +it after them, bowed a good-morning and retired, wondering if he was +mentioned in those letters to Mr. Dinsmore, and cautioning himself +to be exceeding careful not to say or do a single thing which, if +reported there, might be taken as a warning of danger to the heiress. + +The girls ran into Miss Wealthy's room, and found her lamenting over a +white muslin apron. + +"What is it, auntie?" Elsie asked. + +"Why, just look here, child, what a hole I have made in this! It had +got an ink-stain on it, and Phillis had put one of Harry's new shirts +into a tin basin, and iron-rusted it; so I thought I would try some +citric acid on them both; and I did; but probably made it too strong, +and this is how it served the apron." + +"And the shirt?" asked Lottie, interested for the garment she had +helped to make. + +"Well, it's a comfort I handled it very gingerly, and it seems to be +sound yet, after I saw what this has come to." + +"It is quite a pity about the apron; for it really is a very pretty +one," said Elsie, "the acid must have been very strong." + +"Yes, and I am sorry to have the apron ruined, but after all, I shall +not care so very much, if it only doesn't eat Harry's tail off, and it +will make a little one for some child." + +Both girls laughed. It was impossible to resist the inclination to do +so. + +"The shirt's tail I mean, of course, and a little apron," said Miss +Wealthy, joining in the mirth; "that's where the spots all happen to +be, which is a comfort in case a piece should have to be set in." + +"There comes Lenwilla Ellawea; for some more light'ning, I suppose, as +I see she carries a teacup in her hand," whispered Lottie, +glancing from the window, as a step sounded upon the gravel walk. +"Good-morning, little sixpence; what are you after now?" she added +aloud, as the child appeared in the open doorway. + +"Mother's out o' vinegar, and dinner's just ready, and the +gentleman'll want some for his salad, and there aint no time to send +to the grocery. And mother says, will you lend her a teacupful, Aunt +Wealthy? And she's goin' to have some folks there to-night, and she +says you're all to come over." + +"Tell her we're obliged, and she's welcome to the vinegar," said Miss +Stanhope, taking the cup and giving it to Chloe to fill. "But what +sort of company is it to be?" + +"I dunno; ladies and gentlemen, but no married folks, I heard her say. +She's goin' to have nuts, and candies, and things to hand round, and +you'd better come. I hope that pretty lady will," in a stage whisper, +bending toward Miss Stanhope, as she spoke, and nodding at Elsie. + +All three laughed. + +"Well, I'll try to coax her," said Aunt Wealthy, as Chloe re-entered +the room. "And here's your vinegar. You'd better hurry home with it." + +"Aunt Wealthy, you can't want me to go there!" cried Elsie, as the +child passed out of hearing. "Why, the woman is not a lady, and I am +sure papa would be very unwilling to have me make an associate of her. +He is very particular about such matters." + +"She is not educated or very refined, it is true, my child; and I must +acknowledge is a little silly, too; but she is a clever, kind-hearted +woman, a member of the same church with myself, and a near neighbor +whom I should feel sorry to hurt; and I am sure she would be much hurt +if you should stay away, and deeply gratified by your attendance at +her little party." + +"I wouldn't miss it for anything!" cried Lottie, pirouetting about the +room, laughing and clapping her hands; "she has such comical ways of +talking and acting. I know it will be real fun. You won't think of +staying away, Elsie?" + +"I really do not believe your father would object, if he were here, my +child," added Miss Stanhope, laying her hand on her niece's shoulder +and looking at her with a kindly persuasive smile. + +"Perhaps not, auntie; and he bade me obey you in his absence; so if +you bid me, I will go," Elsie answered, returning the smile, and +touching her ruby lips to the faded cheek. + +"That's a dear," cried Lottie. "Hold her to her word, Aunt Wealthy. +And now I must run home, and see if Nettie's had an invite, and what +she's going to wear." + +The ladies were just leaving the dinner-table, when Mrs. Schilling +came rushing in. "Oh, excuse my informality in not waiting to ring, +Miss Stanhope; but I'm in the biggest kind of a hurry. I've just put +up my mind to make some sponge-cake for to-night, and I thought I'd +best run over and get your prescription; you always have so much +better luck than me. I don't know whether it's all in the luck though, +or whether it's partly the difference in prescriptions--I know some +follows one, and some another--and so, if you'll let me have yours, +I'll be a thousand times obliged." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Sixpence, you'll be as many times welcome," returned +Aunt Wealthy, going for her receipt-book. "It's not to be a large +party, is it?" she asked, coming back. + +"No, ma'am, just a dozen or so of the young folks; such ladies and +gentlemen which I thought would be agreeable to meet Miss Dinsmore. I +hope you'll both be over and bright and early too; for I've heard say +you don't never keep very late hours, Miss Dinsmore." + +"No, papa does not approve of them; not for me at least. He is so +careful of me, so anxious that I should keep my health." + +"Well, I'm sure that's all right and kind. But you'll come, both +of you, won't you?" And receiving an assurance that such was their +intention, she hurried away as fast as she had come. + +"I wonder she cares to make a party when she must do all the work of +preparing for it herself," said Elsie, looking after her as she sped +across the lawn. + +"She is strong and healthy, and used to work; and doubtless feels +that it will be some honor and glory to be able to boast of having +entertained the Southern heiress who is visiting Lansdale," Miss +Stanhope answered in a half-jesting tone. + +Elsie looked amused, then grave, as she replied: "It is rather +humbling to one's pride to be valued merely or principally on account +of one's wealth." + +"Yes; but, dearie, those who know you don't value you for that, but +for your own dear, lovable self. My darling, your old aunt is growing +very fond of you, and can hardly bear to think how soon your father +will be coming to carry you away again," she added, twinkling away a +tear, as she took the soft, white hand, and pressed it affectionately +in both her own. + +"And I shall be so sorry to leave you, auntie. I wish we could carry +you away with us. I have so often thought how happy my friend Lucy +Carrington ought to be in having such a nice grandma. I have never +had one, you know; for papa's stepmother would never own me for her +grandchild; but you seem to be the very one I have always longed for." + +"Thank you, dear," and Miss Stanhope sighed, slightly. "Had your own +grandmother, my sweet and dear sister Eva, been spared to this time, +you would have had one to love and be proud of. Now, do you want to +take a siesta? you must feel tired after this morning's long tramp, +I should think, and I want you to be very bright and fresh to-night, +that it may not harm you if you should happen to be kept up a little +later than usual. You see I want to take such care of you, that when +your father comes he can see only improvement in you, and feel willing +to let me have you again some day." + +"Thank you, you dear old auntie!" Elsie answered, giving her a hug. +"I'm sure even he could hardly be more kindly careful of me than you +are. But I am not very tired, and sitting in an easy-chair will give +me all the rest I need. Haven't you some work for me? I've done +nothing but enjoy myself in the most idle fashion all day." + +"No, my sewing's all done now that the shirts are finished. But I must +lie down whether you will or not. I can't do without my afternoon +nap." + +"Yes, do, auntie; and I shall begin to-morrow's letter to papa; +finishing it in the morning with an account of the party." + +She was busy with her writing when Lottie burst in upon her. + +"I ran in," she said, "to propose that we all go over there together, +and to ask you to come into our house when you're dressed. Nettie and +I are going to try a new style of doing up our hair, and we want your +opinion about its becomingness." + +"I'll be happy to give it for what it is worth." + +"By the way, I admire your style extremely; but of course no one could +imitate it who was not blessed with a heavy suit of natural curls. You +always wear it one way, don't you?" + +"Yes, papa likes it so, but until within the last year, he would not +let me have it in a comb at all." + +She wore it now gathered into a loose knot behind, and falling over +a comb, in a rich mass of shining curls, while in front it waved and +rippled above her white forehead, or fell over it, in soft, tiny, +golden brown rings. + +"It is so beautiful!" continued Lottie, passing her hand caressingly +over it; "and so is its wearer. Oh, if I were only a gentleman!" + +"You don't wish it," said Elsie, laughing. "I don't believe a real, +womanly woman ever does." + +"You don't, hey? Well, I must go; for I've a lot to do to Lot King's +wearing apparel. Adieu, mon cher. Nay, don't disturb yourself to come +to the door." + +Elsie came down to tea ready dressed for the evening, in simple white, +with a white rose in her hair. + +"I like your taste in dress, child," said Aunt Wealthy, regarding her +with affectionate admiration. "The rose in your hair is lovely, and +you seem to me like a fresh, fair, sweet flower, yourself." + +"Ah, how pleasant it is to be loved, auntie, for love always sees +through rose-colored spectacles," answered the young girl gayly. + +"I promised Lottie to run in there for a moment to give my opinion +about their appearance," she said, as they rose from the table. "I'll +not be gone long; and they're to come in and go with us." + +She found her friends in the midst of their hair-dressing. + +"Isn't it a bore?" cried Lottie. "How fortunate you are in never +having to do this for yourself." + +"Why," said Elsie, "I was just admiring your independence, and feeling +ashamed of my own helplessness." + +"Did you ever try it," asked Nettie; "doing your own hair, I mean?" + +"No, never." + +"Did you ever dress yourself?" + +"No, I own that I have never so much as put on my own shoes and +stockings," Elsie answered with a blush, really mortified at the +thought. + +"Well, it is rather nice to be able to help yourself," remarked Lottie +complacently. "There! mine's done; what do you think of it, Miss +Dinsmore?" + +"That it is very pretty and extremely becoming. Girls, mammy will +dress your hair for you at any time, if you wish." + +"Oh, a thousand thanks!" exclaimed Nettie. "Do you think she would be +willing to come over and do mine now? I really can't get it to suit +me, and I know Lot wants to put on her dress." + +"Yes, I'll go back and send her." + +"Oh, no; don't go yet; can't we send for her?" + +"That would do; but I told Aunt Wealthy I wouldn't stay long; so I +think I'd better go. Perhaps I can be of use to her." + +"I don't believe she'll need any help with her toilet," said Lottie, +"she does it all her own way; but I daresay she grudges every minute +of your company. I know I should. Isn't she sweet and lovely, and good +as she can be?" she added to her sister as Elsie left the room. + +"Yes, and how tastefully she dresses; everything is rich and +beautiful, yet so simply elegant; what magnificent lace she wears, and +what jewelry; yet not a bit too much of either." + +"And she knows all about harmony of colors, and what suits her style; +though I believe she would look well in anything." + +There was a communicating gate between Dr. King's grounds and Miss +Stanhope's, and Elsie gained her aunt's house by crossing the two +gardens. As she stepped upon the porch, she saw Mr. Egerton standing +before the door. + +"Good-evening, Miss Dinsmore," he said, bowing and smiling. "I was +just about to ring; but I presume that is not necessary now." + +"No, not at all. Walk into the parlor, and help yourself to a seat. +And if you will please excuse me I shall be there in a moment." + +"I came to ask if I might have the pleasure of escorting you to the +party," he said laughingly, as she returned from giving Chloe her +directions, and asking if her aunt needed any assistance. + +"Thank you; but you are taking unnecessary trouble," she answered +gayly, "since it is only across the street, and there are four of us +to keep each other company." + +"The Misses King are going with you?" + +"Yes; they are not quite ready yet; but it is surely too early to +think of going?" + +"A little; but Mrs. Schilling is anxious to see you as soon as +possible; particularly as she understands there is no hope of keeping +you after ten o'clock. Do you really always observe such early hours?" + +"As a rule, yes. I believe the medical authorities agree that it is +the way to retain one's youth and health." + +"And beauty," he added, with an admiring glance at her blooming face. + + * * * * * + +"I do believe we shall be almost the first; very unfashionably early," +remarked Nettie King, as their little party crossed the street. + +"We are not the first, I have seen several go in," rejoined Aunt +Wealthy, as Mr. Egerton held open the gate for them to pass in. + +Mrs. Schilling in gay attire, streamers flying, cheeks glowing, and +eyes beaming with delight, met them at the door, and invited them to +enter. + +"Oh, ladies, good-evening. How do you all do? I'm powerful glad you +came so early. Walk right into the parlor." + +She ushered them in as she spoke. Four or five young misses were +standing about the centre-table, looking at prints, magazines, and +photographs, while Lenwilla Ellawea, arrayed in her Sunday best, had +ensconced herself in a large cushioned rocking-chair; she was leaning +lazily back in it, and stretching out her feet in a way to show her +shoes and stockings to full advantage. Mrs. Schilling had singular +taste in dress. The child wore a Swiss muslin over a red flannel +skirt, and her lower limbs were encased in black stockings and blue +shoes. + +"Daughter Lenwilla Ellawea, subside that chair!" exclaimed the mother, +with a wave of her hand. "You should know better than to take the best +seat, when ladies are standing. Miss Stanhope, do me the honor to take +that chair. I assure you, you will find it most commodious. Take a +seat on the sofy, Miss Dinsmore, and--ah, that is right, Mr. Egerton, +you know how to attend to the ladies." + +Greetings and introductions were exchanged; an uncomfortable pause +followed, then a young lady, with a magazine open on the table before +her, broke the silence by remarking: "What sweet verses these are!" + +"Yes," said Mrs. Schilling, looking over her shoulder, "I quite agree +in that sentiment. Indeed, she's my favorite author." + +"Who?" asked Mr. Egerton. + +"Anon." + +"Ah! does she write much for that periodical?" he asked, with assumed +gravity. + +"Oh, yes, she has a piece in nearly every number; sometimes two of +'em." + +"That's my pap, that is," said Lenwilla Ellawea, addressing a second +young lady, who was slowly turning the leaves of a photograph album. + +"Is it?" + +"Yes, and we've got two or three other picters of him." + +"Photographs, Lenwilla Ellawea," corrected her mother. "Yes, we've got +several. Miss Stanhope, do you know there's a sculpture in town? and +what do you think? He wants to make a basque relief out o' one o' them +photographs of my 'Lijah. But I don't know as I'll let him. Would +you?" + +A smile trembled about the corners of Elsie's lips, and she carefully +avoided the glance of Lottie's eyes, which she knew were dancing with +fun, while there was a half-suppressed titter from the girls at the +table. + +"I really can't say I understand exactly what it is," said Aunt +Wealthy dubiously. + +"What sort of looking creature is a sculpture, Mrs. Schilling?" asked +Mr. Egerton. + +"Excuse me; there's some more company coming," she answered, hurrying +from the room. + +"My good landlady is really quite an amusing person," he observed in +an aside to Elsie, near to whom he had seated himself. + +She made no response. The newly-arrived guests were being ushered in, +and there were fresh greetings and introductions to be gone through +with. Then conversation became quite brisk, and after a little, it +seeming to be understood that all invited, or expected, were present +some one proposed playing games. They tried several of the quieter +kind, then Lottie King proposed "Stage-coach." + +"Lot likes that because she's a regular romp," said her sister. + +"And because she tells the story so well; she's just splendid at it!" +cried two or three voices. "Will you take that part if we agree to +play it?" + +"Yes, if no one else wants it." + +"No danger of that. We'll play it. Miss Dinsmore, will you take part?" + +"Thank you; I never heard of the game before, and should not know what +to do." + +"Oh, it's easy to understand. Each player--except the +story-teller--takes the name of some part of the stage-coach, or +something connected with it;--one is the wheels, another the window, +another the whip, another the horses, driver, and so on, and so on. +After all are named and seated--leaving one of their number out, and +no vacancy in the circle--the one left out stands in the centre, and +begins a story, in which he or she introduces the names chosen by the +others as often as possible. Each must be on the qui vive, and the +instant his name is pronounced, jump up, turn round once and sit down +again. If he neglects to do so, he has to pay a forfeit. If the +word stage-coach is pronounced, all spring up and change seats; the +story-teller securing one, if he can and leaving some one else to try +his hand at that." + +Lottie acquitted herself well; Mr. Egerton followed, doing even +better; then Aunt Wealthy was the one left out, and with her crooked +sentences and backward or opposite rendering of names caused shouts +of merriment. The selling of the forfeits which followed was no less +mirth-provoking. Then the refreshments were brought in; first, several +kinds of cake--the sponge and the farmers' fruit-cake, made after Miss +Stanhope's prescription, as Mrs. Schilling informed her guests, and +one or two other sorts. Elsie declined them all, saying that she never +ate anything in the evening. + +"Oh, now that's too bad, Miss Dinsmore! do take a little bit of +something," urged her hostess; "I shall feel real hurt if you don't; +it looks just as if you didn't think my victuals good enough for you +to eat." + +"Indeed you must not think that," replied Elsie, blushing deeply. +"Your cake looks very nice, but I always decline evening refreshments; +and that solely because of the injury it would be to my health to +indulge in them." + +"Why, you aint delicate, are you? You don't look so; you've as healthy +a color as ever I see; not a bit like as though you had the dyspepsy." + +"No, I have never had a touch of dyspepsia, and I think my freedom +from it is largely owing to papa's care of me in regard to what I eat +and when. He has never allowed me to eat cake in the evening." + +"Well, I do say! you're the best girl to mind your pa that ever I see! +But you're growed up now--'most of age, I should judge--and I reckon +you've a sort o' right to decide such little matters for yourself. I +don't believe a bit o' either of these would hurt you a mite; and +if it should make you a little out o' sorts just you take a dose of +spirits of pneumonia. That's my remedy for sick stomic, and it cures +me right up, it does." + +Elsie smiled, but again gently but firmly declined. "Please don't +tempt me any more, Mrs. Schilling," she said; "for it is a temptation, +I assure you." + +"Well, p'raps you'll like the next course better," rejoined her +hostess, moving on. + +"She's a splendid cook and the cake is really nice," remarked Lottie +King in a low tone, close at her friend's side. + +"Yes, Miss Dinsmore, you'd better try a little of it; I don't believe +it would hurt you, even so much as to call for the spirits of +pneumonia," said Egerton, laughing. + +"Oh, look!" whispered Lottie, her eyes twinkling with merriment, "here +comes the second course served up in the most original style." + +Mrs. Schilling had disappeared for a moment, to return bearing a +wooden bucket filled with a mixture of candies, raisins and almonds, +and was passing it around among her guests, inviting each to take a +handful. + +"Now, Miss Dinsmore, you won't refuse to try a few of these?" she +said persuasively, as she neared their corner, "I shall be real +disappointed if you do." + +"I am very sorry to decline your kind offer, even more for my own +sake than yours," returned Elsie, laughing and blushing; "for I am +extremely fond of confectionery; but I must say no, thank you." + +"Mr. Egerton, do you think 'twas because my cakes and things wasn't +good enough for her that she wouldn't taste 'em?" asked his landlady, +in an aggrieved tone, as the last of the guests departed. + +Elsie had gone an hour before, he having had the pleasure of escorting +her and Miss Stanhope across the street, leaving them at their own +door; but he did not need to ask whom Mrs. Schilling meant. + +"Oh, no, not at all, my good woman!" he answered. "It was nothing but +filial obedience joined to the fear of losing her exuberant health. +Very wise, too, though your refreshments were remarkably nice." + +"Poor Mrs. Sixpence," Lottie King was saying to her sister at that +moment, "she whispered to me that though her party had gone off so +splendidly, she had had two great disappointments,--in Mr. Wert's +absenting himself, and the refusal of the Southern heiress to so much +as taste her carefully prepared dainties." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + A goodly apple rotten at the heart; + O what a goodly outside falsehood hath! + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "MERCHANT OF VENICE." + + +In mental power, education, good looks, courtly manners, and general +information Mr. Egerton was decidedly superior to any of the young men +resident in Lansdale; and of this fact no one was better aware than, +himself. He did not confine his attentions to Elsie, and soon found +himself a prime favorite among the ladies of the town. No female +coquette ever coveted the admiration of the other sex more than he, +or sought more assiduously to gain it. He carried on numerous small +flirtations among the belles of the place, yet paid court to Elsie +much oftener than to any one else, using every art of which he was +master in the determined effort to win her affection and to make +himself necessary to her happiness. + +He had read many books and seen much of life, having travelled all +over our own country, and visited both Europe and South America; and +possessing a retentive memory, fine descriptive powers, a fund of +humor, and a decided talent for mimicry, was able, when he chose, to +make his conversation exceedingly amusing and interesting, and very +instructive. Also, he seemed all that was good and noble, and she soon +gave him a very warm place in her regard; much warmer than she herself +at first suspected. + +According to his own account--and probably it was the truth--Bromly +Egerton had had many hair-breadth escapes from sudden and violent +death. He was telling of one of these in which he had risked and +nearly lost his life from mere love of adventure. Elsie shuddered, and +drew a long breath of relief, as the story reached its close. + +"Does it frighten you to hear of such things?" he asked, with a smile. + +"Yes, it seems to me a dreadful thing to risk the loss of one's life, +when there is no good to ourselves or others to be gained by it." + +"Ah, if you were a man or boy you would understand that more than half +the charm of such adventures lies in the risk." + +"But is it right, or wise?" + +"A mere matter of taste, or choice, I should say--a long dull life, or +a short and lively one." + +Elsie's face had grown very grave. "Are those really your sentiments, +Mr. Egerton?" she asked, in a pained, disappointed tone. "I had +thought better of you." + +"I do not understand; have I said anything very dreadful?" + +"Is it not a sin to throw away the life which God has given us to be +used in His service?" + +"Ah, perhaps that may be so; but I had not looked at it in precisely +that way. I had only thought of the fact that life in this world is +not so very delightful that one need be anxious to continue it for a +hundred years. We grow tired of it at times, and are almost ready to +throw it away; to use your expression." + +"Ah, before doing that we should be very sure of going to a better +place." + +"But how can we be sure of that, or, indeed, of anything? What is +there that we know absolutely, and beyond question? how can I be sure +of even my own existence? how do I know that I am what I believe +myself to be? There are crazy men who firmly believe themselves kings +and princes, or something else quite as far from the truth; and how do +I know that I am not as much mistaken as they?" + +She gave him a look of grieved surprise, and he laughingly asked, +"Well, now, Miss Dinsmore, is there anything of which you really are +absolutely certain? or you, Miss King?" as Lottie drew near the log on +which the two were seated. + +They had taken a long ramble through the woods that morning, and +Egerton and Elsie had some ten minutes before sat down here to rest +and wait for their companions, who had wandered a little from the path +they were pursuing. + +"Cogito, ergo sum," she answered gayly, "Also I am sure we have had a +very pleasant walk. But isn't it time we were moving toward home?" + +"Yes," Elsie answered, consulting her watch. + +"That's a pretty little thing," observed Egerton. "May I look at it?" +And he held out his hand. + +"One of papa's birthday gifts to his petted only daughter," she said, +with a smile, as she allowed him to take it. "I value it very highly +on that account even more than for its intrinsic worth; though it is +an excellent time-keeper." + +"It must have cost a pretty penny; the pearls and diamonds alone must +be worth quite a sum," he said, turning it about and examining it with +eager interest. "I would be careful, Miss Dinsmore, how I let it be +known that I carried anything so valuable about me, or wore it into +lonely places, such as these woods," he added, as he returned it to +her. + +"I never come out alone," she said, looking slightly anxious and +troubled; "papa laid his commands upon me never to do so; but I shall +leave it at home in future." + +"Riches bring cares; that's the way I comfort myself in my poverty," +remarked Lottie, lightly. "But, Elsie, my dear, don't allow anxious +fears to disturb you; we are a very moral people at Lansdale; I never +heard of a robbery there yet." + +"I believe I am naturally rather timid," said Elsie, "yet I seldom +suffer from fear. I always feel very safe when papa is near to protect +me, and our Heavenly Father's care is always about us." + +"That reminds me that you have not answered my question," remarked +Egerton, switching off the head of a clover-blossom with his cane. "Is +the care you speak of one thing of which you feel certain?" + +"Yes, and there are others." + +"May I ask what?" + +She turned her sweet, soft eyes full upon him as she answered in low, +clear tones, "'I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no +good thing.' 'I know that my Redeemer liveth.' 'I know that it shall +be well with them that fear God.'" + +"You are quoting?" + +"Yes, from a book that I know is true. Do you doubt it, Mr. Egerton?" + +"Why, Miss Dinsmore, you do not take me for an infidel, surely?" + +"No, until to-day I had hoped you were a Christian." + +Her eyes were downcast now, and there were tears in her voice as she +spoke. He saw he had made a false step and lowered himself in her +esteem, yet, remembering his talk with Arthur, he felt certain he +could more than retrieve that error. And he grew exultant in the +thought of the evident pain the discovery of his unbelief had caused +her. "She does care for me; I believe the prize is even now almost +within my reach," he said to himself, as they silently pursued their +way into the town, no one speaking again until they parted at Miss +Stanhope's gate. + +Elsie, usually full of innocent mirth and gladness, was very quiet at +dinner that day, and Aunt Wealthy, watching her furtively, thought she +noticed an unwonted shade of sadness on the fair face. + +"What is it, dear?" she asked at length; "something seems to have gone +wrong with you." + +The young girl replied by repeating the substance of the morning's +talk with Mr. Egerton, and expressing her disappointment at the +discovery that he was not the Christian man she had taken him to be. + +"Perhaps what you have taken in earnest, was but spoken in jest, my +child," said Miss Stanhope. + +"Ah, auntie, but a Christian surely could not say such things even +in jest," she answered, with a little sigh, and a look of sorrowful +concern on her face. + +Half an hour later, Elsie sat reading in the abode of the vine-covered +porch, while her aunt enjoyed her customary after-dinner nap. She +presently heard the gate swing to, and the next moment Mr. Egerton was +helping himself to a seat by her side. + +"I hope I don't intrude, Miss Dinsmore," he began, assuming a slightly +embarrassed air. + +"Oh, no, not at all," she answered, closing her book; "but aunt is +lying down, and--" + +"Ah, no matter; I wouldn't have her disturbed for the world; and in +fact I am rather glad of the opportunity of seeing you alone. I--I +have been thinking a good deal of that talk we had this morning, +and--I am really quite shocked at the sentiments I then expressed, +though they were spoken more than half in jest. Miss Dinsmore, I am +not a Christian, but--but I want to be, and would, if I only knew how; +and I've come to you to learn the way; for somehow I seem to feel that +you could make the thing plainer to me than any one else. What must I +do first?" + +Glad tears shone in the soft eyes she lifted to his face as she +answered, "'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.' +Believe, 'only believe.'" + +"But I must do something?" + +"'Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, +and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and +to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.'" + +The man was an arrant knave and hypocrite, simulating anxiety about +his soul's salvation only for the purpose of ingratiating himself +with Elsie; but "the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God," +pricked him for the moment, as she wielded it in faith and prayer. +What ways, what thoughts were his! Truly they had need to be forsaken +if he would hope ever to see that holy city of which we are told +"There shall in no wise enter it anything that defileth, neither +whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie." + +For a moment he sat silent and abashed before the gentle, earnest +young Christian, feeling her very purity a reproach, and fearing that +she must read his hypocrisy and the baseness of his motives in his +countenance. + +But hers was a most innocent and unsuspicious nature, apt to believe +others as true and honest as herself. She went on presently. "It is so +beautifully simple and easy,--God's way of saving us poor sinners: +it is its very simplicity that so stumbles wise men and women, while +little children, in their sweet trustfulness, just taking God at His +word, understand it without any difficulty." She spoke in a musing +tone, not looking at Egerton at all, but with her eyes fixed +meditatingly upon the floor. + +He perceived that she had no doubts of his sincerity, and rallying +from the thrust she had so unconsciously given him, went on with the +role he had laid down for himself. + +"I fear I am one of the wise ones you speak of, for I confess I do not +see the way yet. Can you not explain it more fully?" + +"I will try," she said. "You believe that you are a sinner deserving +of God's wrath?" + +"Yes." + +"You have broken His law, and His justice demands your punishment; but +Jesus has kept its requirements, and borne its penalty in your +stead, and now offers you his righteousness and salvation as a free +gift,--'without money and without price.'" + +"But what am I to do?" + +"Simply take the offered gift." + +"But how? I fear I must seem very obtuse, but I really do not +comprehend." + +"Then ask for the teachings of the Spirit; ask Jesus to give you +repentance and faith. 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye +shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one +that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that +knocketh, it shall be opened." + +Elsie's voice was low and pleading, her tones were tremulous with +earnest entreaty, the eyes she lifted to his face were half filled +with tears; for she felt that the eternal interests of her hearer were +trembling in the balance. + +He looked at her admiringly, and, lost in the contemplation of her +beauty, had almost betrayed himself by his want of interest in what +she was saying. But just then Miss Stanhope joined them, and shortly +after he took his leave. + +From this time Egerton played his part with consummate skill, +deceiving Elsie so completely that she had not the slightest doubt of +his being an humble, penitent, rejoicing believer; and great were her +joy and thankfulness when he told her that she had been the means of +leading him to Christ; that her words had made the way plain to him, +as he had never been able to see it before. It seemed to her a very +tender, strong tie between them, and he appeared to feel it to be so +also. + +She was not conscious of looking upon him in the light of a lover, but +he saw with secret exultation that he was fast winning her heart; he +read it in the flushing of her cheek and the brightening of her eye at +his approach, and in many other unmistakable signs. He wrote to Arthur +that the prize was nearly won; so nearly that he had no doubt of his +ultimate success. + +"And I'll not be long now about finishing up the job," he continued; +"it's such precious hard work to be so good and pious all the time, +that I can hardly wait till matters are fully ripe for action. I'm +in constant danger of letting the mask slip aside in some unguarded +moment, and so undoing the whole thing after the world of trouble it +has cost me. It's no joke, I can assure you, for a man of my tastes +and habits to lead the sort of life I've led for the last three +months, I believe I'd give her up this minute, fortune and all, if the +winning of them would lay me under the necessity of continuing it for +the rest of my days, or even for any length of time. But once the knot +is tied, and the property secured, there'll be an end of this farce. +I'll let her know I'm done with cant, will neither talk it nor listen +to it." + +Arthur Dinsmore's face darkened as he read, and in a sudden burst of +fury he tore the letter into fragments, then threw them into the empty +grate. He was not yet so hardened as to feel willing to see Elsie in +the power of such a heartless wretch, such a villain as he knew Tom +Jackson to be. Many times already had he bitterly repented of having +told him of her wealth, and helped him to an acquaintance with her. +His family pride revolted against the connection, and some latent +affection for his niece prompted him to save her from the life of +misery that must be hers as the wife of one so utterly devoid of honor +or integrity. + +Yet Arthur lacked the moral courage to face the disagreeable +consequences of a withdrawal from his compact with Jackson, and a +confession to his father or Horace of the wretch's designs upon Elsie +and his own disgraceful entanglement with him. He concluded to take a +middle course. He wrote immediately to Jackson, somewhat haughtily, +advising him at once to give up the whole thing. + +"You will inevitably fail to accomplish your end," he said. "Elsie +will never marry without her father's consent, and that you will find +it utterly impossible to gain. Horace is too sharp to be hoodwinked or +deceived, even by you. He will ferret out your whole past, lay bare +the whole black record of your rascalities and hypocrisies, and forbid +his daughter ever again to hold the slightest communication with you. +And she will obey if it kills her on the spot." + +"There's some comfort in that last reflection," muttered Arthur to +himself, as he folded and sealed his epistle; "no danger of the rascal +getting into the family." + +Two days later, Egerton took this letter from the post-office in +Lansdale. He read it with a scowl on his brow. "Ah! I see your game, +young man," he muttered with an oath, "but you'll find that you've got +hold of the wrong customer. My reply shall be short and sweet, and +quite to the point." + +It ran thus: "Your warning and advice come too late, my young friend; +the mischief is already wrought, and however unworthy your humble +servant may be deemed by yourself or others of its members to become +connected with the illustrious D---- family, they will find they +cannot help themselves; the girl loves me, and believes in me, and I +defy all the fathers and relations in creation to keep us apart." Then +followed some guarded allusions to various sums of borrowed money, and +so-called "debts of honor," and to some compact by which they were to +be annulled, accompanied by a threat of exposure if that agreement +were not kept to the very letter. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + Thou shall not see me blush, + Nor change my countenance for this arrest. + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "HENRY VI.," PART II. + + +It was a sultry summer night. In the grounds of one of the largest and +most beautiful of the many elegant country seats to be found in the +suburbs of Cincinnati two gentlemen were pacing leisurely to and fro. + +They were friends who had met that day for the first time in several +years; strongly attached friends, spite of a very considerable +difference in their ages. They had had much to say to each other for +the first few hours, but it was now several minutes since either had +spoken. + +The silence was broken by the younger of the two exclaiming in a tone +of hearty congratulation, "This is a magnificent place, Beresford! It +does my heart good to see you so prosperous!" + +"It is a fine place, Travilla, but," and he heaved a deep sigh, "I +sometimes fear my wealth is to prove anything but a blessing to my +children; that in fact my success in acquiring it is to be the ruin of +my first-born." + +"Ah, I hope not! Is Rudolph not doing well?" + +"Well?" groaned the father, dropping his head upon his breast, "he +seems to be rushing headlong to destruction. Have you not noticed his +poor mother's sad and careworn look? or mine? That boy is breaking +our hearts. I could not speak of it to every one, but to you, my +long-tried friend, I feel that I may unburden myself, sure of genuine +sympathy--" And he went on to tell how his son, becoming early imbued +with the idea that his father's wealth precluded all necessity of +exertion on his part, had grown up in habits of idleness that led to +dissipation, and going on from bad to worse, was now a drunkard, a +gambler, and frequenter of low haunts of vice. + +"Day and night he is a heavy burden upon our hearts," continued the +unhappy father; "when he is with us we find it most distressing to +behold the utter wreck his excesses are making of him, and when he +is out of our sight it is still worse; for we don't know what sin +or danger he may be running into. Indeed at times we are almost +distracted. Ah, Travilla, much as I love my wife and children, I +am half tempted to envy your bachelor exemption from such care and +sorrow!" + +Mr. Travilla's kind heart was deeply moved. He felt painfully +conscious of his own inability to comfort in such sorrow; but spoke +of God's power to change the heart of the most hardened sinner, his +willingness to save, and his promises to those who seek his aid in the +time of trouble. + +"Thank you. I knew you would feel for us; your sympathy does me good," +returned Mr. Beresford, grasping his friend's hand and pressing it +between his own; "your words too; for however well we know these +truths we are apt to forget them, even when they are most needed. + +"But it is growing late, and you must be weary after your journey. Let +me show you to your room." + +Three days passed in which Rudolph was not once seen in his home, and +his parents were left in ignorance of his whereabouts. They exerted +themselves for the pleasure and entertainment of their guest, but +he could see plainly that they were enduring torture of anxiety and +suspense. + +Late in the evening of the third day, Mr. Beresford said to him, "My +carriage is at the door. I must go into town and search for my boy. I +have done so vainly several times since he last left his home, but I +must try again to-night. Will you go with me?" + +Travilla consented with alacrity, and they set out at once. + +While on their way to the city Mr. Beresford explained that, for some +time past, he had had reason to fear that his son was frequenting one +of its gambling-hells; that thus far he had failed in his efforts to +gain admittance, in order to search for him; but to-day, a professed +gambler, well known in the house; had come to him and offered his +assistance. + +"As his convoy, I think we shall get in," added Mr. Beresford. "I +cannot fathom the man's motives, but suspect he owes a grudge to a +newcomer, who, he says, is winning large sums from Rudolph. I shall +drive to Smith's livery stable, leave my horse and carriage there, +then walk on to the place, which is only a few squares distant. Our +guide is to meet us at the first corner from Smith's." + +This programme was carried out, their guide was in waiting at the +appointed place, and at once conducted them to the gambling-house Mr. +Beresford had spoken of. They were admitted without question or demur, +and in another moment found themselves standing beside a table where a +number of men were at play, nearly all so absorbed in their game as to +seem entirely unconscious of the presence of spectators. + +Two of them, pitted against each other, and both young, though there +must have been several years' difference in their ages, particularly +attracted Travilla's attention; and glancing at his friend, he saw +that it was the same with him,--that his eyes were fixed upon the face +of the younger of the two, with an expression of keen distress, while +he trembled with emotion, and almost gasped for breath, as he leaned +toward him, and whispered, "It is he--my son." + +At the same instant the young man's face grew deadly pale, he started +up with a wild, ringing cry, "I am ruined!" drew a pistol from his +breast, and placed the muzzle to his mouth. + +But Mr. Travilla, springing forward, struck it from his hand ere he +could pull the trigger. + +A scene of much excitement and confusion followed, in the midst of +which young Beresford was led away by his father and Travilla. + +A week later the latter gentleman reached Lansdale, arriving there in +the early morning train. He put up at its principal hotel, and having +refreshed himself by a few hours' sleep, a bath, and breakfast, +inquired the way to Miss Stanhope's. + +Elsie was just coming down the front stairway, as he appeared before +the open door, and was about to ring for admittance. + +"Oh, Mr. Travilla, my dear old friend! who would have expected to see +you here?" she cried, in delighted surprise, as she bounded forward to +meet him, with both hands extended in joyous greeting. + +He took them in his, and kissed her first on one cheek, then on the +other. "Still fresh and blooming as a rose, and with the same happy +light in the sweet brown eyes," he said, gazing fondly into their +tender depths. + +"And you are the same old flatterer," she answered gayly, a rich color +mantling her cheek. "Come in and sit down. But oh, tell me when did +you see papa last? and mamma, and little Horace? Ah! the sight of you +makes me homesick for them." + +"I left them at Cape May, about a fortnight since, all well and happy, +but missing you very much. I think papa will hardly be able to do +without his darling much longer." + +"Nor his darling without him. Oh, dear! sometimes I get to wanting him +so badly that I feel as if I should have to write to him to come for +me at once. But excuse me while I go and call Aunt Wealthy." + +"Not yet; let us have a little chat together first." + +Of course, after so long a separation, such old and tried friends +would find a great deal to say to each other. The time slipped away +very fast, and half an hour afterward Mr. Egerton, coming in without +ringing--a liberty he sometimes took of late--found them seated close +together on the sofa, talking earnestly, Elsie with her hand in that +of her friend, and a face even brighter and happier than its wont. + +Mr. Travilla had one of those faces that often seem to come to a +stand-still as regards age, and to scarcely know any change for many +years. He was at this time thirty-four, but would have passed readily +for twenty-five. Egerton thought him no more than that, and at once +took him for a successful rival. + +"Excuse me, Miss Dinsmore," he said, bowing stiffly, "I should have +waited to ring, but--" + +"Oh, never mind, Mr. Egerton," she said; "let me introduce you to my +old friend, Mr. Travilla--" + +But she stopped in astonishment and dismay. Mr. Travilla had risen, +and the two stood confronting each other like mortal foes. + +Mr. Travilla was the first to speak. "I have met you before, sir!" he +said with stern indignation. + +"Indeed! that must be a mistake, sir, for upon my word and honor I +never set eyes on you before." + +"Your honor! the honor of a sharper, a black-leg, a ----" + +"Sir, do you mean to insult me? by what right do you apply such +epithets to me? Pray where did you ever meet me?" + +"In a gambling-hell in Cincinnati; the time, one week ago to-night; +the occasion, the playing of a game of cards between young Beresford +and yourself in which you were the winner--by what knavery you best +know--the stakes so heavy that, on perceiving that he had lost, +the young man cried out that he was ruined, and in his mad despair +attempted self-destruction. It is quite possible that you may not have +observed me in the crowd that gathered about your wretched victim; but +I can never forget the face of the man who had wrought his ruin." + +Egerton's countenance expressed the utmost astonishment and +incredulity. "I have not been in Cincinnati for two months," he +averred, "and all I know of that affair I have learned from the +daily papers. But I shall not stay here to be insulted by you, +sir. Good-afternoon, Miss Dinsmore. I hope to be allowed an early +opportunity to explain this, and to be able to do so to your entire +satisfaction." + +He bowed and withdrew, hastening from the house with the rapid step of +one who is filled with a just indignation. + +Mr. Travilla turned to Elsie. She was sitting there on the sofa, with +her hands clasped in her lap, and a look of terror and anguish on her +face, from which every trace of color had fled. + +His own grew almost as pale, and his voice shook, as again sitting +down beside her, and laying his hand on hers, he said, "My poor child! +can it be possible that you care for that wretch?" + +"Oh, don't!" she whispered hoarsely and turning away her face; "I +cannot believe it; there must be some dreadful mistake." + +Then, recovering her composure by a mighty effort, she rose and +introduced her aunt, who entered the room at that moment. + +Mr. Travilla sat for some time conversing with her, Elsie joining in +occasionally, but with a tone and manner from which all the brightness +and vivacity had fled; then he went away, declining a pressing +invitation to stay to dinner, but promising to be there to tea. + +The moment he was gone Miss Stanhope was busied in beating up her +cushions, and Elsie flew to her room, where she walked back and forth +in a state of great agitation. But the dinner-bell rang, and composing +herself as well as she could, she went down. Her cheeks were burning, +and she seemed unnaturally gay, but ate very little as her aunt +noticed with concern. + +The meal was scarcely over, when a ring at the door-bell was followed +by the sound of Mr. Egerton's voice asking for Miss Dinsmore. + +"Ah!" said Miss Stanhope with an arch smile, "he does not ask this +hour for me; knowing it's the time of my siesta." + +Elsie found Egerton pacing the parlor floor to and fro. He took her +hand, led her to the sofa, and sitting down by her side, began at once +to defend himself against Mr. Travilla's charge. He told her he had +never been guilty of gambling; he had "sowed some wild oats," years +ago--getting slightly intoxicated on two or three occasions, and +things of that sort--but it was all over and repented of; and surely +she could not think it just and right that it should be brought up +against him now. + +As to Mr. Travilla's story--the only way he could account for the +singular mistake was in the fact that he had a cousin who bore the +same name as himself, and resembled him so closely that they had +been frequently mistaken for each other. And that cousin, most +unfortunately, especially on account of the likeness, did both drink +and gamble. He was delighted by the look of relief that came over +Elsie's face, as he told her this. She cared for him, then; yet her +confidence had been shaken. + +"Ah, you doubted me, then?" he said in a tone of sorrowful reproach. + +"Oh! I could not bear to think it possible. I was sure there must be a +mistake somewhere," she said with a beautiful smile. + +"But you are quite satisfied now?" + +"Quite." + +Then he told her he loved her very dearly, better than his own soul; +that he found he could not live without her; life would not be worth +having, unless she would consent to share it with him. "Would she, oh! +would she promise some day to be his own precious little wife?" + +Elsie listened with downcast, blushing face, and soft eyes beaming +with joy; for the events of that day had revealed to her the fact that +this man had made himself master of her heart. + +"Will you not give to me a word of hope?" pleaded Egerton. + +"I--I cannot, must not, without my father's permission," she faltered, +"and oh! he forbade me to listen to anything of the kind. I am too +young he says." + +"When was that?" + +"Three years ago." + +"Ah! but you are older now; and you will let me write and ask his +consent? I may say that you are not quite indifferent to me?" + +"Yes," she murmured, turning her sweet, blushing face away from his +ardent gaze. + +"Thank you, dearest, a thousand thanks!" he cried, pressing her hand +in his. "And now may I ask who and what that Mr. Travilla is?" + +She explained, winding up by saying that he was much like a second +father to her. + +"Father!" he exclaimed, "he doesn't look a day over twenty-five." + +"He is about two years younger than papa and doesn't look any younger, +I think," she answered with a smile. "But strangers are very apt to +take papa for my brother." + +Egerton left an hour before Mr. Travilla came, and that hour Elsie +spent in her own room in a state of great excitement,--now full of the +sweet joy of loving and being loved, now trembling with apprehension +at the thought of the probable effect of Mr. Travilla's story upon her +father. She was fully convinced of Egerton's truth and innocence; yet +quite aware that his explanation might not prove so satisfactory to +Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Oh, papa, papa!" she murmured, as she paced restlessly to and fro, +"how can I obey if you bid me give him up? And yet I must. I know it +will be my duty, and that I must." + +"What a color you hab in your cheeks, darlin'! an' how your eyes +do shine. I'se 'fraid you's gettin' a fever," said Chloe, with an +anxious, troubled gaze into her young lady's face, as she came in to +dress her for the evening. + +"Oh, no, mammy, I am perfectly well," Elsie answered with a slight +laugh. Then seating herself before the glass, "Now do your best," she +said gayly, "for we are to have company to tea. I doubt if you can +guess whom?" + +"Den 'spose my pet saves her ole mammy de trouble. 'Taint massa, for +sure?" + +"No, not quite so welcome a guest; but one you'll be delighted to see. +Mr. Travilla." + +"Ki, darlin'! he not here?" + +"Yes, he came this morning. Ah! I knew you'd be delighted." + +Elsie knew that it would require the very strongest proof to convince +her father of the truth of Mr. Egerton's story, but hoped to find Mr. +Travilla much more ready to give it credence. She was proportionably +disappointed when, on hearing it from her, he scouted it as utterly +unworthy of belief, or even examination. + +"No, my child," he said, "the man's face is indelibly impressed upon +my memory, and I can not be mistaken in his identity." + +Elsie's face flushed crimson, and indignant tears sprang to her eyes +and trembled in her voice as she answered, "I never knew you so +uncharitable before, sir. I could not have believed it of my +kind-hearted, generous old friend." + +He gave her a very troubled, anxious look, as he replied, "Why should +you take it so to heart, Elsie? Surely this man is nothing to you." + +"He is to be some day, if papa will permit," she murmured, turning +away her blushing face from his gaze. + +Mr. Travilla uttered a groan, made two or three rapid turns across the +room, and coming back to her side, laid his hand in an affectionate, +fatherly manner upon her shoulder. + +"My dear," he said with emotion, "I don't know when I have heard +anything that distressed me so much; or that could give such pain and +distress to your doting father." + +"Mr. Travilla, you will not, you cannot be so unkind, so cruel, as to +try to persuade papa to think as you do of--of Mr. Egerton?" + +Her tone was half indignant, half imploring, and her eyes were lifted +pleadingly to his face. + +"My poor child," he said, "I could not be so cruel to you as to leave +him in ignorance of any of the facts; but I shall not attempt to +bias his judgment; nor would it avail if I did. Your father is an +independent thinker, and will make up his mind for himself." + +"And against poor Bromly," thought Elsie, with an emotion of anguish, +and something akin to rebellion rising in her heart. + +Mr. Travilla read it all in her speaking countenance. "Do not fear +your father's decision, my little friend." he said, sitting down +beside her again, "he is very just, and you are as the apple of his +eye. He will sift the matter thoroughly, and decide as he shall deem +best for your happiness. Can you not trust his wisdom and his love?" + +"I know he loves me very dearly, Mr. Travilla, but--he is only human, +and may make a mistake." + +"Then try to leave it all in the hands of your heavenly Father, who +cannot err, who is infinite in wisdom, power, and in His love for +you." + +"I will try," she said with a quivering lip. "Now please talk to me +of something else. Tell me of that young man. Did you say he shot +himself?" + +"Young Beresford, my friend's son? No, he was prevented." And he went +on to tell of Rudolph's horror and remorse on account of that rash +act, and of the excesses that led to it; also of the trembling hope +his parents and friends were beginning to indulge that he was now +truly penitent, and, clothed in his right mind, was sitting at the +Saviour's feet. + +Elsie listened with interest. They had had the parlor to themselves +for an hour or more, Miss Stanhope having received an unexpected +summons to the bedside of a sick neighbor. + +She was with them at tea, and during most of the evening, but left +them alone together for a moment just before Mr. Travilla took his +leave, and he seized the opportunity to say to Elsie that he thought +she ought to refrain from further intercourse with Egerton till she +should learn her father's will in regard to the matter. + +"I cannot promise--I will think of it," she said with a look of +distress. + +"You write frequently to your papa?" + +"Every day." + +"I know you would not wish to deceive him in the least. Will you tell +him what I conceive to be the facts in regard to Mr. Egerton? or shall +I?" + +"I cannot, oh, I cannot!" she murmured, turning away her face. + +"Then I shall spare you the painful task, by, doing it myself, my poor +child. I shall write to-night." + +She was silent, but he could see the tumultuous heaving of her breast, +and the tears glistening on the heavy drooping lashes that swept her +pale cheek. His heart bled for her, while his indignation waxed hot +against the hypocritical scoundrel who, he feared, had succeeded only +too well in wrecking her happiness. + +She had described to him Egerton's character as he had made it appear +to her, telling of their conversations on religious subjects, his +supposed conversion, etc., etc.; thus unintentionally enabling +Travilla to see clearly through the man's base designs. He silently +resolved to stay in Lansdale and watch over her until her father's +arrival. + +"You ride out daily?" he inquired. + +"Yes, sir." + +"May I be your escort to-morrow?" + +She cast down her eyes, which she had lifted to his face for an +instant, blushing painfully. It seemed an effort for her to reply, and +the words came slowly, and with hesitation. "I--should be glad to have +you, sir; you know I have always valued your society, but--Mr. Egerton +always goes with us--Lottie King and me--of late; and--and I can +hardly suppose either of you would now find the company of the other +agreeable." + +"No, Elsie; but what do you think your father would wish?" + +"I know he would be glad to have me under your care, and if you don't +mind the unpleasantness." + +"My dear, I would cheerfully endure far more than that, to watch over +your father's child. You will not let this unhappy circumstance turn +you against your old friend? I could hardly bear that, little Elsie." +And he drew her toward him caressingly. + +"Oh, no, no! I don't think anything could do that; you've always been +so good to me--almost a second father." + +He released her hand with a slight involuntary sigh, as at that +instant Miss Stanhope re-entered the room. The two were standing by +the piano, Mr. Travilla having risen from one of the cushioned chairs +to draw near to Elsie while talking to her. Miss Stanhope flew to the +chair, caught up the cushion, shook it, laid it down again, and with +two or three little loving pats restored it to its normal condition of +perfect roundness. Mr. Travilla watched her with a surprised, puzzled +look. + +"Have I done any mischief, Elsie?" he asked in an undertone. + +"Oh, no!" she answered with a faint smile, "it's only auntie's way." + +Their visitor had gone, and Elsie turned to her aunt to say +good-night. + +"Something is wrong with you, child; can't you tell the trouble to +your old auntie, and let her try to comfort you?" Miss Stanhope asked, +putting an arm about the slender waist, and scanning the sweet face, +usually so bright and rosy, now so pale and agitated, with a look of +keen but loving scrutiny. + +Then, in broken words, and with many a little half-sobbing sigh and +one or two scalding tears, hastily brushed away, Elsie told the whole +painful story, secure of warm sympathy from the kind heart to which +she was so tenderly folded. + +Miss Stanhope believed in Bromly Egerton almost as firmly as Elsie +herself; what comfort there was in that! She believed too in the +inspired assurances that "all things work together for good to them +that love God," and that He is the hearer and answerer of prayer. She +reminded her niece of them; bade her cast her burden on the Lord and +leave it there, and cheered her with the hope that Bromly would be +able to prove to her father that Mr. Travilla was entirely mistaken. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + My heart has been like summer skies, + When they are fair to view; + But there never yet were hearts or skies + Clouds might not wander through. + + --MRS. L.P. SMITH. + + +Walter Dinsmore was doing well at college, studying hard, and keeping +himself out of bad company. In this last he might not have been so +successful but for his brother's assistance; for, though choosing his +own associates from among the dissolute and vile, Arthur resolutely +exerted himself to preserve this young brother from such +contamination. "I've enough sins of my own to answer for, Wal," he +would say, sometimes almost fiercely, "and I won't have any of +yours added to 'em; nobody shall say I led you into bad company, or +initiated you into my own evil courses." + +For months Arthur's spirits had been very variable, his frequent fits +of gloom, alternating with unnatural gayety, exciting Walter's wonder +and sympathy. + +"I cannot imagine what ails him," he said to himself again and again; +for Arthur utterly refused to tell him the secret of his despondency. + +It had been almost constant since the receipt of Egerton's last +epistle, and Walter was debating in his own mind whether he ought not +to speak of it in his next letter to their mother, when one night he +was wakened by a sudden blow from Arthur's hand, and started up to +find him rolling and tossing, throwing his arms about, and muttering +incoherently in the delirium of fever. + +It was the beginning of a very serious illness. It was pronounced +such by the physician called in by Walter at an early hour the next +morning, and the boy sat down with a heavy heart to write the sad +tidings to his parents. + +While doing so he was startled by hearing Arthur pronounce Elsie's +name in connection with words that seemed to imply that some danger +threatened her. He rose and went to the bedside, asking, "What's wrong +with Elsie, Art?" + +"I say, Tom Jackson, she'll never take you. Horace won't consent." + +"I should think not, indeed!" muttered Walter. Then leaning over his +brother, "Art, I say, Art! what is it all about? Has Tom Jackson gone +to Lansdale?" + +No answer, save an inarticulate murmur that might be either assent or +dissent. + +The doctor had promised to send a nurse and, as Walter now glanced +about the room, the thought occurred to him that it would seem very +disorderly to the woman. Arthur's clothes lay in a heap over the back +of a chair, just as he had thrown them down on retiring. + +"I can at least hang these in the closet," thought Walter, picking up +the jacket. + +A letter fell from the pocket upon the floor. + +"Jackson's handwriting, I declare!" he exclaimed, with a start of +surprise, as he stooped to pick it up. It was without an envelope, +written in a bold, legible hand, and unintentionally he read the date, +"Lansdale, Ohio, Aug. -- 185-," and farther down the page some parts +of sentences connected with the "D---- family" ... "can't help +themselves" ... "the girl loves me and believes in me." + +He glanced at the bed. Arthur's eyes were closed. He looked down at +the letter again; there was the signature "T. J., alias B. E." + +"It's a conspiracy; there's mischief brewing, and I believe I ought to +read it," he muttered; then, turning his back toward the bed, perused +every word of it with close attention. + +It was sufficient to give him a clear insight into the whole affair. +Elsie's letters had of late spoken quite frequently of Mr. Bromly +Egerton, and so he was the "T. J., alias B. E." of this epistle, the +Tom Jackson who had been the ruin of Arthur. + +"The wretch! the sneaking, hypocritical scoundrel!" muttered Walter +between his teeth, and glancing again at the bed, though the epithet +was meant to apply to Jackson and not to Arthur. "What can I do to +circumvent him? Write to Horace, of course, and warn him of Elsie's +danger." And though usually vacillating and infirm of purpose, on this +occasion Walter showed himself both prompt and decided. The next mail +carried the news of his discovery to Elsie's natural protector,--her +father, who with Rose, the Allison family, and little Horace, was +still at Cape May. + +This letter and the three from Lansdale were handed Mr. Dinsmore +together. He opened Elsie's first. The contents puzzled, surprised, +and alarmed him. They were merely a few hastily written lines of +touching entreaty that he would not be angry, but would please forgive +her for giving her heart to one of whom he knew nothing, and daring to +let him speak to her of love; and that he would not believe anything +against him until he had heard his defence. + +With a murmured "My poor darling! you have been too long away from +your father," Mr. Dinsmore laid it down and opened the one directed in +a strange hand; rightly supposing it to come from the person to whom +she alluded. + +Egerton spoke in glowing terms of his admiration for Elsie's character +and personal charms, and the ardent love with which they had inspired +him, and modestly of his own merits. Ignoring all knowledge of her +fortune, he said that he had none, but was engaged in a flourishing +business which would enable him to support her in comfort and to +surround her with most of the elegancies and luxuries of life to which +she had been accustomed. Lastly he alluded in a very pious strain to +the deep debt of gratitude he owed her as the one who had been the +means of his hopeful conversion; said she had acknowledged that she +returned his affection, and earnestly begged for the gift of her hand. + +Mr. Dinsmore gave this missive an attentive perusal, laid it aside, +and opened Mr. Travilla's. + +Rose was in the room, putting little Horace to bed. She had heard his +little prayer, given him his good-night kiss, and now the child ran to +his father to claim the same from him. + +It was given mechanically, and Mr. Dinsmore returned to his letter. +The child lingered a moment, gazing earnestly into his father's face, +troubled by its paleness and the frown on his brow. + +"Papa," he said softly, leaning with confiding affection upon his +knee, "dear papa, are you angry with me? have I been a naughty boy, +to-day?" + +"No, son; but I am reading; don't disturb me now." + +Mr. Dinsmore's hand rested caressingly on the curly head for an +instant and the boy turned away satisfied. But Rose was not. Coming to +her husband's side the next moment, and laying her hand affectionately +on his shoulder, "What is it, dear?" she asked, "has anything gone +wrong with our darling, or at home?" + +"Trouble for her, I fear, Rose. Read these," he answered with emotion, +putting Elsie's, Egerton's, and Travilla's letters into her hands, +then opening Walter's. + +"Travilla is right! the man is an unmitigated scoundrel!" he cried, +starting up with great excitement. "Rose, I must be off by the next +train; it leaves in half an hour. I shall go alone and take only a +portmanteau with me. Can it be got ready in season?" + +"Yes, dear, I will pack it at once myself. But what is wrong? Where +are you going? and how long will you be away?" + +"To my brother's first--Arthur is seriously ill, and I must get hold +of evidence that Walter can supply--then on to Lansdale with all speed +to rescue Elsie from the wiles of a gambling, swindling, hypocritical, +fortune-hunting rascal!" + +At a very early hour of the next morning, Walter Dinsmore was roused +from his slumbers by, a knock at his door. + +"Who's there?" he asked, starting up in bed. + +"I, Walter," answered a well-known voice, and with a joyful +exclamation he sprang to the door, and opened it. + +"Horace! how glad I am to see you! I hardly dared hope you could get +here so soon." + +"Your news was of the sort to hasten a man's movements," returned Mr. +Dinsmore, holding the lad's hand in a warm brotherly grasp. "How are +you? and how's Arthur now?" + +"About the same. Hark! you may hear him moaning and muttering. This is +our study. I have had that cot-bed brought in here, and given up the +bedroom to him and the nurse; though I'm with him a good deal too." + +"You have a good nurse, and the best medical advice?" + +"Yes." + +"You must see that he has every comfort, Walter; let no expense be +spared, nothing left undone that may alleviate his sufferings or +assist his recovery. What is the physician's opinion of the case?" + +"He is not very communicative to me; may be more so to you. You'll +stay and see him when he calls, won't you?" + +"What time? I must be off again by the first train. I want to reach +Lansdale to-morrow." + +"It will give you time to do that. He calls early." + +"Now take me to Arthur; and then I must see that letter, and hear all +you have to tell me in regard to that matter." + +"What does Elsie say?" asked Walter, with intense interest; "do you +think she cares for him?" + +"I'm afraid she does," and Mr. Dinsmore shook his head sadly. + +"Oh, dear! but you won't allow--" + +"Certainly not; 'twould be to entail upon her a life of misery." + +"It's her fortune he's after, that's evident, and indeed I would hurry +to Lansdale, if I were you, lest they might take it into their heads +to elope. Such a shame as it would be for him to get her--the dear, +sweet darling!" + +"I have no fear that Elsie could ever be so lost to her sense of +filial duty; nor, I am sure, have you, Walter," answered Mr. Dinsmore +gravely. + +"No, Horace; and it's the greatest relief and comfort to me just now +to know how truly obedient and affectionate she is to you." + +Horace Dinsmore omitted nothing that he could do to add to the comfort +of his brothers, saw the physician and learned from him that he had +good hopes of a naturally vigorous constitution bringing Arthur safely +through the attack from which he was suffering, examined the evidence +Walter was able to furnish that Bromly Egerton and Tom Jackson were +one and the same--a man in whom every vice abounded--found time to +show an interest in Walter's studies and pastimes, and was ready to +leave by the train of which he had spoken. + +Jackson had not been wary enough to disguise his hand in either the +letter that had fallen from Arthur's pocket, or the one written to Mr. +Dinsmore, and a careful comparison of the two had proved conclusively +that they were the work of the same person. The broken sentences +that occasionally fell from Arthur's lips in his delirious ravings +furnished another proof not less strong. Also Walter had managed to +secure an excellent photograph of Jackson, which Mr. Dinsmore carried +with him, safely bestowed in the breast-pocket of his coat. He had +studied it attentively and felt sure he should be able instantly to +recognize the original. + +Bromly Egerton lay awake most of the night following his passage at +arms with Mr. Travilla, considering the situation, and how he would be +most likely to secure the coveted prize. He remembered perfectly well +all that Arthur Dinsmore had said about the difficulty of deceiving or +outwitting his brother, and the impossibility of persuading Elsie to +disobedience. Of the latter, he had had convincing proof that day, in +her firm refusal to engage herself to him without first obtaining her +father's consent. The conclusion he came to was, that should he remain +inactive until Mr. Dinsmore's arrival, his chances of success were +exceedingly small; in fact that his only hope lay in running away with +Elsie, and afterwards persuading her into a clandestine marriage. + +Their ride was to be taken shortly after an early breakfast, there +being a sort of tacit understanding that he was to accompany the young +ladies; but before Elsie had left her room, Chloe came up with a +message. "Marse Egerton in de parlor, darlin', axin could he see my +young missis for five minutes, just now." + +Elsie went down at once. Her visitor stood with his back toward +the door, apparently intently studying the pattern of her +great-great-grandmother's sampler, but turning instantly at the +sound of the light, quick footstep, came eagerly toward her with +outstretched hand. + +"Excuse this early call, dearest, but--ah, how lovely you are looking +this morning!" and bending his head he drew her toward him. + +But she stepped back, avoiding the intended caress, while a crimson +tide rushed over the fair face and neck, and her eyes sought the +carpet. + +"We are not engaged, Mr. Egerton; cannot be till papa has given +consent." + +"I beg ten thousand pardons," he said, coloring violently in his turn, +and feeling his hopes grow fainter. + +"Will you not take a seat?" she asked, gently withdrawing her hand +from his. + +"Thank you, no; I have but a moment to stay. My errand was to ask if +we could not so arrange it as, for once at least, to have our ride +alone together? Miss Lottie is a very nice girl, but I would give much +to have my darling all to myself to-day." + +"I would like it much too, very much, but papa bade me always have a +lady friend with me; and--and besides," she added with hesitation, and +blushing more deeply than before, "papa's friend. Mr. Travilla, is to +go with us. I--I have promised that he shall be my escort to-day." + +Egerton was furious, and had much ado to conceal the fact; indeed, +came very near uttering a horrible oath, and thus forever ruining his +hopes. He bit his lips and kept silent, but Elsie saw that he was +angry. + +"Do not be offended or hurt," she said; "do not suppose that I +followed my own inclination in consenting to such an arrangement. No, +I only acted from a sense of duty; knowing that it was what papa would +wish." + +"And you would put his wishes before mine? Love him best, I presume?" + +"He is my father, and entitled to my obedience, whether present or +absent." + +"But what very strict ideas you must have on that subject! do you +really think it your duty to obey his wishes as well as his command?" + +"I do; that is the kind of obedience he has taught me, that the Bible +teaches, and that my love for him would dictate. I love my father very +dearly, Mr. Egerton." + +"I should think so, indeed; but you must pardon me if at present I am +far more concerned about your love for me," he said, with a forced +laugh. "As for this Travilla, I can hardly be expected to feel any +great cordiality toward him after his attack upon me yesterday; and +I am free to confess that it would not cause me great grief to learn +that some sudden illness or accident had occurred to prevent his +spoiling our ride to-day." + +"Your feelings are perfectly natural; but, believe me, Mr. Travilla +has the kindest of hearts, and when he learns his mistake will be most +anxious to do all in his power to make amends for it. Will you stay +and take breakfast with us?" For at that instant the bell rang. + +"No, thank you," he said, moving toward the door. "But promise me, +Elsie, that I shall be your escort after this until your father comes. +Surely love may claim so small a concession from duty." + +She could not resist his persuasive look and tone, but with a smile +and a blush gave the promise for which he pleaded. + +Procuring as fine a horse as his landlord could furnish, Mr. Travilla +rode to Miss Stanhope's, and alighting at the gate, walked up to the +house. + +He found its mistress on the front porch, picking dead leaves from her +vines. She had mounted a step ladder to reach some that otherwise +were too high up for her small stature. Turning at the sound of +his approach, "Good-morning, sir," she said. "You see I'm like the +sycamore tree that climbed into Zaccheus. Shortness is inconvenient at +times. My, what a jar!" as she came down rather hard, missing the last +step--"I feel it from the crown of my foot to the sole of my head. +Here, Simon, take away this ladder-step; the next time I want it I +think I'll do without; I'm growing so old in my clumsy age. Walk in +and take a seat, Mr. Torville. Or shall we sit here? It's pleasanter +than indoors I think." + +"I agree with you," he said, accepting her invitation with a smile at +the oddity of her address. "You have a fine view here." + +They sat there conversing for some time before Elsie made her +appearance, Mr. Travilla both charmed and amused with his companion, +and she liking him better every moment. When Elsie did come down at +last, looking wondrous sweet and fair in a pretty, coquettish riding +hat and habit, her aunt informed her that she had been urging "Mr. +Vanilla" to come and make his home with them while in town, and that +he had consented to let her send Simon at once for his trunk. + +"If it will be agreeable to my little friend to have me here?" Mr. +Travilla said, taking her hand in his with the affectionate, fatherly +manner she had always liked so much in him. + +Her face flushed slightly, but she answered without an instant's +hesitation that she hoped he would come. + +The horses were already at the gate, Egerton was seen crossing the +street, and Lottie came tripping in at a side entrance. She had heard +a good deal of Mr. Travilla from Elsie, and seemed pleased to make his +acquaintance. + +Egerton came in, he and Mr. Travilla exchanged the coldest and most +distant of salutations, and the party set off; Mr. Travilla riding by +Elsie's side, Egerton and Lottie following a little in their rear. + +Finding it almost a necessity to devote himself to Miss King for +the time being, Egerton! took a sudden resolution to make a partial +confidante of her, hoping thus to secure a powerful ally. He told her +of the state of affairs between Elsie and himself, of Mr. Travilla's +"attack upon him;" how "utterly mistaken" it was, and how he presumed +"the mistake" had occurred; giving the story he had told Elsie of the +cousin who bore so strong a likeness to him, and so bad a character. +He professed the most ardent, devoted affection for Elsie, and the +most torturing fears lest her father, crediting him with his cousin's +vices, should forbid the match and crush all his hopes. + +The warm-hearted, innocent girl believed every word, and rushing into +her friend's room on their return, threw her arms about her, and +hugging her close, told her she knew all, was so, so sorry for her, +and for poor Egerton; and begged her not to allow anything to make her +give him up and break his heart. + +Elsie returned the embrace, shed a few tears, but answered not a word. + +"You do believe in him? and won't give him up; will you?" persisted +Lottie. + +"I do believe in him, and will not give him up unless--unless papa +commands it," Elsie answered in a choking voice. + +"I wouldn't for that!" cried Lottie. + +"'Children, obey your parents,'" repeated her friend, tears filling +the soft brown eyes, and glistening on the drooping lashes. "It is +God's command." + +"But you are not a child any longer." + +"I am papa's child; I always shall be. Oh, it would break my heart if +ever he should disown me and say, 'You are no longer my child!'" + +"How you do love him!" + +"Better than my life!" + +Mr. Travilla was already established at Miss Stanhope's, and very glad +to be there, that he might keep the more careful and constant watch +and ward over his "little friend." Thoroughly convinced of the +vileness of the wretch who had won her unsuspicious heart, he could +scarce brook the thought of leaving her alone with him, or of seeing +him draw close to her side, touch her hand, or look into the soft, +sweet eyes so full of purity and innocence. Yet these things no one +but her father might forbid, and Mr. Travilla would not force his +companionship upon Elsie when he saw or felt that it was distasteful +to her. The lovers were frequently left to themselves in the parlor or +upon the porch, though the friendly guardian, dreading he hardly knew +what, took care always to be within call. + +Elsie longed for, yet dreaded her father's coming. She knew he would +not delay one moment longer than necessary after receiving their +letters, yet he reached Lansdale almost a day sooner than she expected +him. + +Sitting alone in her room, she heard his voice and step in the hall +below. She flew down to meet him. + +"Oh, papa, dear, dear papa!" + +"My darling, precious child!" And her arms were about his neck, his +straining her to his heart. The next moment she lifted her face, and +her eyes sought his with a wistful, pleading, questioning look. He +drew her into the sitting-room, and Miss Stanhope closed the door, +leaving them alone. + +"My darling," he said, "you must give him up; he is utterly unworthy +of you." + +"Oh, papa! would you break my heart?" + +"My precious one, I would save you from a life of misery." + +"Ah, papa! you would never say that if you knew how--how I love him," +she murmured, a deep blush suffusing her face. + +"Hush! it horrifies me to hear you speak so of so vile a wretch,--a +drinking, swearing gambler, swindler, and rake; for I have learned +that he is all these." + +"Papa, it is not true! I will not hear such things said of him, even +by you!" she cried, the hot blood dyeing her face and neck, and the +soft eyes filling with indignant tears. + +He put his finger upon her lips. "My daughter forgets to whom she is +speaking," he said with something of the old sternness, though there +was tender pity also in his tones. + +"Oh, papa, I am so wretched!" she sobbed, hiding her face on his +breast. "Oh, don't believe what they say; it isn't, it can't be true." + +He caressed her silently, then taking the photograph from his pocket, +asked, "Do you know that face?" + +"Yes, it is his." + +"I knew it, and it is also the face of the man whose character I have +just described." + +"Oh, no, papa!" and with breathless eagerness she repeated the story +with which Egerton had swept away all her doubts. She read incredulity +in her father's face, "You do not believe it, papa?" + +"No, my child, no more than I do black is white. See here!" and he +produced Egerton's letter to him, and the one to Arthur, made her +read and compare them, and gave her the further proofs Walter had +furnished. + +She grew deathly pale, but was no more ready to be convinced than he. +"Oh, papa, there must be some dreadful mistake! I cannot believe he +could be guilty of such things. The cousin has been personating him, +has forged that letter, perhaps; and the photograph may be his also." + +"You are not using your good common-sense, Elsie; the proof is very +full and clear to my mind. The man is a fortune-hunter, seeking your +wealth, not you; a scoundrel whose vices should shut him out of all +decent society. I can hardly endure the thought that he has ever known +you, or dared to address a word to you, and it must never be again." + +"Must I give him up?" she asked with pale, quivering lips. + +"You must, my daughter; at once and for ever." + +A look of anguish swept over her face, then she started, flushed, and +trembled, as a voice and step were heard on the porch without. + +"It is he?" her father said inquiringly, and her look answered, "Yes." + +He rose to his feet, for they had been sitting side by side on the +sofa while they talked. She sprang up also, and clinging to his arm, +looked beseechingly into his face, pleading in a hoarse whisper, +"Papa, you will let me see him, speak to him once more?--just a few +words--in your presence--oh, papa!" + +"No, my darling, no; his touch, his breath, are contamination; his +very look is pollution, and shall never rest upon you again if I can +prevent it. Remember you are never to hold any communication with him +again--by word, letter, or in any other way; I positively forbid it; +you must never look at him, or intentionally allow him a sight of your +face. I must go now, and send him away." He held her to his heart as +he spoke; his tone was affectionate, but very firm, and decided; he +kissed her tenderly, two or three times, placed her in an easy-chair, +saying, "Stay here till I come to you," and left the room. + +For a moment she lay back against the cushions like one stunned by a +heavy blow; then, roused by the sound of the voices of the two she +loved best on earth, started and leaned forward in a listening +attitude, straining her ear to catch their words. Few of them reached +her, but her father's tones were cold and haughty, Egerton's at first +persuasive, then loud, angry, and defiant. + +He was gone, she had heard the last echo of his departing footsteps, +and again her father bent over her, his face full of tender pity. She +lifted her sad face to his, with the very look that had taunted him +for years, that he could never recall without a pang of regret and +remorse--that pleading, mournful gaze with which she had parted from +him in the time of their estrangement. + +It almost unmanned him now, almost broke his heart. "Don't, my +darling, don't look at me so," he said in low, moved tones, taking her +cold hands in his. "You don't know, precious one, how willingly your +father would bear all this pain for you if he could." + +She threw herself upon his breast, and folding her close to his heart, +he caressed her with exceeding tenderness, calling her by every fond, +endearing name. + +For many minutes she received it all passively, then suddenly raising +her head, she returned one passionate embrace, withdrew herself from +his arms, and hurried from the room. + +He let her go unquestioned; he knew she went to seek comfort and +support from One nearer and dearer, and better able to give it +than himself. He rose and walked the room with a sad and troubled +countenance, and a heart filled with grief for his child, with anger +and indignation toward the wretch who had wrecked her happiness. + +Miss Stanhope opened the door and looked in. + +"You have had no dinner, Horace. It will be ready in a few moments." + +"Thank you, aunt. I will go up to my room first and try to get rid of +some of the dust and dirt I have brought with me." + +"Stay a moment, nephew. I am sorely troubled for the child. You don't +approve of her choice?" + +"Very far from it. I have forbidden the man ever to come near her +again." + +"But you won't be hard with her, poor dear?" + +"Hard with her, Aunt Wealthy? hard and cruel to my darling whom I +love better than my life? I trust not; but it would be the height of +cruelty to allow this thing to go on. The man is a vile wretch guilty +of almost every vice, and seeking my child for her wealth, not for +herself. I have forbidden her to see or ever to hold the slightest +communication with him again." + +"Well, it is quite right if your opinion of him is correct; and I +hardly think she is likely to refuse submission." + +"I have brought up my daughter to habits of strict, unquestioning +obedience, Aunt Wealthy," he said, "and I think they will stand her in +good stead now. I have no fear that she will rebel." + +A half hour with her best Friend had done much to soothe and calm our +sweet Elsie; she had cast her burden on the Lord and He sustained her. +She knew that no trial could come to her without His will, that He +had permitted this for her good, that in His own good time and way He +would remove it, and she was willing to leave it all with Him; for was +He not all-wise, all-powerful, and full of tenderest, pitying love for +her? + +She had great faith in the wisdom and love of her earthly father also, +and doubted not that he was doing what he sincerely believed to be for +her happiness,--giving her present pain only in order to save her from +keener and more lasting distress and anguish in the future. + +It was well for her that she had such trust in him and that their +mutual love was so deep and strong; well too that she was troubled +with no doubts of the duty of implicit obedience to parental authority +when not opposed to the higher commands of God. Her heart still clung +to Egerton, refusing to credit his utter unworthiness, and she felt +it a bitter trial to be thus completely separated from him, yet hoped +that at some future, and perhaps not distant day, he might be able to +convince her father of his mistake. + +Mr. Dinsmore felt it impossible to remain long away from his suffering +child; after leaving the table, a few moments only were spent in +conversation with his aunt and Mr. Travilla, and then he sought his +darling in her room. + +"My poor little pet, you have been too long away from your father," he +said, taking her in his arms again. "I shall never forgive myself for +allowing it. But, daughter, why was this thing suffered to go on? Your +letters never spoke of this man in a way to lead me to suppose that +he was paying you serious attention; and indeed I did not intend to +permit that from any one yet." + +"Papa, I did not deceive you intentionally, I did not mean to be +disobedient," she said imploringly. "Lottie and I were almost always +together, and I did not think of him as a lover till he spoke." + +"Well, dearest, I am not chiding you; your father could never find +it in his heart to add one needless pang to what you are already +suffering." His tone was full of pitying tenderness. + +She made no answer; only hid her face on his breast and wept silently. +"Papa," she murmured at length. "I--I do so want to break one of your +rules; oh, if you would only let me, just this once!" + +"A strange request, my darling," he said, "but which of them is it?" + +"That when you have once decided a matter I must never ask you to +reconsider. Oh, papa, do, do let me entreat you just this once!" + +"I think it will be useless, daughter, only giving me the pain of +refusing, and you of being refused; but you may say on." + +"Papa, it is, that I may write a little note to--to Mr. Egerton," she +said, speaking eagerly and rapidly, yet half trembling at her own +temerity the while, "just to tell him that I cannot do anything +against your will, and that he must not come near me or try to hold +any sort of intercourse with me till you give consent; but that I +have not lost my faith in him, and if he is innocent and unjustly +suspected, we need not be wretched and despairing; for God will surely +some day cause it to be made apparent. Oh, papa, may I not? Please, +please let me! I will bring it to you when written, and there shall +not be one word in it that you do not approve." She had lifted her +face, and the soft, beseeching eyes were looking pleadingly into his. + +"My dearest child," he said, "it is hard to refuse you, but I cannot +allow it. There, there! do not cry so bitterly; every tear I see you +shed sends a pang to my heart. Listen to me, daughter. Believing what +I do of that man, I would not for a great deal have him in possession +of a single line of your writing. Have you ever given him one?" + +"No, papa, never," she sobbed. + +"Or received one from him?" + +"No, sir." + +"It is well." Then as if a sudden thought had struck him, "Elsie, have +you ever allowed him to touch your lips?" he asked almost sternly. + +"No, papa, not even my cheek. I would not while we were not engaged; +and that could not be without your consent." + +"I am truly thankful for that!" he exclaimed in a tone of relief; "to +know that he had--that these sweet lips had been polluted by contact +with his--would be worse to me than the loss of half my fortune." And +lifting her face as he spoke, he pressed his own to them again and +again. + +But for the first time in her life she turned from him as if almost +loathing his caresses, and struggled to release herself from the clasp +of his arm. + +He let her go, and hurrying to the farther side of the room, she stood +leaning against the window-frame, with her back toward him, shedding +very bitter tears of mingled grief and anger. + +But in the pauses of her sobbing a deep sigh struck upon her ear. Her +heart smote her at the sound; still more as she glanced back at her +father and noted the pained expression of his eye as it met hers. In a +moment she was at his side again, down upon the carpet, with her head +laid lovingly on his knee. + +"Papa, I am sorry." The low, street voice was tremulous with grief and +penitence. + +"My poor darling, my poor little pet!" he said, passing his hand with +soft, caressing movement over her hair and cheek, "try to keep your +love for your father and your faith in his for you, however hard this +rule may seem." + +"Ah, papa, my heart would break if I lost either," she sobbed. Then +lifting her tear-dimmed eyes with tender concern to his face, which +was very pale and sad, "Dear papa," she said, "how tired you look! you +were up all night, were you not?" + +"Last night and the one before it." + +"That you might hasten here to take care of me," she murmured in a +tone of mingled regret and gratitude. "Do lie down now and take a nap. +This couch is soft and pleasant, and I will close the blinds and sit +by your side to keep off the flies." + +He yielded to her persuasions, saying as he closed his eyes, "Don't +leave the room without waking me." + +She was still there when he woke, close at his side and ready to +greet him with an affectionate look and smile, though the latter was +touchingly sad and there were traces of tears on her cheeks. + +"How long have I slept?" he asked. + +"Two hours," she answered, holding up her watch, "and there is the +tea-bell." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + What thou bidst, + Unargued I obey; so God ordained. + + --MILTON. + + +"I hope you don't intend to hurry this child away from me, Horace?" +remarked Miss Stanhope inquiringly, glancing from him to Elsie, as she +poured out the tea. + +"I'm afraid I must, Aunt Wealthy," he answered, taking his cup from +her hand, "I can't do without her any longer, and mamma and little +brother want her almost as badly." + +"And what am I to do?" cried Miss Stanhope, setting down the teapot, +and dropping her hands into her lap. "It just makes a baby of me to +think how lonely the old house will seem when she's gone. You'd get +her back soon, for 'tisn't likely I've got long to live, if you'd only +give her to me, Horace." + +"No, indeed, Aunt Wealthy; she's a treasure I can't spare to any +one. She belongs to me, and I intend to keep her," turning upon his +daughter a proud, fond look and smile, which was answered by one of +sweet, confiding affection. + +"Good-evening!" cried a gay, girlish voice. "Mr. Dinsmore, I'd be +delighted to see you, if I didn't know you'd come to rob us of Elsie." + +"What, you too ready to abuse me on that score, Miss Lottie?" he said +laughingly, as he rose to shake hands with her. "I think I rather +deserve thanks for leaving her with you so long." + +"Well, I suppose you do. Aunt Wealthy, papa found some remarkably +fine peaches in the orchard of one of his patients, and begs you will +accept this little basketful." + +"Why, they're beautiful, Lottie!" said the old lady, rising and taking +the basket from her hand. "You must return my best thanks to your +father. I'll set them on the table just so. Take off your hat, child, +and sit down with us. There's your chair all ready to your plate, +and Phillis's farmer's fresh fruit-cake, to tempt you, and the +cream-biscuits that you are so fond of, both." + +"Thank you," said Lottie, partly in acknowledgment of the invitation, +partly of Mr. Travilla's attention, as he rose and gallantly handed +her to her seat, "I can't find it in my heart to resist so many +temptations." + +"Shall I bring a dish for de peaches, mistis?" asked Chloe, who was +waiting on the table. + +"Yes." + +"Oh, let us have them in that old-fashioned china fruit-basket I've +always admired so much, Aunt Wealthy!" cried Lottie eagerly. "I don't +believe Elsie has seen it at all." + +"No, so she hasn't; but she shall now," said the old lady, hastening +toward her china-closet. "There, Aunt Chloe, just stand on the dish, +and hand down that chair from this top shelf. Or, if you would, +Horace, you're taller, and can reach better. I'm always like the +sycamore tree that was little of stature, and couldn't see Zaccheus +till he climbed into it." + +"Rather a new and improved version of the Bible narrative, aunt, isn't +it?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, with an amused look, as he came toward her. +"And I fear I'm rather heavy to stand on a dish; but will use the +chair instead, if you like." + +"Ah! I've put the horse before the cart as usual, I see;" she said, +joining good-humoredly in the laugh the others found it impossible +to suppress. "It's an old trick of my age, that increases with my +advancing youth, till I sometimes wonder what I'm coming to; the words +will tangle themselves up in the most troublesome fashion; but if you +know what I mean, I suppose it's all the same." + +"Why, Aunt Wealthy, this is really beautiful," said Mr. Dinsmore, +stepping from the chair with the basket, in his hand. + +"Yes, it belonged to your great-grandmother, Horace, and I prize it +highly on that account. No, Aunt Chloe, I shall wipe it out and put +the peaches into it myself; it will take but a moment, and it's too +precious a relic to trust to any other hands than my own." + +Lottie was apparently in the gayest spirits, enlivening the little +party with many a merry jest and light, silvery laugh, enjoying the +good things before her, and gratifying her hostess with praises of +their excellence. Yet through it all she was furtively watching her +friends, and grieved to notice the unwonted paleness of her cheek, the +traces of tears about her eyes, that her cheerfulness was assumed, +and that if she ate anything it was only from a desire to please her +father, who seemed never to forget her for a moment, and to be a good +deal troubled at her want of appetite. In all these signs Lottie read +disappointment of Egerton's hopes, and of Elsie's, so far as he was +concerned. + +"So I suppose her father has commanded her to give him up," she said +to herself. "Poor thing! I wonder if she means to be as submissive as +she thought she would." + +The two presently slipped away together into the garden, leaving the +gentlemen conversing in the sitting-room, and Miss Stanhope busied +with some household care. + +"You poor dear, I am so sorry for you!" whispered Lottie, putting her +arm about her friend. "Must you really quite give him up?" + +"Papa says so," murmured Elsie, vainly struggling to restrain her +tears. + +"Is it that he believes Mr. Travilla was not mistaken?" + +"Yes, and--and he has heard some other things against him, and thinks +his explanation of Mr. Travilla's mistake quite absurd. Oh, Lottie, he +will not even allow us one parting interview and says I am never to +see Mr. Egerton again, or hold any communication with him in any way. +If I should meet him in the street I am not to recognize him; must +pass him by as a perfect stranger, not looking at him or permitting +him to see my face, if I can avoid doing so." + +"And will you really submit to all that? I don't believe I could be so +good." + +"I must; papa will always be obeyed." + +"But don't you feel that it's very hard? doesn't it make you feel +angry with your father and love him a little less?" + +"I was angry for a little while this afternoon," Elsie acknowledged +with a blush, "but I am sure I have no right to be; I know papa is +acting for my good,--doing just what he believes will be most likely +to secure my happiness. He says it is to save me from a life of +misery, and certainly it would be that to be united to such a man as +he believes Mr. Egerton is." + +"But you don't believe it, Elsie?" + +"No, no, indeed! I have not lost my faith in him yet, and I hope he +may some day be able to prove to papa's entire satisfaction that he is +really all that is good, noble, and honorable." + +"That is right; hope on, hope ever." + +"Ah, I don't know how we could live without hope," Elsie said, smiling +faintly through her tears. "But I ought not to be wretched--oh, very +far from it, with so many blessings, so many to love me! Papa's love +alone would brighten life very much to me. And then," she added in a +lower tone, "'that dearer Friend that sticketh closer than a brother,' +and who has promised, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'" + +"And He will keep His promise, child," said Aunt Wealthy, joining them +in the arbor where they had seated themselves. "I have proved His +faithfulness many times, and I know that it never fails. Elsie, dear, +your old auntie would save you from every trial, but He is a far wiser +and truer friend, and will cause all things to work together for your +good, and never allow you to suffer one unneeded pang." She softly +stroked her niece's sunny hair, as she spoke, and the kind old face +was full of pitying tenderness. + +"Come back to the house now, dears," she added, "I think the dew is +beginning to fall, and I heard my nephew asking for his daughter." + +"How much longer may we hope to keep you, Elsie?" Lottie asked as they +wended their way toward the house. + +"Papa has set Monday evening for the time of leaving." + +"And this is Friday; so we shall have but two more rides together. Oh, +dear! how I shall miss you when you're gone." + +"And I you. I shall never forget what pleasant times we have had +together; Aunt Wealthy and you and I. You musn't let her miss me too +much, Lottie." And Elsie turned an affectionate look upon her aged +relative. + +"As if I could prevent it! But I'll do my best; you may rest assured +of that." + +"You are dear girls, both of you," said Miss Stanhope with a very +perceptible tremble in her voice, "and you have brightened my home +wonderfully; if I could only keep you!" + +"Well, auntie, you're not likely to lose me altogether for some time +yet," returned Lottie gayly, though the tears shone in her eyes. + +Bromly Egerton went out from Mr. Dinsmore's presence with his temper +at a white heat, for he had just been treated to some plain truths +that were far from palatable; besides which it seemed evident that he +had missed the prize he so coveted and had made such strenuous efforts +to win. He had learned nothing new in regard to his own character, yet +somehow it had never looked so black as now, when seen through the +spectacles of an upright, honest, vice-detesting Christian gentleman. +He writhed at the very recollection of the disgust, loathing, and +contempt expressed in Mr. Dinsmore's voice and countenance as well as +in his words. + +He scarcely gave a thought to the loss of Elsie herself: he had no +feeling for her at all worthy of the name of love; his base, selfish +nature was, indeed, hardly capable of such a sentiment; especially +toward one so refined, so guileless in her childlike innocence and +purity that to be with her gave him an uncomfortable sense of his own +moral inferiority. + +No, the wounds under which he smarted were all stabs given to his +self-love and cupidity. He had learned how honest men looked upon him; +and he had failed in the cherished expectation of laying his +hands upon a great fortune, which he had fondly hoped to have the +opportunity of spending. + +Rushing into the street, boiling with rage and shame, he hurried +onward, scarcely knowing or caring whither he went; out into the open +country, and on through woods and over hills he tramped, nor thought +of turning back till the sun had set, and darkness began to creep +about his path. + +There was light in Miss Stanhope's parlor and strains of rich +melody greeted his ear as he passed. He turned away with a muttered +imprecation, crossed the street, and entered Mrs. Schilling's gate. +She was sitting on her doorstep, resting after her day's work, and +enjoying the cool evening air. + +"Why, la me Mr. Egerton! is that you?" she cried, starting up, and +stepping aside for him to pass in. "I'd really begun to think you was +lost. The fire's been put and everything cleaned away this two hours. +I kep' the table a-waitin' for you a right smart spell, but finally +come to the conclusion that you must 'a' stayed to Miss Stanhope's or +someone else, to tea." + +"No, I've not had supper," he answered gruffly. + +"You haint, eh? and I 'spose you're hungry, too. Well, sit down, and +I'll hunt up something or 'nother. But I'm afraid you'll get the +dyspepsy eatin' so late; why, it's nigh on to ten o'clock; and I was +just a-thinking' about shutting' up and going off to bed." + +"Well, you'll not be troubled with me long. I shall leave the place in +a few days." + +"Leave Lansdale, do you mean?" + +"Yes." + +"Why, what's up?" + +"The time I had appropriated to rest and recreation. Business men +can't play forever." + +"Well, I shouldn't wonder. And Mr. Dinsmore's come after his daughter, +too." + +"What's that got to do with it?" he muttered. But she had left the +room and was out of hearing. + +Before closing his eyes in sleep that night, Egerton resolved to make +a moving appeal to Elsie herself. He would write and find some means +by which to get the letter into her hands. Directly after breakfast +he sat down to his task, placing himself in a position to constantly +overlook Miss Stanhope's house and grounds. He was hoping to get +sight of Elsie, and anxious to watch Mr. Dinsmore's movements. Mrs. +Schilling had informed him that "Miss Stanhope's friends didn't expect +to leave till sometime a Monday; so she had learned from Phillis, +through Lenwilla Ellawea, who had been sent over for a little of +Phillis's light'ning, to raise some biscuits for breakfast," yet he +had some fear that the information might prove unreliable, and Mr. +Dinsmore slip away with his daughter that day. + +That fear was presently relieved by seeing Simon bringing out the +horses for the young ladies, and shortly after a livery-stable man +leading up two fine steeds, evidently intended for the use of the +gentlemen. He now laid down his pen, and kept close watch for a few +moments, when he was rewarded by seeing the whole party come out, +mount, and ride away; Mr. Dinsmore beside his daughter, Mr. Travilla +with Lottie. Elsie, however, was so closely veiled that he could not +so much as catch a glimpse of her face. + +With a muttered oath, he took up his pen again, feeling more desirous +than ever to outwit "that haughty Southerner," and secure the prize in +spite of him. + +Half an hour afterward Simon, who was at work gathering corn and +tomatoes for dinner in the garden behind the house, heard some one +calling softly to him from the other side of the fence. Turning his +head, he saw Mr. Egerton standing there, motioning to him to draw +near. + +"Good-mornin', sah. What you want, sah?" inquired the lad, setting +down his basket, and approaching the fence that separated them. + +"Do you know what this is?" asked Egerton, holding up a small +glittering object. + +"Yes, sah; five-dollar gold piece, sah," replied the negro, bowing and +chuckling. "What de gentleman want dis niggah do for to arn 'em?" + +"To put this into Miss Dinsmore's hands," answered Egerton, showing +a letter; "into her own hands, now, mind. If you do that, the five +dollars are yours; and if you bring me an answer, I'll make it ten. +But you are to manage it so that no one else shall see what you do. Do +you understand?" + +"Yes, sah, and I bet I do it up about right, sah." + +Very anxious to win the coveted reward, Simon was careful to be on +hand when the riding party returned. He stationed himself near Elsie's +horse. Her father assisted her to alight, and as he turned to make a +remark to Lottie, Simon, being on the alert, managed to slip the note +into Elsie's hand, unperceived by Mr. Dinsmore, or the others. + +She gave a start of surprise, turning her eyes inquiringly upon him, +the rich color rushing all over her fair face and neck; as he could +see, even through the folds of her thick veil. + +Simon grinned broadly, as, by a nod and wink toward the opposite side +of the street, he indicated whence the missive had come. + +She turned and walked quickly toward the house, her heart beating very +fast and loud, and her fingers tightly clasping the note underneath +the folds of her long riding-skirt, as she held it up. She hurried +to her room, shut and locked the door, and, throwing off her hat and +veil, dropped into a seat, trembling in every limb with the agitation +and excitement of her feelings. She longed intently to know what he +had said to her; but she had never deceived or wilfully disobeyed her +father, and should she begin now? The temptation was very great, and +perhaps she would have yielded; but Mr. Dinsmore's step came quickly +up the stairs, and the next moment he rapped lightly on the door. + +She rose and opened it, at the same time slipping the note into her +pocket. + +"Why, my darling, what is the matter?" he asked, looking much +concerned at the sight of her pale, agitated countenance. + +"Oh, papa, if you would let me! if you only would!" she cried, +bursting into tears, and putting her arms coaxingly about his neck. + +"Let you do what, my child?" he asked, stroking her hair. + +"Read this," she said, in a choking voice, taking the note from her +pocket. "Oh, if you knew how much I want to! Mayn't I, papa? do, dear +papa, say yes." + +"No, Elsie; it grieves me to deny you, but it must go back unopened. +Give it to me." + +She put it into his hand and turned away with a sob. + +"How did it come into your hands?" he inquired, going to her +writing-desk for an envelope, pen and ink. + +"Must I tell you, papa?" she asked; in a tone that spoke reluctance to +give the information he required. + +"Certainly." + +"Simon gave it to me a few moments since." + +He touched the bell, and, Chloe appearing in answer, bade her take +that note to the house on the opposite side of the street. + +"There is no message," he added; "it is directed to Mr. Egerton, and +you have nothing to do but hand it in at the door." + +"Yes, sah." And with a sorrowful, pitying glance at the wet eyes of +her young mistress, the faithful old creature left the room. + +"My poor little daughter, you feel now that your father is very +cruel," Mr. Dinsmore said tenderly, taking Elsie in his arms again, +"but some day you will thank me for all this." + +She only laid her face down on his breast and cried bitterly, while he +soothed her with caresses and words of fatherly endearment. + +"Oh, papa, don't be vexed with me," she murmured at length. "I'm +trying not to be rebellious, but it seems so like condemning him +unheard." + +"No, my child, it is not. I gave him the opportunity to refute the +charges against him, but he has no proof to bring." + +"Papa, he said it would break his heart to lose me," she cried with a +fresh burst of grief. + +"My dear child, he has no heart to break. If he could get possession +of your property, he would care very little indeed what became of +you." + +Mr. Dinsmore spoke very decidedly, but, though silenced, Elsie was not +convinced. + +Egerton, watching through the half-closed blinds of his bed-room, had +seen, with a chuckle of delight, the success of Simon's manoeuvre, +and Elsie hurrying into the house; for the purpose--he had scarcely +a doubt--of secretly reading and answering his note. He saw Chloe +crossing the street, and thought that her young mistress had sent him +a hasty line, perhaps to appoint the time and place of a clandestine +meeting; for such confidence had he in his own powers of fascination +for all the fair sex, that he could not think it possible she could +give him up without a struggle. + +Lenwilla went to the door, and in his eagerness to receive the message +he ran out and met her on the landing. What was his disappointment and +chagrin at sight of the bold, masculine characters on the outside, and +only his own handwriting within! + +"Sent back unopened! The girl must be a fool!" he cried, fairly +gnashing his teeth with rage. "She could have managed it easily +enough; she had the best chance in the world, for he didn't see her +take it, I know." + +He considered a moment, put on his hat, and, walking over to Dr. +King's, inquired for Miss Lottie. + +"Jist walk intil the parlor, sir," said Bridget, "an' I'll call the +young lady." + +Lottie came to him presently, with her kind face full of regret and +sympathy. + +He told his tale, produced his note, and begged her to be his +messenger, saying he supposed Mr. Dinsmore had come upon Elsie before +she had time to read it, and he thought it hard for both her and +himself that she should not have the chance. + +"Yes," said Lottie, "but I am very sure she would not read it without +her father's permission, and you may depend upon it, she showed it to +him of her own accord." + +He shook his head with an incredulous smile. "Do you really think she +has so little sense? Or is it that you believe she too has turned +against me?" + +"No, she has not turned against you, she believes in you still; nor is +she wanting in sense; but she is extremely conscientious about obeying +her father, and told me she meant to be entirely submissive, whatever +it cost her." + +"I can hardly think you are right," he said, with another of his +incredulous smiles, "but even supposing she was silly enough to hand +my note over to her father, I should like to give her an opportunity +to retrieve her error, so won't you undertake"-- + +"Don't ask me to carry it to her," interrupted Lottie. "It would go +against my conscience to tempt Elsie to do violence to hers, I do +assure you, though I have no idea I should be successful. So you +really must excuse me." + +He tried argument and persuasion by turns, but Lottie stood firm in +her refusal, and at length he went away, evidently very angry. + +Lottie spent the evening with her friend, and when a fitting +opportunity offered gave her an account of this interview with +Egerton, Elsie telling her in return something of what had passed +between her father and herself in regard to the note. + +That Egerton had desired to tempt her to disobedience and deception +did not tend to increase Elsie's esteem and admiration for him, but +quite the reverse. + +"I think he'll not prevent me from getting sight of her to-day," +muttered Egerton, stationing himself at the front window the next +morning, as the hour for church drew near. + +He had not been there long, when he saw Miss Stanhope and Mr. +Travilla, then Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie, come out of the house and cross +the lawn. He made a hasty exit and was in the act of opening Mrs. +Schilling's front gate as the latter couple reached the one opposite. + +"Put down your veil, Elsie; take my arm; and don't look toward that +man at all," commanded her father, and she obeyed. + +Egerton kept opposite to them all the way to the church, but without +accomplishing his object. He followed them in and placed himself in a +pew on the other side of the aisle, and a little nearer the front than +Miss Stanhope's, so that, by turning half way round, he could look +into the faces of its occupants. But Elsie kept hers partly concealed +by her veil, and never once turned her eyes in his direction. + +She was seated next her father, who seemed to watch her almost +constantly--not with the air of a jailer, but with a sort of tender, +protecting care, as one keeping guard over something belonging to him, +and which he esteemed very sweet and precious,--while now and then +her soft eyes were lifted to his for an instant with a look of loving +reverence. + +"Poor Elsie was well watched to-day," remarked Nettie King to her +sister as they walked home together; "her father scarcely took his +eyes off her for five consecutive minutes, I should think; and Mr. +Egerton stared at her from the time he came in till the benediction +was pronounced." + +"Yes, I thought he was decidedly rude." + +"Isn't Mr. Dinsmore excessively strict and exacting?" + +"Yes, I think so; yet he dotes on her, and she on him. I never saw a +father and daughter so completely wrapped up in each other." + +They were now within sight of their own home, and Miss Stanhope's. + +"Just look!" cried Nettie, "I do believe Egerton means to force +himself upon their notice and compel Elsie to speak to him." + +He was crossing the street so as to meet them face to face, just at +the gate, giving them no chance to avoid the rencontre. + +"Good-morning, Miss Dinsmore," he said in a loud, cordial tone of +greeting, as they neared each other. + +Elsie started and tightened her grasp of her father's arm, but neither +looked up nor spoke. + +"My daughter acknowledges no acquaintance with you, sir," answered Mr. +Dinsmore, haughtily, and Egerton turned and strode angrily away. + +"There, Elsie, you see what he is; his behavior is anything but +gentlemanly," remarked her father, opening the gate for her to pass +in. "But you need not tremble so, child; there is nothing to fear." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + Oh, what a feeble fort's a woman's heart, + Betrayed by nature, and besieged by art. + + --FANE'S "LOVE IN THE DARK." + + +"Dear child, what shall I do without you?" sighed Miss Stanhope, +clasping Elsie in her arms, and holding her in a long, tender embrace; +for the time of parting had come. "Horace, will you bring her to see +me again?" + +"Yes, aunt, if she wants to come. But don't ask me to leave her +again." + +"Well, if you can't stay with me, or trust her yourself, let Mr. +Vanilla come and stand guard over us both. I'd be happy, sir, at any +time when you can make it convenient for me to see you here, with +Horace and the child, or without them." + +"Thank you, Miss Stanhope; and mother and I would be delighted to see +you at Ion." + +"Come, Elsie, we must go; the carriage is waiting and the train nearly +due," said Mr. Dinsmore. "Good-bye, Aunt Wealthy. Daughter, put down +your veil." + +Egerton was at the depot, but could get neither a word with Elsie, nor +so much as a sight of her face. Her veil was not once lifted, and +her father never left her side for a moment. Mr. Travilla bought the +tickets, and Simon attended to the checking of the baggage. Then the +train came thundering up, and the fair girl was hurried into it, +Mr. Travilla, on one side, and her father on the other, effectually +preventing any near approach to her person on the part of the baffled +and disappointed fortune-hunter. + +He walked back to his boarding-house, cursing his ill luck and Messrs. +Dinsmore and Travilla, and gave notice to his landlady that his room +would become vacant the next morning. + +As the train sped onward, again Elsie laid her head down upon her +father's shoulder and wept silently behind her veil. Her feelings had +been wrought up to a high pitch of excitement in the struggle to be +perfectly submissive and obedient, and now the overstrained nerves +claimed this relief. And love's young dream, the first, and sweetest, +was over and gone. She could never hope to see again the man she still +fondly imagined to be good and noble, and with a heart full of deep, +passionate love for her. + +Her father understood and sympathized with it all. He passed his arm +about her waist, drew her closer to him, and taking her hand in his, +held it in a warm, loving clasp. + +How it soothed and comforted her. She could never be very wretched +while thus tenderly loved, and cherished. + +And, arrived at her journey's end, there were mamma and little brother +to rejoice over her return, as at the recovery of a long-lost, +precious treasure. + +"You shall never go away again," said the little fellow, hugging her +tight. "When a boy has only one sister, he can't spare her to other +folks, can he, papa?" + +"No, son," answered Mr. Dinsmore, patting his rosy cheek, and softly +stroking Elsie's hair, "and it is just the same with a man who has but +one daughter." + +"You don't look bright and merry, as you did when you went away," said +the child, bending a gaze of keen, loving scrutiny upon the sweet +face, paler, sadder, and more heavy-eyed than he had ever seen it +before. + +"Sister is tired with her journey," said mamma tenderly; "we won't +tease her to-night." + +"Yes," said her father, "she must go early to bed, and have a long +night's rest." + +"Yes, papa, and then she'll be all right to-morrow, won't she? But, +mamma, I wasn't teasing her, not a bit; was I, Elsie? And if anybody's +been making her sorry, I'll kill him. 'Cause she's my sister, and I've +got to take care of her." + +"But suppose papa was the one who had made her sorry; what then?" +asked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"But you wouldn't, papa," said the boy, shaking his head with an +incredulous smile. "You love her too much a great deal; you'd never +make her sorry unless she'd be naughty; and she's never one bit +naughty,--always minds you and mamma the minute you speak." + +"That's true, my son; I do love her far too well ever to grieve her if +it can be helped. She shall never know a pang a father's love and care +can save her from." And again his hand rested caressingly on Elsie's +head. + +She caught it in both of hers and laying her cheek lovingly against +it, looked up at him with tears trembling in her eyes. "I know it, +papa," she murmured. "I know you love your foolish little daughter +very dearly; almost as dearly as she loves you." + +"Almost, darling? If there were any gauge by which to measure love, I +know not whose would be found the greatest." + +Mr. Dinsmore and his father-in-law had taken adjoining cottages for +the summer, and though "the season" was so nearly over that the hotels +and boarding-houses were but thinly populated and would soon close, +the two families intended remaining another month. So this was in some +sort a home-coming to Elsie. + +After tea the Allisons flocked in to bid her welcome. All seemed glad +of her coming, Richard, Harold, and Sophy especially so. They were +full of plans for giving her pleasure, and crowding the greatest +possible amount of enjoyment into the four or five weeks of their +expected sojourn on the island. + +"It will be moonlight next week," said Sophy; "and we'll have some +delightful drives and walks along the beach. The sea does look so +lovely by moonlight." + +"And we'll have such fun bathing in the mornings," remarked Harold. +"You'll go in with us to-morrow, won't you, Elsie?" + +"No," said Mr. Dinsmore, speaking for his daughter; "she must be +here two or three days before she goes into the water. It will be +altogether better for her health." + +Elise looked at him inquiringly. + +"You get in the air enough of the salt water for the first few days," +he said. "Your system should become used to that before you take +more." + +"Yes, that is what some of the doctors here, and the oldest +inhabitants, tell us," remarked Mr. Allison, "and I believe it is the +better plan." + +"And in the meantime we can take some rides and drives,--down to +Diamond Beach, over to the light-house, and elsewhere," said Edward +Allison, his brother Richard adding, "and do a little fishing and +boating." + +Mr. Dinsmore was watching his daughter. She was making an effort to be +interested in the conversation, but looking worn, weary, and sad. + +"You are greatly fatigued, my child," he said. "We will excuse you and +let you retire at once." + +She was very glad to avail herself of the permission. + +Rose followed her to her room, a pleasant, breezy apartment, opening +on a veranda, and looking out upon the sea, whose dark waves, here +and there tipped with foam, could be dimly seen rolling and tossing +beneath the light of the stars and of a young moon that hung like a +golden crescent just above the horizon. + +Elsie walked to the window and looked out. "How I love the sea," she +said, sighing, "but, mamma, to-night it makes me think of a text--'All +Thy waves and Thy billows have gone over me.'" + +"It is not so bad as that, I hope, dear," said Rose, folding her +tenderly in her arms; "think how we all love you, especially your +father. I don't know how we could any of us do without you, darling. I +can't tell you how sadly we have missed you this summer." + +"Mamma, I do feel it to be very, very sweet to be so loved and cared +for. I could not tell you how dear you and my little brother are to +me, and as for papa--sometimes I am more than half afraid I make an +idol of him; and yet--oh, mamma," she murmured, hiding her face in +Rose's bosom, "why is it that I can no longer be in love with the +loves that so fully satisfied me?" + +"'Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.' It +is part of woman's curse that she must ever crave that sort of love, +often yielding to her craving, to her own terrible undoing. Be +patient, darling, and try to trust both your heavenly and your earthly +father. You know that no trial can come to you without your heavenly +Father's will, and that He means this for your good. Look to Him and +he will help you to bear it, and send relief in His own good time and +way. You know He tells us it is through much tribulation we enter +the kingdom of God; and that whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, +and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 'If ye be without +chastisements, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and no +sons!" + +"Ah, yes, mamma; better the hardest of earthly trials, than to be left +out of the number of his adopted children. And this seems to be really +my only one, while my cup of blessings is full to overflowing. I fear +I am very wicked to feel so sad." + +"Let us sit down on this couch while we talk; you are too tired +to stand," said Rose, drawing her away from the window to a +softly-cushioned lounge. "I do not think you can help grieving, +darling, though I agree with you that it is your duty to try to be +cheerful, as well as patient and submissive; and I trust you will find +it easier as the days and weeks move on. You are very young, and have +plenty of time to wait; indeed, if all had gone right, you know your +papa would not have allowed you to marry for several years yet." + +"You know all, mamma?" + +"Yes, dear; papa told me; for you know you are my darling daughter +too, and I have a very deep interest in all that concerns you." + +A tender caress accompanied the words, and was returned with equal +ardor. + +"Thank you, best and kindest of mothers; I should never want anything +kept from you." + +"Your father tells me you have behaved beautifully, though you +evidently felt it very hard to be separated so entirely and at once +fr--" + +"Yes, mamma," and Elsie's lip quivered, and her eyes filled, "and oh, +I can't believe he is the wicked man papa thinks him. From the first +he seemed to be a perfect gentleman, educated, polished, and refined; +and afterward he became--at least so I thought from the conversations +we had together--truly converted, and a very earnest, devoted +Christian. He told me he had been, at one time, a little wild, but +surely he ought not to be condemned for that, after he had repented +and reformed." + +"No, dear; and your father would agree with you in that. But he +believes you have been deceived in the man's character; and don't you +think, daughter, that he is wiser than yourself, and more capable of +finding out the truth about the matter?" + +"I know papa is far wiser than I, but, oh, my heart will not believe +what they say of--of him!" she cried with sudden, almost passionate +vehemence. + +"Well, dear, that is perfectly natural, but try to be entirely +submissive to your father, and wait patiently; and hopefully too," she +added with a smile; "for if Mr. Egerton is really good, no doubt it +will be proved in time, and then your father will at once remove his +interdict. And if you are mistaken, you will one day discover it, and +feel thankful, indeed, to your papa for taking just the course he +has." + +"There he is now!" Elsie said with a start, as Mr. Dinsmore's step was +heard without, and Chloe opened the door in answer to his rap. + +"What, Elsie disobeying orders, and mamma conniving at it!" he +exclaimed in a tone that might mean either jest or serious reproof. +"Did I not bid you go to bed at once, my daughter?" + +"I thought it was only permission, papa, not command," she answered, +lifting her eyes to his face, and moving to make room for him by her +side. "And mamma has been saying such sweet, comforting things to me." + +"Has she, darling? Bless her for it! I know you need comfort, my poor +little pet," he said, taking the offered seat, and passing his arm +round her waist. "But you need rest too, and ought not to stay up any +longer." + +"But surely papa knows I cannot go to bed without my good-night kiss +when he is in the same house with me," she said, winding her arms +about his neck. + +"And didn't like to take it before folks? Well, that was right, but +take it now. There, good-night. Now mamma and I will run away, and you +must get into bed with all speed. No mistake about the command this +time, and disobedience, if ventured on, will have to be punished," he +said with playful tenderness, as he returned her embrace, and rose to +leave the room. + +"The dear child; my heart aches for her," he remarked to his wife, +as they went out together, "and I find it almost impossible yet to +forgive either that scoundrel Jackson or my brother Arthur." + +"You have no lingering doubts as to the identity and utter +unworthiness of the man?" + +"Not one; and if I could only convince Elsie of his true character +she would detest him as thoroughly as I do. If he had his deserts, he +would be in the State's Prison; and to think of his daring to approach +my child, and even aspire to her hand!" + +Elsie lay all night in a profound slumber, and awoke at an early hour +the next morning, feeling greatly refreshed and invigorated. The +gentle murmur of old ocean came pleasantly to her ear, and sweetly +in her mind arose the thought of Him whom even the winds and the sea +obey; of His never failing love to her, and of the many great and +precious promises of His word. She remembered how He had said, "Your +Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things," and, content to +bear the cross He had sent her, and leave her future in His hands, she +rose to begin the new day more cheerful and hopeful than she had been +since learning her father's decision in regard to Egerton. + +Throwing on a dressing-gown over her night dress, she sat down before +the open window with her Bible in her hand. She still loved, as of +old, to spend the first hour of the day in the study of its pages, and +in communion with Him whose word it is. + +Chloe was just putting the finishing touches to her young lady's +toilet when little Horace came running down the hall, and rapping on +Elsie's door, called out, "Sister, papa says put on a short dress, and +your walking shoes, and come take a stroll on the beach with us before +breakfast." + +"Yes, tell papa I will. I'll be down in five minutes." + +She came down looking sweet and fresh as the morning; a smile on the +full red lips, and a faint tinge of rose color on the cheeks that had +been so pale the night before. + +"Ah, you are something like yourself again," said Rose, greeting her +with a motherly caress, as they met in the lower hall. "How nice it is +to have you at home once more." + +"Thank you, mamma, I am very glad to be here; and I had such a good +restful sleep. How well you look." + +"And feel too, I am thankful to be able to say. But there, your father +is calling to you from the sitting-room." + +Elsie hastened to obey the summons, and found him seated at his +writing desk. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, "and tell me if you obeyed orders last +night." + +"Yes, papa, I did." + +"I am writing a few lines to Aunt Wealthy, to tell her of our safe +arrival. Have you any message to send?" and laying down his pen he +drew her to his knee. + +"Only my love, papa, and--and that she must not be anxious about me, +as she said that she should. That I am very safe and happy in the +hands of my heavenly Father--and those of the kind earthly one He has +given me," she added in a whisper, putting her arms about his neck, +and looking in his face with eyes brimful of filial tenderness and +love. + +"That is right, my darling," he said, "and you shall never want for +love while your father lives. How it rejoices my heart to see you +looking so bright and well this morning." + +"I feat I have not been yielding you the cheerful obedience I ought, +papa," she murmured with tears in her eyes, "but I am resolved to try +to do so in future; and have been asking help where I know it is to be +obtained." + +"I have no fault to find with you on that score, my dear child," he +said tenderly, "but if you can be cheerful, it will be for your own +happiness, as well as ours." + +She kept her promise faithfully, and had her reward in much real +enjoyment of the many pleasures provided for her. + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were still youthful in their feelings, and +joined with great zest in the sports of the young people, going with +them in all their excursions, taking an active part in all their +pastimes, and contriving so many fresh entertainments, that during +those few weeks life seemed like one long gala day. + +Mr. Travilla was with them most of the time. He had tarried behind in +Philadelphia, as Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter passed through, but +followed them to Cape Island a few days later. + +The whole party left the shore about the last of September, the +Allisons returning to their city residence, Mr. Travilla to his +Southern home, and the Dinsmores travelling through Pennsylvania and +New York, from one romantic and picturesque spot to another; finishing +up with two or three weeks in Philadelphia, during which Rose and +Elsie were much occupied with their fall and winter shopping. + +Mr. Dinsmore took this opportunity to pay another flying visit to his +two young brothers. He found Arthur nearly recovered, and at once +asked a full explanation of the affair of Tom Jackson, alias Bromly +Egerton; his designs upon Elsie, and Arthur's participation in them. + +"I know nothing about it," was the sullen rejoinder. + +"You certainly were acquainted with Tom Jackson, and how, but through +you, could he have gained any knowledge of Elsie and her whereabouts?" + +"I don't deny that I've had some dealings with Jackson, but your +Egerton I know nothing of whatever." + +"You may as well speak the truth, sir; it will be much better for +you in the end," said Mr. Dinsmore, sternly, his eyes flashing with +indignant anger. + +"And you may as well remember that it isn't Elsie you are dealing +with. I'm not afraid of you." + +"Perhaps not, but you may well fear Him who has said, 'a lying tongue +is but for a moment.' How do you reconcile such an assertion as you +have just made with the fact of your having that letter in your +possession?" + +"I say it's a cowardly piece of business for you to give the lie to a +fellow that hasn't the strength to knock you down for it." + +"You would hardly attempt that if you were in perfect health, Arthur." + +"I would." + +"You have not answered my question about the letter. + +"I wrote it myself." + +"A likely story; it is in a very different hand from yours." + +"I can adopt that hand on occasion, as I'll prove to your +satisfaction." + +He opened his desk, wrote a sentence on a scrap of paper, and handed +it to Mr. Dinsmore. The chirography was precisely that of the letter. +While slowly convalescing, Arthur had prepared for this expected +interview with Horace, by spending many a solitary hour in laboriously +teaching himself to imitate Jackson's ordinary hand, in which most of +the letters he had received from him were written. The sentence he had +first penned was, "I did it merely for my own amusement, and to hoax +Wal." + +"I don't believe a word of it," said Mr. Dinsmore, looking sternly at +him. "Arthur, you had better be frank and open with me. You will gain +nothing by denying the hand you have had in this disgraceful business. +You can hardly suppose me credulous enough to believe an assertion so +perfectly absurd as this. I have no doubt that you sent that villain +to Lansdale to try his arts upon Elsie; and for that you are richly +deserving of my anger, and of any punishment it might be in my power +to deal out to you. + +"It has been no easy matter for me to forgive the suffering you have +caused my child, Arthur; but I came here to-day with kind feelings and +intentions. I hoped to find you penitent and ready to forsake your +evil courses; and in that case, intended to help you to pay off your +debts and begin anew, without paining father with the knowledge that +his confidence in you has been again so shamefully abused. But I must +say that your persistent denial of your complicity with that scoundrel +Jackson does not look much like contrition, or intended amendment." + +Arthur listened in sullen silence, though his rapidly changing color +showed that he felt the cutting rebuke keenly. At one time he had +resolved to confess everything, throw himself upon the mercy of his +father and brother, and begin to lead an honest, upright life; but a +threatening letter received that morning from Jackson had led him to +change his purpose, and determine to close his lips for a time. + +Mr. Dinsmore paused for a reply, but none came. + +Walter looked at Arthur in surprise. "Come, Art, speak, why don't +you?" he said. "Horace, don't look so stern and angry, I know he means +to turn over a new leaf; for he told me so. And you will help him, +won't you?" + +"I ask no favors from a man who throws the lie in my teeth," muttered +Arthur angrily. + +"And I can give none to one who persists in denying his guilt," +replied Mr. Dinsmore. "But, Arthur, I give you one more chance, and +for our father's sake I hope you will avail yourself of it. If you go +on as you have for the last three or four years, you will bring down +his gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. I presume you have put +yourself in Jackson's power; but if you will now make a full and free +confession to me, and promise amendment, I will help you to get rid of +the rascal's claims upon you, and start afresh. Will you do it?" + +"No, you've called me a liar, and what's the use of my telling you +anything? you wouldn't believe it if I did." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + She is not sad, yet in her gaze appears + Something that makes the gazer think of tears. + + --MRS. EMBURY. + + +The family at Roselands were gathered about the breakfast-table. A +much smaller party than of yore, since Horace had taken Elsie and +set up an establishment of his own, and the other sons were away at +college and two daughters married; leaving only Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, +Adelaide and Enna to occupy the old home. + +"I presume you have the lion's share as usual, papa," observed the +last named, as her father opened the letter-bag which Pomp had just +brought in. + +"And who has a better right, Miss Malapert?" retorted the old +gentleman. "Yes, here are several letters for me; but as there is one +apiece for the rest of you, nobody need complain. Here, Pomp, hand +this to your mistress. From Walter, I see." + +"Yes," she answered, opening it, "and a few lines from Arthur too. I'm +glad he's able to write again, poor fellow!" + +"Yes," said Adelaide. "Rose says Horace has been up there and found +him nearly recovered. She writes that they are coming home." + +"When?" asked Enna. + +"Why, to-day! the letter has been delayed," said her sister, looking +at the date. "I shall ride over directly, to see that all is in order +for them at the Oaks." + +"There is no need," remarked her mother. "Rose will have written to +Mrs. Murray." + +"I presume so, still I shall go; it will be pleasant to be there to +welcome them when they arrive." + +"How fond you are of Rose," said Mrs. Dinsmore in a piqued tone; "you +wouldn't do more for one of your own sisters, I believe, than for +her." + +"I wouldn't do less, mamma, and I am very fond of her; we are so +perfectly congenial." + +"And Elsie's a great pet of yours, too," said Enna sneeringly. "Well, +I shall put off my call till to-morrow, when the trunks will have been +unpacked, and I shall have a chance to see the fashions. Elsie will +have loads of new things; it's perfectly absurd the way Horace heaps +presents upon her, and pocket-money too. Such loads of jewelry as she +has,--two or three gold watches, and everything else in proportion." + +"He may as well; she can never spend the half of her income," remarked +Mr. Dinsmore. "Unless she takes to gambling," he added, in a tone that +seemed to say that his purse had suffered severely from some one's +indulgence in that vice. + +Mrs. Dinsmore winced, Enna looked vexed and annoyed, and Adelaide sad +and troubled; but when she spoke it was in answer to Enna. + +"Yes, Elsie will have a great many beautiful things to show us, of +course; but, though she wears nothing outre, she has never been, and I +think never will be a mirror of fashion. It would suit neither her own +taste nor Horace's; and you know, fond of her as he is, he will never +allow her to have a will of her own in dress or anything else. So it +is well their tastes harmonize." + +"I wouldn't be his child for all her money," said Enna. + +"There would be some fighting if you were," said her father, laughing. + +"I never could tell whether he tyrannized over Rose in the same style +or not," observed Mrs. Dinsmore interrogatively. + +"All I know about it is that they seem perfectly happy in each other," +answered Adelaide; "but I don't suppose Horace considers a husband's +authority by any means equal to a father's." + +Something delayed Adelaide, and it was nearly two hours after they +rose from the table ere she was fairly on her way to the Oaks. + +"Why, they are here before me!" she exclaimed half aloud as she came +in sight of the house. + +There were piles of luggage upon the veranda, and the whole family, +including all the house servants, were gathered round a large +open trunk from which Mrs. Dinsmore and Elsie were dealing out +gifts--dresses, aprons, bonnets, hats, gay handkerchiefs, etc., etc.; +the darkies receiving them with a delight that was pleasant to see. + +Mr. Dinsmore too was taking his part in the distribution, and as +Adelaide rode up little Horace was in the act of throwing a gay shawl +about the shoulders of his nurse, who caught him in her arms and +hugged and kissed him over and over, calling him "honey," and "pet," +and "you ole mammy's darlin' ole chil'!" + +So much engaged were they all that no one perceived Adelaide's +approach till she had reined in her horse close to the veranda, and +throwing her bridle to her attendant, sprung lightly to the ground. + +But then there was a shout of welcome from little Horace, followed +instantly by joyous exclamations and embraces from the others. + +"Dear me, what a long stay you made of it!" said Adelaide. "You can +have no idea how I missed you all; even down to this little man," +patting Horace's rosy cheek. "You look remarkably well, Rose; and the +two Horaces also; but Elsie, I think, has grown a little pale, thin, +and heavy-eyed. What ails you, child? Pining for your native air--no, +home air--I presume. Is that it?" + +"Hardly pining for it, auntie, but very glad to get back, +nevertheless," Elsie answered, with a blush and a smile. + +"And you are not pale now. But don't let me interrupt your pleasant +employment. I wish I had been in time to see the whole of it." + +"You are in season for your own gifts. Will you accept a trifle from +me?" said her brother, putting a jewel-case into her hand. + +"Coral! and what a beautiful shade!" she cried. "Thank you; they are +just what I wanted." + +"I thought they would contrast prettily with this, auntie," said +Elsie, laying a dress-pattern of black silk upon her lap. + +"And these are to be worn at the same time, if it so pleases you," +added Rose, presenting her with collar and undersleeves of point lace. + +"Oh, Rose, how lovely! and even little Horace bringing auntie a gift!" +as the child slipped something into her hand. + +"It's only a card-case; but mamma said you'd like it, Aunt Adie." + +"And I do; it's very pretty. And here's a hug and a kiss for the pet +boy that remembered his old-maid auntie." + +"Old maid, indeed! Adelaide, I'll not have you talking so," said Rose. +"There's nothing old-maidish about you; not even age yet; a girl of +twenty-six to be calling herself that! it's perfectly absurd. Isn't +it, my dear?" + +"I think so, indeed," replied Mr. Dinsmore. "Here, Jim, Cato, and the +rest of you carry in these trunks and boxes, and let us have them +unpacked and put out of sight." + +"Oh, yes!" said Adelaide, "I want to see all the fine things you have +brought, Rose. Mamma, Enna, and I are depending upon you and Elsie for +the fashions." + +"Yes, we had all our fall and winter dresses made up in Philadelphia; +we prefer their styles to the New York; they don't go to such +extremes, you know; and besides--hailing from the Quaker city as I do, +it's natural I should be partial to her plainer ways--but we brought +quantities of patterns from both places; knowing that nothing was +likely to be too gay for Enna. We will let Elsie display hers first. I +feel in a special hurry, dear, to show your aunt those elegant silks +your papa and I helped you to select. I hope you will see them all on +her, one of these days, Adelaide. + +"That child's complexion is so perfect, that she can wear anything," +she added in an aside, as they followed Elsie to her apartments; +"there's a pale blue that she looks perfectly lovely in; a pearl-color +too, and a delicate pink, and I don't know how many more. One might +think we expected her to do nothing but attend parties the coming +season." + +Elsie seemed to take a lively interest in displaying her pretty things +to her aunt, and in looking on for a little, while Rose did the same +with hers; but at length, though the two older ladies were still +turning over and discussing silks, satins, velvets, laces, ribbons, +feathers, and flowers, her father noticed her sitting in the corner of +a sofa, in an attitude of weariness and dejection, with a pale cheek, +and a dreary, far-off look in her eyes that it pained him to see. + +"You are very tired, daughter," he said, going to her side, and +smoothing her glossy brown hair with tender caressing motion, as he +spoke; "go and lie down for an hour or two. A nap would do you a great +deal of good." + +"I don't like to do so while Aunt Adie is here, papa," she said, +looking up at him with a smile, and trying to seem fresh and bright. + +"Never mind that; you can see her any day now. Come, you must take a +rest." And drawing her hand within his arm, he led her to her boudoir +and left her there, comfortably established upon a sofa. + +"A hat trimmed in that style would be becoming to Elsie," remarked +Adelaide, continuing the conversation with Rose, and turning to look +at her niece as she spoke. "Why, she's not here." + +"Papa took her away to make her lie down," said little Horace. + +"Rose, does anything ail the child?" asked Adelaide, in an undertone. + +"She does not seem to be out of health; but you know we are very +careful of her; she is so dear and sweet, and has never looked very +strong." + +"But there is something wrong with her, is there not? she does not +seem to me quite the gay, careless child she was when you went away. +Horace," and she turned to him, as he re-entered the room, "may I not +know about Elsie? You can hardly love her very much better than I do, +I think." + +"If that is so, you must love her very much indeed," he answered with +a faint smile. "Yes, I will tell you." And he explained the matter; +briefly at first, then more in detail, as she drew him on by questions +and remarks. + +Her sympathy for Elsie was deep and sincere; yet she thought her +brother's course the only wise and kind one, and her indignation waxed +hot against Arthur and Egerton. + +"And Elsie still believes in the scoundrel?" she said inquiringly. + +"Yes, her loving, trustful nature refuses to credit the proofs of +his guilt, and only her sweet, conscientious submission to parental +authority has saved her from becoming his victim." + +"She is a very good, submissive, obedient child to you, Horace." + +"I could not ask a better, Adelaide. I only wish it were in my power +to make obedience always easy and pleasant to her, poor darling." + +"I hope you have something for me there, my dear," Rose remarked to +her husband at the breakfast-table the next morning, as he looked over +the mail just brought in by his man John. + +"Yes, there is one for you; from your mother, I think; and, Elsie, do +you know the handwriting of this?" + +"No, papa, it is quite strange to me," she answered, taking the letter +he held out to her, and which bore her name and address on the back, +and examining it critically. + +"And the post-mark tells you nothing either?" + +"No, sir; I cannot quite make it out, but it doesn't seem to be any +place where I have a correspondent." + +"Well, open it and see from whom it comes. But finish your breakfast +first." + +Elsie laid the letter down by her plate, and putting aside, for the +present, her curiosity in regard to it, went on with her meal. "From +whom can it have come?" she asked herself, while listening half +absently to extracts from Mr. Allison's epistle; "not from him surely, +the hand is so very unlike that of the one he sent me in Lansdale." + +"You have not looked at that yet," her father said, seeing her take it +up as they rose from the table. "You may do so now. I wish to know who +the writer is. Don't read it till you have found that out," he added, +leading her to a sofa in the next room, and making her sit down there, +while he stood by her side. + +She felt that his eye was upon her as she broke open the envelope and, +taking the letter from it, glanced down the page, then in a little +flutter of surprise and perplexity turned to the signature. Instantly +her face flushed crimson, she trembled visibly, and her eyes were +lifted pleadingly to his. + +He frowned and held out his hand. + +"Oh, papa, let me read it!" she murmured low and tremulously, her eyes +still pleading more eloquently than her tongue. + +"No," he said, and his look and gesture were imperative. + +She silently put the letter into his hand, and turned away with a low +sob. + +"It is not worth one tear, or even an emotion of regret, my child," he +said, sitting down beside her. "I shall send it back at once; unread, +unless you prefer to have me read it first." + +"No, papa." + +"Very well, then I shall not. But, Elsie, do you not see now that he +is quite capable of imitating the handwriting of another?" + +"Yes, papa; but that does not prove that he did in the case you refer +to." + +"And he has acted quite fairly and honestly in using that talent to +elude my vigilance and tempt you to deception and disobedience, eh?" + +"He is not perfect, papa, but I can't believe him as bad as you +think." + +"There are none so blind as those that won't see, Elsie; but, +remember"--and his tone changed from one of great vexation to another +sternly authoritative--"I will be obeyed in this thing." + +"Yes, papa," she said, and rising, hastily left the room. + +"Try to be very patient with her, dear," said Rose, who had been a +silent, but deeply interested spectator of the little scene; "she +suffers enough, poor child!" + +"Yes, I know it, and my heart bleeds for her; yet she seems so +wilfully blind to the strongest proofs of the fellow's abominable +rascality that at times I feel as if I could hardly put up with it +at all. The very pain of seeing her suffer so makes me out of all +patience with her folly." + +"Yes, I understand it, but do not be stern with her; she surely does +not deserve it while she is so perfectly submissive to your will." + +"No, she does not, poor darling," he said with a sigh. "But I must +make haste to write some letters that ought to go by the next mail." + +He left the room, and Mrs. Dinsmore, longing to comfort Elsie in her +trouble, was about to go in search of her, when Mrs. Murray, who was +still housekeeper at the Oaks, came to ask advice or direction about +some household matters. + +Their consultation lasted for half an hour or more, and in the +meanwhile Mr. Dinsmore finished his correspondence and went himself to +look for his daughter. She was in the act of opening her writing-desk +as he entered the room. + +"What are you doing, daughter?" he asked. + +"I was about to write a letter to Sophy, papa." + +"It would be too late for to-day's mail; so let it wait, and come with +me for a little stroll into the grounds. Aunt Chloe, bring a garden +hat and sunshade. You would like to go, daughter?" + +"Yes, sir. Papa, you are not vexed with me? You don't think I want to +be disobedient or wilful?" There were tears in her voice and traces of +them on her cheeks. + +"No, darling!" he said, drawing her to him, "and you did not in the +least deserve to be spoken to in the stern tone that I used. But--can +you understand it?--my very love for you makes me angry and impatient +at your persistent love for that scoundrel." + +"Papa, please don't!" she said in a low, pained tone, and turning away +her face. + +"Ah, you do not like to hear a word against him!" he sighed; "I can't +bear to think it, and yet I fear you care more for him than for me, +your own father, who almost idolizes you. Is it so?" + +"Papa," she murmured, winding her arms about his neck, and laying +her head on his breast, "if I may have but one of you, I could never +hesitate for a moment to choose to cling here where I have been so +long and tenderly cherished. I know what your love is,--I might be +mistaken and deceived in another. And besides, God commands me to +honor and obey you." + +He held her close to his heart for a moment, as something too dear and +precious ever to be given up to another, then drawing her hand within +his arm, while Chloe placed the hat on her head, and gave her the +parasol, he led her out into the grounds. + +It pained him to notice the sadness of her countenance, sadder than he +had seen it for many days, and he exerted himself to entertain her +and divert her thoughts, calling her attention to some new plants and +flowers, consulting her taste in regard to improvements he designed +making, and conversing with her about a book they had been reading. + +She understood his thoughtful kindness, was grateful for it, and did +her best to be interested and cheerful. + +"It is so nice to have you treat me as your companion and friend as +well as your daughter, papa," she said, looking up at him with a +smile. + +"Your companionship is very dear and sweet to me, daughter," he +answered. "But I think we had better go in now; the sun is growing +hot." + +"Oh, here you are!" cried a girlish voice as they turned into a shaded +walk leading to the house. "I've been looking everywhere and am +glad to have found you at last. Really, if a body didn't know your +relationship, he or she might almost imagine you a pair of lovers." + +"Don't be silly, Enna. How do you do?" said Mr. Dinsmore, shaking +hands with her and giving her a brotherly kiss. + +"As usual, thank you," she answered, turning from him to Elsie, whom +she embraced with tolerable warmth, saying, "I'm really glad to have +you here again. I missed you more than I would have believed. Now come +in and show me all your pretty things. I'm dying to see them. Adelaide +says you've brought home such quantities of lovely laces, silks, +velvets, ribbons, flowers, feathers and what not, that one might +imagine you'd nearly bought out the Philadelphia merchants." + +"No, they had quite a stock still left," replied Elsie, smiling; "but, +as mamma says, papa was very indulgent and liberal to us both; and I +shall take pleasure in showing you his gifts." + +"How do you like my present to Adelaide? asked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Oh, very much; but when my turn comes please remember I want +amethysts." + +"Ah, then I have been fortunate in my selection," he said, quite +unsuspicious of the fact that Enna had instructed Elsie beforehand in +regard to her wishes, should Horace intend making her a present. Elsie +had quietly given the desired hint, but merely as though the idea had +originated with herself. + +The jewelry was highly approved, as also a rich violet silk from Rose, +and a lace set from Elsie. + +Adelaide had been intrusted with quite as rich gifts for her father +and mother; nor had Lora been forgotten; Elsie had a handsome shawl +for her, Mr. Dinsmore a beautiful pair of bracelets, and Rose a costly +volume of engravings. + +"Do you think Aunt Lora will be pleased?" asked Elsie. + +"They're splendid! It must be mighty nice to have so much money to +spend. But come now, show me what you got for yourselves." + +She spent a long while, first in Rose's apartment, then in Elsie's, +turning over and admiring the pretty things, discussing patterns, and +styles of trimming, and what colors and modes would be becoming to +her, trying on some of the dresses, laces, sacques, shawls, bonnets, +and hats--without so much as saying by your leave, when the article in +question belonged to her niece--that she might judge of the effect; +several times repeating her remark that it must be delightful to have +so much money, and that Elsie was exceedingly fortunate in being so +enormously wealthy. + +"Yes; it is something to be thankful for," Elsie said at length, "but, +Enna, it is also a great responsibility. We are only stewards, you +know, and sometimes I fear it is hardly right for me to spend so much +in personal adornment." + +"That wouldn't trouble me in the least; but why do you do it, if you +are afraid it's wrong?" + +"Papa does not think so; he says the manufacturers of these rich goods +must live as well as others, and that for one with my income, it is no +more extravagant to wear them than for one with half the means to wear +goods only half as expensive." + +"And I'm sure he's perfectly right; and of course you have no choice +but to obey. Well, I presume I've seen everything now, and I'm +actually weary with my labors," she added, throwing herself into an +easy-chair. "You've grown a little pale, I think, and your eyes look +as if you'd been crying. What ails you?" + +"I am not at all ill," returned Elsie, flushing. + +"I didn't say you were, but something's wrong with you, and you can't +deny it; you don't seem as gay as you used to before you went away." + +She paused, but receiving no reply, went on. "Come now, it isn't worth +while to be so close-mouthed with me, Miss Dinsmore; for I happen to +know pretty much all about it already. You've fallen in love with a +man that your father thinks is a scamp and though you don't believe +it, you've given him up, in obedience to orders, like the cowardly +piece that you are. Dear me, before I'd be so afraid of my father!" + +"No, you neither fear nor love your father as I do mine; but fear of +papa has very little to do with it. I love him far too well to refuse +to submit to him in this, and I fear God, who bids me obey and honor +him. But, Enna, how did you learn all this?" + +"Ah, that is my secret." + +Elsie looked disturbed. "Won't you tell me?" + +"Not I." + +"Is it generally known in the family?" + +"So far as I am aware, no one knows it but myself." + +"Ah!" thought Elsie, "I did not believe Aunt Adelaide or Walter would +tell her; but I wonder how she did find it out." + +"I wouldn't give up the man I loved for anybody," Enna went on in a +sneering tone. "I say parents have no business to interfere in such +matters; and so I told papa quite plainly when he took it upon him +to lecture me about receiving attentions from Dick Percival, and +threatened to forbid him the house." + +"Oh, Enna!" + +"You consider it wickedly disrespectful and rebellious no doubt, but +I say I'm no longer a child, and so the text, 'Children obey your +parents'--which I know is just on the end of your tongue--doesn't +apply to me." + +"The Bible doesn't say obey till you are of age, then do as you +please. You are not seventeen yet, and Isaac was twenty when he +submitted to be bound and laid upon the altar." + +"Well, when I go to the altar, it shall be leaning on Dick's arm," +said Enna, laughing. "I don't care if he is wild; I like him, and +intend to marry him too." + +"But are you not afraid?" + +"Afraid of what?" + +"That he will run through his property in a few years, and perhaps +become an habitual drunkard and abusive to his wife." + +"I mean to risk it anyhow," returned Enna sharply, "so it is not worth +while for my friends to waste their breath in lecturing me on the +subject." + +"Oh, Enna! you can't expect a blessing, if you persist in being so +undutiful; I think it would be well for you if your father were more +like mine." + +"Indeed! I wouldn't be your father's daughter for anything." + +"And I am glad and thankful that I am." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + The human heart! 'tis a thing that lives + In the light of many a shrine; + And the gem of its own pure feelings gives + Too oft on brows that are false to shine; + It has many a cloud of care and woe + To shadow o'er its springs, + And the One above alone may know + The changing tune of its thousand strings. + + --MRS. L.P. SMITH. + + +Mr. and Mrs. Horace Dinsmore were most anxious to promote Elsie's +happiness, and in order to that to win her to forgetfulness of her +unworthy suitor. Being Christians they did not take her to the +ball-room, the Opera, or the theater (nor would she have consented +to go had they proposed it), but they provided for her every sort of +suitable amusement within their reach. She was allowed to entertain as +much company and to pay as many visits to neighbors and friends as she +pleased. + +But a constant round of gayety was not to her taste; she loved quiet +home pleasures and intellectual pursuits far better. And of these also +she might take her fill, nor lack for sympathizing companionship; both +parents, but especially her father, being of like mind with herself. +They enjoyed many a book together, and she chose to pursue several +studies with him. + +And thus the weeks and months glided away not unhappily, though at +times she would be possessed with a restless longing for news from +Egerton, and for the love that was denied her; then her eyes would +occasionally meet her father's with the old wistful, pleading look +that he found so hard to resist. + +He well understood their mute petition; yet it was one he could not +grant. But he would take her in his arms, and giving her the fondest, +tenderest caresses, would say, in a moved tone, "My darling, don't +look at me in that way; it almost breaks my heart. Ah, if you could +only be satisfied with your father's love!" + +"I will try, papa," was her usual answer, "and oh, your love is very +sweet and precious!" + +Such a little scene, occurring one morning in Elsie's boudoir, was +interrupted by Chloe coming in to say that Miss Carrington had called +to see her young mistress and was waiting in the drawing-room. + +"Show her in here, mammy," Elsie said, disengaging herself from her +father's arms, and smoothing out her dress. "She used to come here in +the old times without waiting for an invitation." + +The Carringtons had not been able quite to forgive the rejection of +Herbert's suit, and since his death there had been a slight coolness +between the two families, and the girls had seen much less of each +other than in earlier days; their intercourse being confined to an +occasional exchange of formal calls, except when they met at the +house of some common acquaintance or friend. Still they were mutually +attached, and of late had resumed much of their old warmth of manner +toward each other. + +"Ah, this seems like going back to the dear old times again," Lucy +said when their greetings were over, and sending an admiring glance +about the luxuriously furnished apartment as she spoke. "I always +thought this the most charming of rooms, Elsie, but how many lovely +things,--perfect gems of art,--you have added to it since I saw it +last." + +"Papa's gifts to his spoiled darling, most of them," answered Elsie, +with a loving look and smile directed to him. + +"Petted, but not spoiled," he said, returning the smile. + +"No, indeed, I should think not," said Lucy. "Mamma says she is the +most perfectly obedient, affectionate daughter she ever saw, and I +can't tell you how often I have heard her wish I was more like her." + +"Ah," said Elsie, "I think Mrs. Carrington has always looked at me +through rose-colored spectacles." + +After a little more chat Lucy told her errand. Her parents and +herself, indeed the whole family, she said, had greatly regretted the +falling off of their former intimacy and strongly desired to renew it; +and she had come to beg Elsie to go home with her and spend a week at +Ashlands in the old familiar way. + +Elsie's eye brightened, and her cheek flushed. "Dear Lucy, how kind!" +she exclaimed; then turned inquiringly to her father. + +"Yes, it is very kind," he said. "Use your own pleasure, daughter. I +think perhaps the change might do you good." + +"Thanks, papa, then I shall go. Lucy, I accept your invitation with +pleasure." + +They were soon on their way, cantering briskly along side by side, +Lucy in gay, almost wild spirits, and Elsie's depression rapidly +vanishing beneath the combined influence of the bracing air and +exercise, the brilliant sunshine, and her friend's lively sallies. + +Arrived at Ashlands, she found herself received and welcomed with all +the old warmth of affection. Mrs. Carrington folded her to her heart +and wept over her. "My poor boy!" she whispered; "it seems almost to +bring him back again to have you with us once more. But I will not +mourn," she added, wiping her eyes; "for our loss has been his great +gain." + +Tender memories of Herbert, associated with nearly every room in the +house, saddened and subdued Elsie's spirit for a time, yet helped to +banish thoughts of Egerton from her mind. + +But Lucy had a great deal to tell her, and in listening to these +girlish confidences, Herbert was again half forgotten. Lucy too had +spent the past summer in the North, and had there "met her fate." She +was engaged, the course of true love seemed to be running smoothly, +and they expected to marry in a year. + +Elsie listened with interest, sympathizing warmly in her friend's +happiness; but Lucy, who was watching her keenly, noticed a shade of +deep sadness steal over her face. + +"Now I have told you all my secrets," she said, "won't you treat me as +generously, by trusting me with yours?" + +"If I had as happy a tale to tell," replied Elsie, the tears filling +her eyes. + +"You poor dear, what is wrong? Is it that papa refuses his consent." + +Elsie nodded; her heart was too full for speech. + +"What a shame!" cried Lucy. "Does he really mean to keep you single +all your life? is he quite determined to make an old maid of you?" + +"No, oh, no! but he does not believe my friend to be a good man. There +seems to be some sad mistake, and I cannot blame papa; because if Mr. +Egerton really was what he thinks him, it would be folly and sin for +me to have anything to do with him; and indeed I could not give either +hand or heart to one so vile,--a profane swearer, gambler, drunkard, +and rake." + +"Oh, my, no!" and Lucy looked quite horrified; "but you don't believe +him such a villain?" + +"No; on the contrary I think him a truly converted man. I believe +he was a little wild at one time; for he told me he had been; but I +believe, too, that he has truly repented, and therefore ought to be +forgiven." + +"Then I wouldn't give him up if I were you, father or no father," +remarked Lucy, with spirit. + +"But, Lucy, there is the command, 'Children, obey your parents.'" + +"But you are not a child." + +"Hardly more, not of age for more than two years." + +"Well, when you are of age, surely you will consider a lover's claims +before those of a father." + +"No," Elsie answered low and sadly. "I shall never marry without +papa's consent. I love him far too dearly to grieve him so; and it +would be running too fearful a risk." + +"Then you have resigned your lover entirely?" + +"Unless he can some day succeed in convincing papa that he is not so +unworthy." + +"Well, you are a model of filial piety! and deserve to be happy, and I +am ever so sorry for you," cried Lucy, clasping her in her arms, and +kissing her affectionately. + +"Thank you, dear," Elsie said, "but oh, I cannot bear to have my +father blamed. Believing as he does, how could he do otherwise than +forbid all intercourse between us? And he is so very, very kind, so +tenderly affectionate to me. Ah, I could never do without his dear +love!" + +After this, the two had frequent talks together on the same subject, +and though Lucy did not find any fault with Mr. Dinsmore, she yet +pleaded Egerton's cause, urging that it seemed very unfair in Elsie +to condemn him unheard, very hard not to allow him even so much as a +parting word. + +"I had no choice," Elsie said again and again, in a voice full of +tears; "it was papa's command, and I could do nothing but obey. Oh, +Lucy, it was very, very hard for me, too! and yet my father was +doing only his duty, if his judgment of Mr. Egerton's character was +correct." + +One afternoon, when Elsie had been at Ashlands four or five days, Lucy +came flying into her room; "Oh, I'm so glad to find you dressed! You +see I'm in the midst of my toilet, and Scip has just brought up word +that a gentleman is in the parlor asking for the young ladies--Miss +Dinsmore and Miss Carrington. Would you mind going down alone and +entertaining him till I come? do, there's a dear." + +"Who is he?" + +"Scip didn't seem to have quite understood the name; but it must be +some one we both know, and if you don't mind going, it would be a +relief to my nerves to know that he's not sitting there with nothing +to do but count the minutes, and think, 'What an immense time it takes +Miss Carrington to dress. She must be very anxious to make a good +impression upon me.' For you see men are so conceited, they are always +imagining we're laying ourselves out to secure their admiration." + +"I will go down then," Elsie answered, smiling, "and do what I can to +keep him from thinking any such unworthy thoughts of you. But please +follow me as soon as you can." + +The caller had the drawing-room to himself, and as Elsie entered was +standing at the centre-table with his back toward her. As she drew +near, he turned abruptly, caught her hand in his, threw his arm about +her waist, and kissed her passionately, crying in a low tone of +rapturous delight, "My darling, I have you at last! Oh, how I have +suffered from this cruel separation." + +It was Egerton, and for a few moments she forgot everything else, in +her glad surprise at the unexpected meeting. + +He drew her to a sofa, and still keeping his arm about her, poured out +a torrent of fond loverlike words, mingled with tender reproaches that +she had given him up so easily, and protestations of his innocence of +the vices and crimes laid to his charge. + +At first Elsie flushed rosy red, and a sweet light of love and joy +shone in the soft eyes, half veiled by their heavy, drooping lashes; +but as he went on her cheek grew deathly pale, and she struggled to +free herself from his embrace. + +"Let me go!" she cried, in an agitated tone of earnest entreaty, "I +must, indeed I must! I can't stay--I ought not; I should not have come +in, or allowed you to speak to, or touch me. Papa has forbidden all +intercourse between us, and he will be so angry." And she burst into +tears. + +"Then don't go back to him; stay with me, and give me a right to +protect you from his anger. I can't bear to see you weep, and if you +will be mine--my own little wife, you shall never have cause to shed +another tear," he said, drawing her closer to him and kissing them +away. + +"No, no, I cannot, I cannot! You must let me go; indeed you must!" +she cried, shrinking from the touch of his lip upon her cheek, and +averting her face, "I am doing wrong, very wrong to stay, here!" + +"No, I shall hold you fast for a few blissful moments at least;" he +answered, tightening his grasp and repeating his caresses, as she +struggled the harder to be free. "You cannot be so cruel as to refuse +to hear my defence." + +"Oh, I cannot stay another moment--I must not hear another word, for +every instant that I linger I am guilty of a fresh act of disobedience +to papa. I shall be compelled to call for help it you do not loose +your hold." + +He took his arm from her waist, but still held fast to her hand. "No, +don't do that," he said; "think what a talk it would make. I shall +detain you but a moment, and surely you may as well stay that much +longer; 'in for a penny, in for a pound,' you know. Oh, Elsie, can't +you give me a little hope." + +"If you can gain papa's approval, not otherwise." + +"But when you come of age." + +"I shall never marry without my father's consent." + +"Surely you carry your ideas of obedience too far. You owe a duty to +yourself and to me, as well as to your father. Excuse my plainness, +but in the course of nature we shall both outlive him, and is it +right to sacrifice the happiness of our two lives because he has +unfortunately imbibed a prejudice against me?" + +"I could expect no blessing upon a union entered into in direct +opposition to my father's wishes and commands," she answered with sad +and gentle firmness. + +"That's a hard kind of obedience; and I don't think it would answer to +put in practice in all cases," he said bitterly. + +"Perhaps not; I do not attempt to decide for others; but I am +convinced of my own duty; and know too that I should be wretched +indeed, if I had to live under papa's frown. And oh, how I am +disobeying him now! I must go this instant! Release my hand, Mr. +Egerton." And she tried with all her strength to wrench it free. + +"No, no, not yet," he said entreatingly. "I have not given you half +the proofs of my innocence that I can bring forward; do me the simple +justice to stay and hear them." + +She made no reply but half yielded, ceasing her struggles for a +moment. She had no strength to free her hand from his grasp, and could +not bear to call others upon the scene. Trembling with agitation and +eagerness, she waited for his promised proofs; but instead he only +poured forth a continuous stream of protestations, expostulations and +entreaties. + +"Mr. Egerton, I must, I must go," she repeated; "this is nothing to +the purpose, and I cannot stay to hear it." + +A step was heard approaching; he hastily drew her toward him, touched +his lips again to her cheek, released her, and she darted from the +room by one door, as Lucy entered by another. + +"Where is she? gone? what's the matter? wasn't she pleased to see you? +wouldn't she stay?" + +Lucy looked into the disappointed, angry, chagrined face of Egerton, +and in her surprise and vexation piled question upon question without +giving him time to answer. + +"No, the girl's a fool!" he muttered angrily, and turning hastily from +her, paced rapidly to and fro for a moment; then suddenly recollecting +himself, "I beg pardon, Miss Carrington," he said, coming back to +the sofa on which she sat regarding him with a perturbed, displeased +countenance, "I--I forgot myself; but you will perhaps, know how to +excuse an almost distracted lover." + +"Really, sir," returned Lucy coolly, "your words just now did not +sound very lover-like; and would rather lead one to suspect that +possibly Mr. Dinsmore may be in the right." + +He flushed hotly. "What can you mean, Miss Carrington?" + +"That your love is for her fortune rather than for herself." + +"Indeed you wrong me. I adore Miss Dinsmore, and would consider myself +the happiest of mortals could I but secure her hand, even though she +came to me penniless. But she has imbibed the most absurd, ridiculous +ideas of filial duty and refuses to give me the smallest encouragement +unless I can gain her father's consent and approval; which, seeing he +has conceived a violent dislike to me, is a hopeless thing. Now +can you not realize that the more ardent my love for her, the more +frantically impatient I would feel under such treatment?" + +"Perhaps so; men are so different from women; but nothing could ever +make me apply such an epithet to the man I loved." + +"Distracted with disappointed hopes, I was hardly a sane man at the +moment, Miss Carrington," he said deprecatingly. + +"The coveted interview has proved entirely unsatisfactory then?" she +said in a tone of inquiry. + +"Yes; and yet I am most thankful to have had sight and speech of her +once more; truly grateful to you for bringing it about so cleverly. +But--oh, Miss Carrington, could you be persuaded to assist me still +further, you would lay me under lasting obligations!" + +"Please explain yourself, sir," she answered coldly, moving farther +from him, as he attempted to take her hand. + +"Excuse me," he said. "I am not one inclined to take liberties with +ladies; but I am hardly myself to-day; my overpowering emotion--my +half distracted state of mind--" + +Breaking off his sentence abruptly, and putting his hand to his head, +"I believe I shall go mad if I have to resign all hope of winning the +sweet, lovely Elsie," he exclaimed excitedly, "and I see only one way +of doing it. If I could carry her off, and get her quite out of her +father's reach, so that no fear of him need deter her from following +the promptings of her own heart, I am sure I could induce her to +consent to marry me at once. Miss Carrington, will you help me?" + +"Never! If Elsie chooses to run away with you, and wants any +assistance from me, she shall have it; but I will have nothing to do +with kidnapping." + +He urged, entreated, used every argument he could think of, but with +no other effect than rousing Lucy's anger and indignation; "underhand +dealings were not in her line," she told him, and finally--upon his +intimating that what she had already done might be thought to come +under that head--almost ordered him out of the house. + +He went, and hurrying to her friend's room, she found her walking +about it in a state of great agitation, and weeping bitterly. + +"Oh, Lucy, how could you? how could you?" she cried, wringing her +hands and sobbing in pitiable distress. "I had no thought of him when +I went down; I did not know you knew him, or that he was in this part +of the country at all. I was completely taken by surprise, and have +disobeyed papa's most express commands, and he will never forgive me, +never! No, not that either, but he will be very, very angry. Oh, what +shall I do!" + +"Oh, Elsie, dear, don't be so troubled! I am as sorry as I can be," +said Lucy, with tears in her eyes. "I meant to do you a kindness; +indeed I did; I thought it would be a joyful surprise to you. + +"I met him last summer at Saratoga. He came there immediately from +Lansdale, and somehow we found out directly that we both knew you, and +that I was a near neighbor and very old friend of yours; and he told +me the whole story of your love-affair, and quite enlisted me in his +cause; he seemed so depressed and melancholy at your loss, and grieved +so over the hasty way in which your father had separated you,--not +even allowing a word of farewell. + +"He told me he hoped and believed you were still faithful to him in +your heart, but he could not get to see or speak to you, or hold any +correspondence with you. And so I arranged this way of bringing you +together." + +"It was kindly meant, I have no doubt, Lucy, but oh, you don't know +what you have done! I tremble at the very thought of papa's anger when +he hears it; for I have done and permitted things he said he would not +allow for thousands of dollars." + +"Well, dear, I don't think you could help it; and I'm so sorry for my +share in it," said Lucy, putting her arms round her, and kissing her +wet cheek. "But perhaps your father will not be so very angry with +you after all; and at any rate you are too old to be whipped, so a +scolding will be the worst you will be likely to get." + +"He never did whip me, never struck me a blow in his life; but I would +prefer the pain of a dozen whippings to what I expect," said Elsie, +with a fresh burst of tears. + +"What is that, you poor dear?" asked Lucy. "I can't imagine what he +could do worse than beat you." + +"He may put me away from his arms for weeks or months, and be cold, +and stern, and distant to me, never giving me a caress or even so much +as a kind word or look. Oh, if he should do that, how can I bear it!" + +"Well, don't tell him anything about it. I wouldn't, and I don't see +any reason why you should." + +Elsie shook her head sorrowfully. "I must; I never conceal +anything--any secret of my own--from him; and I should feel like a +guilty thing, acting a lie, and could not look him in the face; and he +would know from my very look and manner that something was wrong, and +would question me, and make me tell him all. Lucy, I must go home at +once." + +"No, indeed, you must not. Why, you were to stay a week--two days +longer than this; and if you were ready to start this minute, it would +be quite dark before you could possibly reach the Oaks." + +Elsie looked at her watch, and perceiving that her friend was right, +gave up the idea of going that day, but said she must leave the next +morning. To that Lucy again objected. "I can't bear to lose those two +days of your promised visit," she said, "for if you are determined to +tell your papa all about this, there's no knowing when he will allow +you to come here again." + +"Never, I fear," sighed Elsie. + +"I haven't been able to help feeling a little hard to him on poor +Herbert's account," Lucy went on, "and I believe that had something +to do with my readiness to help Egerton to outwit him in obtaining an +interview with you. But I'll never do anything of the kind again; so +he needn't be afraid to let you come to see us." + +She then told Elsie what had passed in the drawing-room between +Egerton and herself--his request and her indignant refusal. + +It helped to shake Elsie's confidence in the man, and made her still +more remorseful in view of that day's disobedience; for she could +not deceive herself into the belief that she had been altogether +blameless. "As I said before, I can't bear the idea of losing you so +soon," continued Lucy, "but there is still another reason why I must +beg of you to stay till the set time of your leaving. Mamma knows +nothing about this affair, and would be exceedingly displeased with +me, if she should find it out; as of course she must, if you go +to-morrow; as that would naturally call out an explanation. So, dear, +do promise me that you will give up the idea." + +Elsie hesitated, but not liking to bring Lucy into trouble, finally +yielded to her urgent entreaties, and consented to stay. + +All the enjoyment of her visit, however, was over; she felt it +impossible to rest till her father knew all, shed many tears in +secret, and had much ado to conceal the traces of them, and appear +cheerful in the presence of the family. + +But the two wretched days were over at last, and declining the urgent +invitations of her friends to linger with them a little longer, she +bade them an affectionate farewell, and set out for home. + +Jim had been sent to escort her, another servant with the wagon for +Chloe and the luggage. Struck with a sudden fear that she might meet +or be overtaken by Egerton, Elsie ordered Jim to keep up close in the +rear, then touching the whip to her horse, started off at a brisk +canter. Her thoughts were full of the coming interview with her +father, which she dreaded exceedingly, while at the same time she +longed to have it over. She drew rein at the great gates leading into +the grounds, and the servant dismounted and opened them. + +"Jim," she asked, "is your master at home?" + +"Dunno, Miss Elsie, but the missus am gone ober to Ion to spend the +day, an lef' little Marse Horace at Roselands." + +"Why, what's the matter, Jim?" + +"De missus at Ion little bit sick, I b'lieve, Miss Elsie." + +"And papa didn't go with them?" + +"Yes, miss; but he comed right back again, and I 'spect he's in de +house now." + +"Dear papa! he came back to receive me," murmured Elsie to herself, as +she rode on, and a scalding tear fell at the thought of how the loving +look and fond caress with which he was sure to greet her, would be +quickly exchanged for dark frowns, and stern, cold reproofs. + +"Oh, if I were a child again, I believe I should hope he would just +whip me at once, and then forgive me, and it would be all over; but +now--oh, dear! how long will his displeasure last?" + +It was just as she had expected; he was on the veranda, watching for +her coming--hastened forward, assisted her to alight, embraced her +tenderly, then pushing aside her veil, looked searchingly into her +face. + +"What is the matter?" he asked, as her eyes met his for an instant +with a beseeching, imploring glance, then fell beneath his gaze while +her face flushed crimson. + +She tried to answer him, but her tongue refused to do its office, +there was a choking sensation in her throat and her lips quivered. + +He led her into his private study, took off her hat and threw it +aside, and seating her on a sofa, still keeping his arm about her--for +she was trembling very much--asked again, "What is the matter? what +has gone wrong with you, my daughter?" + +His tone, his look, his manner were very gentle and tender; but that +only increased her remorse and self-reproach. + +"Papa, don't be so kind," she faltered; "I--I don't deserve it, for I +have--disobeyed you." + +"Is it possible! when? where? and how? Can it be that you have seen +and spoken with that--scoundrel, Elsie?" + +"Yes, papa." Her voice was very low and tremulous, her heart throbbed +almost to suffocation, her bosom heaved tumultuously, and her color +came and went with every breath. + +He rose and paced hurriedly across the room two or three times, +then coming back to her side, "Tell me all about it," he said +sternly--"every action, every word spoken by either, as far as you can +recall it." + +She obeyed in the same low, tremulous tones in which she had answered +him before, her voice now and then broken by a half-smothered sob, and +her eyes never once meeting his, which she felt were fixed so severely +upon her tearful, downcast face. + +He cross-questioned her till he knew all that had passed nearly as +well as if he had been present through the whole interview, his tones +growing more and more stern and angry. + +"And you dared to permit all that, Elsie?" he exclaimed when she had +finished; "to allow that vile wretch to put his arm around you, hold +your hand in his, for half an hour probably, and even to press his +lips again and again to yours or to your cheek; and that after I had +told you I would not have him take such a liberty with you for half I +am worth; and--" + +"Not to my lips, papa." + +"Then it is not quite so bad as I thought, but bad enough certainly; +and all this after I had positively forbidden you to even so much as +exchange the slightest salutation with him. What am I to think of such +high-handed rebellion?" + +"Papa," she said beseechingly, "is not that too hard a word? I did not +disobey deliberately--I don't think anything could have induced me to +go into that room knowing that he was there. I was taken by surprise, +and when he had got hold of my hand I tried in vain to get it free." + +"Don't attempt to excuse yourself, Elsie. You could have escaped from +him at once, by simply raising your voice and calling for assistance. +I do not believe it would have been impossible to avoid even that +first embrace; and it fairly makes my blood boil to think he succeeded +in giving it to you. How dared you so disobey me as to submit to it?" + +"Papa, at the moment I forgot everything but--but just that he was +there." + +The last words were spoken in a voice scarcely raised above a whisper, +while her head drooped lower and lower and her cheek grew hot with +shame. + +"Did I ever take forgetfulness of my orders as any excuse of +disobedience?" he asked in as stern a tone as he had ever used to her. + +"No, papa; but oh, don't be very angry with me!" + +"I am exceedingly displeased with you, Elsie! so much so that nothing +but your sex saves you from a severe chastisement. And I cannot allow +you to escape punishment. You must be taught that though no longer a +mere child, you are not yet old enough to disobey me with impunity. +Hush!" as she seemed about to speak, "I will not have a word of reply. +Go to your own apartments and consider yourself confined to them till +you hear further from me. Stay!" he added as she rose to obey, "when +did all this occur?" + +She told him in her low, tearful tones, her utterance half choked with +sobs. + +"Two days ago, and yet your confession has been delayed till now. Does +that look like penitence for your fault?" + +She explained why she had not returned home at once; but he refused to +accept the excuse, and ordered her away as sternly as before. + +She obeyed in silence, controlling her feelings by a great effort, +until she had gained the privacy of her own apartments, then giving +way to a fit of almost hysterical weeping. It was years since her +father had been seriously displeased with her, and loving him with +such intense affection, his anger and sternness nearly broke her +heart. + +Her tender conscience pricked her sorely too, adding greatly to her +distress by its reproaches on account of her disobedience and her +delay in confessing it. + +It came to her mind at length that her heavenly Father might be more +tender and forbearing with her, more ready to forgive and restore to +favor, than her earthly one. She remembered the sweet words, "There is +forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." "If any man sin, +we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." She +went to Him with her sin and sorrow, asking pardon for the past and +help for the future. She asked, too, that the anger of her earthly +parent might be turned away; that the Lord would dispose him to +forgive and love her as before. + +She rose from her knees with a heart, though still sad and sorrowful, +yet lightened of more than half its load. + +But the day was a very long one; with a mind so disturbed she could +not settle to any employment, or find amusement in anything. She +passed the time in wandering restlessly from room to room, starting +and trembling as now and then she thought she heard her father's step +or voice, then weeping afresh as she found that he did not come near +her. + +When the dinner-bell rang she hoped he would send, or come to her; but +instead he sent her meal to her; such an one as was usual upon their +table--both luxurious and abundant,--which comforted her with the hope +that he was less displeased with her than at other times when he had +allowed her little more than prison fare. But excitement and mental +distress had brought on a severe headache; she had no appetite, and +sent the food away almost untasted. + +It was mild, beautiful weather in the early spring; such weather as +makes one feel it a trial to be compelled to stay within doors, and +Elsie longed for her favorite retreat in the grounds. + +In the afternoon some ladies called; Mr. Dinsmore was out, and she +dared not go to the drawing room without permission; but her headache +furnished sufficient excuse for declining to see them, and they went +away. + +Shortly after, she heard her father's return. He had not been off the +estate, or out of sight of the house; he was keeping guard over her, +but still did not come near her. + +Just at tea-time she again heard the sound of wheels; then her +father's, mother's, and little brother's voices. + +"Mamma and Horace have come home," she thought with a longing desire +to run out and embrace them. + +"Oh, papa, has sister come home?" she heard the child's voice ask in +eager tones. + +"Yes." + +"Oh, then I must run into her room and kiss her!" + +"No, you must not; stay here." + +"But why mustn't I go to sister, papa?" + +"Because I forbid it." + +Every word of the short colloquy reached Elsie's ear, adding to her +grief and dismay. Was she, then, to be separated from all the rest of +the family? did her father fear that she would exert a bad influence +over Horace, teaching him to be disobedient and wilful? How deeply +humbled and ashamed she felt at the thought. + +Rose gave her husband a look of surprised, anxious inquiry. "Is Elsie +sick, dear?" she asked. + +"No, Rose, but she is in disgrace with me," he answered in an +undertone, as he led the way into the house. + +"Horace, you astonish me! what can she have done to displease you?" + +"Come in here; and I will tell you," he said, throwing open the door +of his study. + +Rose listened in silence, while he repeated to her the substance of +Elsie's confession, mingled with expressions of his own anger and +indignation. + +"Poor child!" murmured Rose, as he concluded; "Horace, don't be hard +with her; she must have suffered a great deal in these last three +days." + +"Yes," he answered in a moved tone; "when I think of that, I can +scarcely refrain from going to her, taking her in my arms, and +lavishing caresses and endearments upon her; but then comes the +thought of her allowing that scoundrel to do the same, and I am ready +almost to whip her for it." His face flushed hotly, and his dark eyes +flashed as he spoke. + +"Oh, my dear!" exclaimed Rose, half frightened at his vehemence, "you +cannot mean it?" + +"Rose," he said, pacing to and fro in increasing excitement, "the +fellow is a vile wretch, whose very touch I esteem pollution to a +sweet, fair, innocent young creature like my daughter. I told her so, +and positively forbade her to so much as look at him, or permit him +to see her face, if it could be avoided, or to recognize, or hold the +slightest communication with him in any way. Yet in defiance of all +this, she allows him to take her hand and hold it for, I don't know +how long, put his arm around her waist and kiss her a number of times. +Now what does such disobedience deserve?" + +"Had she no excuse to offer?" + +"Excuse? Yes, she did not disobey deliberately--was taken by +surprise--forgot everything but that he was there." + +"Well, my dear," and Rose's hand was laid affectionately on his arm, +while a tender smile played about her mouth, and her sweet blue eyes +looked fondly into his. "You know how it is with lovers, if you will +only look back a very few years. I think there were times when you and +I forgot that there was anybody in the wide world but just our two +selves." + +A smile, a tender caress, a few very lover-like words, and resuming +his gravity and seriousness, Mr. Dinsmore went on: "But you forget +the odious character of the man. If I had objected to him from mere +prejudice or whim, it would have been a very different thing." + +"But you know Elsie does not believe--" + +"She ought to believe what her father tells her," he interrupted +hotly; "but believe or not, she must and shall obey me; and if she +does not I shall punish her." + +"And to do that, you need only look coldly on her, and refrain from +giving her caresses and endearing words. Such treatment from her +dearly loved father would of itself be sufficient, very soon, to crush +her tender, sensitive spirit." + +His face softened, the frown left his brow, and the angry fire his +eye. "My poor darling!" he murmured, with a sigh, his thoughts going +back to a time of estrangement between them long years ago. "Yes, +Rose, you are right; she is a very tender, delicate, sensitive plant, +and it behooves her father to be exceeding gentle and forbearing with +her." + +"Then you will forgive her, and take her to your heart again?" + +"Yes--if she is penitent;--and tell her that she owes it to her +mother's intercession; for I had intended to make her feel herself in +disgrace for days or weeks." + +Chloe was at that moment carrying a large silver waiter, filled with +delicacies, into the apartments of her young mistress. "Now, darlin', +do try to eat to please your ole mammy," she said coaxingly, as she +set it down before her. "I'se taken lots ob pains to fix up dese tings +dat my pet chile so fond ob." + +Elsie's only answer was a sad sort of smile; but for the sake of the +loving heart that had prompted the careful preparation of the tempting +meal--the loving eyes that watched her as she ate, she tried to do her +best. + +Only half satisfied with the result, Chloe bore the waiter away again, +while Elsie seated herself in a large easy-chair that was drawn up +close to the glass doors opening upon the lawn and laying her head +back upon its cushions, turned her eyes toward the outer world, +looking longingly upon the shaded alleys and gay parterres, the lawn +with its velvet carpet of emerald green, where a fountain cast up +its cool showers of spray, and long shadows slept, alternating with +brilliant patches of ruddy light from the slowly sinking sun. + +She sighed deeply, and her eyes filled with tears. "How long should +she be forbidden to wander there at her own sweet will?" + +A soft, cool hand was gently laid upon her aching brow, and looking +up she saw her father standing by her side. She had not heard his +approach, for his slippered feet made no noise in passing over the +rich velvet carpet. + +His face was grave, but no longer stern or angry. "Does your head +ache, daughter?" he asked almost tenderly. + +"Yes, papa; but not half so badly as my heart does," she answered, +a tear rolling quickly down her cheek. "I am so sorry for my +disobedience. Oh, papa, will you forgive me?" And her eyes sought +his with the imploring look he ever found it well-nigh impossible to +resist. + +"Yes, I will--I do," he said, stooping to press a kiss upon the +quivering lips. "I had thought I ought to keep you in disgrace some +time longer, but your mamma has pleaded for you, and for her sake--and +for the sake of a time, long ago, when I caused my little girl much +undeserved suffering," he added, his tones growing tremulous with +emotion, "I forgive and receive you back into favor at once." + +She threw her arm about his neck, and as he drew her to his breast, +laid her head down there, weeping tears of joy and thankfulness. +"Dear, kind mamma! and you too, best and dearest of fathers! I don't +deserve it," she sobbed. "I am afraid I ought to be punished for such +disobedience." + +"I think you have been," he said pityingly, "the last three days can +hardly have been very happy ones to you." + +"No, papa; very, very wretched." + +"My poor child! Ah, I must take better care of my precious one in +future. I shall allow you to go nowhere without either your mother or +myself to guard and protect you. Also, I shall break off your intimacy +with Lucy Carrington; she is henceforth to be to you a mere speaking +acquaintance; come, now we will take a little stroll through the +grounds. The cool air will, I hope, do your head good." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + 'Twas the doubt that thou wert false, + That wrung my heart with pain; + But now I know thy perfidy, + I shall be well again. + + --BRYANT. + + +Elsie submitted without a murmur to her father's requirements and +restrictions; but though there was nothing else to remind her that she +had been for one sad day in disgrace with him--his manner toward her +having again all the old tender fondness--she did not fully recover +her spirits, but, spite of her struggles to be cheerful and hopeful, +seemed often depressed, and grew pale and thin day by day. + +Her father noticed it with deep concern and anxiety. "Something +must be done," he said one day to his wife; "the child is drooping +strangely, and I fear will lose her health. I must try what change +will do for her. What do you say to a year in Europe?" + +"For all of us?" + +"Yes, for you and me and our two children." + +"It might be very pleasant, and Elsie has never been." + +"No; I have always meant to take her, but found home so enjoyable that +I have put it off from year to year." + +Elsie entered the room as he spoke. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, making room for her on the sofa by his +side. "I was just saying to mamma that I think of taking you all to +Europe for a year. How should you like that?" + +"Oh, very much, papa!" she answered, looking up brightly; "I should so +enjoy seeing all the places you have told me of,--all the scenes of +your adventures when you travelled there before." + +"Then I think we will go. Shall we not, mamma?" + +"Yes; but I must pay a visit home first, and do some preparatory +shopping in Philadelphia. Can we go on in time to spend some weeks +there before sailing?" + +"You might, my dear; but I shall have to stay behind to arrange +matters here; which will take some time, in contemplation of so +lengthened an absence from the estate." + +"Then I suppose we must have a temporary separation," said Rose, in a +jesting tone; "I had better take the children and go home at once, so +that Elsie and I can be getting through our shopping, etc., while you +are busy here." + +"No, Rose; you may go, and take Horace with you, if you like; but +Elsie must stay with me. I cannot trust her even with you!" + +"Oh, papa!" And the sweet face flushed crimson, the soft eyes filled +with tears. + +"I think you misunderstand me, daughter," he said kindly; "I do not +mean that I fear you would fail in obedience to my commands or my +wishes; but that I must keep you under my protection. Besides, I +cannot possibly spare all my treasures--wife, son, and daughter--at +once. Would you wish to go and leave me quite alone?" + +"Oh no, no, indeed, you dear, dearest father!" she cried, putting her +arm round his neck, and gazing in his face with eyes beaming with joy +and love. + +"Yours is the better plan, I believe, my dear," said Rose. "I would +rather not have you left alone, and I think I could do what is +necessary for Elsie, in the way of shopping and ordering dresses made, +if she likes to trust me." + +So it was arranged; three days after this conversation Mrs. Dinsmore +left for Philadelphia, taking little Horace with her, and a fortnight +later Mr. Dinsmore followed with Elsie. + +Dearly as the young girl loved Rose and her little brother, it had yet +been an intense pleasure to her to have her father all to herself, and +be everything to him for those two weeks; and she was almost sorry to +have them come to an end. + +It was late at night when they reached the City of Brotherly Love. Mr. +Allison's residence was several miles distant from the depot, but his +carriage was there in waiting for them. + +"Are the family all well, Davis?" inquired Mr. Dinsmore, addressing +the coachman, as he placed Elsie in the vehicle. + +"All well, sir; Mrs. Dinsmore and the little boy too." + +"Ah, I am thankful for that. You may drive on at once. My man John +will call a hack and follow us with Aunt Chloe and the baggage." + +"Did you give John the checks, papa?" asked Elsie as he took his seat +by her side, and Davis shut the carriage door. + +"Yes. How weary you look, my poor child! There, lean on me," and he +put his arm about her and made her lay her head on his shoulder. + +They drove on rapidly, passing through several comparatively silent +and deserted streets, then suddenly the horses slackened their pace, +a bright light shone in at the carriage window and the hum of +many voices and sound of many feet attracted the attention of the +travellers. + +Elsie started and raised her head, asking, "What is it, papa?" + +"We are passing a theatre, and it seems the play is just over, judging +by the crowds that are pouring from its doors." + +Davis reined in his horses to avoid running over those who were +crossing the street, and Elsie, glancing from the window, caught sight +of a face she knew only too well. Its owner was in the act of stepping +from the door of the theatre, and staggered as he did so--would have +fallen to the ground had he not been held up by his companion, a +gaudily dressed, brazen-faced woman, whose character there was no +mistaking. + +"Ha, ha, Tom!" she cried, with a loud and boisterous laugh, "I saved +you from a downfall that time; which I'll be bound is more than that +Southern heiress of yours would have done." + +"Now don't be throwing her up to me again, Bet," he answered thickly, +reeling along so close to our travellers that they caught the scent of +his breath; "I tell you again she can't hold a candle to you, and I +never cared for her; it was the money I was after." + +Mr. Dinsmore saw a deadly pallor suddenly overspread his daughter's +face; for a single instant her eyes sought his with an expression of +mute despairing agony that wrung his heart; then all was darkness as +again the carriage rolled rapidly onward. + +"My poor, poor darling!" he murmured, drawing her close to him and +folding his arms about her as if he would shield her from every danger +and evil, while hers crept around his neck and her head dropped upon +his breast. + +The carriage rattled on over the rough stones. Elsie clung with +death-like grasp to her father, shudder after shudder shaking her +whole frame, in utter silence at first, but at length, as they came +upon a smoother road and moved with less noise and jolting, "Papa," +she whispered, "oh, what a fearful, fearful fate you have saved me +from! Thank God for a father's protecting love and care!" + +"Thank Him that I have my darling safe." he responded in a deeply +moved tone, and caressing her with exceeding tenderness. + +In another moment they had stopped before Mr. Allison's door, which +was thrown wide open almost on the instant; for Rose and Edward were +up, waiting and listening for their coming. + +"Come at last! glad to see you!" cried the latter, springing down +the steps to greet his brother-in-law as he alighted. Then, as Mr. +Dinsmore turned, lifted his daughter from the carriage, and half +carried her into the house, "But what's the matter? Elsie ill? hurt? +have you had an accident?" + +Rose stood waiting in the hall. "My dear husband!" she exclaimed in a +tone of mingled affection, surprise, and alarm. "What is it? what is +wrong with our darling? Come this way, into the sitting-room, and lay +her on the sofa." + +"She has received a heavy blow, Rose, but I think--I hope it will turn +out for her good in the end," he said low and tremulously, as he laid +her down. + +She seemed in a half-fainting condition, and Edward rushed away in +search of restoratives. + +Rose asked no more questions at the time, nor did her husband give any +further information, but in silence, broken only now and then by +a subdued whisper, they both devoted their energies to Elsie's +restoration. + +"Shall I go for a doctor?" asked Edward. + +"No, thank you. I think she will be better presently," answered Mr. +Dinsmore. + +"I am better now," murmured Elsie feebly. "Papa, if you will help me +up to bed, I shall do very well." + +"Can't you eat something first?" asked Rose, "I have a nice little +supper set out in the next room for papa and you." + +Elsie shook her head, and sighed, "I don't think I could, mamma; I am +not at all hungry." + +"I want you to try, though," said her father; "it is some hours now +since you tasted food, and I think you need it," and lifting her +tenderly in his arms he carried her into the supper-room, where he +seated her at the table in an easy-chair which Edward hastily wheeled +up for her use. + +To please her father she made a determined effort, and succeeded in +swallowing a few mouthfuls. After that he helped her to her room and +left her in the care of Rose and Chloe. + +Having seen with her own eyes, and heard with her own ears, Elsie +could no longer doubt the utter unworthiness of Egerton, or his +identity with Tom Jackson; of whose vices and crimes she had heard +from both her father and Walter, with whom she still kept up a +correspondence. She loved him no longer; nay, she had never loved him; +her affection had been bestowed upon the man she believed him to be, +not the man that he was. But now the scales had fallen from her eyes, +she saw him in all his hideous moral deformity, and shrank with horror +and loathing from the recollection that his arm had once encircled +her waist, his lip touched her cheek. She could now appreciate her +father's feelings of anger and indignation on learning that she had +permitted such liberties, and felt more deeply humbled and penitent on +account of it than ever before. + +She slept little that night, and did not leave her room for several +days. The sudden shock had quite unnerved her; but the cause of her +illness remained a secret between herself and her parents, who watched +over her with the tenderest solicitude, and spared no effort to +cheer and comfort her. She seemed at this time to shrink from all +companionship but theirs, although she and her mamma's younger +brothers and sisters had always entertained a warm friendship for each +other. + +On the fourth day after their arrival her father took her out for +a drive, and returning left her resting on the sofa in her +dressing-room, while he and Rose went for a short walk. + +The door-bell rang, and presently Chloe came up with a very smiling +face to ask if "Marse Walter" might come in. + +"Walter?" cried Elsie, starting up. "Yes, indeed!" + +She had scarcely spoken the words before he was there beside her, +shaking hands, and kissing her, saying with a gay boyish laugh, "I +suppose your uncle has a right?" + +"Yes, certainly; though I don't know when, he ever claimed it before. +But oh, how glad I am to gee you! and how you've grown and improved. +Sit down, do. There's an easy-chair. + +"Excuse my not getting up; papa bade me lie and rest for an hour." + +"Thanks, yes; and I know you always obey orders. And so you're on the +sick list? what's the matter?" + +An expression of pain crossed her features and the color faded from +her cheek. "I have been ailing a little," she said, "but am better +now. How is Arthur?" + +"H'm! well enough physically, but--in horrible disgrace with papa. +You've no idea, Elsie, to what an extent that Tom Jackson has fleeced +him. He's over head and ears in debt, and my father's furious. He has +put the whole matter into Horace's hands for settlement. Did he tell +you about it?" + +"No, he only said he expected to go to Princeton to-morrow to attend +to some business. He would have gone sooner, but didn't like to leave +me." + +"Careful of you as ever! that's right. I say, Elsie, I think Horace +has very sensible ideas about matters and things." + +"Do you? I own I think so myself," she answered with a quiet smile. + +"Yes; you see Arthur is in debt some thousands, a good share of it +what they call debts of honor. Papa had some doubt as to whether they +ought to be paid, and asked Horace what was his opinion. Adelaide +wrote me the whole story, you see. Here, I'll give it to you in his +exact words, as she reports them," he added, taking a letter from his +pocket and reading aloud, "'Father, don't think of such a thing! Why, +surely it would be encouraging gambling, which is a ruinous vice; and +paying a man for robbing and cheating. I would, if necessary, part +with the last cent to pay an honest debt; but a so-called debt of +honor (of dishonor would be more correct) I would not pay if I had +more money than I could find other uses for.' And I think he was +right. Don't you?" concluded Walter. + +"I think papa is always right." + +"Yes? Well, I was afraid you didn't think he was in regard to +that--fellow you met out in Lansdale; I've been wanting to see you to +tell you what I know of the scoundrelism of Tom Jackson, and the proof +that they are one and the same." + +"Yes, I know, I--I believe it now, Walter, and--But don't let us speak +of it again," she faltered, turning deathly pale and almost gasping +for breath. + +"I won't; I didn't know you'd mind; I--I'm very sorry," he stammered, +looking anxious, and vexed with himself. + +"Never mind; I shall soon learn not to care. Now tell me about Arthur. +Will he stay and finish his course?" + +"No; papa says his patience is worn out, and his purse can stand no +more such drains as Arthur has put upon it two or three times already. +So he is to leave and go home as soon as Horace has settled up his +affairs." + +"And you?" + +"I hope to go on and to graduate in another year." + +"Oh, Wal, I'm so glad! so thankful you have'nt followed in poor +Arthur's footsteps." + +"He wouldn't let me, Elsie; he actually wouldn't. I know I'm lacking +in self-reliance and firmness, and if Art had chosen to lead me wrong, +I'm afraid he'd have succeeded. But he says, poor fellow! that it's +enough for one to be a disgrace to the family, and has tried to keep +me out of temptation. And you can't think how much my correspondence +with you has helped to keep me straight. Your letters always did me so +much good." + +"Oh, thank you for telling me that!" she cried, with bright, glad +tears glistening in her eyes. + +"No, 'tis I that owe thanks to you," he said, looking down +meditatively at the carpet and twirling his watch-key between his +finger and thumb. + +"Poor Art! this ought to have been his last year, and doubtless would +if he had only kept out of bad company." + +"Ah, Wal, I hope that you will never forget that 'evil communications +corrupt good manners.'" + +"I hope not, Elsie. I wish you could stay and attend our commencement. +What do you say? Can't you? It comes off in about a fortnight." + +"No, Wal. I'm longing to get away, and papa has engaged our passage +in the next steamer. But perhaps we may return in time to see you +graduate next year." + +"What, in such haste to leave America! I'm afraid you're losing your +patriotism," he said playfully. + +"Ah, it is no want of love for my dear native land that makes me +impatient to be gone!" she answered half sadly. + +"And are you really to be gone a year?" + +"So papa intends, but of course everything in this world is +uncertain." + +"I shall look anxiously for my European letters, and expect them to be +very interesting." + +"I'll do my best, Wal," she said languidly, "but I don't feel, just +now, as if I could ever write anything worth reading." + +"I think I never saw you so blue," he said in a lively, jesting tone. +"I must tell you of the fun we fellows have, and if it doesn't make +you wish yourself one of us--Well," and he launched out into an +animated description of various practical jokes played off by the +students upon their professors or on each other. + +He succeeded at length in coaxing some of the old brightness into the +sweet face, and Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, mounting the stairs on their +return from their walk, exchanged glances of delighted surprise at the +sound of a silvery laugh which had not greeted their ears for days. + +Walter received a hearty welcome from both. His visit, though +necessarily short, was of real service to Elsie, doing much to rouse +her out of herself and her grief; thus beginning the cure which +time and change of scene--dulling the keen edge of sorrow and +disappointment, and giving pleasant occupation to her thoughts--would +at length carry on to completion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + "The shaken tree grows firmer at the roots; + So love grows firmer for some blasts of doubt." + + +It was two years or more since the Oaks had suffered the temporary +loss of its master and mistress, yet they had not returned; they still +lingered on foreign shores, and Mrs. Murray, who had been left at +the head of household affairs, looked in vain for news of their +home-coming. + +She now and then received a short business letter from Mr. Dinsmore +or of directions from Rose; or a longer one from the latter or Elsie, +giving entertaining bits of travel, etc.; and occasionally Adelaide +would ride over from Roselands and delight the old housekeeper's +heart by reading aloud a lively gossipy epistle one or the other had +addressed to her. + +How charmed and interested were both reader and listener; especially +when they came upon one of Rose's graphic accounts of their +presentation at court--in London, Paris, Vienna, or St. +Petersburg--wherein she gave a minute description of Elsie's dress +and appearance, and dwelt with motherly pride and delight upon the +admiration everywhere accorded to the beauty and sweetness of the +lovely American heiress. + +It was a great gratification to Adelaide's pride in her niece to learn +that more than one coronet had been laid at her feet; yet she was not +sorry to hear that they had been rejected with the gentle firmness +which she knew Elsie was capable of exercising. + +"But what more could the bairn or her father desire? would he keep the +sweet lassie single a' her days, Miss Dinsmore?" asked Mrs. Murray +when Adelaide told her this. + +"No," was the smiling rejoinder; "I know he would be very loath to +resign her; but this is Elsie's own doing. She says the man for whom +she would be willing to give up her native land must be very dear +indeed, that her hand shall never be given without her heart, and that +it still belongs more to her father than to any one else." + +"Ah, that is well, Miss Adelaide. I hae been sorely troubled aboot my +sweet bairn. I never breathed the thoct to ither mortal ear, but when +they cam hame frae that summer in the North, she was na the blythe +young thing she had been; and there was that in the wistfu' and +hungered look o' her sweet een--when she turned them whiles upon her +father--that made me think some ane he didna approve had won the +innocent young heart." + +"Ah, well, Mrs. Murray, whatever may have been amiss then, is all over +now. My sister writes me that Elsie seems very happy, and as devotedly +attached to her father as ever, insisting that no one ever can be so +dear to her as he." + +Mrs. Dinsmore's last letter was dated Naples, and there they still +lingered. + +One bright spring day they were out sight-seeing, and had wandered +into a picture-gallery which they had visited once or twice before. +Rose had her husband's arm. Elsie held her little brother's hand in +hers. + +"Sister," said the child, "look at those ladies and gentlemen. They +are English, aren't they?" + +"Yes; I think so," Elsie answered, following the direction of his +glance; "a party of English tourists. No, one of the gentlemen looks +like an American." + +"That one nearest this way? I can only see his side face, but I think +he is the handsomest. Don't you?" + +"Yes; and he has a fine form too, an easy, graceful carriage, and +polished manners," she added, as at that moment he stooped to pick +up a handkerchief, dropped by one of the ladies of his party, and +presented it to its owner. + +Elsie was partial to her own countrymen, and unaccountably to herself, +felt an unusual interest in this one. She watched him furtively, +wondering who he was, and thinking that in appearance and manners he +compared very favorably with the counts, lords, and dukes who in the +past two years had so frequently hovered about her, and hung upon her +smiles. + +But her father called her attention to something in the painting he +and Rose were examining, and when she turned to look again for the +stranger and his companions, she perceived that they were gone. + +"Papa," she asked, "did you notice that party of tourists?" + +"Not particularly. What about them?" + +"I am quite certain one of the gentlemen was an American; and I half +fancied there was something familiar in his air and manner." + +"Ah! I wish you had spoken of it while he was here, that I might have +made sure whether he were an old acquaintance. But come," he added, +taking out his watch, "it is time for us to return home." + +The Dinsmores were occupying an old palace, the property of a noble +family whose decayed fortunes compelled the renting of their +ancestral home. In the afternoon of the day of their visit to the +picture-gallery Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter were seated in its +spacious saloon, she beside a window overlooking the street, he at +a little distance from her, and near to a table covered with books, +magazines, and newspapers. That day had brought him a heavy mail from +America, and he was examining the New York and Philadelphia dailies +with keen interest. + +Elsie was evidently paying no heed to what might be passing in the +street. A bit of fancy work gave employment to her fingers, while her +thoughts were busy with the contents of a letter received from her +Aunt Adelaide that morning. + +It brought ill news. Arthur had been seriously injured by a railroad +accident and, it was feared, was crippled for life. But that was not +all. Dick Percival--whom Enna had married nearly two years before--had +now become utterly bankrupt, having wasted his patrimony in rioting +and drunkenness, losing large sums at the gaming-table; and his young +wife, left homeless and destitute, had been compelled to return to her +father's house with her infant son. + +Mr. Dinsmore uttered a slight exclamation. + +"What is it, papa?" asked Elsie, lifting her eyes to meet his fixed +upon her with an expression of mingled gratitude and tenderness. + +"Come here," he said, and as she obeyed he drew her to his knee, +passing his arm about her waist, and, holding the paper before her, +pointed to a short paragraph which had just caught his eye. + +She read it at a glance; her face flushed, then paled; she put her arm +about his neck, and laid her cheek to his, while tears trembled in the +sweet eyes, as soft and beautiful as ever. + +For a moment neither spoke; then she murmured in low, quivering tones +the same words that had fallen from her lips two years ago,--"Thank +God for a father's protecting love and care!" + +"Thank Him that I have my daughter safe in my arms," he said, +tightening his clasp about her slender waist. "Ah, my own precious +child, how could I ever have borne to see you sacrificed to that +wretch!" + +They had just learned that Tom Jackson had been tried for manslaughter +and for forgery, found guilty on both charges, and sentenced to the +State's Prison for a long term of years. + +They were quiet again for a little; then Elsie said, "Papa, I want to +ask you something." + +"Well, daughter, say on." + +"I have been thinking how sad it must be for poor Enna to find herself +so destitute, and that I should like to settle something upon her--say +ten or twenty thousand dollars, if I may--" + +"My dear child," he said with a smile, "I have no control over you +now as regards the disposal of your property. Do you forget that you +passed your majority three weeks ago?" + +"No, papa, I have not forgotten; but I don't mean ever to do anything +of importance without your approval. So please make up your mind that +I'm always to be your own little girl; never more than eighteen or +twenty to you. Now won't you answer my question about Enna?" + +"I think it would be quite as well, or better, to defer any such +action for the present. It won't hurt Enna to be made to feel poor and +dependent for a time; she needs the lesson; and her parents will not +allow her to suffer privation of any sort. Ah, here comes mamma in +walking attire. We are going out for perhaps an hour; leaving house, +servants, and the little ones in your charge. Horace, be careful to do +just as your sister tells you." + +"Yes, papa, I will," answered the child, who had come in with his +mother, and had a book in his hand. "Will you help me with my lesson, +Elsie, and hear me say it when it is learned?" + +"Yes, that I will. Here's a stool for you close by my side," she said, +going back to her seat by the window. + +"Good-bye, dears, we won't be gone long." said Rose, taking her +husband's arm. + +Elsie and Horace watched them till they had passed out of sight far +down the street, then returned to their employments; her thoughts +now going back, not to Roselands, but to Lansdale, Ashlands, and +Philadelphia; memory and imagination bringing vividly before her each +scene of her past life in which Egerton had borne a part. Did any of +the old love come back? No, for he was not the man who had won her +esteem and affection; and even while sending up a silent petition for +his final conversion, she shuddered at the thought of her past danger, +and was filled with gratitude to God and her father at the remembrance +of her narrow escape. + +Her brother's voice recalled her from her musings. "Look, sister," he +exclaimed, glancing from the window, "there is the very same gentleman +we saw this morning! and see, he's crossing the street! I do believe +he's coming here." + +Elsie looked, recognized the stranger, and perceived, with a slight +emotion of surprise and pleasure, that he was approaching their door. +That he was her countryman, and perhaps direct from her dear native +land, was sufficient to make him a welcome visitor. + +The next moment John threw open the door of the saloon and announced, +"A gentleman from America!" + +"One who brings no letter of introduction; yet hopes for an audience +of you, fair lady," he said, coming forward with smiling countenance +and outstretched hand. + +"Mr. Travilla! can it be possible!" she cried, starting up in joyful +astonishment, and hastening to bid him welcome. + +"You are not sorry to see me then, my little friend?" he said, taking +her offered hand and pressing it in both of his. + +"Sorry, my dear sir! what a question! Were you not always a most +welcome guest in my father's house? and if welcome at home, much more +so here in a foreign land." + +Mr. Travilla looked into the sweet face, more beautiful than ever, and +longed to treat her with the affectionate freedom of former days, yet +refrained; the gentle dignity of her manner seeming to forbid it, +pleased and cordial as was her greeting. + +He turned to Horace and shook hands with him, remarking that he had +grown very much. + +"I am very glad to see you, sir," said the boy. + +"You have not forgotten me then?" + +"Ah, no, indeed; and I can't think how it was that sister and I did +not know you yesterday in the picture-gallery; though we knew you were +an American!" + +"Ah, were you there? How blind I must have been!" and he turned to +Elsie again. + +"We were there for but a few minutes before your party left; and quite +at the other end of that long gallery," she said. "But I am surprised +that I failed to recognize you, even at that distance. But I had no +thought of your being in the country. How delighted papa will be +to see you. He has often spoken of the old times when you and he +travelled over Europe together, and wished that you were with him on +this trip. He and mamma have gone out, but will be in presently." + +Elsie had many inquiries to make in regard to the health and welfare +of relatives and friends, and the old family servants at the Oaks; Mr. +Travilla numerous questions to ask concerning all that she had seen +and done since leaving America. But in the midst of it all she +exclaimed, "Ah, you must see our little Frenchwoman! such a darling as +she is!" + +"I'll ring the bell, sister," said Horace, seeing her glance toward +it. + +John appeared in answer, was ordered to tell the nurse to bring the +baby, and a neatly dressed middle-aged woman presently entered the +room, carrying a lovely infant a little more than a year old. + +"See, is she not a darling?" said Elsie, taking it in her arms. "She +has mamma's own sweet pretty blue eyes, and is named for her. Our +Rosebud we call her. Papa gave her the name, and he says she is as +much like her mother as I am like mine. You don't know, Mr. Travilla, +how glad I was when she came to us; it was something so new and +delightful to have a sister of my own. Ah, I love her dearly, and she +returns my affection. There, see her lay her little head down on my +shoulder." + +Mr. Travilla admired and caressed the little creature, coaxed her to +come to him for a moment, and the nurse carried her away. + +"When do you return home, Elsie?" he asked. + +"In the fall. Mr. and Mrs. Perris, mamma's grandparents, have their +golden wedding in October. Sophy expects to be married at the same +time, and of course we wish to be present on the occasion. We have +yet to visit Turin, Venice, and Munich. After seeing these places we +intend to spend the rest of the summer in Switzerland, sailing for +America some time in September. Ah, here are papa and mamma!" she +added as the two entered the room together. + +"Travilla! what favorable wind blew you here?" cried Mr. Dinsmore, +shaking his friend's hand, in almost boyish delight. + +"A westerly one, I believe," answered Travilla, laughing and shaking +hands with Rose, who looked scarcely less pleased than her husband. +"They think at Roselands and the Oaks that your year is a very long +one, or that you have lost your reckoning, and were anxious to send +a messenger to assist you in recovering it; so I volunteered my +services." + +"Ah, that was kind! but to be able to do so to advantage you will need +to take up your abode with us for the present, and to make one of our +party when we start again upon our travels." + +"Of course you will," added Rose; "we always consider you one of the +family; a sort of brother to us and uncle to the children." + +"Thank you, you are most kind," he said, a slight flush suffusing his +cheek for an instant, while his eyes involuntarily sought Elsie's face +with a wistful, longing look. + +Her father turned laughingly to her. "Is this your stranger of the +picture-gallery? ah, are you not ashamed of failing to recognize so +old a friend?" + +"Yes, papa, but I did not catch sight of his full face, and he was +at quite a distance, and I never thinking of the possibility that he +could be anywhere out of America." + +"And time makes changes in us all--is fast turning me into a quiet +middle-aged man." + +"You are very kind to furnish another excuse for my stupidity," said +Elsie, smiling, "but I really cannot see that you have changed in the +least since I saw you last." + +"And no stranger would ever think of pronouncing you over thirty," +added Rose. + +"Ah, you flatter me, fair ladies," returned Mr. Travilla, smiling and +shaking his head. + +"No, I can vouch for the truthfulness and honesty of both," said Mr. +Dinsmore. + +Mr. Travilla did not hesitate to accept his friend's invitation, +knowing that it was honestly given, and feeling that he could not +decline it without doing violence to his own inclination. He made one +of their party during the rest of their stay in Europe and on the +voyage to America. + +His presence was most welcome to all; he saw no reason to doubt that, +and yet Elsie's manner sometimes saddened and depressed him. Not that +there was ever in it anything approaching to coolness, but it lacked +the old delightful familiarity, instead of which there was now a quiet +reserve, a gentle dignity, that kept him at a distance, and while +increasing his admiration for the fair girl, made him sigh for the old +childish days when she was scarcely under more constraint with him +than with her father. + +Our little party reached Philadelphia a fortnight before the golden +wedding. They found the handsome city residence of the Allisons +occupied by the family, and full of the pleasant stir and bustle of +preparation for the eventful day which was to witness the celebration +of the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris, and +the marriage of their granddaughter. + +Sophy, while paying a visit to Rose in her Southern home, had won the +heart of Harry Carrington, and they had been engaged a year or more. +Harry had once indulged in a secret penchant for Elsie; but now he +would not have exchanged his merry, blue-eyed Sophy for her, or for +any other lady in the land. + +The young couple were married at church, very early in the evening, +Elsie acting as first bridesmaid. Returning to the house the bridal +party were ushered into the drawing-room, which they found richly +ornamented with evergreens and flowers. In the centre rose a pyramid +of rare and beautiful blossoms, filling the air with their delicious +perfume. Above that was a wide arch of evergreens bearing the +monograms of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris, placed between the dates of their +marriage and of this anniversary. + +The old bride and groom sat together beneath the arch on one side of +the pyramid, while the newly-married pair took up a similar position, +upon the other. + +Only the family and near connections were present for the first half +hour. The eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris made a short address, +thanking his aged parents for their unselfish love and devotion to +their offspring, and exhorting the youthful bride and groom to follow +in their footsteps. Upon the conclusion of this little speech, +gifts were presented by children and grandchildren, and letters of +congratulation, in both poetry and prose, from absent friends were +read. + +After this the doors were thrown open to the invited guests, and for +the remainder of the evening the house was thronged with the elite of +the city, and with friends and acquaintances from other parts of the +country. + +Among the latter were Adelaide and Walter Dinsmore, and Mr. Travilla +and his mother. The last named was seated in the corner of a sofa, her +son standing by her side. + +He heard a low-breathed sigh, noted the quivering of her lip and +the gathering tears in the gentle eyes, as she turned them upon the +gray-haired bride and groom, and he knew that her thoughts were with +the early dead, the husband and father whose image he could scarcely +recall. His heart swelled with tender pitying, protecting love, as he +thought of her long, lonely widowhood, and of all that she had been +and still was to him. + +But her gaze wandered to the pair standing just upon the threshold of +married life; and smiling up at him, "They are a handsome couple," she +said; "how proud and happy Harry looks! Ah, Edward, when will your +turn come?" + +He shook his head with a rather melancholy smile. + +"It is your own fault, I am sure," she continued in a playful tone; +"there are plenty of pretty girls and charming young widows who would +like well to be mistress of Ion, and I am growing old, and sometimes +feel that I would be glad to resign the sceptre to younger hands." + +He gave her a glance of affectionate concern. "I shall look for a +housekeeper immediately. I ought to have thought of it before." + +"No, no, it is a daughter I want," she returned still playfully. "I +have often wondered how it has come to pass that my warm-hearted boy +seems so perfectly invulnerable to Cupid's darts." + +"All seeming, mother," he answered lightly, but with a wistful +yearning look in his eyes which were fixed upon a little group on the +farther side of the room; "to tell you a secret," and he bent down, +that the low-breathed words might catch her ear alone, "I have been +hopelessly in love for many years." + +She started with surprise,--for there was the ring of deep, earnest +feeling beneath the jesting tone--then following the direction of +his glance, and perceiving that the group upon which it rested +was composed of Adelaide and Elsie Dinsmore, with some half dozen +gentlemen who had gathered about them, she looked greatly pleased. + +"And why hopeless?" she asked. + +"Ah, the evidences of indifference are so patent that I cannot hope +she will ever learn to care for me." + +"And pray what may they be?" + +"Constraint and reserve, where formerly there was much warmth and +cordiality of manner." + +"You foolish boy! if that be all, you may take heart. I would not ask +for better symptoms. And remember the old proverb--'Faint heart never +won fair lady.' You do not fear that she still clings to the old +love?" + +"No, ah no!" + +"I never saw Adelaide look better than she does to-night," was Mrs. +Travilla's next remark; "what a queenly presence, and noble face she +has, and how very lovely our little Elsie is! She seems to have gained +every womanly grace without losing a particle of her sweet childish +simplicity and freshness." + +Her son assented with a slight sigh, and wandered off in their +direction. But before he reached the little group, Elsie had taken +Harold Allison's arm and was being led away toward the conservatory. +Harold had a rare plant to show her, and was glad of the excuse to get +her to himself for a few moments. + +For the rest of the evening Mr. Travilla devoted himself to Adelaide, +his mother looking on with beaming countenance, and thinking how +gladly she would welcome the dear girl to her heart and home. + +It was past twelve when the company dispersed. Harry and his bride +having started an hour before upon their wedding tour. + +"Get to bed as soon as you can, my dear child; you are looking sadly +fatigued," Mr. Dinsmore said, putting his arm about his daughter as +she came to him for her good-night kiss. + +"I will, papa," she answered, clinging to him with more than her usual +warmth of affection. "Dear papa, what could I ever do without you to +love me?" + +"My darling, if it please the Lord, may we be long spared to each +other," he whispered, clasping her close. "Now, good-night, and may He +bless you, and keep you, and ever cause his face to shine upon you." + +Elsie turned away with eyes full of tears, and her pillow was bedewed +with them ere she slept that night. But the morning found her +apparently her own bright, sunny self again. + +She was in her mamma's dressing-room soon after breakfast, chatting +with her and Adelaide, Mr. Dinsmore sitting by with Rosebud on his +knee. Of course they were discussing the wedding, how lovely the bride +and her attendants looked, how handsome the groom, how tasteful and +becoming was the dress of this lady and that, how attentive was Mr. +Such-an-one to Miss So-and-so, etc., etc. Rose making a little jesting +allusion to "the devotion of a certain gentleman to Adelaide;" and +saying how delighted she was; nothing could please her better than for +them to fancy each other; when in the midst of it all, a servant came +up with a message. "Mr. Travilla was in the drawing-room asking for +Miss Dinsmore,--Miss Adelaide." + +She went down at once, and as the door closed upon her, Rose turned to +her husband with the laughing remark, "It would be a splendid match! +they seem just made for each other. I wonder they didn't find it out +long ago, and I begin to quite set my heart upon it." + +"Better not, my dear, lest they disappoint you, and allow me to advise +you to let match-making alone; 'tis a dangerous business. Elsie, my +child, you are looking pale this morning; late hours do not agree +with you. I think I shall have to take to sending you to bed at nine +o'clock again, when once I get you home." + +"Won't ten be early enough, papa?" she answered with a faint smile, a +vivid color suddenly suffusing her cheek. + +"Well, we will see about it. But I can't have you looking so. Go and +put on your hat and shawl, and I will take you and mamma out for an +airing?" + +"Looking so?" said Rose, with an arch glance at the glowing cheeks, as +she stooped to take Rosebud in her arms, "she is not pale now." + +"No, certainly not," he said. "Come back, daughter," for Elsie had +risen to obey his order, and was moving toward the door, "come here +and tell me what ails you?" + +"I am quite well, papa, only a little tired from last night, I +believe," she answered, as he took her hands in his and looked +searchingly into her face. + +"I hope that is all," he said a little anxiously. "You must lie down +and try to get a nap when we return from our drive; and remember you +must be in bed by ten o'clock to-night." + +"I shall do just as my father bids me," she said, smiling up at him, +"my dear father who is so kindly careful of me." Then as he let go her +hands, she tripped lightly from the room. + +Mr. Travilla had come on an errand from his mother; she begged +Adelaide's advice and assistance in a little shopping. + +Adelaide was at leisure, and at once donned bonnet and shawl and went +with him to the Girard House, where the old lady awaited their coming, +and the three spent the remainder of the morning in attending to Mrs. +Travilla's purchases and visiting the Academy of Fine Arts. In driving +down Chestnut street, the Dinsmores passed them on their way to the +Academy. + +Adelaide did not return to Mr. Allison's to dinner, but Mr. Travilla +called presently after, to say that she had dined with his mother and +himself at the hotel, and would not return until bed-time, as they +were all going to hear Gough lecture that evening. + +He was speaking to Mrs. Allison. Several of the family were in the +room, Elsie among them. She was slipping quietly away, when he turned +toward her, saying: "Would you not like to go with us, my little +friend? I think you would find it entertaining, and we would be glad +to have you." + +"Thank you, sir, you are very kind, but a prior engagement compels me +to decline," she answered, glancing smilingly at her father. + +"She has not been looking well to-day, and I have ordered her to go +early to bed to-night," Mr. Dinsmore said. + +"Ah, that is right!" murmured Mr. Travilla, rising to take leave. + +The Travillas staid a week longer in the city. During that time +Adelaide went out with them, quite frequently, but Elsie saw scarcely +anything of her old friend; which was, however, all her own fault, +as she studiously avoided him; much to his grief and disturbance. He +could not imagine what he had done to so completely estrange her from +him. + +Mr. Dinsmore felt in some haste to be at home again, but Mrs. Allison +pleaded so hard for another week that he consented to delay. Adelaide +and Walter went with the Travillas, and wanted to take Elsie with +them, but he would not hear of such an arrangement; while she said +very decidedly that she could not think of being separated from her +father. + +She seemed gay and happy when with the family, or alone with him or +Rose; but coming upon her unexpectedly in her dressing-room, the day +after the others had left, he found her in tears. + +"Why, my darling, what can be the matter?" he asked, taking her in his +arms. + +"Nothing, papa," she said, hastily wiping away her tears and hiding +her blushing face on his breast--"I--I believe I'm a little homesick." + +"Ah, then, why did you not ask to go with the others?" + +"And leave you? Ah, do you not know that my father is more--a great +deal more than half of home to me?" she answered, hugging him close. +"And you wouldn't have let me go?" + +"No, indeed, not I; but I'm afraid I really ought to read you a +lecture. I daresay you miss Sophy very much, but still there are young +people enough left in the house to keep you from feeling very dull and +lonely, I should think; and as you have all your dear ones about you, +and expect to go home in a few days--" + +"I ought to be cheerful and happy. I know it, papa," she said, as he +paused, leaving his sentence unfinished, "and I'm afraid I'm very +wicked and ungrateful. But please don't be vexed with me, and I will +try to banish this feeling of depression." + +"I fear you are not well," he said, turning her face to the light and +examining it with keen scrutiny; "tell me, are you ill?" + +"No, papa, I think not. Don't be troubled about me." + +"I shall send for a doctor if this depression lasts," he said +decidedly, "for I shall have to conclude that it must arise from some +physical cause, since I know of no other; and it is so foreign to the +nature of my sunny-tempered little girl." + +He saw no more of it, though he watched her carefully. + +Great was the rejoicing at the Oaks when at last the family returned. +Adelaide was there to welcome them, and Elsie thought she had never +seen her look so youthful, pretty, and happy, Chloe remarked upon it +while preparing her young mistress for bed, adding that the report in +the kitchen was that Miss Adelaide and Mr. Travilla were engaged, and +would probably marry very soon. + +Elsie made no remark, but her heart seemed to sink like lead in her +bosom. "Why am I grieving so? what is there in this news to make me +sorry?" she asked herself as she wetted her pillow with her tears. +"I'm sure I'm very glad that dear Aunt Adie is so happy, and--and I +used often to wish he was my uncle." Yet the tears would not cease +their flow till she had wept herself to sleep. + +But she seemed bright and gay as usual in the morning, and meeting +her parents at the breakfast-table, thought they looked as though +something had pleased them greatly. + +It was Rose who told her the news, as an hour later they sauntered +around the garden together, noting the changes which had taken place +there in their absence. + +"I have something to tell you, dear," Rose said, and Elsie shivered +slightly, knowing what was coming; "something that pleases your father +and me very much, and I think will make you glad too. Can you guess +what it is?" + +"About Aunt Adelaide, mamma?" Elsie stooped over a plant, thus +concealing her face from view, and so controlled her voice that it +betrayed no emotion. "Yet; I know; she is engaged." + +"And you are pleased with the match, of course; I knew you would be. +You used so often to wish that he was your uncle, and now he soon will +be. Your papa and I are delighted; we think there could not have been +a more suitable match for either." + +"I am very glad for her--dear Aunt Adie--and for--for him too," Elsie +said, her voice growing a little husky at the last. + +But Rose was speaking to the gardener, and did not notice it, and +Elsie wandered on, presently turned into the path leading to her arbor +and seeking its welcome privacy, there relieved her full heart by a +flood of tears. + +Mr. Travilla called that day, but saw nothing of his "little friend," +and in consequence went away very sorrowful, and pondering deeply +the question what he could have done to alienate her affections so +entirely from him. + +The next day he came again, quite resolved to learn in what he had +offended, and was overjoyed at hearing that she was alone in her +favourite arbor. + +He sought her there and found her in tears. She hastily wiped them +away on perceiving his approach, but could not remove their traces. + +"Good-morning," she said, rising and giving him her hand; but with the +reserved manner that had now become habitual, instead of the pleasant +ease and familiarity of earlier days; "were you looking for papa? I +think he is somewhere on the plantation." + +"No, my dear child, it was you I wished to see." + +"Me, Mr. Travilla?" and she east down her eyes, while her cheek +crimsoned; for he was looking straight into them with his, so wistful +and tender, so fall of earnest, questioning, sorrowful entreaty, that +she knew not how to meet their gaze. + +"Yes, you, my little friend, for I can no longer endure this torturing +anxiety. Will you not tell me, dear child, what I have done to hurt or +grieve you so?" + +"I--I'm not hurt or gri--you have always been most kind," she +stammered, "most--But why should you think I--I was--" + +The rest of the sentence was lost in a burst of tears, and covering +her burning cheeks with her hands, she sank down upon the seat from +which she had risen to greet him. + +"My dear child, I did not mean to pain you so; do not weep, it breaks +my heart to see it. I was far from intending to blame you, or complain +of your treatment," he said in an agitated tone, and bending over her +in tender concern. "I only wanted to understand my error in order that +I might retrieve it, and be no longer deprived of your dear society. +Oh, little Elsie, if you only knew how I love you; how I have loved +you, and only you, all these years--as child and as woman--how I have +waited and longed, hoping even against hope, that some day I might be +able to win the priceless treasure of your young heart." + +Intense, glad surprise made her drop her hands and look up at him. +"But are you not--I--I thought--I understood--Aunt Adelaide--" + +"Your Aunt Adelaide!" he cried, scarcely less astonished than herself, +"can it be that you do not know--that you have not heard of her +engagement to Edward Allison?" + +A light broke upon Elsie at that question, and her face grew radiant +with happiness; there was one flash of exceeding joy in the soft eyes +that met his, and then they sought the ground. + +"Oh, my darling, could you? is it--can it be--" + +He took her in his arms, folded her close to his heart, calling her by +every tender and endearing name, and she made no effort to escape, or +to avoid his caresses; did nothing but hide her blushing face on his +breast, and weep tears of deep joy and thankfulness. + +It might have been half an hour or an hour afterward (they reckoned +nothing of the flight of time) that Mr. Dinsmore, coming in search of +his daughter, found them seated side by side, Mr. Travilla with his +arm about Elsie's waist, and her hand in his. So absorbed were they in +each other that they had not heard the approaching footsteps. + +It was a state of affairs Mr. Dinsmore was far from expecting, and +pausing upon the threshold, he stood spell-bound with astonishment. +"Elsie!" he said at length. + +Both started and looked up at the sound of his voice, and Mr. +Travilla, still holding fast to his new-found treasure, said in tones +tremulous with joy, "Will you give her to me, Dinsmore? she is willing +now." + +"Ah, is it so, Elsie, my darling?" faltered the father, opening his +arms to receive her as she flew to him. "Is it so? have I lost the +first place in my daughter's heart?" he repeated, straining her to his +breast, and pressing his lips again and again to her fair brow. + +"Dear papa, I never loved you better," she murmured, clinging more +closely to him. "I shall never cease to be your own dear daughter; can +never have any father but you--my own dear, dear papa. And you will +not be left without a little girl to pet and fondle; darling Rosebud +will fill my place." + +"She has her own; but neither she nor any one else can ever fill +yours, my darling," he answered with a quivering lip. "How can I--how +can I give you up? my first-born, my Elsie's child and mine." + +"You will give her to me, my friend?" repeated Travilla. "I will +cherish her as the apple of my eye; I shall never take her away from +you, you may see her every day. You love her tenderly, but she is +dearer to me than my own soul." + +"If you have won her heart, I cannot refuse you her hand. Say, Elsie, +my daughter, is it so?" + +"Yes, papa," she whispered, turning her blushing face away from his +keen, searching gaze. + +"I can hardly bear to do it. My precious one, I don't know how to +resign you to another," he said in a voice low and tremulous with +emotion, and holding her close to his heart; "but since it is your +wish, I must. Take her, my friend, she is yours. But God do so to you, +and more also, if ever you show her aught but love and tenderness." + +He put her hand into Travilla's, and turned to go. But she clung to +him with the other. "Yours too, papa," she said, looking up into his +sad face with eyes that were full of tears, "always your own daughter +who loves you better than life." + +"Yes, darling, and who is as dearly loved in return," he said, +stooping to press another kiss on the ruby lips. "Let us be happy, for +we are not to part." Then walking quickly away, he left them alone +together. + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Elsie's Girlhood, by Martha Finley + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD *** + +***** This file should be named 9963.txt or 9963.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/9/6/9963/ + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Josephine Paolucci, and +Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Elsie's Girlhood + +Author: Martha Finley + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9963] +[This file was first posted on November 5, 2003] +[Most recently updated November 26, 2005] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD *** + + + + +E-text prepared by Charles Aldarondo, Josephine Paolucci, and Project +Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + +ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD + +A SEQUEL TO + +"ELSIE DINSMORE" AND "ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS" + +BY + +MARTHA FINLEY + +1872 + + + + + + + +"Oh! time of promise, hope, and innocence, Of trust, and love, and +happy ignorance! Whose every dream is heaven, in whose fair joy +Experience yet has thrown no black alloy." + +--THOUGHTS OF A RECLUSE + + + + +PREFACE + + +Some years have now elapsed since my little heroine "ELSIE DINSMORE" +made her debut into the great world. She was sent out with many an +anxious thought regarding the reception that might await her there. +But she was kindly welcomed, and such has been the favor shown her +ever since that Publishers and Author have felt encouraged to prepare +a new volume in which will be found the story of those years that have +carried Elsie on from childhood to womanhood--the years in which +her character was developing, and mind and body were growing and +strengthening for the real work and battle of life. + +May my readers who have admired and loved her as a child find her +still more charming in her fresh young girlhood; may she prove to all +a pleasant companion and friend; and to those of them now treading the +same portion of life's pathway a useful example also, particularly in +her filial love and obedience. + +M.F. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +It is a busy, talking world. + +--ROWE. + + +"I think I shall enjoy the fortnight we are to spend here, papa; it +seems such a very pleasant place," Elsie remarked, in a tone of great +satisfaction. + +"I am glad you are pleased with it, daughter," returned Mr. Dinsmore, +opening the morning paper, which John had just brought up. + +They--Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie, Rose and Edward Allison--were occupying +very comfortable quarters in a large hotel at one of our fashionable +watering-places. A bedroom for each, and a private parlor for the +joint use of the party, had been secured in advance, and late the +night before they had arrived and taken possession. + +It was now early in the morning, Elsie and her papa were in his room, +which was in the second story and opened upon a veranda, shaded by +tall trees, and overlooking a large grassy yard at the side of the +building. Beyond were green fields, woods, and hills. + +"Papa," said Elsie, gazing longingly upon them, as she stood by the +open window, "can't we take a walk?" + +"When Miss Rose is ready to go with us." + +"May I run to her door and ask if she is?--and if she isn't, may I +wait for her out here on the veranda?" + +"Yes." + +She skipped away, but was back again almost immediately. "Papa, what +do you think? It's just too bad!" + +"What is too bad, daughter? I think I never before saw so cross a look +on my little girl's face," he said, peering at her over the top of his +newspaper. "Come here, and tell me what it is all about." + +She obeyed, hanging her head and blushing. "I think I have some reason +to be cross, papa," she said; "I thought we were going to have such a +delightful time here, and now it is all spoiled. You could never guess +who has the rooms just opposite ours; on the other side of the hall." + +"Miss Stevens?" + +"Why, papa; did you know she was here?" + +"I knew she was in the house, because I saw her name in the hotel book +last night when I went to register ours." + +"And it just spoils all our pleasure." + +"I hope not, daughter. I think she will hardly annoy you when you are +close at my side; and that is pretty much all the time, isn't it?" + +"Yes, papa, and I'll stick closer than ever to you if that will make +her let me alone," she cried, with a merry laugh, putting her arm +round his neck and kissing him two or three times. + +"Ah, now I have my own little girl again," he said, drawing her to his +knee and returning her caresses with interest: "But there, I hear Miss +Rose's step in the hall. Run to mammy and have your hat put on." + +Miss Stevens' presence proved scarcely less annoying to Elsie than the +child had anticipated. She tried to keep out of the lady's way, but it +was quite impossible. She could scarcely step out on the veranda, go +into the parlor, or take a turn in the garden by herself, but in +a moment Miss Stevens was at her side fawning upon and flattering +her--telling her how sweet and pretty and amiable she was, how dearly +she loved her, and how much she thought of her papa too: he was so +handsome and so good; everybody admired him and thought him such a +fine-looking gentleman, so polished in his manners, so agreeable and +entertaining in conversation. + +Then she would press all sorts of dainties upon the little girl +in such a way that it was next to impossible to decline them, and +occasionally even went so far as to suggest improvements, or rather +alterations, in her dress, which she said was entirely too plain. + +"You ought to have more flounces on your skirts, my dear," she +remarked one day. "Skirt flounced to the waist are so very pretty and +dressy, and you would look sweetly in them, but I notice you don't +wear them at all. Do ask your papa to let you get a new dress and have +it made so; I am sure he would consent, for any one can see that he is +very fond of you. He doesn't think of it; we can't expect gentlemen +to notice such little matters; you ought to have a mamma to attend +to such things for you. Ah! if you were my child, I would dress you +sweetly, you dear little thing!" + +"Thank you, ma'am, I daresay you mean to be very kind," replied Elsie, +trying not to look annoyed, "but I don't want a mamma, since my own +dear mother has gone to heaven; papa is enough for me, and I like the +way he dresses me. He always buys my dresses himself and says how they +are to be made. The dressmaker wanted to put more flounces on, but +papa didn't want them and neither did I. He says he doesn't like to +see little girls loaded with finery, and that my clothes shall be of +the best material and nicely made, but neat and simple." + +"Oh, yes; I know your dress is not cheap; I didn't mean that at all: +it is quite expensive enough, and some of your white dresses are +beautifully worked; but I would like a little more ornament. You wear +so little jewelry, and your father could afford to cover you with it +if he chose. A pair of gold bracelets, like mine for instance, would +be very pretty, and look charming on your lovely white arms: those +pearl ones you wear sometimes are very handsome--any one could tell +that they are the real thing--but you ought to have gold ones too, +with clasps set with diamonds. Couldn't you persuade your papa to buy +some for you?" + +"Indeed, Miss Stevens, I don't want them! I don't want anything but +what papa chooses to buy for me of his own accord. Ah! there is Miss +Rose looking for me, I must go," and the little girl, glad of an +excuse to get away, ran joyfully to her friend who had come to the +veranda, where she and Miss Stevens had been standing, to tell her +that they were going out to walk, and her papa wished to take her +along. + +Elsie went in to get her hat, and Miss Stevens came towards Rose, +saying, "I think I heard you say you were going to walk; and I +believe, if you don't forbid me, I shall do myself the pleasure of +accompanying you. I have just been waiting for pleasant company. I +will be ready in one moment." And before Rose could recover from her +astonishment sufficiently to reply she had disappeared through the +hall door. + +Elsie was out again in a moment, just as the gentlemen had joined +Rose, who excited their surprise and disgust by a repetition of Miss +Stevens' speech to her. + +Mr. Dinsmore looked excessively annoyed, and Edward "pshawed, and +wished her at the bottom of the sea." + +"No, brother," said Rose, smiling, "you don't wish any such thing; on +the contrary, you would be the very first to fly to the rescue if you +saw her in danger of drowning." + +But before there was time for anything more to be said Miss Stevens +had returned, and walking straight up to Mr. Dinsmore, she put her arm +through his, saying with a little laugh, and what was meant for a +very arch expression, "You see I don't stand upon ceremony with old +friends, Mr. Dinsmore. It isn't my way." + +"No, Miss Stevens, I think it never was," he replied, offering the +other arm to Rose. + +She was going to decline it on the plea that the path was too narrow +for three, but something in his look made her change her mind and +accept; and they moved on, while Elsie, almost ready to cry with +vexation, fell behind with Edward Allison for an escort. + +Edward tried to entertain his young companion, but was too much +provoked at the turn things had taken to make himself very agreeable +to any one; and altogether it was quite an uncomfortable walk: no +one seeming to enjoy it but Miss Stevens, who laughed and talked +incessantly; addressing nearly all her conversation to Mr. Dinsmore, +he answering her with studied politeness, but nothing more. + +Miss Stevens had, from the first, conceived a great antipathy to +Rose, whom she considered a dangerous rival, and generally avoided, +excepting when Mr. Dinsmore was with her; but she always interrupted +a tete-a-tete between them when it was in her power to do so without +being guilty of very great rudeness. This, and the covert sneers with +which she often addressed Miss Allison had not escaped Mr. Dinsmore's +notice, and it frequently cost him quite an effort to treat Miss +Stevens with the respectful politeness which he considered due to her +sex and to the daughter of his father's old friend. + +"Was it not too provoking, papa?" exclaimed Elsie, as she followed him +into his room on their return from their walk. + +"What, my dear?" + +"Why, papa, I thought we were going to have such a nice time, and she +just spoiled it all." + +"She? who, daughter?" + +"Why, papa, surely you know I mean Miss Stevens!" + +"Then why did you not mention her name, instead of speaking of her as +she? That does not sound respectful in a child of your age, and I wish +my little girl always to be respectful to those older than herself. +I thought I heard you the other day mention some gentleman's name +without the prefix of Mr., and I intended to reprove you for it at the +time. Don't do it again." + +"No, sir, I won't," Elsie answered with a blush. "But, papa," she +added the next moment, "Miss Stevens does that constantly." + +"That makes no difference, my daughter," he said gravely. "Miss +Stevens is the very last person I would have you take for your model; +the less you resemble her in dress, manners, or anything else, the +better. If you wish to copy any one let it be Miss Allison, for she is +a perfect lady in every respect." + +Elsie looked very much pleased. "Yes, indeed, papa," she said, "I +should be glad if I could be just like Miss Rose, she is always kind +and gentle to everybody; even the servants, whom Miss Stevens orders +about so crossly." + +"Elsie!" + +"What, papa?" she asked, blushing again, for his tone was reproving. + +"Come here and sit on my knee; I want to talk to you. I am afraid my +little daughter is growing censorious," he said, with a very grave +look as he drew her to his side. "You forget that we ought not to +speak of other people's faults." + +"I will try not to do it any more, papa," she replied, the tears +springing to her eyes; "but you don't know how very annoying Miss +Stevens is. I have been near telling her several times that I did wish +she would let me alone." + +"No, daughter, don't do that. You must behave in a lady-like manner +whether she does or not. We must expect annoyances in this world, my +child; and must try to bear them with patience, remembering that +God sends the little trials as well as the great, and that He has +commanded us to 'let patience have her perfect work.' I fear it is a +lack of the spirit of forgiveness that makes it so difficult for us to +bear these trifling vexations with equanimity. And you must remember +too, dear, that the Bible bids us be courteous, and teaches us to +treat others as we ourselves would wish to be treated." + +"I think you always remember the command to be courteous, papa," she +said, looking affectionately into his face. "I was wondering all the +time how you could be so very polite to Miss Stevens; for I was quite +sure you would rather not have had her along. And then, what right had +she to take your arm without being asked?" and Elsie's face flushed +with indignation. + +Her father laughed a little. "And thus deprive my little girl of her +rights," he said, softly kissing the glowing cheek. "Ah! I doubt if +you would have been angry had it been Miss Rose," he added, a little +mischievously. + +"Oh, papa, you know Miss Rose would never have done such a thing!" +exclaimed the little girl warmly. + +"Ah! well, dear," he said in a soothing tone; "we won't talk any more +about it. I acknowledge that I do not find Miss Stevens the most +agreeable company in the world, but I must treat her politely, and +show her a little attention sometimes; both because she is a lady and +because her father once saved my father's life; for which I owe a debt +of gratitude to him and his children." + +"Did he, papa? I am sure it was very good of him, and I will try to +like Miss Stevens for that. But won't you tell me about it?" + +"It was when they were both quite young men," said Mr. Dinsmore, +"before either of them was married: they were skating together and +your grandfather broke through the ice, and would have been drowned, +but for the courage and presence of mind of Mr. Stevens, who saved him +only by very great exertion, and at the risk of his own life." + +A few days after this, Elsie was playing on the veranda, with several +other little girls. "Do you think you shall like your new mamma, +Elsie?" asked one of them in a careless tone, as she tied on an apron +she had just been making for her doll, and turned it around to see how +it fitted. + +"My new mamma!" exclaimed Elsie, with unfeigned astonishment, dropping +the scissors with which she had been cutting paper dolls for some of +the little ones. "What can you mean, Annie? I am not going to have any +new mamma." + +"Yes, indeed, but you are though," asserted Annie positively; "for I +heard my mother say so only yesterday; and it must be so, for she Miss +Stevens told it herself." + +"Miss Stevens! and what does she know about it? what has she to do +with my papa's affairs?" asked Elsie indignantly, the color rushing +over face, neck, and arms. + +"Well, I should think she might know, when she is going to marry him," +returned the other, with a laugh. + +"She isn't! it's false! my"--but Elsie checked herself and shut her +teeth hard to keep down the emotion that was swelling in her breast. + +"It's true, you may depend upon it," replied Annie; "everybody in the +house knows it, and they are all talking about what a splendid match +Miss Stevens is going to make; and mamma was wondering if you knew +it, and how you would like her; and papa said he thought Mr. Dinsmore +wouldn't think much of her if he knew how she flirted and danced until +he came, and now pretends not to approve of balls, just because he +doesn't." + +Elsie made no reply, but dropping scissors, paper, and everything, +sprang up and ran swiftly along the veranda, through the hall, +upstairs, and without pausing to take breath, rushed into her father's +room, where he sat quietly reading. + +"Why, Elsie, daughter, what is the matter?" he asked in a tone of +surprise and concern, as he caught sight of her flushed and agitated +face. + +"Oh, papa, it's that hateful Miss Stevens; I can't bear her!" she +cried, throwing herself upon his breast, and bursting into a fit of +passionate weeping. + +Mr. Dinsmore said nothing for a moment; but thinking tears would prove +the best relief to her overwrought feelings, contented himself with +simply stroking her hair in a soothing way, and once or twice pressing +his lips gently to her forehead. + +"You feel better now, dearest, do you not?" he asked presently, as she +raised her head to wipe away her tears. + +"Yes, papa." + +"Now tell me what it was all about." + +"Miss Stevens does say such hateful things, papa!" + +He laid his finger upon her lips. "Don't use that word again. It does +not sound at all like my usually gentle sweet-tempered little girl." + +"I won't, papa," she murmured, blushing and hanging her head. Then +hiding her face on his breast, she lay there for several minutes +perfectly silent and still. + +"What is my little girl thinking of?" he asked at length. + +"How everybody talks about you, papa; last evening I was out on the +veranda, and I heard John and Miss Stevens' maid, Phillis, talking +together. It was moonlight, you know, papa," she went on, turning her +face toward him again: "and they were out under the trees and John had +his arm round her, and he was kissing her, and telling her how pretty +she was; and then they began talking about Miss Stevens and you, and +John told Phillis that he reckoned you were going to marry her--" + +"Who? Phillis?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, looking excessively amused. + +"Oh, papa; no; you know I mean Miss Stevens," Elsie answered in a tone +of annoyance. + +"Well, dear, and what of it all?" he asked, soothingly. "I don't think +the silly nonsense of the servants need trouble you. John is a sad +fellow, I know; he courts all the pretty colored girls wherever he +goes. I shall have to read him a serious lecture on the subject. But +it is very kind of you to be so concerned for Phillis." + +"Oh, papa, don't!" she said, turning away her face. "Please don't +tease me so. You know I don't care for Phillis or John; but that isn't +all." And then she repeated what had passed between Annie and herself. + +He looked a good deal provoked as she went on with her story; then +very grave indeed. He was quite silent for a moment after she had +done. Then drawing her closer to him, he said tenderly, "My poor +little girl, I am sorry you should be so annoyed; but you know it is +not true, daughter, and why need you care what other people think and +say?" + +"I don't like them to talk so, papa! I can't bear to have them say +such things about you!" she exclaimed indignantly. + +He was silent again for a little; then said kindly, "I think I had +better take you away from these troublesome talkers. What do you say +to going home?" + +"Oh, yes, papa, do take me home," she answered eagerly. "I wish we +were there now. I think it is the pleasantest place in the world and +it seems such a long, long while since we came away. Let us start +to-morrow, papa; can't we?" + +"But you know you will have to leave Miss Rose." + +"Ah! I forgot that," she said a little sadly; but brightening again, +she asked: "Couldn't you invite her to go home with us and spend the +winter? Ah! papa, do! it would be so pleasant to have her." + +"No, my dear, it wouldn't do," he replied with a grave shake of the +head. + +"Why, papa?" she asked with a look of keen disappointment. + +"You are too young to understand why," he said in the same grave tone, +and then relapsed into silence; sitting there for some time stroking +her hair in an absent way, with his eyes on the carpet. + +At last he said, "Elsie!" in a soft, low tone that quite made the +little girl start and look up into his face; for she, too, had been in +a deep reverie. + +"What, papa?" she asked, and she wondered to see how the color had +spread over his face, and how bright his eyes looked. + +"I have been thinking," he said, in a half hesitating way, "that +though it would not do to invite Miss Rose to spend the winter with +us, it might do very nicely to ask her to come and live at the Oaks." + +Elsie looked at him for a moment with a bewildered expression; then +suddenly comprehending, her face lighted up. + +"Would you like it, dearest?" he asked; "or would you prefer to go on +living just as we have been, you and I together? I would consult your +happiness before my own, for it lies very near my heart, my precious +one. I can never forgive myself for all I have made you suffer, and +when you were restored to me almost from the grave, I made a vow to do +all in my power to make your future life bright and happy." + +His tones were full of deep feeling, and as he spoke he drew her +closer and closer to him and kissed her tenderly again and again. + +"Speak, daughter, and tell me what you wish," he said, as she still +remained silent. + +At last she spoke, and he bent down to catch the words. "Dear papa," +she whispered, "would it make you happy? and do you think mamma knows, +and that she would like it?" + +"Your mamma loves us both too well not to be pleased with anything +that would add to our happiness," he replied gently. + +"Dear papa, you won't be angry if I ask another question?'"' + +"No, darling; ask as many as you wish." + +"Then, papa, will I have to call her mamma? and do you think my own +mamma would like it?" + +"If Miss Allison consents to take a mother's place to you, I am sure +your own mamma, if she could speak to you, would tell you she deserved +to have the title; and it would hurt us both very much if you refused +to give it. Indeed, my daughter, I cannot ask her to come to us unless +you will promise to do so, and to love and obey, her just as you do +me. Will you?" + +"I will try to obey her, papa; and I shall love her very dearly, for I +do already; but I can not love anybody quite so well as I love you, my +own dear, dear father!" she said, throwing her arms around his neck. + +He returned her caress, saying tenderly, "That is all I can ask, +dearest; I must reserve the first place in your heart for myself." + +"Do you think she will come, papa?" she asked anxiously. + +"I don't know, daughter; I have not asked her yet. But shall I tell +her that it will add to your happiness if she will be your mamma?" + +"Yes, sir; and that I will call her mamma, and obey her and love her +dearly. Oh, papa, ask her very soon, won't you?" + +"Perhaps; but don't set your heart too much on it, for she may not be +quite so willing to take such a troublesome charge as Miss Stevens +seems to be," he said, returning to his playful tone. + +Elsie looked troubled and anxious. + +"I hope she will, papa," she said; "I think she might be very glad to +come and live with you; and in such a beautiful home, too." + +"Ah! but everyone does not appreciate my society as highly as you do," +he replied, laughing and pinching her cheek; "and besides, you forget +about the troublesome little girl. I have heard ladies say they would +not marry a man who had a child." + +"But Miss Rose loves me, papa; I am sure she does," she said, +flushing, and the tears starting to her eyes. + +"Yes, darling, I know she does," he answered soothingly. "I am only +afraid she loves you better than she does me." + +A large party of equestrians were setting out from the hotel that +evening soon after tea, and Elsie, in company with several other +little girls, went out upon the veranda to watch them mount and ride +away. She was absent but a few moments from the parlor, where she had +left her father, but when she returned to it he was not there. Miss +Rose, too, was gone, she found upon further search, and though she had +not much difficulty in conjecturing why she had thus, for the first +time, been left behind, she could not help feeling rather lonely and +desolate. + +She felt no disposition to renew the afternoon's conversation with +Annie Hart, so she went quietly upstairs to their private parlor and +sat down to amuse herself with a book until Chloe came in from eating +her supper. Then the little girl brought a stool, and seating herself +in the old posture with her head in her nurse's lap, she drew her +mother's miniature from her bosom, and fixing her eyes lovingly upon +it, said, as she had done hundreds of times before: "Now, mammy, +please tell me about my dear, dear mamma." + +The soft eyes were full of tears; for with all her joy at the thought +of Rose, mingled a strange sad feeling that she was getting farther +away from that dear, precious, unknown mother, whose image had been, +since her earliest recollection, enshrined in her very heart of +hearts. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + O lady! there be many things + That seem right fair above; + But sure not one among them all + Is half so sweet as love;-- + Let us not pay our vows alone, + But join two altars into one. + + --O. W. HOLMES + + Here still is the smile that no cloud can o'ercast, + And the heart, and the hand, all thy own to the last. + + --MOORE. + + +Mr. Horace Dinsmore was quite remarkable for his conversational +powers, and Rose, who had always heretofore found him a most +entertaining companion, wondered greatly at his silence on this +particular evening. She waited in vain for him to start some topic of +conversation, but as he did not seem disposed to do so, she at length +made the attempt herself, and tried one subject after another. +Finding, however, that she was answered only in monosyllables, she too +grew silent and embarrassed, and heartily wished for the relief of +Elsie's presence. + +She had proposed summoning the child to accompany them as usual, but +Mr. Dinsmore replied that she had already had sufficient exercise, and +he would prefer having her remain at home. + +They had walked some distance, and coming to a rustic seat where they +had often rested, they sat down. The moon was shining softly down upon +them, and all nature seemed hushed and still. For some moments neither +of them spoke, but at length Mr. Dinsmore broke the silence. + +"Miss Allison," he said, in his deep, rich tones, "I would like to +tell you a story, if you will do me the favor to listen." + +It would have been quite impossible for Rose to tell why her heart +beat so fast at this very commonplace remark, but so it was; and she +could scarcely steady her voice to reply, "I always find your stories +interesting, Mr. Dinsmore." + +He began at once. + +"Somewhere between ten and eleven years ago, a wild, reckless boy +of seventeen, very much spoiled by the indulgence of a fond, doting +father, who loved and petted him as the only son of his departed +mother, was spending a few months in one of our large Southern cities, +where he met, and soon fell desperately in love with, a beautiful +orphan heiress, some two years his junior. + +"The boy was of too ardent a temperament, and too madly in love, to +brook for a moment the thought of waiting until parents and guardians +should consider them of suitable age to marry, in addition to which he +had good reason to fear that his father, with whom family pride was a +ruling passion, would entirely refuse his consent upon learning that +the father of the young lady had begun life as a poor, uneducated boy, +and worked his way up to wealth and position by dint of hard labor and +incessant application to business. + +"The boy, it is true, was almost as proud himself, but it was not +until the arrows of the boy-god had entered into his heart too +deeply to be extracted, that he learned the story of his charmer's +antecedents. Yet I doubt if the result would have been different had +he been abundantly forewarned; for oh, Miss Rose, if ever an angel +walked the earth in human form it was she!--so gentle, so good, so +beautiful!" + +He heaved a deep sigh, paused a moment, and then went on: + +"Well, Miss Rose, as you have probably surmised, they were privately +married. If that sweet girl had a fault, it was that she was too +yielding to those she loved, and she did love her young husband with +all the warmth of her young guileless heart; for she had neither +parents nor kinsfolk, and he was the one object around which her +affections might cling. They were all the world to each other, and for +a few short months they were very happy. + +"But it could not last; the marriage was discovered--her guardian and +the young man's father were both furious, and they were torn asunder; +she carried away to a distant plantation, and he sent North to attend +college. + +"They were well-nigh distracted, but cherished the hope that when +they should reach their majority and come into possession of their +property, which was now unfortunately entirely in the hands of their +guardians, they would be reunited. + +"But--it is the old story--their letters were intercepted, and the +first news the young husband received of his wife was that she had +died a few days after giving birth to a little daughter." + +Again Mr. Dinsmore paused, then continued: + +"It was a terrible stroke! For months, reason seemed almost ready to +desert her throne; but time does wonders, and in the course of years +it did much to heal his wounds. You would perhaps suppose that he +would at once--or at least as soon as he was his own master--have +sought out his child, and lavished upon it the wealth of his +affections: but no; he had conceived almost an aversion to it; for he +looked upon it as the cause--innocent, it is true--but still the cause +of his wife's death. He did not know till long years afterwards +that her heart was broken by the false story of his desertion and +subsequent death. Her guardian was a hard, cruel man, though faithful +in his care of her property. + +"With him the child remained until she was about four years old when +a change was made necessary by his death, and she, with her faithful +nurse, was received into her paternal grandfather's family until her +father, who had then gone abroad, should return. But my story is +growing very long, and you will be weary of listening. I will try to +be as brief as possible. + +"The little girl, under the care of her nurse and the faithful +instructions of a pious old Scotchwoman--who had come over with the +child's maternal grandparents, and followed the fortunes of the +daughter and granddaughter, always living as housekeeper in the +families where they resided--had grown to be a sweet, engaging child, +inheriting her mother's beauty and gentleness. She had also her +mother's craving for affection, and was constantly looking and longing +for the return of her unknown father, which was delayed from time to +time until she was nearly eight years of age. + +"At last he came; but ah, what a bitter disappointment awaited the +poor child! His mind had been poisoned against her, and instead of +the love and tenderness she had a right to expect, he met her with +coldness--almost with aversion. Poor little one! she was nearly +heartbroken, and for a time scarcely dared venture into her father's +presence. She was gentle, submissive, and patient; he cold, haughty, +and stern. But she would love him, in spite of his sternness, and at +length she succeeded in winning her way to his affections, and he +learned to love her with passionate tenderness. + +"Still her troubles were not over. She was sincerely pious, and +conscientiously strict in many things which her father deemed of +little importance; especially was this the case in regard to the +observance of the Sabbath. He was a man of iron will, and she, though +perfectly submissive in other respects, had the firmness of a martyr +in resisting any interference with her conscience. + +"Well, their wills came in collision. He required her to do what she +considered a violation of God's law, although he could see no harm +in it, and therefore considered her stubborn and disobedient. He was +firm, but so was she. He tried persuasions, threats, punishments--all +without effect. He banished her from his arms, from the family circle, +deprived her of amusements, denied her to visitors, broke off her +correspondence with a valued friend, sent away her nurse; and finding +all these acts of severity ineffectual, he at length left her, telling +her he would return only when she submitted; and even refusing her a +parting caress, which she pleaded for with heart-breaking entreaties." + +Mr. Dinsmore's voice trembled with emotion, but recovering himself, he +went on: + +"Don't think, Miss Allison, that all this time the father's heart was +not bleeding; it was, at every pore; but he was determined to conquer, +and mistook the child's motives and the source of her strength to +resist his will. + +"He had bought a beautiful estate; he caused the house to be +handsomely fitted up and furnished, especially lavishing trouble and +expense upon a suite of rooms for his little girl, and when all was +completed, he wrote to her, bidding her go and see the lovely home +he had prepared for her reception as soon as she would submit,--and +presenting, as the only alternative, banishment to a boarding-school +or convent until her education was finished. This was the one drop +which made the cup overflow. The poor suffering child was prostrated +by a brain fever which brought her to the very gates of death. Then +the father's eyes were opened; he saw his folly and his sin, and +repented in sackcloth and ashes; and God, in His great mercy, was +pleased to spare him the terrible crushing blow which seemed to have +already fallen;--for at one time they told him his child was dead. Oh, +never, never can he forget the unutterable anguish of that moment!" + +Mr. Dinsmore paused, unable to proceed. Rose had been weeping for some +time. She well knew to whose story she was listening, and her gentle, +loving heart was filled with pity for both him and for his child. + +"I have but little more to tell," he resumed; "the child has at length +entirely recovered her health; she is dearer to her father's heart +than words can express, and is very happy in the knowledge that it is +so, and that henceforward he will strive to assist her to walk in the +narrow way, instead of endeavoring to lead her from it. + +"Their home has been a very happy one; but it lacks one thing--the +wife and mother's place is vacant; she who filled it once is +gone--never to return!--but there is a sweet, gentle lady who has +won the hearts of both father and daughter, and whom they would fain +persuade to fill the void in their affections and their home. + +"Miss Rose, dare I hope that you would venture to trust your happiness +in the hands of a man who has proved himself capable of such cruelty?" + +Rose did not speak, and he seemed to read in her silence and her +averted face a rejection of his suit. + +"Ah, you cannot love or trust me!" he exclaimed bitterly. "I was +indeed a fool to hope it. Forgive me for troubling you; forgive my +presumption in imagining for a moment that I might be able to win you. +But oh, Rose, could you but guess how I love you--better than aught +else upon earth save my precious child! and even as I love her better +than life. I said that our home had been a happy one, but to me it can +be so no longer if you refuse to share it with me!" + +She turned her blushing face towards him for a single instant, and +timidly placed her hand in his. The touch sent a thrill through her +whole frame. + +"And you will dare trust me?" he said in a low tone of intense joy. +"Oh, Rose! I have not deserved such happiness as this! I am not worthy +of one so pure and good. But I will do all that man can do to make +your life bright and happy." + +"Ah, Mr. Dinsmore! I am very unfit for the place you have asked me +to fill," she murmured. "I am not old enough, or wise enough to be a +mother to your little girl." + +"I know you are young, dear Rose, but you are far from foolish," he +said tenderly, "and my little girl is quite prepared to yield you a +daughter's love and obedience; but I do not think she will be a care +or trouble to you; I do not intend that she shall, but expect to take +all that upon myself. Indeed, Rose, dearest, you shall never know any +care or trouble that I can save you from. No words can tell how dear +you are to me, and were it in my power I would shield you from every +annoyance, and give you every joy that the human heart can know. I +have loved you from the first day we met!--ah, I loved you even before +that, for all your love and kindness to my darling child; but I +scarcely dared hope that you could return my affection, or feel +willing to trust your happiness to the keeping of one who had shown +himself such a monster of cruelty in his treatment of his little +gentle daughter. Are you not afraid of me, Rose?" + +His arm was around her waist, and he was bending over her, gazing down +into her face, and eagerly awaiting her answer. + +Presently it came, in calm, gentle tones; "No, Horace; 'perfect love +casteth out fear,' and I cannot judge you hardly for what may +have been only a mistaken sense of duty, and has been so bitterly +repented." + +"Heaven bless you, dearest, for these words," he answered with +emotion, "they have made me the happiest of men." + +Horace Dinsmore wore upon his little finger a splendid diamond ring, +which had attracted a good deal of attention, especially among the +ladies; who admired it extremely, and of which Miss Stevens had hoped +to be one day the happy and envied possessor. Taking Rose's small +white hand in his again, he placed it upon her slender finger. + +"This seals our compact, and makes you mine forever," he said, +pressing the hand to his lips. + +"With the consent of my parents," murmured Rose, a soft blush mantling +her cheek. + +Elsie was still in her papa's private parlor, for though it was long +past her usual hour for retiring, she had not yet done so; her father +having left a message with Chloe to the effect that she might, if she +chose, stay up until his return. + +Chloe had dropped asleep in her chair, and the little girl was +trying to while away the time with a book. But she did not seem much +interested in it, for every now and then she laid it down to run to +the door and listen. Then sighing to herself, "They are not coming +yet," she would go back and take it up again. But at last she started +from her seat with an exclamation of delight that awoke Chloe; for +this time there could be no doubt; she had heard his well-known step +upon the stairs. + +She moved quickly towards the door--stopped--hesitated, and stood +still to the middle of the room. + +But the door opened, and her father entered with Miss Rose upon his +arm. One look at his radiant countenance, and Rose's blushing, happy +face told the whole glad story. He held out his hand with a beaming +smile, and Elsie sprang towards him. + +"My darling," he said, stooping to give her a kiss, "I have brought +you a mother." + +Then taking Rose's hand, and placing one of Elsie's in it, while he +held the other in a close, loving grasp, he added: "Rose, she is your +daughter also. I give you a share in my choicest treasure." + +Rose threw her arm around the little girl and kissed her tenderly, +whispering: "Will you love me, Elsie, dearest? you know how dearly I +love you." + +"Indeed I will; I do love you very much, and I am very glad, dear, +darling Miss Rose," Elsie replied, returning her caress. + +Mr. Dinsmore was watching them with a heart swelling with joy and +gratitude. He led Rose to a sofa, and seating himself by her side, +drew Elsie in between his knees, and put an arm round each. "My two +treasures," he said, looking affectionately from one to the other. +"Rose, I feel myself the richest man in the Union." + +Rose smiled, and Elsie laid her head on her father's shoulder with a +happy sigh. + +They sat a few moments thus, when Rose made a movement to go, +remarking that it must be growing late. She felt a secret desire to +be safe within the shelter of her own room before the return of the +riding party should expose her to Miss Stevens' prying curiosity. + +"It is not quite ten yet," said Mr. Dinsmore, looking at his watch. + +"Late enough though, is it not?" she answered with a smile. "I think I +must go. Good-night, dear little Elsie." She rose, and Mr. Dinsmore, +gently drawing her hand within his arm, led her to her room, bidding +her good-night at the door, and adding a whispered request that she +would wait for him to conduct her down to the breakfast room in the +morning. + +"Must I go to bed now, papa?" asked Elsie, as he returned to the +parlor again. + +"Not yet," he said; "I want you." And, sitting down, he took her in +his arms. "My darling, my dear little daughter!" he said; "were you +very lonely this evening?" + +"No, papa; not very, though I missed you and Miss Rose." + +He was gazing down into her face; something in its expression seemed +to strike him, and he suddenly turned her towards the light, and +looking keenly at her, said, "You have been crying; what was the +matter?" + +Elsie's face flushed crimson, and the tears started to her eyes again. +"Dear papa, don't be angry with me," she pleaded. "I couldn't help it; +indeed I could not." + +"I am not angry, darling; only pained that my little girl is not +so happy as I expected. I hoped that your joy would be unclouded +to-night, as mine has been; but will you not tell your father what +troubles you, dearest?" + +"I was looking at this, papa," she said, drawing her mother's +miniature from her bosom, and putting it into his hand; "and mammy was +telling me all about my own mamma again; and, papa, you know I love +Miss Rose, and I am very glad she is coming to us, but it seems as +if--as if--" She burst into a flood of tears, and hiding her face on +his breast, sobbed out, "Oh, papa, I can't help feeling as though +mamma--my own dear mamma--is farther away from us now; as if she is +going to be forgotten." + +There were tears in his eyes, too; but gently raising her head, he +pushed back the curls from her forehead, and kissing her tenderly, +said, in low, soothing tones, "No, darling; it is only a feeling, and +will soon pass away. Your own dear mother--my early love--can never be +forgotten by either of us. Nor would Rose wish it. There is room in +my heart for both of them, and I do not love the memory of Elsie less +because I have given a place in it to Rose." + +There was a momentary silence; then she looked up, asking timidly, +"You are not vexed with me, papa?" + +"No, dearest; not at all; and I am very glad you have told me your +feelings so freely," he said, folding her closer and closer to his +heart. "I hope you will always come to me with your sorrows, and you +need never fear that you will not find sympathy, and help too, as far +as it is in my power to give it. Elsie, do you know that you are very +like your mother?--the resemblance grows stronger every day; and it +would be quite impossible for me to forget her with this living image +always before me." + +"Am I like her, papa? I am so glad!" exclaimed the little girl +eagerly, her face lighting up with a joyous smile. + +It seemed as though Mr. Dinsmore could hardly bear to part with his +child that night; he held her a long time in his arms, but at last, +with another tender caress, and a fervent blessing, he bade her +good-night and sent her away. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + She twin'd--and her mother's gaze brought back + Each hue of her childhood's faded track. + Oh! hush the song, and let her tears + Flow to the dream of her early years! + Holy and pure are the drops that fall + When the young bride goes from her father's hall; + She goes unto love yet untried and new-- + She parts from love which hath still been true. + + --MRS. HEMANS' POEMS. + + +"How did it happen that Mr. Dinsmore was not of your party last night, +Miss Stevens?" inquired one of the lady boarders the next morning at +the breakfast-table. + +"He had been riding all the morning with his little girl, and I +presume was too much fatigued to go again in the evening," Miss +Stevens coolly replied, as she broke an egg into her cup, and +proceeded very deliberately to season it. + +"It seems he was not too much fatigued to walk," returned the other, a +little maliciously; "or to take a lady upon his arm." + +Miss Stevens started, and looked up hastily. + +"I would advise you to be on your guard, and play your cards well, +or that quiet Miss Allison may prove a serious rival," the lady +continued. "He certainly pays her a good deal of attention." + +"It is easy to account for that," remarked Miss Stevens, with a +scornful toss of the head; "he is very fond of his little girl, and +takes her out walking or riding every day, and this Miss Allison--who +is, I presume, a kind of governess--indeed, it is evident that she +is, from the care she takes of the child--goes along as a matter of +course; but if you think Horace Dinsmore would look at a governess, +you are greatly mistaken, for he is as proud as Lucifer, as well as +the rest of his family, though he does set up to be so very pious!" + +"Excuse me, madam," observed a gentleman sitting near, "but you must +be laboring under a misapprehension. I am well acquainted with the +Allison family, and can assure you that the father is one of the +wealthiest merchants in Philadelphia." + +At this moment Mr. Dinsmore entered with Rose upon his arm, and +leading Elsie with the other hand. They drew near the table; he handed +Miss Allison to a seat and took his place beside her. + +A slight murmur of surprise ran round the table, and all eyes were +turned upon Rose, who, feeling uncomfortably conscious of the fact, +cast down her own in modest embarrassment, while Elsie, with a face +all smiles and dimples, sent a triumphant glance across the table at +Annie Hart, who was whispering to her mother, "See, mamma, she has Mr. +Dinsmore's ring!" + +That lady immediately called Miss Stevens' attention to it, which was +quite unnecessary, as she was already burning with rage at the sight. + +"They walked out alone last evening, and that ring explains what they +were about," said Mrs. Hart, in an undertone. "I am really sorry for +you, Miss Stevens; for your prize has certainly slipped through your +fingers." + +"I am much obliged to you," she replied, with a toss of her head; "but +there are as good fish in the sea as ever were caught." + +The next moment she rose and left the table, Mrs. Hart following her +into the public parlor, and continuing the conversation by remarking, +"I would sue him for breach of promise if I were you, Miss Stevens. I +understood you were engaged to him." + +"I never said so; so what right had you to suppose it?" returned Miss +Stevens snappishly. + +And upon reflecting a moment, Mrs. Hart could not remember that she +had ever said so in plain terms, although she had hinted it many +times--talking a great deal of Mr. Dinsmore's splendid establishment, +and frequently speaking of the changes she thought would be desirable +in Elsie's dress, just as though she expected some day to have it +under her control. Then, too, she had always treated Mr. Dinsmore with +so much familiarity that it was perfectly natural strangers should +suppose they were engaged, even though he never reciprocated it; +for that might be only because he was naturally reserved and +undemonstrative; as indeed Miss Stevens frequently averred, seeming to +regret it very deeply. + +Presently she burst out, "I don't know why people are always so ready +to talk! I don't care for Horace Dinsmore, and never did! There was +never anything serious between us, though I must say he has paid me +marked attentions, and given me every reason to suppose he meant +something by them. I never gave him any encouragement, however; and so +he has been taken in by that artful creature. I thought he had more +sense, and could see through her manoeuvers--coaxing and petting up +the child to curry favor with the father! I thank my stars that I am +above such mean tricks! I presume she thinks, now, she is making a +splendid match; but if she doesn't repent of her bargain before she +has been married a year, I miss my guess! She'll never have her own +way--not a bit of it--I can tell her that. Everybody that knows +him will tell you that he is high-tempered and tyrannical, and as +obstinate as a mule." + +"The grapes are very sour, I think," whispered Mrs. Hart to her next +neighbor, who nodded and laughed. + +"There is Elsie out on the veranda, now," said Annie. "I mean to +go and ask her what Miss Allison had her father's ring for; may I, +mamma?" + +"Yes; go, child, if you want to; I should like to hear what she will +say; though, of course, everybody understands that there must be an +engagement." + +"Well, Elsie, what made you run away in such a hurry yesterday?" asked +Annie, running up to our little friend. "Did you ask your papa about +the new mamma?" + +"I told him what you said, Annie, and it wasn't true," Elsie answered, +with a glad look of joy. "I am going to have a new mother though, and +papa said I might tell you; but it is Miss Allison instead of Miss +Stevens, and I am very glad, because I love her dearly." + +"Is she your governess?" + +"No, indeed! what made you ask?" + +"Miss Stevens said so," replied Annie, laughing and running away. And +just then Elsie's papa called her, and bade her go upstairs and have +her hat put on, as they were going out to walk. + +Edward Allison had been talking with his sister in her room, and they +came down together to the veranda, where Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie were +waiting for them. Edward was looking very proud and happy, but Rose's +face was half hidden by her veil. She took Mr. Dinsmore's offered arm +and Elsie asked, "Aren't you going with us, Mr. Edward?" + +"Not this time," he answered, smiling. "I have an engagement to play a +game of chess with one of the ladies in the parlor yonder." + +"Then I shall have papa's other hand," she said, taking possession of +it. + +She was very merry and talkative, but neither of her companions seemed +much disposed to answer her remarks. They were following the same path +they had taken the night before, and the thoughts of both were very +busy with the past and the future. + +At length they reached the rustic seat where they had sat while Mr. +Dinsmore told his story, and he inquired of Rose if she would like to +stop and rest. + +She assented, recognizing the place with a smile and a blush, and they +sat down. + +"Papa," said Elsie, "I am not tired, mayn't I run on to the top of +that hill yonder?" + +"Yes, if you will not go out of sight or hearing, so that I can see +that you are safe, and within call when I want you," he replied, and +she bounded away. + +Rose was sitting thoughtfully, with her eyes upon the ground, while +those of her companion were following the graceful figure of his +little girl, as she tripped lightly along the road. + +"Mr. Dinsmore," Rose began. + +"I beg pardon, but were you speaking to me?" he asked, turning to her +with a half smile. + +"Certainly," she replied, smiling in return; "there is no one else +here." + +"Well then, Rose, dear, please to remember that I don't answer to that +name from your lips, at least not when we are alone. I am not Mr. +Dinsmore to you, unless you mean to be Miss Allison to me," he added, +taking her hand and gazing tenderly into her blushing face. + +"Oh! no, no; I would not have you call me that!" + +"Well then, dear Rose, I want you to call me Horace. I would almost as +soon think of being Mr. Dinsmore to Elsie, as to you. And now, what +were you going to say to me?" + +"Only that I wish to set out on my homeward way to-night, with Edward. +I think it would be best, more especially as mamma has written +complaining of our long absence, and urging a speedy return." + +"Of course your mother's wishes are the first to be consulted, until +you have given me a prior right," he said, in a playful tone; "and +so I suppose Elsie and I will be obliged to continue our journey by +ourselves. But when may I claim you for my own indeed? Let it be as +soon as possible, dearest, for I feel that I ought to return to my +home ere long, and I am not willing to do so without my wife." + +"I must have a few weeks to prepare; you know a lady's wardrobe cannot +be got ready in a day. What would you say to six weeks? I am afraid +mamma would think it entirely too short." + +"Six weeks, dear Rose? why that would bring us to the middle of +November. Surely a month will be long enough to keep me waiting for my +happiness, and give the dressmakers sufficient time for their work. +Let us say one month from to-day." + +Rose raised one objection after another, but he overruled them all and +pleaded his cause so earnestly that he gained his point at last, and +the wedding was fixed for that day month, provided the consent of +her parents, to so sudden a parting with their daughter, could be +obtained. + +While Rose was at home making her preparations, Mr. Dinsmore and his +daughter were visiting the great lakes, and travelling through Canada. +He heard frequently from her, and there were always a few lines +to Elsie, which her father allowed her to answer in a little note +enclosed in his; and sometimes he read her a little of his own, or of +Miss Rose's letter, which she always considered a very great treat. + +New York City was their last halting place on their route, and there +they spent nearly two weeks in shopping and sight-seeing. Mr. Dinsmore +purchased an elegant set of furniture for his wife's boudoir, and +sent it on to his home, with his orders to Mrs. Murray concerning +its arrangement. To this he added a splendid set of diamonds as his +wedding gift to his bride, while Elsie selected a pair of very costly +bracelets as hers. + +They arrived in Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon, the next morning +being the time appointed for the wedding. Mr. Dinsmore himself went to +his hotel, but sent Elsie and her nurse to Mr. Allison's, as he had +been urgently requested to do, the family being now in occupation of +their town residence. + +Elsie found the whole house in a bustle of preparation. Sophy met her +at the door and carried her off at once to her own room, eager to +display what she called "her wedding dress." She was quite satisfied +with the admiration Elsie expressed. "But I suppose you bought ever so +many new dresses, and lots of other pretty things, in New York?" she +said inquiringly. + +"Yes; papa and I together. And don't you think, Sophy, he let me help +him choose some of his clothes, and he says he thinks I have very good +taste in ladies' and gentlemen's dress too." + +"That was right kind of him, but isn't it odd, and real nice too, that +he and Rose are going to get married? I was so surprised. Do you like +it, Elsie? and shall you call her mamma?" + +"Oh, yes, of course. I should be quite wretched if papa were going to +marry any one else; but I love Miss Rose dearly, and I am very glad +she is coming to us. I think it is very good of her, and papa thinks +so too." + +"Yes," replied Sophy honestly, "and so do I; for I am sure I shouldn't +like to leave papa and mamma and go away off there to live, though I +do like you very much, Elsie, and your papa too. Only think! he is +going to be my brother; and then won't you be some sort of relation +too? I guess I'll be your aunt, won't I?" + +"I don't know; I haven't thought about it," said Elsie; while at the +same instant Harold put his head in at the half-open door, saying, "Of +course you will; and I'll be her uncle." + +The little girls were quite startled at first, but seeing who it was, +Elsie ran towards him, holding out her hand. + +"How do you do, Harold?" she said; "I am glad to see you." + +He had his satchel of books on his arm. "Thank you, how are you? I +am rejoiced to see you looking so well, but, as for me, I am quite +sick--of lessons," he replied in a melancholy tone, and putting on a +comically doleful expression. + +Elsie laughed and shook her head. "I thought you ware a good boy and +quite fond of your books." + +"Commonly, I believe I am, but not in these wedding times. It's quite +too bad of your father, Elsie, to be carrying off Rose, when he won't +let us have you. But never mind, I'll be even with him some of these +days;" and he gave her a meaning look. + +"Come in Harold, and put your books down," said Sophy; "you can afford +to spend a few minutes talking to Elsie, can't you?" + +"I think I will!" he replied, accepting her invitation. + +They chatted for some time, and then Adelaide came in. Elsie had heard +that she was coming on to be first bridesmaid. "Elsie, dear, how +glad I am to see you! and how well and happy you are looking!" she +exclaimed, folding her little niece in her arms, and kissing her +fondly. "But come," she added, taking her by the hand and leading her +into the next room, "Miss Rose came in from her shopping only a few +minutes ago, and she wants to see you." + +Rose was standing by the toilet-table, gazing intently, with a blush +and a smile, at something she held in her hand. She laid it down as +they came in, and embracing the little girl affectionately, said how +very glad she was to see her. + +Then, turning to the table again, she took up what she had been +looking at--which proved to be a miniature of Mr. Dinsmore--and +handed it to Adelaide, saying, "Is it not excellent? and so kind and +thoughtful of him to give it to me." + +"It is indeed a most perfect likeness," Adelaide replied. "Horace is +very thoughtful about these little matters. I hope he will make you +very happy, dear Rose. I cannot tell you how glad I was when I heard +you were to be my sister." + +"You have seemed like a sister to me ever since the winter I spent +with you," said Rose. And then she began questioning Elsie about her +journey asking if she were not fatigued, and would not like to lie +down and rest a little before tea. + +"No thank you," Elsie said; "you know it is only a short trip from New +York, and I am not at all tired." + +Just then the tea-bell rang, and Rose laughed and said it was well +Elsie had not accepted her invitation. + +On going down to tea they found Mr. Dinsmore and Mr. Travilla there. +Elsie was delighted to meet her old friend, and it was evident that he +had already made himself a favorite with all the children, from Harold +down to little May. + +The wedding was a really brilliant affair. The bride and her +attendants were beautifully dressed and, as every one remarked, looked +very charming. At an early hour in the morning carriages were in +waiting to convey the bridal party and the family to the church where +the ceremony was to be performed. When it was over they returned to +the house, where an elegant breakfast was provided for a large number +of guests; after which there was a grand reception for several hours. +Then, when the last guest had departed, Rose retired to her own room, +appearing shortly afterwards at the family dinner-table in her pretty +travelling dress, looking very sweet and engaging, but sober and +thoughtful, as were also her father and brothers; while Mrs. Allison's +eyes were constantly filling with tears at the thought of losing her +daughter. + +There was very little eating done, and the conversation flagged +several times in spite of the efforts of the gentlemen to keep it up. +At length all rose from the table, and gathered in the parlor for +a few moments. Then came the parting, and they were gone; and Mrs. +Allison, feeling almost as if she had buried her daughter, tried to +forget her loss by setting herself vigorously to work overseeing the +business of putting her house in order. + +Rose's feelings were mingled. She wept for a time, but the soothing +tenderness of her husband's manner, and Elsie's winning caresses, soon +restored her to herself, and smiles chased away the tears. + +They had a very pleasant journey, without accident or detention, and +arrived in due time at their own home, where they were welcomed with +every demonstration of delight. + +Rose was charmed with the Oaks, thought it even more lovely than +either Roselands or Elingrove, and Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie intensely +enjoyed her pleasure and admiration. + +Then came a round of parties, which Elsie thought extremely tiresome, +as she could have no share in them, and was thus deprived of the +company of her papa and mamma almost every evening for several weeks. +But at last that too was over, and they settled down into a quiet, +home life, that suited them all much better, for neither Mr. Dinsmore +nor Rose was very fond of gayety. + +And now Elsie resumed her studies regularly, reciting as before to +her father; while Rose undertook to instruct her in the more feminine +branches of housekeeping and needlework, and a master came from the +city several times a week to give her lessons in music and drawing. +She had been so long without regular employment that she found it very +difficult at first to give her mind to her studies, as she had done +in former days; but her father, though kind and considerate, was +very firm with her, and she soon fell into the traces and worked as +diligently as ever. + +Elsie did not find that her father's marriage brought any +uncomfortable change to her. There was no lessening of his love or +care; she saw as much of him as before, had full possession of her +seat upon his knee, and was caressed and fondled quite as often and as +tenderly as ever. + +And added to all this were Rose's love and sweet companionship, which +were ever grateful to the little girl, whether they were alone or with +her father. Elsie loved her new mamma dearly and was as respectful +and obedient to her as to her father, though Rose never assumed any +authority; which, however, was entirely unnecessary, as a wish or +request from her was sure to be attended to as if it had been a +command. + +And Rose was very happy in her new home. Mr. Dinsmore's family were +pleased with the match and treated her most kindly, while he was +always affectionate, thoughtful, and attentive; not less devoted as +a husband than as a father. They were well suited in taste and +disposition; seldom had the slightest disagreement on any subject, and +neither had ever cause to regret the step they had taken, for each day +they lived together seemed but to increase their love for each other, +and for their little daughter, as Mr. Dinsmore delighted to call her, +always giving Rose a share in the ownership. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Of all the joys that brighten suffering earth + What joy is welcomed like a new-born child? + + --MRS. NORTON. + + +"Massa wants you for to come right along to him in de study, darlin', +jis as soon as your ole mammy kin get you dressed," said Chloe, one +morning to her nursling. + +"What for, mammy?" Elsie asked curiously, for she noticed an odd +expression on her nurse's face. + +"Massa didn't tell me nuffin 'bout what he wanted, an' I spects you'll +have to az hisself," replied Chloe evasively. + +Elsie's curiosity was excited, and she hastened to the study as soon +as possible. Her father laid down his paper as she entered, and held +out his hand with a smile as he bade her good-morning, and it struck +her that there was an odd twinkle in his eye also, while she was +certain that she could not be mistaken in the unusually joyous +expression of his countenance. + +"Good-morning, papa. But where is mamma?" she asked, glancing about +the room in search of her. + +"She is not up yet, but do you sit down here in your little rocking +chair. I have something for you." + +He left the room as he spoke, returning again in a moment, carrying +what Elsie thought was a strange-looking bundle. + +"There! hold out your arms," he said; and placing it in them, he +gently raised one corner of the blanket, displaying to her astonished +view a tiny little face. + +"A baby! Oh, the dear little thing!" she exclaimed in tones of +rapturous delight. Then looking up into his face, "Did you say I might +have it, papa? whose baby is it?" + +"Ours; your mamma's and my son, and your brother," he answered, gazing +down with intense pleasure at her bright, happy face, sparkling all +over with delight. + +"My little brother! my darling little brother," she murmured looking +down at it again, and venturing to press her lips gently to its soft +velvet cheek. "Oh, papa, I am so glad, so glad! I have so wanted a +little brother or sister. Is not God very good to give him to us, +papa?" And happy, grateful tears were trembling in the soft eyes as +she raised them to his face again. + +"Yes," he said, bending down and kissing first her cheek, and then the +babe's, "I feel that God has indeed been very good to me in bestowing +upon me two such treasures as these." + +"What is his name, papa?" she asked. + +"He has none yet, my dear." + +"Then, papa, do let him be named Horace, for you; won't you if mamma +is willing? And then I hope he will grow up to be just like you; as +handsome and as good." + +"I should like him to be a great deal better, daughter," he answered +with a grave smile; "and about the name--I don't know yet; I should +prefer some other, but your mamma seems to want that, and I suppose +she has the best right to name him; but we will see about it." + +"Better give little marster to me now, Miss Elsie," remarked his +nurse, stepping up, "I reckon your little arms begin to feel tired." +And taking the babe she carried him from the room. + +Nothing could have better pleased Mr. Dinsmore than Elsie's joyous +welcome to her little brother; though it was scarcely more than he had +expected. + +"My own darling child; my dear, dear little daughter," he said, taking +her in his arms and kissing her again and again. "Elsie, dearest, you +are very precious to your father's heart." + +"Yes, papa, I know it," she replied, twining her arms about his neck, +and laying her cheek to his; "I know you love me dearly, and it makes +me so very happy." + +"May I go in to see mamma?" she asked presently. + +"No, darling, not yet; she is not able to see you; but she sends her +love, and hopes she may be well enough to receive a visit from you +to-morrow." + +"Poor mamma! I am sorry she is ill," she said sorrowfully; "but I will +try to keep everything very quiet that she may not be disturbed." + +That evening, after tea, Elsie was told that she would be allowed to +speak to her mamma for a moment if she chose, and she gladly availed +herself of the privilege. + +"Dear Elsie," Rose whispered, drawing Her down to kiss her cheek, "I +am so glad you are pleased with your little brother." + +"Oh, mamma, he is such a dear little fellow!" Elsie answered eagerly; +"and now, if you will only get well we will be happier than ever." + +Rose smiled and said she hoped soon to be quite well again, and then +Mr. Dinsmore led Elsie from the room. + +Rose was soon about again and in the enjoyment of her usual health and +strength. Elsie's delight knew no bounds the first time her mamma +was able to leave her room, and take her place at the table with her +father and herself. She doted on her little brother, and, if allowed, +would have had him in her arms more than half the time; but he was a +plump little fellow, and soon grew so large and heavy that her father +forbade her carrying him lest she should injure herself; but she would +romp and play with him by the hour while he was in the nurse's arms, +or seated on the bed; and when any of her little friends called, she +could not be satisfied to let them go away without seeing the baby. + +The first time Mr. Travilla called, after little Horace's arrival, she +exhibited her treasure to him with a great deal of pride, asking if he +did not envy her papa. + +"Yes," he said, looking admiringly at her, and then turning away with +a half sigh. + +A few minutes afterwards he caught hold of her, set her on his knee, +and giving her a kiss, said, "I wish you were ten years older, Elsie, +or I ten years younger." + +"Why, Mr. Travilla?" she asked rather wonderingly. + +"Oh, because we would then be nearer of an age, and maybe you would +like me better." + +"No, I wouldn't, not a bit," she said, putting her arm round his neck, +"for I like you now just as well as I could like any gentleman but +papa." + +The elder Mr. Dinsmore was very proud of his little grandson and made +a great pet of him, coming to the Oaks much more frequently after his +birth than before. + +Once he spoke of him as his first grandchild. + +"You forget Elsie, father," said Horace, putting his arm round his +little girl, who happened to be standing by his side, and giving her a +tender, loving look. + +He greatly feared that the marked difference his father made between +the two would wound Elsie's sensitive spirit, and perhaps even arouse +a feeling of jealousy towards her little brother; therefore, when his +father was present, he was even more than usually affectionate in his +manner towards her, if that were possible. + +But Elsie had no feeling of the kind; she had long ceased to expect +any manifestation of affection from her grandfather towards herself, +but was very glad indeed that he could love her dear little brother. + +"Ah, yes! to be sure, I did forget Elsie," replied the old gentleman +carelessly; "she is the first grandchild of course; but this fellow is +the first grandson, and quite proud of him I am. He is a pretty boy, +and is going to be the very image of his father." + +"I hope he will, father," said Rose, looking proudly at her husband. +And then she added, with an affectionate glance at Elsie: "If he is +only as good and obedient as his sister, I shall be quite satisfied +with him. We could not ask a better child than our dear little +daughter, nor love one more than we do her; she is a great comfort and +blessing to us both." + +The color mounted to Elsie's cheek, and her eyes beamed with pleasure. +Mr. Dinsmore, too, looked very much gratified, and the old gentleman +could not fail to perceive that the difference he made between the +children was quite distasteful to both parents. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + A lovely being, scarcely formed or moulded, + A rose with all its sweetest leaves yet folded. + + --BYRON. + + +Elsie was nearly twelve when her little brother was born. During the +next three years she led a life of quiet happiness, unmarked by any +striking event. There were no changes in the little family at the Oaks +but such as time must bring to all. Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore perhaps +looked a trifle older than when they married, Elsie was budding into +womanhood as fair and sweet a flower as ever was seen, and the baby +had grown into a healthy romping boy. + +At Roselands, on the contrary, there had been many and important +changes. Louise and Lora were both married; the former to a resident +of another State, who had taken her to his distant home; the latter to +Edward Howard, an older brother of Elsie's friend Carrie. They had not +left the neighborhood, but were residing with his parents. + +For the last two or three years Arthur Dinsmore had spent his +vacations at home; he was doing so now, having just completed his +freshman year at Princeton. On his return Walter was to accompany him +and begin his college career. + +Miss Day left soon after Lora's marriage and no effort had been made +to fill her place, Adelaide having undertaken to act as governess to +Enna, now the only remaining occupant of the school-room. + +Taking advantage of an unusually cool breezy afternoon, Elsie rode +over to Tinegrove, Mr. Howard's plantation--to make a call. She found +the family at home and was urged to stay to tea; but declined, saying +she could not without permission, and had not asked it. + +"You will at least take off your hat," said Carrie. + +"No, thank you," Elsie answered, "it is not worth while, as I must go +so soon. If you will excuse me, I can talk quite as well with it on." + +They had not met for several weeks and found a good deal to say to +each other. At length Elsie drew out her watch. + +"Ah!" she exclaimed, "I have overstayed my time! I had no idea it was +so late--you have been so entertaining; but I must go now." And she +rose hastily to take leave. + +"Nonsense!" said her Aunt Lora in whose boudoir they were sitting, +"there is no such great hurry, I am sure. You'll get home long before +dark." + +"Yes, and might just as well stay another five or ten minutes. I wish +you would; for I have ever so much to say to you," urged Carrie. + +"It would be very pleasant, thank you, but indeed I must not. See how +the shadows are lengthening, and papa does not at all like to have me +out after sunset unless he is with me." + +"He always was overcareful of you, erring on the right side, I +suppose, if that be an allowable expression," laughed Lora, as she and +Carrie followed Elsie to the door to see her mount her horse. + +The adieus were quickly spoken and the young girl, just touching the +whip to the sleek side of her pony, set off at a gallop, closely +followed by her faithful attendant Jim. + +Several miles of rather a lonely road lay between them and home, and +no time was to be lost, if they would reach the Oaks while the sun was +still above the horizon. + +They were hardly more than half a mile from the entrance to the +grounds, when Elsie caught sight of a well-known form slowly moving +down the road a few paces ahead of them. It was Arthur, and she soon +perceived that it was his intention to intercept her; he stopped, +turning his face toward her, sprang forward as she came up, and seized +her bridle. + +"Stay a moment, Elsie," he said, "I want to speak to you." + +"Then come on to the Oaks, and let us talk there; please do, for I am +in a hurry." + +"No, I prefer to say my say where I am. I'll not detain you long. You +keep out of earshot, Jim. I want to borrow a little money, Elsie; a +trifle of fifty dollars or so. Can you accommodate me?" + +"Not without papa's knowledge, Arthur. So I hope you do not wish to +conceal the matter from him." + +"I do. I see no reason why he should know all my private affairs. +Can't you raise that much without applying to him? Isn't your +allowance very large now?" + +"Fifty dollars a month, Arthur, but subject to the same conditions as +of old. I must account to papa for every cent." + +"Haven't you more than that in hand now?" + +"Yes, but what do you want it for?" + +"That's neither your business nor his; let me have it for two weeks, +I'll pay it back then, and in the meantime he need know nothing about +it." + +"I cannot; I never have any concealments from papa, and I must give in +my account in less than a week." + +"Nonsense! You are and always were the most disobliging creature +alive!" returned Arthur with an oath. + +"Oh, Arthur, how can you say such wicked words," she said, recoiling +from him with a shudder. "And you quite misjudge me. I would be glad +to do anything for you that is right. If you will let me tell papa +your wish, and he gives consent, you shall have the money at once. Now +please let me go. The sun has set and I shall be so late that papa +will be anxious and much displeased." + +"Who cares if he is!" he answered roughly, still retaining his hold +upon her bridle, and compelling her to listen while he continued to +urge his request; enforcing it with arguments and threats. + +They were alike vain, she steadfastly refused to grant it except on +the conditions she had named, and which he determinately rejected--and +insisted being left free to pursue her homeward way. + +He grew furious, and at length with a shocking oath released her +bridle, but at the same instant struck her pony a severe blow upon his +haunches, with a stout stick he held in his hand. + +The terrified animal, smarting with the pain, started aside, reared +and plunged in a way that would have unseated a less skilful rider, +and had nearly thrown Elsie from the saddle: then darted off at the +top of its speed; but fortunately turned in at the gate held open by +Jim, who had ridden on ahead and dismounted for that purpose. + +"Whoa, you Glossy! whoa dere!" he cried, springing to the head of the +excited animal, and catching its bridle in his powerful grasp. + +"Just lead her for a little, Jim," said Elsie "There, there! my poor +pretty Glossy, be quiet now. It was too cruel to serve you so; but +it shan't happen again if your mistress can help it," she added in a +voice tremulous with sympathy and indignation, patting and stroking +her pony caressingly as she spoke. + +Jim obeyed, walking on at a brisk pace, leading Glossy with his right +hand, and keeping the bridle of the other horse over his left arm. + +"I'll walk the rest of the way, Jim," said Elsie presently, "just stop +her and let me get down. There," springing lightly to the ground, "you +may lead them both to the stable now." + +She hurried forward along the broad, gravelled winding carriage road +that led to the house. The next turn brought her face to face with her +father. + +"What, Elsie! alone and on foot at this late hour?" he said in a tone +of mingled surprise and reproof. + +"I have been riding, papa, and only a moment since dismounted and let +Jim lead the horses down the other road to the stables." + +"Ah, but how did you come to be so late?" he asked, drawing her hand +within his arm and leading her onward. + +"I have been to Tinegrove, sir, and Aunt Lora, Carrie, and I found so +much to say to each other, that the time slipped away before I knew +it." + +"It must not happen again, Elsie." + +"I do not mean it shall, papa, and I am very sorry." + +"Then I excuse you this once, daughter; it is not often you give me +occasion to reprove you." + +"Thank you, papa," she said with a grateful, loving look. "Did you +come out in search of me?" + +"Yes, your mamma and I had begun to grow anxious lest some accident +had befallen you. Our little daughter is such a precious treasure that +we must needs watch over her very carefully," he added in a tone that +was half playful, half tender, while he pressed the little gloved +hand in his, and his eyes rested upon the sweet fair face with an +expression of proud fatherly affection. + +Her answering look was full of filial reverence and love. "Dear papa, +it is so nice to be so loved and cared for; so sweet to hear such +words from your lips. I do believe I'm the very happiest girl in the +land." She had already almost forgotten Arthur and his rudeness and +brutality. + +"And I the happiest father," he said with a pleased smile. "Ah, here +comes mamma to meet as with little Horace." + +The child ran forward with a glad shout to meet his sister, Rose met +her with loving words and a fond caress; one might have thought from +their joyous welcome, that she was returning after an absence of +weeks or months instead of hours. Letting go her father's arm as they +stepped upon the piazza Elsie began a romping play with her little +brother, but at a gentle reminder from her mamma that the tea bell +would soon ring, ran away to her own apartments to have her riding +habit changed for something more suitable for the drawing room. + +Chloe was in waiting and her skilful hands made rapid work, putting +the last touches to her nursling's dress just as the summons to the +supper table was given. + +Mr. Dinsmore was quite as fastidious as in former days in regard to +the neatness and tastefulness of Elsie's attire. + +"Will I do, papa?" she asked, presenting herself before him, looking +very sweet and fair in a simple white dress with blue sash and +ribbons. + +"Yes," he said with a satisfied smile, "I see nothing amiss with +dress, hair, or face." + +"Nor do I," said Rose, leading the way to the supper room, "Aunt Chloe +is an accomplished tirewoman. But come, let us sit down to our meal +and have it over." + +On their return to the drawing room they, found Mr. Travilla +comfortably ensconced in an easy chair, reading the evening paper. He +was an almost daily visitor at the Oaks, and seldom came without some +little gift for one or both of his friend's children. It was for Elsie +to-night. When the usual greetings had been exchanged, he turned to +her, saying, "I have brought you a treat. Can you guess what it is?" + +"A book!" + +"Ah, there must be something of the Yankee about you," he answered, +laughing. "Yes, it is a book in two volumes; just published and a +most delightful, charming story," he went on, drawing them from his +pockets, and handing them to her as he spoke. + +"Oh, thank you, sir!" she cried with eager gratitude, "I'm so glad, +if--if only papa will allow me to read it. May I, papa?" + +"I can tell better when I have examined it, my child," Mr. Dinsmore +answered, taking one of the volumes from her hands and looking at the +title on the back. "'The Wide, Wide World!' What sort of a book is it, +Travilla?" + +"A very good sort. I think. Just glance through it or read a few +pages, and I'm pretty sure it will be sufficient to satisfy you of, +not only its harmlessness, but that its perusal would be a benefit to +almost any one." + +Mr. Dinsmore did so, Elsie standing beside him, her hand upon his arm, +and her eyes on his face--anxiously watching its changes of expression +as he read. They grew more and more satisfactory; the book was +evidently approving itself to his taste and judgment, and presently +he returned it to her, saying, with a kind fatherly smile, "Yes, my +child, you may read it. I have no doubt it deserves all the praise Mr. +Travilla has given it." + +"Oh, thank you, papa, I'm very glad," she answered joyously, "I am +just hungry for a nice story." And seating herself near the light, she +was soon lost to everything about her in the deep interest with which +she was following Ellen Montgomery through her troubles and trials. + +She was loath to lay the book aside when at the usual hour--a quarter +before nine--the bell rang for prayers. She hardly heeded the summons +till her papa laid his hand on her shoulder, saying, "Come, daughter, +you must not be left behind." + +She started up then, hastily closing the book, and followed the others +to the dining room, where the servants were already assembled to take +part in the family devotions. + +Mr. Travilla went away immediately after and now it was Elsie's +bed-time. Her father reminded her of it as, on coming back from seeing +his friend to the door, he found her again poring over the book. + +"Oh, papa, it is so interesting! could you let me finish this +chapter?" she asked with a very entreating look up into his face as he +stood at her side. + +"I suppose I could if I should make a great effort," he answered +laughingly. "Yes, you may, for once, but don't expect always to be +allowed to do so." + +"No, sir, oh, no. Thank you, sir." + +"Well, have you come to a good stopping-place?" he asked, as she +presently closed the book and put it aside with a slight sigh. + +"No, sir, it is just as bad a one as the other. Papa, I wish I was +grown up enough to read another hour before going to bed." + +"I don't," he said, drawing her to a seat upon his knee, and passing +his arm about her waist, "I'm not ready to part with my little girl +yet." + +"Wouldn't a fine young lady daughter be just as good or better?" she +asked, giving him a hug. + +"No, not now, some of these days I may think so." + +"But mayn't I stay up and read till ten to-night?" + +He shook his head. "Till half-past nine, then?" + +"No, not even a till quarter past. Ah, it is that now," he added, +consulting his watch. + +"You must say good-night and go. Early hours and plenty of sleep for +my little girl, that she may grow up to healthful, vigorous womanhood, +capable of enjoying life and being very useful in the church and the +world." He kissed her with grave tenderness as he spoke. + +"Good-night then, you dear father," she said, returning the caress. "I +know you would indulge me if you thought it for my good." + +"Indeed I would, pet. Would it help to reconcile you to the denial +of your wish to know that I shall be reading the book, and probably +enjoying it as much as you would?" + +"Ah yes, indeed, papa! it is a real pleasure to resign it to you," she +answered with a look of delight. "It's just the nicest story! at least +as far as I've read. Read it aloud to mamma, won't you?" + +"Yes, if she wishes to hear it. Now away with you to your room and +your bed." + +Only waiting to bid her mamma an affectionate good-night, Elsie +obeyed, leaving the room with a light step, and a cheerful, happy +face. + +"Dear unselfish child!" her father said, looking after her. + +"She is that indeed," said Rose. "How happy, shall I be if Horace +grows up to be as good and lovable." + +Elsie was a fearless horsewoman, accustomed to the saddle from her +very early years. Thus Arthur's wanton attack upon her pony had failed +to give her nerves the severe shock it might have caused to those of +most young girls of her age. Her feeling was more of excitement, +and of indignation at the uncalled-for cruelty to a dumb animal, +especially her own pet horse, than of fright at the danger to herself. +But she well knew that the latter was what her father would think of +first, and that he would be very angry with Arthur; therefore she had +tried, and successfully, to control herself and suppress all signs of +agitation on meeting him upon her return. + +She felt glad now as the affair recurred to her recollection while +preparing for the night's rest, that she had been able to do so. For a +moment she questioned with herself whether she was quite right to have +this concealment from her father, but quickly decided that she was. +Had the wrong-doing been her own--that would have made it altogether +another matter. + +She was shocked at Arthur's wickedness, troubled and anxious about his +future, but freely forgave his crime against her pony and herself, +and mingled with her nightly petitions an earnest prayer for his +conversion, and his welfare temporal and spiritual. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + O love! thou sternly dost thy power maintain, + And wilt not bear a rival in thy reign. + + --DRYDEN. + + +It was the middle of the forenoon, and Elsie in her own pretty little +sitting room was busied with her books; so deep in study indeed, that +she never noticed a slight girlish figure as it glided in at the glass +doors opening upon the lawn, to-day set wide to admit the air coming +fresh and cool with a faint odor of the far-off sea, pleasantly +mingling with that of the flowers in the garden, on the other side of +the house. + +"Buried alive in her books! Dear me! what a perfect paragon of +industry you are," cried the intruder in a lively tone. "I wish you +would imbue me with some of your love of study." + +"Why, Lucy Carrington! how did you get here?" and Elsie pushed her +books away, rose hastily and greeted her friend with an affectionate +embrace. + +"How? I came in through yonder door, miss; after riding my pony +from Ashlands to the front entrance of this mansion," replied Lucy, +courtesying low in mock reverence. "I hope your ladyship will excuse +the liberty I have taken in venturing uninvited into your sanctum." + +"Provided your repentance is deep and sincere," returned Elsie in the +same jesting tone. + +"Certainly, I solemnly pledge myself never to do it again till the +next time." + +"Sit down, won't you?" and Elsie pushed forward a low rocking chair. +"It's so pleasant to see you. But if I had thought about it at all +I should have supposed you were at home, and as busy over books and +lessons as I." + +"No; my respected governess, Miss Warren, not feeling very well, has +taken a week's holiday, and left me to do the same. Fancy my afflicted +state at the thought of laying aside my beloved books for seven or +eight whole days." + +"You poor creature! how I pity you," said Elsie, laughing; "suppose +you stay here and share the instructions of my tutor; I have no doubt +I could persuade him to receive you as a pupil." + +"Horrors! I'm much obliged, very much, but I should die of fright the +first time I had to recite. There, I declare I'm growing poetical, +talking in rhyme all the time." + +"Let mammy take your hat and scarf," said Elsie. "You'll stay and +spend the day with me, won't you?" + +"Thank you, no; I came to carry you off to Ashlands to spend a week. +Will you come?" + +"I should like to, dearly well, if papa gives permission." + +"Well, run and ask him." + +"I can't; unfortunately he is out, and not expected to return till +tea-time." + +"Oh, pshaw! how provoking! But can't your mamma give permission just +as well?" + +"If it were only for a day she might, but I know she would say the +question of a longer visit must be referred to papa." + +"Dear me! I wouldn't be you for something. Why, I never ask leave of +anybody when I want to pay a visit anywhere in the neighborhood. I +tell mamma I'm going, and that's all-sufficient. I don't see how you +stand being ordered about and controlled so." + +"If you'll believe me," said Elsie, laughing a gay, sweet, silvery +laugh, "I really enjoy being controlled by papa. It saves me a deal of +trouble and responsibility in the way of deciding for myself; and then +I love him so dearly that I almost always feel it my greatest pleasure +to do whatever pleases him." + +"And he always was so strict with you." + +"Yes, he is strict; but oh, so kind." + +"But that's just because you're so good; he'd have an awful time +ruling me. I'd be in a chronic state of disgrace and punishment; and +he obliged to be so constantly improving me and frowning sternly upon +my delinquencies that he'd never be able to don a smile of approval or +slip in a word of praise edgewise." + +"Indeed you're not half so bad as you pretend," said Elsie, laughing +again; "nor I half so good as you seem determined to believe me." + +"No, I've no doubt that you're an arch hypocrite, and we shall find +out one of these days that you are really worse than any of the rest +of us. But now I must finish my errand and go, for I know you're +longing to be at those books. Do you get a ferruling every time you +miss a word?--and enjoy the pain because it pleases papa to inflict +it?" + +"Oh, Lucy, how can you be so ridiculous?" and a quick, vivid blush +mounted to Elsie's very hair. + +"I beg your pardon, Elsie, dear, I had no business to say such a +thing," cried Lucy, springing up to throw her arms round her friend +and kiss her warmly; "but of course it was nothing but the merest +nonsense. I know well enough your papa never does anything of the +kind." + +"No; if my lessons are not well prepared they have to be learned over +again, that is all; and if I see that papa is displeased with me, I +assure you it is punishment enough." + +"Do you think he'll let you accept my invitation?" + +"I don't know, indeed, Lucy. I think he will hardly like to have me +give up my studies for that length of time, and in fact I hardly like +to do so myself." + +"Oh, you must come. You can practise on my piano every day for an hour +or two, if you like. We'll learn some duets. And you can bring your +sketch-book and carry it along when we walk or ride, as we shall +every day. And we might read some improving books together,--you and +Herbert, and I. He is worse again, poor fellow! so that some days he +hardly leaves his couch even to limp across the room, and it's partly +to cheer him up that we want you to come. There's nothing puts him +into better spirits than a sight of your face." + +"You don't expect other company?" + +"No, except on our birthday; but then we're going to have a little +party, just of our own set,--we boys and girls that have grown up--or +are growing up--together, as one may say. Oh, yes, I want to have +Carrie Howard, Mary Leslie, and Enna stay a day or two after the +party. Now coax your papa hard, for we must have you," she added, +rising to go. + +"That would be a sure way to make him say no," said Elsie, smiling; +"he never allows me to coax or tease; at least, not after he has once +answered my request." + +"Then don't think of it. Good-bye. No, don't waste time in coming to +see me off, but go back to your books like a good child. I mean to +have a little chat with your mamma before I go." + +Elsie returned to her lessons with redoubled energy. She was longing +to become more intimately acquainted with Ellen Montgomery, but +resolutely denied herself even so much as a peep at the pages of the +fascinating story-book until her allotted tasks should be faithfully +performed. + +These, with her regular daily exercise in the open air, filled up the +morning; there was a half hour before, and another after dinner, which +she could call her own; then two hours for needlework, music, and +drawing, and she was free to employ herself as she would till +bed-time. + +That was very apt to be in reading, and if the weather was fine she +usually carried her book to an arbor at some distance from the house. +It was reached by a long shaded walk that led to it from the lawn, on +which the glass doors of her pretty boudoir opened. It was a cool, +breezy, quiet spot, on a terraced hillside, commanding a lovely view +of vale, river, and woodland, and from being so constantly frequented +by our heroine, had come to be called by her name,--"Elsie's Arbor." +Arthur, well acquainted with these tastes and habits, sought, and +found her here on the afternoon of this day--found her so deeply +absorbed in Miss Warner's sweet story that she was not aware of his +approach--so full of sympathy for little Ellen that her tears were +dropping upon the page as she read. + +"What, crying, eh?" he said with a sneer, as he seated himself by her +side, and rudely pulled one of her curls, very much as he had been +used to do years ago. "Well, I needn't be surprised, for you always +were the greatest baby I ever saw." + +"Please let my hair alone, Arthur; you are not very polite in either +speech or action," she answered, brushing away her tears and moving a +little farther from him. + +"It's not worth while to waste politeness on you. What's that you're +reading?" + +"A new book Mr. Travilla gave me." + +"Has no name, eh?" + +"Yes, 'Wide, Wide World.'" + +"Some namby-pamby girl's story, I s'pose, since you're allowed to read +it; or are you doing it on the sly?" + +"No, I never do such things, and hope I never shall; papa gave me +permission." + +"Oh; ah! then I haven't got you in my power: wish I had." + +"Why?" + +"Because I might turn it to good account. I know you are as afraid as +death of Horace." + +"No, I am not!" dried Elsie indignantly, rich color rushing all over +her fair face and neck; "for I know that he loves me dearly and if I +had been disobeying or deceiving him I would far sooner throw myself +on his mercy than on yours." + +"You would, eh? How mad you are; your face is as red as a beet. A +pretty sort of Christian you are, aren't you?" + +"I am not perfect, Arthur; but you mustn't judge of religion by me." + +"I shall, though. Don't you wish I'd go away?" he added teasingly, +again snatching at her curls. + +But she eluded his grasp, and rising, stood before him with an air of +gentle dignity. "Yes," she said, "since you ask me, I'll own that I +do. I don't know why it is that, though your manners are polished when +you choose to make them so, you are always rude and ungentlemanly to +me when you find me alone. So I shall be very glad if you'll just go +away and leave me to solitude and the enjoyment of my book." + +"I'll do so when I get ready; not a minute sooner. But you can get rid +of me just as soon as you like. I see you take. Yes, I want that money +I asked you for yesterday, and I am bound to have it." + +"Arthur, my answer must be just the same that it was then; I can give +you no other." + +"You're the meanest girl alive! To my certain knowledge you are worth +at least a million and a half, and yet you refuse to lend me the +pitiful sum of fifty dollars." + +"Arthur, you know I have no choice in the matter. Papa has forbidden +me to lend you money without his knowledge and consent, and I cannot +disobey him." + +"When did he forbid you?" + +"A long while ago; and though he has said nothing about it lately, he +has told me again and again that his commands are always binding until +he revokes them." + +"Fifteen years old, and not allowed to do as you please even with +your pocket money!" he said contemptuously. "Do you expect to be in +leading-strings all your life?" + +"I shall of course have control of my own money matters on coming of +age; but I expect to obey my father as long as we both live," she +answered, with gentle but firm decision. + +"Do you have to show your balance in hand when you give in your +account?" + +"No; do you suppose papa cannot trust my word?" she answered, somewhat +indignantly. + +"Then you could manage it just as easily as not. There's no occasion +for him to know whether your balance in hand is at that moment in your +possession or mine; as I told you before, I only want to borrow it for +two weeks. Come, let me have it. If you don't, the day will come when +you'll wish you had." + +She repeated her refusal; he grew very angry and abusive, and at +length went so far as to strike her. + +A quick step sounded on the gravel walk, a strong grasp was laid on +Arthur's arm, he felt himself suddenly jerked aside and flung upon +his knees, while a perfect rain of stinging, smarting blows descended +rapidly upon his back and shoulders. + +"There, you unmitigated scoundrel, you mean, miserable caitiff; lay +your hand upon her again if you dare!" cried Mr. Travilla, finishing +the castigation by applying the toe of his boot to Arthur's nether +parts with a force that sent him reeling some distance down the walk, +to fall with a heavy thud upon the ground. + +The lad rose, white with rage, and shook his fist at his antagonist. +"I'll strike her when I please," he said with an oath, "and not be +called to account by you for it either; she's my niece, and nothing to +you." + +"I'll defend her nevertheless, and see to it that you come to grief if +you attempt to harm her in any way whatever. Did he hurt you much, my +child?" And Mr. Travilla's tone changed to one of tender concern as he +turned and addressed Elsie, who had sunk pale and trembling upon the +rustic seat where Arthur had found her. + +"No, sir, but I fear you have hurt him a good deal, in your kind zeal +for my defence," she answered, looking after Arthur, as he limped away +down the path. + +"I have broken my cane, that is the worst of it," said her protector +coolly, looking regretfully down at the fragment he still held in his +hand. + +"You must have struck very hard, and oh, Mr. Travilla, what if he +should take it into his head to challenge you?" and Elsie turned pale +with terror. + +"Never fear; he is too arrant a coward for that; he knows I am a good +shot, and that, as the challenged party, I would have the right to +the choice of weapons." + +"But you wouldn't fight, Mr. Travilla? you do not approve of +duelling?" + +"So, no indeed, Elsie; both the laws of God and of the land are +against it, and I could not engage in it either as a good citizen or a +Christian." + +"Oh, I am so glad of that, and that you came to my rescue; for I was +really growing frightened, Arthur seemed in such a fury with me." + +"What was it about?" + +Elsie explained, then asked how he had happened to come to her aid. + +"I had learned from the servants that your father and mother were both +out, so came here in search of you," he said. "As I drew near I saw +that Arthur was with you, and not wishing to overhear your talk, I +waited at a little distance up there on the bank, watching you through +the trees. I perceived at once that he was in a towering passion, and +fearing he would ill-treat you in some way, I held myself in readiness +to come to your rescue; and when I saw him strike you, such a fury +suddenly came over me that I could not possibly refrain from thrashing +him for it." + +"Mr. Travilla, you will not tell papa?" she said entreatingly. + +"My child, I am inclined to think he ought to hear of it." + +"Oh, why need he? It would make him very angry with Arthur." + +"Which Arthur richly deserves. I think your father should know, in +order that he may take measures for your protection. Still, if you +promise not to ride or walk out alone until Arthur has left the +neighborhood, it shall be as you wish. But you must try to recover +your composure, or your papa will be sure to ask the cause of your +agitation. You are trembling very much, and the color has quite +forsaken your cheeks." + +"I'll try," She said, making a great effort to control herself, "and I +give you the promise." + +"This is a very pleasant place to sit with book or work," he remarked, +"but I would advise you not even to come here alone again till Arthur +has gone." + +"Thank you, sir, I think I shall follow your advice. It will be only a +few weeks now till he and Walter both go North to college." + +"I see you have your book with you," he said, taking it up from the +seat where it lay. "How do you like it?" + +"Oh, so much! How I pity poor Ellen for having such a father, so +different from my dear papa; and because she had to be separated from +her mamma, whom she loved so dearly. I can't read about her troubles +without crying, Mr. Travilla." + +"Shall I tell you a secret," he said, smiling; "I shed some tears +over it myself." Then he went on talking with her about the different +characters of the story, thus helping her to recover her composure by +turning her thoughts from herself and Arthur. + +When, half an hour later, a servant came to summon her to the house, +with the announcement that her father had returned and was ready to +hear her recitations, all signs of agitation had disappeared; she had +ceased to tremble, and her fair face was as sweet, bright, and rosy as +its wont. + +She rose instantly on hearing the summons. "You'll excuse me, I know, +Mr. Travilla. But will you not go in with me? We are always glad to +have you with us. I have no need to tell you that, I am sure." + +"Thank you," he said, "but I must return to Ion now. I shall walk to +the house with you though, if you will permit me," he added, thinking +that Arthur might be still lurking somewhere within the grounds. + +She answered gayly that she would be very glad of his company. She had +lost none of her old liking for her father's friend, and was wont to +treat him with the easy and affectionate familiarity she might have +used had he been her uncle. + +They continued their talk till they had reached the lawn at the side +of the house on which her apartments were; then he turned to bid her +good-bye. + +"I'm much obliged!" she said, taking his offered hand, and looking up +brightly into his face. + +"Welcome, fair lady; but am I to be dismissed without any reward for +my poor services?" + +"I have none to offer, sir knight, but you may help yourself if you +choose," she said, laughing and blushing, for she knew very well what +he meant. + +He stooped and snatched a kiss from her ruby lips, then walked away +sighing softly to himself, "Ah, little Elsie, if I were but ten years +younger!" + +She tripped across the lawn, and entering the open door of her +boudoir, found herself in her father's arms. He had witnessed the +little scene just enacted between Mr. Travilla and herself, had +noticed something in his friend's look and manner that had never +struck him before. He folded his child close to his heart for an +instant then held her off a little, gazing fondly into her face. + +"You are mine; you belong to me; no other earthly creature has the +least shadow of a right or title in you; do you know that?" + +"Yes, papa, and rejoice to know it," she murmured, putting her arms +about his neck and laying her head against his breast. + +"Ah!" he said, sighing, "you will not always be able to say that, I +fear. One of these days you will--" He broke off abruptly, without +finishing his sentence. + +She looked up inquiringly into his face. + +He answered her look with a smile and a tender caress. "I had better +not put the nonsense into your head: it will get there soon enough +without my help. Come now, let us have the lessons. I expect to find +them well prepared, as usual." + +"I hope so, papa," she answered, bringing her books and seating +herself on a stool at his feet, he having taken possession of an +easy-chair. + +The recitations seemed a source of keen enjoyment to both; the one +loving to impart, and the other to receive, knowledge. + +Mr. Dinsmore gave the deserved meed of warm praise for the faithful +preparation of each allotted task, prescribed those for the coming +day, and the books were laid aside. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, as she closed her desk upon them, "I +have something to say to you." + +"What is it, papa?" she asked, seating herself upon his knee. "How +very grave you look." But there was not a touch of the old fear in her +face or voice, as there had been none in his of the old sternness. + +"Yes, for I am about to speak of a serious matter," he answered, +gently smoothing back the clustering curls from her fair brow, while +he looked earnestly into the soft brown eyes. "You have not been +lending money to Arthur, Elsie?" + +The abrupt, unexpected question startled her, and a crimson tide +rushed over her face and neck; but she returned her father's gaze +steadily: "No, papa; how could you think I would disobey so?" + +"I did not, darling, and yet I felt that I must ask the question +and repeat my warning, my command to you--never to do so without my +knowledge and consent. Your grandfather and I are much troubled about +the boy." + +"I am so sorry, papa; I hope he has not been doing anything very bad." + +"He seems to have sufficient cunning to hide many of his evil deeds," +Mr. Dinsmore said, with a sigh; "yet enough has come to light to +convince us that he is very likely to become a shame and disgrace to +his family. We know that he is profane, and to some extent, at +least, intemperate and a gambler. A sad, sad beginning for a boy of +seventeen. And to furnish him with money, Elsie, would be only to +assist him in his downward course." + +"Yes, papa, I see that. Poor grandpa, I'm so sorry for him! But, papa, +God can change Arthur's heart, and make him all we could wish." + +"Yes, daughter, and we will agree together to ask Him to do this great +work, so impossible to any human power; shall we not?" + +"Yes, papa." They were silent a moment; then she turned to him again, +told of Lucy Carrington's call and its object, and asked if she might +accept the invitation. + +He considered a moment. "Yes," he said kindly, "you may if you wish. +You quite deserve a holiday, and I think perhaps would really be the +better of a week's rest from study. Go and enjoy yourself as much as +you can, my darling." + +"Thank you, you dearest, kindest, and best of papas," she said, giving +him a hug and kiss. "But I think you look a little bit sorry. You +would rather I should stay at home, if I could content myself to do +so, and it would be a strange thing if I could not." + +"No, my pet, I shall miss you, I know; the house always seems lonely +without you; but I can spare you for a week, and would rather have you +go, because I think the change will do you good. Besides, I am willing +to lend my treasure for a few days to our friends at Ashlands. I +would gladly do more than that, if I could, for that poor suffering +Herbert." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + How many pleasant faces shed their light on every side. + + --TUPPER. + + +"Remember it is for only one week; you must be back again next +Wednesday by ten o'clock; I can't spare you an hour longer," Mr. +Dinsmore said, as the next morning, shortly after breakfast, he +assisted his daughter to mount her pony. + +"Ten o'clock at night, papa?" asked Elsie in a gay, jesting tone, as +she settled herself in the saddle, and took a little gold-mounted +riding whip from his hand. + +"No, ten A.M., precisely." + +"But what if it should be storming, sir?" + +"Then come as soon as the storm is over." + +"Yes, sir; and may I come sooner if I get homesick?" + +"Just as soon as you please. Now, good-bye, my darling. Don't go into +any danger. I know I need not remind you to do nothing your father +would disapprove." + +"I hope not, papa," she said, with a loving look into the eyes that +were gazing so fondly upon her. Then kissing her hand to him and her +mamma and little Horace, who stood on the veranda to see her off, she +turned her horse's head and cantered merrily away, taking the road to +Ashlands on passing out at the gate. + +It was a bright, breezy morning, and her heart felt so light and +gay that a snatch of glad song rose to her lips. She warbled a few +bird-like notes, then fell to humming softly to herself. + +At a little distance down the road a light wagon was rumbling along, +driven by one of the man-servants from the Oaks, and carrying Aunt +Chloe and her young mistress' trunks. + +"Come, Jim," said Elsie, glancing over her shoulder at her attendant +satellite, "we must pass them. Glossy and I are in haste to-day. Ah, +mammy, are you enjoying your ride?" she called to her old nurse as she +cantered swiftly by. + +"Yes, dat I is, honey!" returned the old woman. Then sending a loving, +admiring look after the retreating form so full of symmetry and grace, +"My bressed chile!" she murmured, "you's beautiful as de mornin', your +ole mammy tinks, an' sweet as de finest rose in de garden; bright an' +happy as de day am long, too." + +"De beautifullest in all de country, an' de finest," chimed in her +charioteer. + +The young people at Ashlands were all out on the veranda enjoying the +fresh morning air--Herbert lying on a lounge with a book in his hand; +Harry and Lucy seated on opposite sides of a small round table and +deep in a game of chess; two little fellows of six and eight--John and +Archie by name--were spinning a top. + +"There she is! I had almost given her up; for I didn't believe that +old father of hers would let her come," cried Lucy, catching sight of +Glossy and her rider just entering the avenue; and she sprang up in +such haste as to upset half the men upon the board. + +"Hollo! see what you've done!" exclaimed Harry. "Why, it's Elsie, sure +enough!" and he hastily followed in the wake of his sister, who had +already flown to meet and welcome her friend; while Herbert started up +to a sitting posture, and looked enviously after them. + +"Archie, John," he called, "one of you please be good enough to hand +me my crutch and cane. Dear me, what a thing it is to be a cripple!" + +"I'll get 'em, Herbie, this minute! Don't you try to step without +'em," said Archie, jumping up to hand them. + +But Elsie had already alighted from her horse with Harry's assistance, +and shaken hands with him, returned Lucy's rapturous embrace as warmly +as it was given, and stepped upon the veranda with her before Herbert +was fairly upon his feet. As she caught sight of him she hurried +forward, her sweet face full of tender pity. + +"Oh, don't try to come to meet me, Herbert," she said, holding out her +little gloved hand; "I know your poor limb is worse than usual, and +you, must not exert yourself for an old friend like me." + +"Ah," he said, taking the offered hand, and looking at its owner with +a glad light in his eyes, "How like you that is, Elsie! You always +were more thoughtful of others than any one else I ever knew. Yes, my +limb is pretty bad just now; but the doctor thinks he'll conquer the +disease yet; at least so far as to relieve me of the pain I suffer." + +"I hope so, indeed. How patiently you have borne it all these long +years," she answered with earnest sympathy of tone and look. + +"So he has; he deserves the greatest amount of credit for it," said +Lucy, as John and Archie in turn claimed Elsie's attention for a +moment. "But come now, let me take you to mamma and grandma, and then +to your own room. Aunt Chloe and your luggage will be along presently, +I suppose." + +"Yes, they are coming up the avenue now." + +Lucy led the way to a large pleasant, airy apartment in one of the +wings of the building, where they found Mrs. Carrington busily +occupied in cutting out garments for her servants, her parents Mr. and +Mrs. Norris with her, the one reading a newspaper, the other knitting. +All three gave the young guest a very warm welcome. She was evidently +a great favorite with the whole family. + +These greetings and the usual mutual inquiries in regard to the health +of friends and relatives having been exchanged, Elsie was next carried +off by Lucy to the room prepared for her special use during her stay +at Ashlands. It also was large, airy, and cheerful, on the second +floor--opening upon a veranda on one side, on the other into a similar +apartment occupied by Lucy herself. Pine India matting, furniture of +some kind of yellow grained wood, snowy counterpanes, curtains and +toilet covers gave them both an air of coolness and simple elegance, +while vases of fresh flowers upon the mantels shed around a slight but +delicious perfume. + +Of course the two girls were full of lively, innocent chat. In the +midst of it Elsie exclaimed, "Oh, Lucy! I have just the loveliest book +you ever read! a present from Mr. Travilla the other day, and I've +brought it along. Papa had begun it, but he is so kind he insisted I +should bring it with me; and so I did." + +"Oh, I'm glad! we haven't had anything new in the story-book line for +some time. Have you read it yourself?" + +"Partly; but it is worth reading several times; and I thought we would +enjoy it all together--one reading aloud." + +"Oh, 'tis just the thing! I'm going to help mamma to-day with the +sewing, and a nice book read aloud will make it quite enjoyable. We'll +have you for reader, Elsie, if you are agreed." + +"Suppose we take turns sewing and reading? I'd like to help your +mamma, too." + +"Thank you; well, we'll see. Herbert's a good reader, and I daresay +will be glad to take his turn at it too. Ah, here comes your baggage +and Aunt Chloe following it. Here, Bob and Jack," to the two stalwart +black fellows who were carrying the trunk, "set it in this corner. How +d'ye do, Aunt Chloe?" + +"Berry well, tank you, missy," replied the old nurse, dropping a +courtesy. "I'se berry glad to see you lookin' so bright dis here +mornin'." + +"Thank you. Now make yourself at home and take good care of your young +mistress." + +"Dat I will, missy; best I knows how. Trus' dis chile for dat." + +Elsie's riding habit was quickly exchanged for a house dress, her +hair made smooth and shining as its wont, and securing her book she +returned with Lucy to the lower veranda, where they found Herbert +still extended upon his sofa. + +His face brightened at sight of Elsie. He had laid aside his book, and +was at work with his knife upon a bit of soft pine wood. He whiled +away many a tedious hour by fashioning in this manner little boxes, +whistles, sets of baby-house furniture, etc., etc., for one and +another of his small friends. Books, magazines, and newspapers filled +up the larger portion of his time, but could not occupy it all, for, +as he said, he must digest his mental food, and he liked to have +employment for his fingers while doing so. + +"Please be good enough to sit where I can look at you without too +great an effort, won't you?" he said, smiling up into Elsie's face. + +"Yes, if that will afford you any pleasure," she answered lightly, as +Lucy beckoned to a colored girl, who stepped forward and placed a low +rocking chair at the side of the couch. + +"There, that is just right. I can have a full view of your face by +merely raising my eyes," Herbert said with satisfaction, as Elsie +seated herself in it. "What, you have brought a book?" + +"Yes," and while Elsie went on to repeat the substance of what she +had told Lucy, the latter slipped away to her mamma's room to make +arrangements about the work, and ask if they would not all like to +come and listen to the reading. + +"Is it the kind of book to interest an old body like me?" asked Mrs. +Norris. + +"I don't know, grandma; but Elsie says Mr. Travilla and her papa were +both delighted with it. Mr. Dinsmore, though, had not read the whole +of it." + +"Suppose we go and try it for a while then," said Mr. Morris, laying +down his paper. "If our little Elsie is to be the reader, I for one am +pretty sure to enjoy listening, her voice is so sweet-toned and her +enunciation so clear and distinct." + +"That's you, grandpa!" cried Lucy, clapping her hands in applause. +"Yes, you'd better all come, Elsie is to be the reader at the start; +she says she does not mind beginning the story over again." + +Mrs. Carrington began gathering up her work, laying the garments +already cut out in a large basket, which was then carried by her maid +to the veranda. In a few moments Elsie had quite an audience gathered +about her, ere long a deeply interested one; scissors or needle had +now and again to be dropped to wipe away a falling tear, and the voice +of the reader needed steadying more than once or twice. Then Herbert +took his turn at the book, Elsie hers with the needle, Mrs. Carrington +half reluctantly yielding to her urgent request to be allowed to +assist them. + +So the morning, and much of the afternoon also, passed most +pleasantly, and not unprofitably either. A walk toward sundown, and +afterward a delightful moonlight ride with Harry Carrington and +Winthrop Lansing, the son of a neighboring planter, finished the +day, and Elsie retired to her own room at her usual early hour. Lucy +followed and kept her chatting quite a while, for which Elsie's tender +conscience reproached her somewhat; yet she was not long in falling +asleep after her head had once touched her pillow. + +The next day was passed in a similar manner, still more time being +given to the reading, as they were able to begin it earlier: yet the +book was not finished; but on the morning of the next day, which was +Friday, Lucy proposed that, if the plan was agreeable to Elsie, they +should spend an hour or two in a new amusement; which was no other +than going into the dominions of Aunt Viney, the cook, and assisting +in beating eggs and making cake. + +Elsie was charmed with the idea, and it was immediately carried out, +to the great astonishment of Chloe, Aunt Viney, and all her sable +tribe. + +"Sho, Miss Lucy! what fo' you go for to fotch de company right yere +into dis yere ole dirty kitchen?" cried Aunt Viney, dropping a hasty +courtesy to Elsie, then hurrying hither and thither in the vain effort +to set everything to rights in a moment of time. "Clar out o' yere, +you, Han an' Scip," she cried, addressing two small urchins of dusky +hue and driving them before her as she spoke, "dere aint no room yere +fo' you, an' kitchens aint no place for darkies o' your size or sect. +I'll fling de dishcloth at yo' brack faces ef yo' comes in agin fo' +you sent for. I 'clare Miss Elsie, an' Miss Lucy, dose dirty niggahs +make sich a muss in yere, dere aint a char fit for you to set down +in," she continued, hastily cleaning two, and wiping them with her +apron. "I'se glad to see you, ladies, but ef I'd knowed you was +a-comin' dis kitchen shu'd had a cleanin' up fo' shuah." + +"You see, Aunt Viney, you ought to keep it in order, and then you +would be ready for visitors whenever they happened to come," said Lucy +laughingly. "Why, you're really quite out of breath with whisking +about so fast. We've come to help you." + +The fat old negress, still panting from her unwonted exertions, +straightened herself, pushed back her turban, and gazed in round-eyed +wonder upon her young mistress. + +"What! Missy help ole Aunt Viney wid dose lily-white hands? Oh, go +'long! you's jokin' dis time fo' shuah." + +"No indeed; we want the fun of helping to make some of the cake for +to-morrow. You know we want ever so many kinds to celebrate our two +birthdays." + +"Two birthdays, Miss Lucy? yo's and Massa Herbert's? Yes, dat's it; I +don't disremember de day, but I do disremember de age." + +"Sixteen; and now we're going to have a nice party to celebrate the +day, and you must see that the refreshments are got up in your very +best style." + +"So I will, Miss Lucy, an' no 'casion for you and Miss Elsie to +trouble yo' young heads 'bout de makin' ob de cakes an' jellies an' +custards an' sich. Ole Aunt Viney can 'tend to it all." + +"But we want the fun of it," persisted Lucy; "we want to try our hands +at beating eggs, rolling sugar, sifting flour, etc., etc. I've got a +grand new receipt book here, and we'll read out the recipes to you, +and measure and weigh the materials, and you can do the mixing and +baking." + +"Yes, missy, you' lily hands no' hab strength to stir, an' de fire +spoil yo' buful 'plexions for shuah." + +"I've brought mamma's keys," said Lucy; "come along with us to the +store-room, Aunt Viney, and I'll deal out the sugar, spices, and +whatever else you want." + +"Yes, Miss Lucy; but 'deed I don't need no help. You's berry kind, but +ole Viney kin do it all, an' she'll have eberything fus'-rate fo' de +young gemmen an' ladies." + +"But that isn't the thing, auntie; you don't seem to understand. Miss +Elsie and I want the fun, and to learn to cook, too. Who knows but we +may some day have to do our own work?" + +"Bress de Lord, Miss Lucy, how you talk, honey!" cried the old +negress, rolling up her eyes in horror at the thought. + +"Take care; Miss Elsie will think you very wicked if you use such +exclamations as that." + +"Dat wrong, you t'ink, missy?" asked Aunt Viney, turning to the young +visitor, who had gone with them to the store-room, and was assisting +Lucy in the work of measuring and weighing the needed articles. + +"I think it is," she answered gently; "we should be very careful +not to use the sacred name lightly. To do so is to break the third +commandment." + +"Den, missy, dis ole gal won't neber do it no more." + +Chloe had been an excellent cook in her young days, and had not +forgotten or lost her former skill in the preparation of toothsome +dainties. She, too, came with offers of assistance, and the four were +soon deep in the mysteries of pastry, sweetmeats, and confections. +Novelty gave it an especial charm to the young ladies, and they grew +very merry and talkative, while their ignorance of the business in +hand, the odd mistakes they fell into in consequence, and the comical +questions they asked, gave much secret amusement to the two old +servants. + +"What's this pound cake to be mixed up in, Aunt Viney?" asked Lucy. + +"In dis yere tin pan, missy." + +"Is it clean?" + +"Yes, missy, it's clean; but maybe 'taint suffishently clean, I'll +wash it agin." + +"How many kinds of cake shall we make?" asked Elsie. + +"Every kind that Chloe and Aunt Viney can think of and know how +to make well. Let me see--delicate cake, gold, silver and clove, +fruitcake, sponge, and what else?" + +"Mammy makes delicious jumbles." + +"Will you make us some, Aunt Chloe?" + +Chloe signified her readiness to do whatever was desired, and began at +once to collect her implements. + +"Got a rollin' pin, Aunt Viney?" she asked. + +"Yes, to be shuah, a revoltin' roller, de very bes' kind. No, Miss +Elsie, don' mix de eggs dat way, you spile 'em ef you mix de yaller +all up wid de whites. An' Miss Lucy, butter an' sugar mus' be worked +up togedder fus', till de butter resolve de sugah, 'fore we puts de +udder gredinents in." + +"Ah, I see we have a good deal to learn before we can hope to rival +you as cooks, Aunt Viney," laughed Lucy. + +"I spec' so, missy; you throw all de gredinents in togedder, an' +tumble your flouah in all at once, an' you nebber get your cake nice +an light." + +They had nearly reached the end of their labors when sounds as of +scuffling, mingled with loud boyish laughter, and cries of "That's it, +Scip, hit him again! Pitch into him, Han, and pay him off well for +it!" drew them all in haste to the window and door. + +The two little darkies who had been ejected from the kitchen, were +tussling in the yard, while their young masters, John and Archie, +looked on, shaking with laughter, and clapping their hands in noisy +glee. + +"What's all this racket about?" asked Grandpa Norris, coming out upon +the veranda, newspaper in hand, Herbert limping along by his side. + +"The old feud between Roman and Carthaginian, sir," replied John. + +"Why, what do you mean, child?" + +"Hannah Ball waging a war on Skipio, you know, sir." + +"History repeating itself, eh?" laughed Herbert. + +"Ah, that's an old joke, Archie," said his grandfather. "And you're +too big a rogue to set them at such work. Han and Scip, stop that at +once." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "All your attempts + Shall fall on me like brittle shafts on armor." + + +Lucy came into Elsie's room early the next morning to show her +birthday gifts, of which she had received one or more from every +member of her family. They consisted of articles of jewelry, toilet +ornaments, and handsomely-bound books. + +They learned on meeting Herbert at breakfast that he had fared quite +as well as his sister. Elsie slipped a valuable ring on Lucy's finger +and laid a gold pencil-case beside Herbert's plate. + +"Oh, charming! a thousand thanks, mon ami!" cried Lucy, her eyes +sparkling with pleasure. + +"Thank you, I shall value it most highly; especially for the giver's +sake," said Herbert, examining his with a pleased look, then turning +to her with a blush and joyous smile, "I am so much better this +morning that I am going out for a drive. Won't you and Lucy give me +the added pleasure of your company?" + +"Thank you, I can answer for myself that I'll be very happy to do so." + +"I, too," said Lucy. "It's a lovely morning for a ride. We'll make up +a party and go, but we must be home again in good season; for Carrie +and Enna promised to come to dinner. So I'm glad we finished the book +yesterday, though we were all so sorry to part from little Ellen." + +They turned out quite a strong party; Herbert and the ladies filling +up the family carriage, while Harry on horseback, and John and Archie +each mounted upon a pony, accompanied it, now riding alongside, now +speeding on ahead, or perchance dropping behind for a time as suited +their fancy. + +They travelled some miles, and alighting in a beautiful grove, partook +of a delicate lunch they had brought with them. Then, while Herbert +rested upon the grass the others wandered hither and thither until it +was time to return. They reached home just in season to receive their +expected guests. + +Carrie Howard was growing up very pretty and graceful; womanly in her +ways, yet quite unassuming in manner, frank and sweet in disposition, +she was a general favorite with old and young, and could already boast +of several suitors for her hand. + +Enna Dinsmore, now in her fourteenth year, though by some considered +even prettier, was far less pleasing--pert, forward, and conceited as +she had been in her early childhood; she was tall for her age, and +with her perfect self-possession and grown-up air and manner, might +be easily mistaken for seventeen. She had already more worldly wisdom +than her sweet, fair niece would ever be able to attain, and was, in +her own estimation at least, a very stylish and fashionable young +lady. She assumed very superior airs toward Elsie when her brother +Horace was not by, reproving, exhorting, or directing her; and was +very proud of being usually taken by strangers for the elder of the +two. Some day she would not think that a feather in her cap. + +Elsie had lost none of the childlike simplicity of five years ago; +it still showed itself in the sweet, gentle countenance, the quiet +graceful carriage, equally removed from forwardness on the one hand, +and timid self-consciousness on the other. She did not consider +herself a personage of importance, yet was not troubled by her +supposed insignificance; in fact seldom thought of self at all, so +engaged was she in adding to the happiness of others. + +The four girls were gathered in Lucy's room. She had been showing her +birthday presents to Carrie and Enna. + +"How do you like this style of arranging the hair, girls?" asked the +latter, standing before a mirror, smoothing and patting, and pulling +out her puffs and braids. "It's the newest thing out. Isabel Carleton +just brought it from New York. I saw her with hers dressed so, and +sent Delia over to learn how." + +Delia was Miss Enna's maid, and had been brought along to Ashlands +that she might dress her young lady's hair in this new style for the +party. + +"It's pretty," said Lucy. "I think I'll have Minerva dress mine so for +to-night, and see how it becomes me." + +"Delia can show her how," said Enna. "Don't you like it, Carrie?" + +"Pretty well, but if you'll excuse me for saying so, it strikes me as +rather grown up for a young lady of thirteen," answered Carrie in a +good-naturedly bantering tone. + +Enna colored and looked vexed. "I'm nearly fourteen," she replied with +a slight toss of the head; "and I overheard Mrs. Carleton saying to +mamma the other day, that with my height and finished manners I might +pass anywhere for seventeen." + +"Perhaps so; of course, knowing your age, I can't judge so well how it +would strike a stranger." + +"I see you have gone back to the old childish way of arranging your +hair. What's that for?" asked Enna, turning to Elsie; "I should +think it was about time you were beginning to be a little womanly in +something." + +"Yes, but not in dress or the arrangement of my hair. So papa says, +and of course I know he is right." + +"He would not let you have it up in a comb?" + +"No," Elsie answered with a quiet smile. + +"Why do you smile? Did he say anything funny when you showed yourself +that day?" + +"Oh, Elsie, have you tried putting up your hair?" asked Carrie; while +Lucy exclaimed, "Try it again to-night, Elsie, I should like to see +how you would look." + +"Yes," said Elsie, answering Carrie's query first. "Enna persuaded me +one day to have mammy do it up in young-lady fashion. I liked it right +well for a change, and that was just what mamma said when I went into +the drawing-room and showed myself to her. But when papa came in, he +looked at me with a comical sort of surprise in his face, and said. +'Come here; what have you been doing to yourself?' I went to him and +he pulled out my comb, and ordered me off to mammy to have my hair +arranged again in the usual way, saying, 'I'm not going to have you +aping the woman already; don't alter the style of wearing your hair +again, till I give you permission.' + +"And you walked off as meek as Moses, and did his bidding," said Enna +sarcastically. "No man shall ever rule me so. If papa should undertake +to give me such an order, I'd just inform him that my hair was my own, +and I should arrange it as suited my own fancy." + +"I think you are making yourself out worse than you really are, +Enna," said Elsie gravely. "I am sure you could never say anything so +extremely impertinent as that to grandpa." + +"Impertinent! Well, if you believe it necessary to be so very +respectful, consistency should lead you to refrain from reproving your +aunt." + +"I did not exactly mean to reprove you, Enna, and you are younger than +I." + +"Nobody would think it," remarked Enna superciliously and with a +second toss of her head, as she turned from the glass; "you are so +extremely childish in every way, while, as mamma says, I grow more +womanly in appearance and manner every day." + +"Elsie's manners are quite perfect, I think," said Carrie; "and her +hair is so beautiful, I don't believe any other style of arrangement +could improve its appearance in the least." + +"But it's so childish, so absurdly childish! just that great mass of +ringlets hanging about her neck and shoulders. Come, Elsie, I want you +to have it dressed in this new style for to-night." + +"No, Enna, I am perfectly satisfied to wear it in this childish +fashion; and if I were not, still I could not disobey papa." + +Enna turned away with a contemptuous sniff, and Lucy proposed that +they should go down to the drawing-room, and try some new music she +had just received, until it should be time to dress for the evening. + +Herbert lay on a sofa listening to their playing. "Lucy," he said in +one of the pauses, "what amusements are we to have to-night?--anything +beside the harp, piano, and conversation?" + +"Dancing, of course. Cad's fiddle will provide as good music as any +one need care for, and this room is large enough for all who will be +here. Our party is not to be very large, you know." + +"And Elsie, for one, is too pious to dance," sneered Enna. + +Elsie colored, but remained silent. + +"Oh! I did not think of that!" cried Lucy. "Elsie, do you really think +it is a sinful amusement?" + +"I think it wrong to go to balls; at least that it would be wrong for +me, a professed Christian, Lucy." + +"But this will not be a ball, and we'll have nothing but quiet country +dances, or something of that sort, no waltzing or anything at all +objectionable. What harm can there be in jumping about in that way +more than in another?" + +"None that I know of," answered Elsie, smiling. "And I certainly shall +not object to others doing as they like, provided I am not asked to +take part in it." + +"But why not take part, if it is not wrong?" asked Harry, coming in +from the veranda. + +"Why, don't you know she never does anything without asking the +permission of papa?" queried Enna tauntingly. "But where's the use of +consulting her wishes in the matter, or urging her to take part in the +wicked amusement?--she'll have to go to bed at nine o'clock, like any +other well-trained child, and we'll have time enough for our dancing +after that." + +"Oh, Elsie, must you?--must you really leave us at that early hour? +Why, that's entirely too bad!" cried the others in excited chorus. + +"I shall stay up till ten," answered Elsie quietly, while a deep flush +suffused her cheek. + +"That is better, but we shall not know how to spare you even that +soon," said Harry. "Couldn't you make it eleven?--that would not be so +very late just for once." + +"No, for she can't break her rules, or disobey orders. If she did, +papa would be sure to find it out and punish her when she gets home." + +"For shame, Enna! that's quite too bad!" cried Carrie and Lucy in a +breath. + +Elsie's color deepened, and there was a flash of anger and scorn in +her eyes as she turned for an instant upon Enna. Then she replied +firmly, though with a slight tremble of indignation in her tones: "I +am not ashamed to own that I do find it both a duty and a pleasure to +obey my father, whether he be present or absent. I have confidence, +too, in both his wisdom and his love for me. He thinks early hours of +great importance, especially to those who are young and growing, and +therefore he made it a rule that I shall retire to my room and begin +my preparations for bed by nine o'clock. But he gave me leave to stay +up an hour later to-night, and I intend to do so." + +"I think you are a very good girl, and feel just right about it," said +Carrie. + +"I wish he had said eleven, I think he might this once," remarked +Lucy. "Why, don't you remember he let you stay up till ten Christmas +Eve that time we all spent the holidays at Roselands, which was five +years ago?" + +"Yes," said Elsie, "but this is Saturday night, and as to-morrow is +the Sabbath, I should not feel it to be right to stay up later, even +if I had permission." + +"Why not? it isn't Sunday till twelve," said Herbert. + +"No, but I should be apt to oversleep myself, and be dull and drowsy +in church next morning." + +"Quite a saint!" muttered Enna, shrugging her shoulders and marching +off to the other side of the room. + +"Suppose we go and select some flowers for our hair," said Lucy, +looking at her watch. "'Twill be tea-time presently, and we'll want to +dress directly after." + +"You always were such a dear good girl," whispered Carrie Howard, +putting her arm about Elsie's waist as they left the room. + +Enna was quite gorgeous that evening, in a bright-colored silk, +trimmed with multitudinous flounces and many yards of ribbon and gimp. +The young damsel had a decidedly gay taste, and glanced somewhat +contemptuously at Elsie's dress of simple white, albeit 'twas of the +finest India muslin and trimmed with costly lace. She wore her pearl +necklace and bracelets, a broad sash of rich white ribbon; no other +ornaments save a half-blown moss rosebud at her bosom, and another +amid the glossy ringlets of her hair, their green leaves the only bit +of color about her. + +"You look like a bride," said Herbert, gazing admiringly upon her. + +"Do I?" she answered smiling, as she turned and tripped lightly away; +for Lucy was calling to her from the next room. + +Herbert's eyes followed her with a wistful, longing look in them, and +he sighed sadly to himself as she disappeared from his view. + +Most of the guests came early; among them, Walter and Arthur Dinsmore; +Elsie had not seen the latter since his encounter with Mr. Travilla. +He gave her a sullen nod on entering the room, but took no further +notice of her. + +Chit-chat, promenading and the music of the piano and harp were +the order of the evening for a time; then games were proposed, and +"Consequences," "How do you like it?" and "Genteel lady, always +genteel," afforded much amusement. Herbert could join in these, and +did with much spirit. But dancing was a favorite pastime with the +young people of the neighborhood, and the clock had hardly struck nine +when Cadmus and his fiddle were summoned to their aid, chairs and +tables were put out of the way, and sets began to form. + +Elsie was in great request; the young gentlemen flocked about her, +with urgent entreaties that she would join in the amusement, each +claiming the honor of her hand in one or more sets, but she steadily +declined. + +A glad smile lighted up Herbert's countenance, as he saw one and +another turn and walk away with a look of chagrin and disappointment. + +"Since my misfortune compels me to act the part of a wallflower, I am +selfish enough, I own, to rejoice in your decision to be one also," he +said gleefully. "Will you take a seat with me on this sofa? I presume +your conscience does not forbid you to watch the dancers?" + +"No, not at all," she answered, accepting his invitation. + +Elsie's eyes followed with eager interest the swiftly moving forms, +but Herbert's were often turned admiringly upon her. At length he +asked if she did not find the room rather warm and close, and proposed +that they should go out upon the veranda. She gave a willing assent +and they passed quietly out and sat down side by side on a rustic +seat. + +The full moon shone upon them from a beautiful blue sky, while a +refreshing breeze, fragrant with the odor of flowers and pines, gently +fanned their cheeks and played among the rich masses of Elsie's hair. + +They found a good deal to talk about; they always did, for they were +kindred spirits. Their chat was now grave, now gay--generally the +latter; for Cad's music was inspiriting; but whatever the theme of +their discourse, Herbert's eyes were constantly seeking the face of +his companion. + +"How beautiful you are, Elsie!" he exclaimed at length, in a tone of +such earnest sincerity that it made her laugh, the words seemed to +rush spontaneously from his lips. "You are always lovely, but to-night +especially so." + +"It's the moonlight, Herbert; there's a sort of witchery about it, +that lends beauty to many an object which can boast none of itself." + +"Ah, but broad daylight never robs you of yours; you always wear it +wherever you are, and however dressed. You look like a bride to-night; +I wish you were, and that I were the groom." + +Elsie laughed again, this time more merrily than before. "Ah, what +nonsense we are talking--we two children," she said. Then starting to +her feet as the clock struck ten--"There, it is my bed-time, and I +must bid you good-night, pleasant dreams, and a happy awaking." + +"Oh, don't go yet!" he cried, but she was already gone, the skirt of +her white dress just disappearing through the open hall door. + +She encountered Mrs. Carrington at the foot of the stairs. "My dear +child, you are not leaving us already?" she cried. + +"Yes, madam; the clock has struck ten." + +"Why, you are a second Cinderella." + +"I hope not," replied Elsie, laughing. "See, my dress has not changed +in the least, but is quite as fresh and nice as ever." + +"Ah, true enough! there the resemblance fails entirely. But, my dear +child, the refreshments are just coming in, and you must have your +share. I had ordered them an hour earlier, but the servants were slow +and dilatory, and then the dancing began. Come, can you not wait long +enough to partake with us? Surely, ten o'clock is not late." + +"No, madam; not for another night of the week, but to-morrow's the +Sabbath, you know, and if I should stay up late to-night I would be +likely to find myself unfitted for its duties. Besides, papa bade me +retire at this hour; and he does not approve of my eating at night; he +thinks it is apt to cause dyspepsia." + +"Ah, that is too bad! Well, I shall see that something is set away for +you, and hope you will enjoy it to-morrow. Good-night, dear; I must +hurry away now to see the rest of my guests, and will not detain you +longer," she added, drawing the fair girl toward her and kissing her +affectionately, then hastening away to the supper-room. + +Elsie tripped up the stairs and entered her room. A lamp burned low on +the toilet table, she went to it, turned up the wick, and as she did +so a slight noise on the veranda without startled her. The windows +reached to the floor and were wide open. + +"Who's there?" she asked. + +"I," was answered, in a rough, surly tone, and Arthur stepped in. + +"Is it you?" she asked in surprise and indignation. "Why do you come +here? it is not fit you should, especially at this hour." + +"It is not fit you should set yourself up to reprove and instruct your +uncle, I've come for that money you are going to lend me." + +"I am not going to lend you any money." + +"Give it then; that will be all the better for my pocket. + +"I have none to give you either, Arthur; papa has positively forbidden +me to supply you with money." + +"How much have you here?" + +"That is a question you have no right to ask." + +"Well, I know you are never without a pretty good supply of the +needful, and I'm needy. So hand it over without any more ado; +otherwise I shall be very apt to help myself." + +"No, you will not," she said, with dignity. "If you attempt to rob me, +I shall call for assistance." + +"And disgrace the family by giving the tattlers a precious bit of +scandal to retail in regard to us." + +"If you care for the family credit you will go away at once and leave +me in peace." + +"I will, eh? I'll go when I get what I came for, and not before." + +Elsie moved toward the bell rope, but anticipating her intention, he +stepped before it, saying with a jeering laugh, "No, you don't!" + +"Arthur," she said, drawing herself up, and speaking with great +firmness and dignity, "leave this room; I wish to be alone." + +"Hoity-toity, Miss Dinsmore! do you suppose I'm to be ordered about by +you? No, indeed! And I've an old score to pay off. One of these days +I'll be revenged on you and old Travilla, too; nobody shall insult and +abuse me with impunity. Now hand over that cash!" + +"Leave this room!" she repeated. + +"None of your ---- impudence!" he cried fiercely, catching her by the +arm with a grasp that wrung from her a low, half-smothered cry of +pain. + +But footsteps and voices were heard on the stairs, and he hastily +withdrew by the window through which he had entered. + +Elsie pulled up her sleeve and looked at her arm. Each finger of +Arthur's hand had left its mark. "Oh, how angry papa would be!" she +murmured to herself, hastily drawing down her sleeve again as the door +opened and Chloe came in, followed by another servant bearing a small +silver waiter loaded with dainties. + +"Missus tole me fetch 'em up with her compliments, an' hopes de young +lady'll try to eat some," she said, setting it down on a table. + +"Mrs. Carrington is very kind. Please return her my thanks, Minerva," +said Elsie, making a strong effort to steady her voice. + +The girl, taken up with the excitement of what was going on +downstairs, failed to notice the slight tremble in its tones. But +not so with Chloe. As the other hurried from the room, she took her +nursling in her arms, and gazing into the sweet face with earnest, +loving scrutiny; asked, "What de matter, darlin'? what hab resturbed +you so, honey?" + +"You mustn't leave me alone, to-night, mammy," Elsie whispered, +clinging to her, and half hiding her face on her breast. "Don't go out +of the room at all, unless it is to step on the veranda." + +Chloe was much surprised, for Elsie had never been cowardly. + +"'Deed I won't, darling" she answered, caressing the shining hair, and +softly rounded cheek. "But what my bressed chile 'fraid of?" + +"Mr. Arthur, mammy," Elsie answered scarcely above her breath. "He was +in here a moment since, and if I were alone again he might come back." + +"An' what Marse Arthur doin' yer dis time ob night, I like ter +know?--what he want frightenin' my chile like dis?" + +"Money, mammy, and papa has forbidden me to let him have any, because +he makes a bad use of it." Elsie knew to whom she spoke. Chloe was no +ordinary servant, and could be trusted. + +"Dear, dear, it's drefful that Marse Arthur takes to dem bad ways! But +don't go for to fret, honey; we'll 'gree together to ask de Lord to +turn him to de right." + +"Yes, mammy, you must help me to pray for him. But now I must get +ready for bed; I have stayed up longer than papa said I might." + +"Won't you take some of de 'freshments fust, honey?" + +Elsie shook her head. "Eat what you want of them, mammy. I know I am +better without." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + There's not a look, a word of thine + My soul hath e'er forgot; + Thou ne'er hast bid a ringlet shine, + Nor given thy locks one graceful twine, + Which I remember not. + + --MOORE. + + +The clock on the stairway was just striking nine, as some one tapped +lightly on the door of Elsie's room, leading into the hall. Chloe rose +and opened it. "Dat you, Scip?" + +"Yes, Aunt Chloe; de missis say breakop's is ready, an' will Miss +Dinsmore please for to come if she's ready. We don't ring de bell fear +wakin' up de odder young ladies an' gemmen." + +Elsie had been up and dressed for the last hour, which she had spent +in reading her Bible; a book not less dear and beautiful in her esteem +now than it was in the days of her childhood. She rose and followed +Scip to the dining-room, where she found the older members of the +family already assembled, and about to sit down to the table. + +"Ah, my dear, good-morning," said Mrs. Carrington; "I was sure you +would be up and dressed: but the others were so late getting to bed +that I mean they shall be allowed to sleep as long as they will. Ah! +and here comes Herbert, too. We have quite a party after all." + +"I should think you would need a long nap this morning more than any +one else," Elsie said, addressing Herbert. + +"No," he answered, coloring. "I took advantage of my semi-invalidism, +and retired very shortly after you left us." + +"You must not think it is usual for us to be quite so late on Sunday +morning, Elsie," observed Mr. Carrington as he sent her her plate, +"though I'm afraid we are hardly as early risers, even on ordinary +occasions, as you are at the Oaks. I don't think it's a good plan to +have Saturday-night parties," he added, looking across the table at +his wife. + +"No," she said lightly; "but we must blame it all on the birthday, for +coming when it did. And though we are late, we shall still be in time +to get to church. Elsie, will you go with us?" + +"In the carriage with mother and me?" added Herbert. + +Elsie, had she consulted her own inclination merely, would have +greatly preferred to ride her pony, but seeing the eager look in +Herbert's eyes, she answered smilingly that she should accept the +invitation with pleasure, if there was a seat in the carriage which no +one else cared to occupy. + +"There will be plenty of room, my dear," said Mr. Carrington; "father +and mother always go by themselves, driving an ancient mare we call +old Bess, who is so very quiet and slow that no one else can bear to +ride behind her; and the boys and I either walk or ride our horses." + +It was time to set out almost immediately upon leaving the table. They +had a quiet drive through beautiful pine woods, heard an excellent +gospel sermon, and returned by another and equally beautiful route. + +Elsie's mind was full of the truth to which she had been listening, +and she had very little to say. Mrs. Carrington and Herbert, too, were +unusually silent; the latter feeling it enjoyment enough just to sit +by Elsie's side. He had known and loved her from their very early +childhood; with a love that had grown and strengthened year by year. + +"You seem much fatigued, Herbert," his mother said to him, as a +servant assisted him from the carriage, and up the steps of the +veranda. "I am almost sorry you went." + +"Oh, no, mother, I'm not at all sorry," he answered cheerfully; "I +shall have to spend the rest of the day on my couch, but that sermon +was enough to repay me for the exertion it cost me to go to hear it." +Then he added in an undertone to Elsie, who stood near, looking at him +with pitying eyes, "I shan't mind having to lie still if you will give +me your company for even a part of the time." + +"Certainly you shall have it, if it will be any comfort to you," she +answered, with her own sweet smile. + +"You must not be too exacting towards Elsie, my son," said his mother, +shaking up his pillows for him, and settling him comfortably on them; +"she is always so ready to sacrifice herself for others that she would +not, I fear, refuse such a request, however much it might cost her to +grant it. And no doubt she will want to be with the other girls." + +"Yes, it was just like my selfishness to ask it, Elsie, and never +think how distasteful it might be to you. I take it all back," he +said, blushing, but with a wistful look in his eyes that she could +never have withstood, had she wished to do so. + +"It's too late for that, since I have already accepted," she said with +an arch look as she turned away. "But don't worry yourself about me; I +shall follow my own inclination in regard to the length of my visit, +making it very short if I find your society irksome or disagreeable." + +The other girls were promenading on the upper veranda in full dinner +dress. + +Carrie hailed Elsie in a lively tone. "So you've been to church, like +a good Christian, leaving us three lazy sinners taking our ease at +home. We took our breakfasts in bed, and have only just finished our +toilets." + +"Well, and why shouldn't we?" said Enna; "we don't profess to be +saints." + +"No, I just said we were sinners. But don't think too ill of us, +Elsie, it was so late--or rather early--well on into the small +hours--when we retired, that a long morning nap became a necessity." + +"I don't pretend to judge you, Carrie," Elsie answered gently, "it +is not for me to do so; and I acknowledge that though I retired much +earlier than you, I slept a full hour past my usual time for rising." + +"You'll surely have to do penance for that," sneered Enna. + +"No, she shan't," said Lucy, putting her arm around her friend's +slender waist. "Come, promenade with me till the dinner-bell rings, +the exercise will do you good." + +The lively chat of the girls seemed to our heroine so unsuited to +the sacredness of the day that she rejoiced in the excuse Herbert's +invitation gave her for withdrawing herself from their society for the +greater part of the afternoon. She found him alone, lying on his sofa, +apparently asleep; but at the sound of her light footstep he opened +his eyes and looked up with a joyous smile. "I'm so glad to see you! +how good of you to come!" he cried delightedly. "It's abominably +selfish of me, though. Don't let me keep you from having a good time +with the rest." + +"The Sabbath is hardly the day for what people usually mean by a good +time, is it?" she said, taking possession of a low rocking-chair that +stood by the side of his couch. + +"No, but it is the day of days for real good, happy times; everything +is so quiet and still that it is easier than on other days to lift +one's thoughts to God and Heaven. Oh, Elsie, I owe you a great debt of +gratitude, that I can never repay." + +"For what, Herbert?" + +"Ah, don't you know it was you who first taught me the sweetness of +carrying all my trials and troubles to Jesus? Years ago, when we were +very little children, you told me what comfort and happiness you found +in so doing, and begged me to try it for myself." + +"And you did?" + +"Yes, and have continued to do so ever since." + +"And that is what enables you to be so patient and uncomplaining." + +"If I am. But ah! you don't know the dreadfully rebellious feelings +that sometimes will take possession of me, especially when, after +the disease has seemed almost eradicated from my system, it suddenly +returns to make me as helpless and full of pain as ever. Nobody knows +how hard it is to endure it; how weary I grow of life; how unendurably +heavy my burden seems." + +"Yes, He knows," she murmured softly. "In all their afflictions He was +afflicted; and the angel of His presence saved them." + +"Yes, He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Oh, how sweet +and comforting it is!" + +They were silent for a moment; then turning to her, he asked, "Are +you ever afraid that your troubles and cares are too trifling for +His notice? that you will weary and disgust Him with your continual +coming?" + +"I asked papa about that once, and I shall never forget the tender, +loving look he gave me as he said: 'Daughter, do I ever seem to feel +that anything which affects your comfort or happiness one way or the +other, is too trifling to interest and concern me?' 'Oh, no, no, +papa,' I said; 'you have often told me you would be glad to know that +I had not a thought or feeling concealed from you; and you always seem +to like to have me come to you with every little thing that makes me +either glad or sorry.' 'I am, my darling,' he answered, 'just because +you are so very near and dear to me; and what does the Bible tell us? +"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that +fear Him!"'" + +"Yes," said Herbert, musingly. "Then that text somewhere in Isaiah +about His love being greater than a mother's for her little helpless +babe." + +"And what Jesus said: 'Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and +not one of them shall fall to the ground without your Father. But the +very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye +are of more value than many sparrows.' And then the command: 'In +everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your +requests be made known unto God.' Papa reminded me, too, of God's +infinite wisdom and power, of the great worlds, countless in number, +that He keeps in motion--the sun and planets of many solar systems +besides our own--and then the myriads upon myriads of tiny insects +that crowd earth, air, and water; God's care and providence ever over +them all. Oh, one does not know how to take it in! one cannot realize +the half of it. God does not know the distinctions that we do between +great and small, and it costs Him no effort to attend at one and the +same time, to all His creatures and all their affairs." + +"No, that is true. Oh, how great and how good He is! and how sweet +to know of His goodness and love; to feel that he hears and answers +prayer! I would not give that up for perfect health and vigor, and all +the wealth of the world beside." + +"I think I would give up everything else first; and oh, I am so glad +for you, Herbert," she said softly. + +Then they opened their Bibles and read several chapters together, +verse about, pausing now and then to compare notes, as to their +understanding of the exact meaning of some particular passage, or to +look out a reference, or consult a commentary. + +"I'm excessively tired of the house; do let's take a walk," said Enna, +as they stood or sat about the veranda after tea. + +"Do you second the motion, Miss Howard?" asked Harry. + +"Yes," she said, rising and taking his offered arm. "Elsie, you'll go +too?" + +"Oh, there's no use in asking her!" cried Enna. "She is much too good +to do anything pleasant on Sunday." + +"Indeed! I was not aware of that." And Harry shrugged his shoulders, +and threw a comical look at Elsie. "What is your objection to pleasant +things, Miss Dinsmore? To be quite consistent you should object to +yourself." + +Elsie smiled. "Enna must excuse me for saying that she makes a slight +mistake; for while it is true my conscience would not permit me to go +pleasuring on the Sabbath, yet it does not object to many things that +I find very pleasant." + +"Such as saying your prayers, reading the Bible, and going to church?" + +"Yes. Enna; those are real pleasures to me." + +"But to come to the point, will you walk with us?" asked Lucy. + +"Thank you, no; not to-night. But please don't mind me. I have no +right, and don't presume to decide such questions for anyone but +myself." + +"Then, if you'll excuse us, we'll leave mamma and Herbert to entertain +you for a short time." + +The short time proved to be two hours or more, and long before the +return of the little party, Mrs. Carrington went into the house, +leaving the two on the veranda alone. + +They sang hymns together for a while, then fell to silent musing. +Herbert was the first to speak. He still lay upon his sofa; Elsie +sitting near, her face at that moment upturned to the sky, where the +full moon was shining, and looking wondrous sweet and fair in the +soft silvery light. Her thoughts seemed far away, and she started and +turned quickly toward him as he softly breathed her name. + +"Oh, Elsie, this has been such a happy day to me! What joy, what +bliss, if we could be always together!" + +"If you were only my brother! I wish you were, Herbert." + +"No, no, I do not; for I would be something much nearer and dearer. +Oh, Elsie, if you only would!" he went on, speaking very fast and +excitedly. "You thought I was joking last night, but I was not, I was +in earnest; never more so in my life. Oh, do you think you could like +me, Elsie?" + +"Why, yes, Herbert; I do, and always have ever since we first became +acquainted." + +"No, I didn't mean like, I meant love. Elsie, could you love me--love +me well enough to marry me?" + +"Why, Herbert; what an idea!" she stammered, her face flushing visibly +in the moonlight. "You don't know how you surprise me; surely we are +both too young to be thinking of such things. Papa says I am not even +to consider myself a young lady for three or four years yet. I'm +nothing but a child. And you, Herbert, are not much older." + +"Six months; but that's quite enough difference. And your father +needn't object on the score of our youth. You are as old now as I've +been told your mother was when he married her, and another year will +make me as old as he was. And your Aunts Louisa and Lora were both +engaged before they were sixteen. It's not at all uncommon for girls +in this part of the country to marry before they are that old. But I +know I'm not half good enough for you, Elsie. A king might be proud to +win you for his bride, and I'm only a poor, good-for-nothing cripple, +not worth anybody's acceptance." And he turned away his face, with +something that sounded very like a sob. + +Elsie's kind heart was touched. "No, Herbert, you must not talk so. +You are a dear, good, noble fellow, worthy of any lady in the land," +she said, half playfully, half tenderly and laying her little soft +white hand over his mouth. + +He caught it in his and pressed it passionately to his lips, there +holding it fast. "Oh, Elsie, if it were only mine to keep!" he cried, +"I'd be the happiest fellow in the world." + +She looked at his pale, thin face, worn with suffering, into his eyes +so full of passionate entreaty; thought what a dear lovable fellow he +had always been, and forgot herself entirely--forgot everything but +the desire to relieve and comfort him, and make him happy. + +"Only tell me that you care for me, darling, and that you are willing +some day to belong to me! only give me a little hope; I shall die if +you don't!" + +"I do care for you, Herbert; I would do anything in my power to make +you happy." + +"Then I may call you my own! Oh, darling, God bless you for your +goodness!" + +But the clock was striking nine, and with the sound, a sudden +recollection came to Elsie. "It is my bed-time, and--and, Herbert, it +will all have to be just as papa says. I belong to him, and cannot +give myself away without his permission. Good-night." She hastily +withdrew the hand he still held, and was gone ere he had time to +reply. + +"What had she done--something of which papa would highly disapprove? +Would he be very much vexed with her?" Elsie asked herself +half-tremblingly, as she sat passively under her old mammy's hands; +for her father's displeasure was the one thing she dreaded above all +others. + +She was just ready for bed when a light tap on the door was followed +by the entrance of Mrs. Carrington. + +"I wish to see your young mistress alone for a few moments, Aunt +Chloe," she said, and the faithful creature went from the room at +once. + +Mrs. Carrington threw her arms around Elsie, folded her in close, +loving embrace, and kissed her fondly again and again, "My dear child, +how happy you have made me!" she whispered at last. "Herbert has told +me all. Dear boy, he could not keep such good news from his mother. +I know of nothing that could have brought me deeper joy and +thankfulness, for I have always had a mother's love for you." + +Elsie felt bewildered, almost stunned. "I--I'm afraid you--he has +misunderstood me; it--it must be as papa says," she stammered; "I +cannot decide it for myself, I have no right." + +"Certainly, my dear, that is all very right, very proper; parents +should always be consulted in these matters. But your papa loves +you too well to raise any objection when he sees that your heart is +interested. And Herbert is worthy of you, though his mother says it; +he is a noble, true-hearted fellow, well-educated, handsome, talented, +polished in manners, indeed all that anybody could ask, if he were but +well; and we do not despair of seeing him eventually quite restored +to health. But I am keeping you up, and I know that your papa is +very strict and particular about your observance of his rules; so +good-night." And, with another caress, she left her. + +Thought was very busy in Elsie's brain as she laid her head upon her +pillow. It was delightful to have given such joy and happiness to +Herbert and his mother. Lucy, too, she felt sure would be very glad +to learn that they were to be sisters. But her own papa, how would he +feel--what would he say? Only the other day he had reminded her how +entirely she belonged to him--that no other had the slightest claim +upon her, and as he spoke, the clasp of his arms seemed to say that he +would defy the whole world to take her from him. No, he would never +give her up; and somehow she was not at all miserable at the thought; +but on the contrary it sent a thrill of joy to her heart; it was so +sweet to be so loved and cherished by him, "her own dear, dear papa!" + +But then another thing came to her remembrance; his pity for poor +suffering Herbert; his expressed willingness to do anything he could +to make him happy--and again she doubted whether he would accept or +reject the boy's suit for her hand. + +Carrie and Enna were to leave at an early hour on Monday morning. +They came into Elsie's room for a parting chat while waiting for the +ringing of the breakfast bell; so the three went down together to +answer its summons, and thus she was spared the necessity of entering +the dining room alone--an ordeal she had really dreaded; a strange and +painful shyness toward the whole family at Ashlands having suddenly +come over her. She managed to conceal it pretty well, but carefully +avoided meeting Herbert's eye, or those of his parents. + +The girls left directly on the conclusion of the meal, and having seen +them off, Elsie slipped away to her own room. But Lucy followed her +almost immediately, fairly wild with delight at the news Herbert had +just been giving her. + +"Oh, you darling!" she cried, hugging her friend with all her might. +"I never was so glad in all my life! To think that I'm to have you for +a sister! I could just eat you up!" + +"I hope you won't," said Elsie, laughing and blushing, as she returned +the embrace as heartily as it was given. "But we must not be too sure; +I'm not at all certain of papa's consent." + +"No, I just expect he'll object to Herbie on account of his lameness, +and his ill health. I don't think we ought to blame him if he does +either." And Lucy suddenly sobered down to more than her ordinary +gravity. "Ah, I forgot," she said, a moment after; "Herbert begs that +you will come down and let him talk with you a little if you are not +particularly engaged." + +Elsie answering that she had nothing to do, her time was quite at +his disposal, the two tripped downstairs, each with an arm about +the other's waist, as they had done so often in the days of their +childhood. + +They found Herbert on the veranda, not lying down, but seated on his +sofa. "You are better this morning?" Elsie said with a glad look up +into his face, as he rose, leaning on his crutch, and gave her the +other hand. + +"Yes, thank you, much better. Joy has proved so great a cordial that I +begin to hope it may work a complete cure." He drew her to a seat by +his side, and Lucy considerately went away and left them alone. + +"You have not changed your mind, Elsie?" His tone was low and half +tremulous in its eagerness. + +"No, Herbert; but it all rests with papa, you know." + +"I hardly dare ask him for you, it seems like such presumption in a--a +cripple like me." + +"Don't say that, Herbert. Would you love me less if I should become +lame or ill?" + +"No, no, never! but I couldn't bear to have any such calamity come +upon you. I can hardly bear that you should have a lame husband. The +thought of it makes my trial harder to bear than ever." + +"It is God's will, and we must not fight against it," she said softly. + +They conversed for some time longer. He was very anxious to gain Mr. +Dinsmore's consent to their engagement, yet shrank from asking it, +fearing an indignant refusal; most of all, he dreaded a personal +interview; and, but ill able to take the ride to the Oaks, it was +finally decided between them that he should make his application by +letter, doing so at once. + +A servant was summoned to bring him his writing materials, and Elsie +left him to his trying task, while she and Lucy and Harry mounted +their horses and were away for a brisk, delightful ride through the +woods and over the hills. + +"It's gone, Elsie," Herbert whispered, when she came down dressed for +dinner. "I wrote it twice; it didn't suit me then, but my strength was +quite exhausted, so it had to go. I hope the answer will come soon, +but oh, I shall be almost afraid to open it." + +"Don't feel so; papa is very good and kind. He pities you so much, +too," and she repeated what he had said about being willing to do +anything he could for him. + +Herbert's face grew bright with hope as he listened. "And do you think +he'll answer at once?" he asked. + +"Yes, papa is always very prompt and decided; never keeps one long in +suspense." + +Mr. Carrington met our heroine at the dinner-table with such a bright, +glad smile, and treated her in so kind and fatherly a manner that she +felt sure he knew all, and was much pleased with the prospect before +them. But she was afraid Harry did not like it--did not want her for a +sister. He was usually very gay and talkative, full of fun and frolic. +He had been so during their ride, but now his manner seemed strangely +altered; he was moody and taciturn, almost cross. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Keen are the pangs + Of hapless love and passion unapproved. + + --SMOLLETT'S "REGICIDE" + + +Hardly anything could have been more distasteful to Horace Dinsmore +than the state of affairs revealed to him by Herbert Carrington's +note. He was greatly vexed, not at the lad's manner of preferring his +request, but that it should have been made at all. He was not ready, +yet to listen to such a proposal coming from any person, however +eligible, much less from one so sadly afflicted as poor Herbert. He +sought his wife's presence with the missive in his hand. + +"What is the matter, my dear?" she asked; "I have seldom seen you so +disturbed." + +"The most absurd nonsense! the most ridiculously provoking affair! +Herbert Carrington asking me to give him my daughter! I don't wonder +at your astonished look, Rose; a couple of silly children. I should +have given either of them credit for more sense." + +"It has certainly taken me very much by surprise," said Rose, smiling. +"I cannot realize that Elsie is grown up enough to be beginning with +such things; yet you know she has passed her fifteenth birthday, +and that half the girls about here become engaged before they are +sixteen." + +"But Elsie shall not. I'll have no nonsense of the kind for years to +come. She shall not marry a day before she is twenty-one, I had nearly +said twenty-five; and I don't think I'll allow it before then." + +Rose laughed. "My dear, do you know what my age was when you married +me?" + +"Twenty-one, you told me." + +"Don't you think my father ought then to have kept us waiting four +years longer?" + +"No," he answered, stooping to stroke her hair, and snatch a kiss from +her rich red lips. + +She looked up smilingly into his face. "Ah, consistency is a jewel! +and pray how old were you when you married the first time? and what +was then the age of Elsie's mother?" + +"Your arguments are not unanswerable, Mrs. Dinsmore. Your father could +spare you, having several other daughters; I have but one, and can't +spare her. Elsie's mother was not older when I married her, it is +true, than Elsie is now, but was much more mature, and had neither the +happy home nor the doting father her daughter has. And as for myself, +though much too young to marry, I was a year older than this Herbert +Carrington; and I was in sound and vigorous health, while he, poor +fellow, is sadly crippled, and likely always to be an invalid, and +very unlikely to live to so much as see his majority. Do you think I +ought for a moment to contemplate allowing Elsie to sacrifice herself +to him?" + +"It would seem a terrible sacrifice; and yet after all it will depend +very much upon the state of her own feelings." + +"If she were five or six years older, I should say yes to that; but +girls of her age are not fit to choose a companion for life; taste +and judgment are not matured, and the man who pleases them now may be +utterly repugnant to them in after years. Is not that so?" + +"Yes; and I think your decision is wise and kind. Still, I am sorry +for the poor boy, and hope you will deal very gently and kindly with +him." + +"I shall certainly try to do so. I pity him, and cannot blame him for +fancying my lovely daughter--I really don't see how he or any young +fellow can help it, but he can't have her, and of course I must tell +him so. I must see Elsie first however, and have already sent her a +note ordering her home immediately." + +"Come into my room for a little, dear," Mrs. Norris whispered to +Elsie as they rose from the dinner table. "Herbert must not expect to +monopolize all your time." + +It turned out that all the old lady wanted was an opportunity to +express her delight in the prospect of some day claiming Elsie as her +granddaughter, and to pet and fondle her a little. Mr. Norris did his +share of that also, and when at length they let her go she encountered +Mr. Carrington in the hall, and had to submit to some thing more of +the same sort from him. + +"We are all heartily rejoiced, little Elsie," he said, "all of us who +know the secret; it is to be kept from the children, of course, till +your father's consent has made all certain. But there is Lucy looking +for you; Herbert has sent her, I daresay. No doubt he grudges every +moment that you are out of his sight." + +That was true, and his glad look, as she took her accustomed place by +the side of his couch, was pleasant to see. But he was not selfish in +his happiness, and seemed well satisfied to share Elsie's society with +his sister. + +The three were making very merry together, when a servant from the +Oaks was seen riding leisurely up the avenue. He had some small white +object in his hand which he began waving about his head the moment he +saw that he had attracted their attention. + +"It's a letter!" exclaimed Lucy. "Han, Scip," to the two little blacks +who, as usual, were tumbling over each other on the grass near by, +"run, one of you and get it, quick now!" + +"What--who--Miss Lucy?" they cried, jumping up. + +"Yonder; don't you see Mr. Dinsmore's man with a letter? Run and get +it, quick!" + +"Yes'm!" and both scampered off in the direction of the horseman, who, +suddenly urging on his steed, was now rapidly nearing the house. + +"Hollo! dar now, you ole Jim!" shouted Scip, making a dash at the +horse, "who dat lettah fur? You gub um to me." + +A contemptuous sniff was the only answer, and dashing by them, Jim +drew rein close to the veranda. "Massa he send dis for you, Miss +Elsie," he said, holding out the letter to her. + +She sprang forward, took it from his hand and hastily tore open the +envelope, the rich color coming and going in her cheek. A glance was +sufficient, and turning her flushed face to the anxious, expectant +Herbert: "Papa has sent for me to return home immediately," she said; +"I must go." + +"Oh, Elsie, must you indeed? and is there no word for me--none at +all?" + +"Yes, he says you shall hear from him to-day or to-morrow." + +She had gone close to him and was speaking in a low tone that the +servants might not hear. Herbert took both her hands in his. "Oh, I am +so sorry! You were to have stayed two days longer. I fear this sudden +recall does not argue well for me. Is he angry, do you think?" + +"I don't know, I can't tell. The note is simply an order for me to +come home at once and the message to you that I have given; nothing +more at all. Jim is to see me safely to the Oaks." Then turning to the +messenger, "Go and saddle Glossy, and bring her round at once, Jim," +she said. + +"Yes, Miss Elsie, hab her roun' in less dan no time." + +"Go with Jim to the stables, Han," said Herbert, sighing as he spoke. + +"Elsie, I can't bear to have you leave us so suddenly," cried Lucy; +"it does seem too bad of your father, after giving you permission to +stay a whole week, to go and dock off two days." + +"But papa has a right, and I can't complain. I've nothing to do but +obey. I'll go up and have my riding-habit put on, while Glossy is +being saddled." + +"Miss Elsie," said Jim, leisurely dismounting, "massa say de wagon be +here in 'bout an hour for de trunk, an' Aunt Chloe mus' hab 'em ready +by dat time; herself too." + +"Very well, she shall do so," and with another whispered word to +Herbert, Elsie went into the house, Lucy going with her. + +"Why, my dear, this is very sudden, is it not?" exclaimed Mrs. +Carrington, meeting her young guest as she came down dressed for her +ride. "I thought you were to stay a week, and hoped you were enjoying +your visit as much as we were." + +"Thank you, dear Mrs. Carrington; I have had a delightful time, but +papa has sent for me." + +"And like a good child, you obey at once." + +"My father's daughter would never dare to do otherwise," replied +Elsie, smiling; "though I hope I should not, if I did dare." + +"You'll come again soon--often, till I can get strength to go to you?" +Herbert said entreatingly, as he held her hand in parting. "And we'll +correspond, won't we? I should like to write and receive a note every +day when we do not meet." + +"I don't know; I can promise nothing till I have asked permission of +papa." + +"But if he allows it?" + +"If he allows it, yes; good-bye." + +Dearly as Elsie loved her father, she more than half dreaded the +meeting with him now; so entirely uncertain was she how he would feel +in regard to this matter. + +He was on the veranda, watching for her. Lifting her from her horse, +he led her into his study. Then putting an arm about her waist, his +other hand under her chin so that her blushing, downcast face was +fully exposed to his gaze, "What does all this mean?" he asked. "Look +up into my face and tell me if it is really true that you want me to +give you away? if it is possible that you love that boy better than +your father?" + +She lifted her eyes as he bade her, but dropped them again instantly; +then as he finished his sentence, "Oh, no, no, papa! not half so well; +how could you think it?" she cried, throwing her arms about his neck, +and hiding her face on his breast. + +"Ah, is that so?" he said, with a low, gleeful laugh, as he held her +close to his heart. "But he says you accepted him on condition that +papa would give consent, that you owned you cared for him." + +"And so I do, papa; I've always loved him as if he were my brother; +and I'm so sorry for all he suffers, that I would do anything I could +to make him happy." + +"Even to sacrificing yourself? It is well indeed for you that you have +a father to take care of you." + +"Are you going to say 'No' to him, papa?" she asked, looking up half +beseechingly. + +"Indeed I am." + +"Ah, papa, he said it would kill him if you did." + +"I don't believe it; people don't die so easily. And I have several +reasons for my refusal, each one of which would be quite sufficient of +itself. But you just acknowledged to me that you don't love him at all +as you ought. Why, my child, when you meet the right person you will +find that your love for him is far greater than what you feel for me." + +"Papa, I don't think that could be possible," she said, clinging +closer to him than before. + +"But you'll be convinced when the time comes, though I hope that +will not be for many a long year yet. Then Herbert's ill health and +lameness are two insuperable objections. Lastly, you are both entirely +too young to be thinking of such matters." + +"He didn't mean to ask you to give me to him now, papa; not for a year +or two at the very least." + +"But I won't have you engaging yourself while you are such a mere +child. I don't approve of long engagements, or intend to let you +marry for six or seven years to come. So you may as well dismiss all +thoughts on the subject; and if any other boy or man attempts to talk +to you as Herbert has, just tell him that your father utterly forbids +you to listen to anything of the kind. What! crying! I hope these are +not rebellious tears?" + +"No, papa; please don't be angry. It is only that I feel so sorry for +poor Herbert; he suffers so, and is so patient and good." + +"I am sorry for him too, but it cannot be helped. I must take care of +you first, and not allow anything which I think will interfere with +your happiness or well being." + +"Papa, he wants to correspond with me." + +"I shall not allow it." + +"May we see each other often?" + +"No; not at all for some time. He must get over this foolish fancy +first, it cannot be anything more; and there is great danger that he +will not unless you are kept entirely apart." + +Elsie sighed softly, but said not a word. There was no appeal from her +father's decisions, no argument or entreaty allowed after they were +once announced. + +Little feet were heard running down the hall; then there was the sound +of a tiny fist thumping on the door, and the voice of little Horace +calling, "Elsie, Elsie, tum out! me wants to see you!" + +"There, you may go now," her father said, releasing her with a kiss, +"and leave me to write that note. Well, what is it?" for she lingered, +looking up wistfully into his face. + +"Dear papa, be kind to him for my sake," she murmured softly, putting +her arm about his neck again. "He is such a sufferer, so patient and +good, and it quite makes my heart ache to think how grievously your +refusal will pain him." + +"My own sweet child! always unselfish, always concerned for the +happiness of others," thought the father as he looked down into the +pleading face; but he only stroked her hair, and kissed her more +tenderly than before, saying, "I shall try to be as kind as +circumstances will allow, daughter. You shall read the letter when it +is done, and if you think it is not kind enough it shall not be sent." + +She thanked him with a very grateful look, then hurried away, for the +tiny fists were redoubling their blows upon the door, while the baby +voice called more and more clamorously for "sister Elsie." + +She stooped to hug and kiss the little fellow, then was led off in +triumph to "mamma," whose greeting, though less noisy, was quite as +joyous and affectionate. + +"Oh, how nice it is to get home!" cried Elsie, and wondered within +herself how she had been contented to stay away so long. She had +hardly finished giving Rose an animated account of her visit, +including a minute description of the birthday party, when her +father's voice summoned her to the study again. + +"Does it satisfy you?" he asked when she had read the note. + +"Yes, papa; I think it is as kind as a refusal could possibly be +made." + +"Then I shall send it at once. And now this settles the matter, and +I bid you put the whole affair out of your mind as completely as +possible, Elsie." + +"I shall try, papa," she answered in a submissive and even cheerful +tone. + +That note, kindly worded though it was, caused great distress to +Herbert Carrington. He passed an almost sleepless night, and the next +morning, finding himself quite unable to rise from his couch, he sent +an urgent entreaty that Mr. Dinsmore would call at Ashlands at his +earliest convenience. + +His request was granted at once, and the lad pleaded with all the +eloquence of which he was master for a more favorable reception of his +suit. + +Had he been as well acquainted with Horace Dinsmore's character +as Elsie was, he would have known the utter uselessness of such a +proceeding. He received a patient hearing, then a firm, though kind +denial. Elsie was entirely too young to be allowed even to think of +love or matrimony, her father said; he was extremely sorry the subject +had been broached to her; it must not be again for years. He would not +permit any engagement, correspondence, or, for the present at least, +any exchange of visits; because he wished the matter to be dropped +entirely, and, if possible, forgotten. Nor would he hold out the +slightest hope for the future; answering Herbert's petition for that +by a gentle hint that one in his ill health should be content to +remain single. + +"Yes, you are right, Mr. Dinsmore, and I don't blame you for refusing +to give me your lovely daughter; I'm entirely unworthy of such a +treasure," said the poor boy in a broken voice. + +"Not in character, my dear boy," said Mr. Dinsmore, almost tenderly; +"in that you are all I could ask or desire, and it is all that you +are responsible for. And now while she is such a mere child, I should +reject any other suitor for her hand, quite as decidedly as I do you." + +"You don't blame me for loving her?" + +"No; oh, no!" + +"I can't help it. I've loved her ever since I first saw her, and that +was before I was five years old." + +"Well, I don't object to a brotherly affection, and when you can tone +it down to that, shall not forbid occasional intercourse. And now, +with the best wishes for your health and happiness, I must bid you +good-bye." + +"Good-bye, sir; and thank you for your kindness in coming," the boy +answered with a quivering lip. Then, turning to his mother, as Mr. +Dinsmore left the room, "I shall never get over it," he said. "I shall +not live long, and I don't want to; life without her isn't worth +having." + +Her heart ached for him, but she answered cheerily: "Why, my dear +child, don't be so despondent; I think you may take hope and courage +from some things that Mr. Dinsmore said. It is quite in your favor +that he will not allow Elsie to receive proposals from any one at +present, for who knows but, by the time he considers her old enough, +you may be well and strong." + +Mrs. Carrington's words had a very different effect from what she +intended. The next time Herbert saw his physician, he insisted so +strongly on knowing exactly what he might look forward to that there +was no evading the demand; and on learning that he was hopelessly +crippled for life, he sank into a state of utter despondency, and from +that moment grew rapidly worse, failing visibly day by day. + +Elsie, dutifully abstaining from holding any communication with +Ashlands, and giving all her thoughts as far as possible to home +duties and pleasures knew nothing of it till one day Enna came in, +asking, "Have you heard the news?" + +"No," said Elsie, pausing in a game of romps with her little brother; +"what is it?" + +"It! You should rather say they. There's more than one item of +importance." And Enna straightened herself and smoothed out her dress +with a very consequential air. "In the first place Arthur has been +found out in his evil courses; he's been betting and gambling till +he's got himself over head and ears in debt. Papa was so angry, I +almost thought he would kill him. But he seemed to cool down after +he'd paid off the debts; and Arthur is, or pretends to be, very +penitent, promises never to do the like again, and so he's got +forgiven, and he and Walter are to start for college early next week. +They've both gone to the city to-day with papa. Arthur seems to be mad +at you; he says that you could have saved him from being found out, +but didn't choose to, and some day he'll have his revenge. Now, what +was it you did, or didn't do?" + +"He wanted money, and I refused to lend it because papa had forbidden +me." + +"You're good at minding, and always were," was Enna's sneering +comment. "No, I'll take that back; I forgot that time when you nearly +died rather than mind." + +An indignant flush suffused Elsie's fair face for an instant; but +the sneer was borne in utter silence. Rose entered the room at that +moment, and, having returned her greeting, Enna proceeded to give +another important bit of news. + +"Herbert Carrington is very ill; not confined to his bed, but failing +very fast. The doctors advised them to take him from home; because +they said they thought he had something on his mind, and taking him +into new scenes might help him to forget it. They think he's not +likely to live long anyhow, but that is the last hope. His mother and +Lucy started North with him this morning." + +Elsie suddenly dropped the ball she was tossing for Horace and ran out +of the room. + +"Why, what did she do that for?" asked Enna, in a tone of surprise, +turning to Rose for an explanation. "Is she in love with him, do you +suppose?" + +"No, I know she is not; but I think she has a strong sisterly regard +for him, and I am sorry the news of his increased illness was told her +so abruptly." + +"Such a baby, as she always was," muttered Enna, "crying her eyes out +about the least little thing." + +"If she lacks sufficient control over her feelings it is almost the +only fault she has," replied Rose warmly. "And I think, Enna, you are +hardly capable of appreciating her delicately sensitive nature, and +warm, loving heart, else you would not wound her as you do. She +certainly controls her temper well, and puts up with more from you +than I should." + +"Pray, what do you mean, Mrs. Dinsmore? what have I done to your pet?" +asked the young lady angrily. + +"She is older than you, yet you treat her as if she were much younger. +Your manner toward her is often very contemptuous, and I have +frequently heard you sneer at her principles and taunt her with her +willing subjection to her father's strict rule; for which she deserves +nothing but the highest praise." + +"Nobody could ever rule me the way Horace does her!" cried Enna, with +a toss of her head. "And as to her being older than I am, I'm sure no +one would think it; she is so absurdly childish in her way; not half +so mature as I, mamma says." + +"I'm glad and thankful that she is not," answered Rose, with spirit; +"her sweet childish simplicity and perfect naturalness are very +charming in these days, when they are so rarely found in a girl who +has entered her teens." + +Little Horace, standing by the window, uttered a joyous shout, "Oh, +papa tumin'!" and rushed from the room to return the next moment +clinging to his father's hand, announcing as they came in together, +"Here papa is; me found him!" + +Mr. Dinsmore shook hands with his sister, addressed a remark to his +wife, then, glancing about the room, asked, "Where is Elsie?" + +"She left us a moment since, but did not say where she was going," +said Rose. + +"I presume you'll find her crying in her boudoir or dressing room," +added Enna. + +"Crying! Why, what is wrong with her?" + +"Nothing that I know of, except that I told her of Herbert +Carrington's being so much worse that they've taken him North as a +last hope." + +"Is that so?" and Mr. Dinsmore looked much concerned. + +"Yes, there can be no doubt about it, for I heard it from Harry +himself this morning." + +Mr. Dinsmore rose, and, putting his little son gently aside, left the +room. + +Elsie was not in her own apartments; he passed through the whole +suite, looking for her; then, going on into the grounds, found her at +last in her favorite arbor. She was crying bitterly, but at the sound +of his step checked her sobs, and hastily wiped away her tears. She +thought he would reprove her for indulging her grief, but instead he +took her in his arms and soothed her tenderly. + +"Oh, papa," she sobbed, "I feel as if I had done it--as if I had +killed him." + +"Darling, he is not past hope; he may recover, and in any event +not the slightest blame belongs to you. I have taken the whole +responsibility upon my shoulders." + +She gave him a somewhat relieved and very grateful look, and he went +on: "And even if I had allowed you to decide the matter for yourself, +you would have done what was your duty in refusing to promise to +belong to one whom you love less than you love your father." + +Some months later there came news of Herbert's death. Elsie's grief +was deep and lasting. She sorrowed as she might have done for the loss +of a very dear brother; while added to that was a half-remorseful +feeling which reason could not control or entirely relieve; and it was +long ere she was quite her own bright, gladsome sunny self again. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + The bloom of opening flowers' unsullied beauty-- + Softness and sweetest innocence she wears, + And looks like nature in the world's first spring. + + --ROWE'S "TAMERLANE." + + +"What a very peculiar hand, papa; so stiff and cramped and +old-fashioned," Elsie remarked, as her father laid down a letter he +had just been reading. + +"Yes. Did you ever hear me speak of Aunt Wealthy Stanhope?" + +His glance seemed to direct the question to Rose, who answered, with a +look of surprise and curiosity, "No, sir. Who is she?" + +"A half-sister of my own mother. She was the daughter of my maternal +grandfather by his first wife, my mother was the child of the second, +and there were some five or ten years between them. Aunt Wealthy never +married, would never live with any of her relatives, but has always +kept up a cosey little establishment of her own." + +"Do you know her, papa?" asked Elsie, who was listening with eager +interest. + +"I can hardly say that I do. I saw her once, nearly eighteen +years ago, about the time you were born--but I was not capable of +appreciating her then; indeed, was so unhappy and irritable as to be +hardly in a condition to either make or receive favorable impressions. +I now believe her to be a truly good and noble little woman, though +decidedly an oddity in some respects. Then I called her a fidgety, +fussy old maid." + +"And your letter is from her?" Rose said inquiringly. + +"Yes; she wants me to pay her a visit, taking Elsie with me, and +leaving her there for the summer." + +"There, papa! where?" + +"Lansdale, Ohio. Should you like to go?" + +"Yes, I think I should like to go, papa, if you take me; but whether I +should like to stay all summer I could hardly tell till I get there." + +"You may read the letter," he said, handing it to her. + +"It sounds as though it might be very pleasant, papa," she said, as +she laid it down after an attentive perusal. + +It spoke of Lansdale as a pretty, healthful village, surrounded by +beautiful scenery, and boasting of some excellent society: of two +lively young girls, living in the next house to her own, who would be +charming companions for Elsie, etc. + +"Your remark that your aunt was an oddity in some respects has excited +my curiosity," said Rose. + +"Ah! and I am to understand that you would like me to gratify it, eh?" +returned her husband, smiling. "Her dress and the arrangement of her +hair are in a style peculiarly her own (unless she has become more +fashionable since I saw her, which is not likely); and she has an odd +way of transposing her sentences and the names of those she addresses +or introduces, or calling them by some other name suggested by some +association with the real one. Miss Bell, for instance, she would +probably call Miss Ring; Mr. Foot, Mr. Shoe, and so on." + +"Does she do so intentionally, papa?" Elsie asked. + +"No, not at all; her mistakes are quite innocently made, and are +therefore very amusing." + +Mrs. Horace Dinsmore's parents had been urging her to visit them, and +after some further consideration it was decided that the whole family +should go North for the summer, Mr. Dinsmore see his wife and little +son safe at her father's, then take Elsie on to visit his aunt; the +length of the visit to be determined after their arrival. + + * * * * * + +It was a lovely morning early in May; the air was vocal with the songs +of birds and redolent with the breath of flowers all bathed in dew; +delicate wreaths of snowy vapor rose slowly from the rippling surface +of the river that threaded its way through the valley, and folded +themselves about the richly-wooded hill-sides, behind which bright +streaks of golden light were shooting upward, fair heralds of the +coming of the king of day. On the outskirts of the pretty village of +Lansdale, and in the midst of a well-kept garden and lawn, stood a +tasteful dwelling, of Gothic architecture. Roses, honeysuckle, and +Virginia creeper clambered over its walls, twined themselves about the +pillars of its porticos and porches, or hung in graceful festoons from +its many gables; the garden was gay with sweet spring flowers; the +trees, the grass on the lawn, and the hedge that separated it from the +road, all were liveried in that vivid green so refreshing to the eye. + +"Phillis! Simon!" called a sweet-toned voice from the foot of the back +staircase; "are you up? It's high time; nearly five o'clock now, and +the train's due at six." + +"Coming, ma'am. I'll have time to do up all my chores and git to +the depot 'fore de train; you neber fear," replied a colored lad of +fifteen or sixteen, hurrying down as he spoke. + +A matronly woman, belonging to the same race, followed close in his +rear. + +"You're smart dis mornin', missis," she said, speaking from the middle +of the stairway. "I didn't 'spect you'd git ahead o' me, and de sun +hardly showin' his face 'bove de hill-tops yit." + +"I woke early, Phillis, as I always do when something's going to +happen that I expect. Simon make haste to feed and water your horses +and be sure you have old Joan in the carriage and at the gate by a +quarter before six." + +"Am I to drive her to the depot, ma'am?" + +"No, Miss Lottie Prince will do that, and you are to take the +one-horse wagon for the trunks. Did you go to Mr. Laugh's and engage +it, as I told you yesterday?" + +"I went to Mr. Grinn's and disengaged de one-horse wagon, ma'am; +yes'm." + +"Very well. Now come into the sitting room and I'll show you the +likenesses of the lady and gentleman, and the old colored woman +they're going to bring with them," replied the mistress, leading +the way into an apartment that, spite of its plain, old-fashioned +furniture, wore a very attractive appearance, it was so exquisitely +neat; and the windows, reaching to the floor, opened upon one side +into conservatory and garden, on the other upon a porch that ran the +whole length of the front of the house. Taking a photograph album from +a side-table, she showed the three pictures to Simon, who pronounced +the gentleman very handsome, the lady the prettiest he ever saw, and +was sure he should recognise both them and their servant. + +"Now, Phillis, we'll have to bestir ourselves," said Miss Stanhope, +returning to the kitchen. "Do you think you can get breakfast in less +than an hour? such a breakfast as we should have this morning--one fit +for a king." + +"Yes, Miss Wealthy; but you don't want it that soon, do you? Folks is +apt to like to wash and dress 'fore breakfast." + +"Ah, yes! sure enough. Well, we'll give them half an hour." + +A few moments later, as Miss Stanhope was busy with broom and duster +in the front part of the house, a young girl opened the gate, tripped +gayly up the gravel walk that led from it across the lawn, and stepped +upon the porch. She was a brunette with a very rich color in her dark +cheek, raven hair, and sparkling, roguish black eyes. She wore a suit +of plain brown linen, with snowy cuffs and collar, and a little straw +hat. "Good-morning, Aunt Wealthy!" she cried, in a lively tone, "You +see I'm in good time." + +"Yes, Lottie, and looking as neat as a pin, too. It's very kind in +you, because of course I want to be here to receive them as they come, +to offer to introduce yourself and drive down to the depot for them." + +"Of course I'm wonderfully clever, considering that I don't at all +enjoy a drive in this sweet morning air, and aint in a bit of a hurry +to see your beautiful young heiress and her papa. Net wonders at my +audacity in venturing to face them alone; but I tell her I'm too +staunch a republican to quail before any amount of wealth or +consequence, and if Mr. and Miss Dinsmore see fit to turn up their +aristocratic noses at me, why--I'll just return the compliment." + +"I hope they're not of that sort, Lottie; but if they are, you will +serve them right." + +"She does not look like it," observed the young girl, taking the album +from the table and gazing earnestly upon Elsie's lovely countenance. +"What a sweet, gentle, lovable face it is! I'm sure I shall dote on +her; and if I can only persuade her to return my penchant, won't we +have grand good times while she's here? But there's Simon with old +Joan and the carriage. He'll hunt them up for me at the depot; won't +he, Aunt Wealthy?" + +"Yes, I told him to." + + * * * * * + +The shrill whistle of the locomotive echoed and re-echoed among the +hills. + +"Lansdale!" shouted the conductor, throwing open the car door. + +"So we are at our destination at last, and I am very glad for your +sake, daughter, for you are looking weary," said Mr. Dinsmore, drawing +Elsie's shawl more closely about her shoulders. + +"Oh, I'm not so very tired, papa," she answered, with a loving look +and smile, "not more so than you are, I presume. Oh, see! papa, what a +pretty girl in that carriage there!" + +"Yes, yes! Come to meet some friend, doubtless. Come, the train has +stopped; keep close to me," he said. "Aunt Chloe, see that you have +all the parcels." + +"Dis de gentleman and lady from de South, what Miss Stanhope's +'spectin'?" asked a colored lad, stepping up to our little party as +they alighted. + +"Yes." + +"Dis way den, sah, if you please, sah. Here's de carriage. De lady +will drive you up to de house, and I'll take your luggage in de little +wagon." + +"Very well; here are the checks. You will bring it up at once?" + +"Yes, sah, have it dar soon as yourself, sah. Dis cullad person better +ride wid me and de trunks." + +They were nearing the carriage and the pretty girl Elsie had noticed +from the car window. "Good-morning! Mr. and Miss Dinsmore, I presume?" +she said with a bow and smile. "Will you get in? Let me give you a +hand, Miss Dinsmore. I am Lottie King, a distant relative and near +neighbor of your aunt, Miss Stanhope." + +"And have kindly driven down for us. We are much obliged, Miss King," +Mr. Dinsmore answered, as he followed his daughter into the vehicle. +"Shall I not relieve you of the reins?" + +"Oh, no, thank you; I'm used to driving, and fond of it. And, besides, +you don't know the way." + +"True. How is my aunt?" + +"Quite well. She has been looking forward with great delight to this +visit, as have my sister Nettie and I also," Lottie answered, with a +backward glance of admiring curiosity at Elsie. "I hope you will be +pleased with Lansdale, Miss Dinsmore; sufficiently so to decide to +stay all summer." + +"Thank you; I think it is looking lovely this morning. Does my aunt +live far from the depot?" + +"Not very; about a quarter of a mile." + +"Oh, what a pretty place, and what a quaint-looking little old lady on +its porch!" Elsie presently cried out. "See, papa!" + +"Yes, that's Aunt Wealthy, and doesn't she make a picture standing +there under the vines in her odd dress?" said Miss King, driving up to +the gate. "She's the very oddest, and the very dearest and sweetest +little old lady in the world." + +Elsie listened and looked again; this time with eager interest and +curiosity. + +Certainly, Aunt Wealthy was no slave to fashion. The tyrannical dame +at that time prescribed gaiter boots, a plain pointed waist and +straight skirt, worn very long and full. Miss Stanhope wore a full +waist made with a yoke and belt, a gored skirt, extremely scant, and +so short as to afford a very distinct view of a well-turned ankle and +small, shapely foot encased in snowy stocking and low-heeled black kid +slipper. The material of her dress was chintz--white ground with a +tiny brown figure--finished at the neck with a wide white ruffle; she +had black silk mitts on her hands, and her hair, which was very gray +was worn in a little knot almost on the top of her head, and one +thick, short curl, held in place by a puff-comb, on each side of her +face. + +At sight of the carriage and its occupants, she came hurrying down +the gravel walk, meeting them as they entered the gate. She took Mr. +Dinsmore's hand, saying, "I am glad to see you, nephew Horace," and +held up her face for a kiss. Then turning to Elsie, gave her a very +warm embrace. "So, dear, you've come to see your old auntie? That's +right. Come into the house." + +Elsie was charmed with her and with all she saw; all without was so +fresh and bright, everything within so exquisitely neat and clean. The +furniture of the whole house was very plain and old-fashioned, but +Miss Stanhope never thought of apologizing for what to her wore the +double charm of ownership, and of association with the happy days of +childhood and youth, and loved ones gone. Nor did her guests deem +anything of the kind called for in the very least; house and mistress +seemed well suited the one to the other: and Elsie thought it not +unpleasant to exchange, for a time, the luxurious furnishing of her +home apartments for the simple adornments of the one assigned her +here. The snowy drapery of its bed and toilet-table, its wide-open +casements giving glimpses of garden, lawn, and shrubbery, and the +beautiful hills beyond, looked very inviting. There were vases of +fresh flowers too, on mantel and bureau, and green vines peeping in +at the windows. It seemed a haven of rest after the long, fatiguing +journey. + +"The child is sweet and fair to look upon, Horace, but I see nothing +of you or my sister in her face," observed Miss Stanhope, as her +nephew entered the breakfast-room, preceding his daughter by a moment +or two. "Whom does she resemble?" + +"Elsie is almost the exact counterpart of her own mother, Aunt +Wealthy, and looks like no one else," he answered, with a glance of +proud fatherly affection at the young creature as she entered and took +her place at the table. + +"Now my daughter," he said, at the conclusion of the meal, "you must +go and lie down until near dinner-time, if possible." + +"Yes, that is excellent advice," said Miss Stanhope. "I see, and I'm +glad, she's worth taking care of, as you are sensible, Horace. You +shall be called in season, dear. So take a good nap." + +Elsie obeyed, retired to her room, slept several hours, and woke +feeling greatly refreshed. Chloe was in waiting to dress her for +dinner. + +"Had you a nap too, my poor old mammy?" asked her young mistress. + +"Yes, darlin'. I've been lying on that coach, and feel good as ever +now. Hark! what dat?" + +"It sounds like a dog in distress," said Elsie, as they both ran to +the window and looked out. + +A fat poodle had nearly forced his plump body between the palings of +the front gate in the effort to get into the street, and sticking +fast, was yelping in distress. As they looked Miss Stanhope ran +quickly down the path, seized him by the tail, and jerked him back, he +uttering a louder yelp than before. + +"There, Albert," she said, stroking and patting him, "I don't like to +hurt you, but how was I to get you out, or in? You must be taught that +you're to stay at home, sir. Thomas! Thomas! come home, Thomas!" she +called; and a large cat came running from the opposite side of the +street. + +"So those are Aunt Wealthy's pets. What an odd name for a cat," said +Elsie, laughing. + +"Yes, Miss Elsie, dey's pets, sure nuff: Phillis says Miss Wealthy's +mighty good t'em." + +"There, she is coming in with them, and, mammy, we must make haste. +I'm afraid it's near dinner-time," said Elsie, turning away from the +window. + +Her toilet was just completed when there was a slight tap on the door, +and her father's voice asked if she was ready to go down. + +"Yes, papa," she answered, hurrying to him as Chloe opened the door. + +"Ah, you are looking something like yourself again," he said, with a +pleasant smile, as he drew her hand within his arm, and led her down +the stairs. "You have had a good sleep?" + +"A delicious rest. I must have slept at least four hours. And you, +papa?" + +"I took a nap of about the same length, and feel ready for almost +anything in the shape of dinner, etc. And there is the bell." + +Miss Stanhope cast many an admiring glance at nephew and niece during +the progress of the meal. + +"I'm thinking, Horace," she said at length, "that it's a great shame +I've been left so many years a stranger to you both." + +"I'm afraid it is, Aunt Wealthy; but the great distance that lies +between our homes must be taken as some excuse. We would have been +glad to see you at the Oaks, but you never came to visit us." + +"Ah, it was much easier for you to come here," she replied, shaking +her head. "I've been an old woman these many years. Come," she added, +rising from the table, "come into the parlor, children, and let me +show you the olden relics of time I have there--things that I value +very highly, because they've been in the family for generations." + +They followed her--Elsie unable to forbear a smile at hearing her +father and herself coupled together as "children"--and looked with +keen interest upon some half dozen old family portraits, an ancient +cabinet of curiosities, a few musty, time-worn volumes, a carpet that +had been very expensive in its day, but was now somewhat faded and +worn, and tables, sofas, and chairs of solid mahogany; each of the +last-named covered with a heavily-embroidered silken cushion. + +"That sampler," said Aunt Wealthy, pointing to a large one with a +wonderful landscape worked upon it, that, framed and glazed, +hung between two of the windows, "is a specimen of my paternal +grandmother's handiwork; these chair-cushions, too, she embroidered +and filled with her own feathers, so that I value them more than their +weight in gold." + +"My great-grandmother kept a few geese, I presume," Mr. Dinsmore +remarked aside to Elsie with a quiet smile. + +Having finished their inspection of the parlor and its curiosities, +they seated themselves upon the front porch, where trees and vines +gave a pleasant shade. Miss Stanhope had her knitting, Mr. Dinsmore +the morning paper, while Elsie sat with her pretty white hands lying +idly in her lap, doing nothing but enjoy the beautiful prospect and a +quiet chat with the sweet-voiced old lady. + +The talk between them was quite brisk for a time, but gradually it +slackened, till at length they had been silent for several minutes, +and Elsie, glancing at her aunt, saw her nodding over her work. + +"Ah, you must excuse me, dear," the old lady said apologetically, +waking with a start; "I'm not very well, and, deary, I woke unusually +early this morning, and have been stirring about ever since." + +"Can't you afford yourself a little nap, auntie?" Elsie asked in +return. "You mustn't make company of me; and, besides, I have a book +that I can amuse myself with." + +"You would be quite alone, child, for I see your father has gone in." + +"I shall not mind that at all, auntie. Do go and lie down for at least +a little while." + +"Well, then, dear, I will just lie down on the sofa in the sitting +room, and you must call me if any one comes." + +"Aunt Wealthy couldn't have meant for a child like that, unless she +comes on some important errand," thought Elsie, as, a few moments +later, a little girl came slowly across the lawn and stepped upon the +porch. + +The child looked clean and decent, in a neat calico dress and gingham +sun-bonnet. At sight of Elsie she stood still, and, gazing with +open-mouthed curiosity, asked, "Be you the rich young lady that was +coming to see Miss Wealthy from 'way down south?" + +"I have come from the South to see Miss Stanhope. What do you wish?" + +"Nothin', I just come over 'cause I wanted to." + +"Will you take a seat?" + +"Yes," taking possession of the low rocking chair Miss Stanhope had +vacated. + +"What's your name?" inquired Elsie. + +"Lenwilla Ellawea Schilling," returned the child, straightening +herself up with an air of importance; "mother made it herself." + +"I should think so," replied Elsie, with a sparkle of fun in her eye. +"And your mother is Mrs. Schilling, is she?" + +"Yes, and pap, he's dead, and my brother's named Corbinus." + +"What do they call you for short?" + +"Willy, and him Binus." + +"Where do you live?" + +"Over yonder," nodding her head towards the opposite side of the +street. "Mother's comin' over to see you some time. I guess I'll be +going now." And away she went. + +"What did that child want?" asked Miss Stanhope, coming out just in +time to see the little maiden pass through the gate. + +"Nothing but to look at and question me, I believe." Elsie answered, +with an amused smile. + +"Ah! she generally comes to borrow some little thing or other. They're +the sort of folks that always have something they're out of. Mrs. +Sixpence is a very odd sixpence indeed." + +"I think the little girl said her last name was Schilling." + +"Ah, yes, so it is: but I'm always forgetting their exact commercial +value," and Aunt Wealthy laughed softly. "In fact, I've a very good +forgetting of my own, and am more apt to get names wrong than right." + +"Mrs. Schilling must have an odd taste for names," said Elsie. + +"Yes, she's a manufacturer of them; and very proud of her success in +that line." + +Miss Stanhope was a great lover of flowers, very proud of hers, +cultivated principally by her own hands. After tea she invited her +nephew and niece to a stroll through her garden, while she exhibited +her pets with a very excusable pride in their variety, beauty, and +fragrance. + +As they passed into the house again, Phillis was feeding the chickens +in the back yard. + +"You have quite a flock of poultry, aunt," remarked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Yes, I like to see them running about, and the eggs you lay yourself +are so much better than any you can buy, and the chickens, too, have +quite another taste. Phillis, what's the matter with that speckled +hen?" + +"Dunno, mistis; she's been crippled dat way all dis week." + +"Well, well, I dare say it's the boys; one of them must have thrown a +stone and hit her between her hind legs; they're great plagues. Poor +thing! There, Albert, don't you dare to meddle with the fowls! Come +away, Thomas. That cat and dog are nearly as bad and troublesome to +the boys as the poultry." + +Puss and the poodle followed their mistress into the house, where +Albert lay down at her feet, while Thomas sprang into her lap, where +he stood purring and rubbing his head against her arm. + +"You seem to have a good many pets, auntie," Elsie remarked. + +"Yes, I am fond of them. A childless old woman must have something to +love. I've another that I'm fonder of than any of these though--my +grand-nephew, Harry Duncan. He's away at school now; but I hope to +show him to you one of these days." + +"I should like to see him. Is he a relative of ours?" Elsie asked, +turning to her father. + +"No, he belongs to the other side of the house." + +"How soft and fine this cat's fur is, aunt; he's quite handsome," +remarked Elsie, venturing to stroke Thomas very gently. + +"Yes, I raised him, and his mother before him. My sister Beulah was +first husband's child of Harry's grandmother twice married, and my +mother. Yes, I think a great deal of him, but was near losing him last +winter. A fellow in our town--he's two years old now--wanted a buffalo +robe for his sleigh, and undertook to make it out of cat-skins. He +advertised that he'd give ten cents for every cat-skin the boys would +bring him. You know the old saying that you can't have more of a cat +than its skin, and hardly anybody's was safe after that; they went +about catching all they could lay hands on, even borrowing people's +pets and killing them." + +Elsie turned to her father with a very perplexed look, puzzled to +understand who it was that had married twice, and whether her aunt had +stated Harry's age or that of the cat. + +But at that instant steps and voices were heard upon the porch, and +the door-bell rang. + +"It's Lottie and her father," said Miss Stanhope, pushing Thomas from +her lap. "Come in, friends, and don't stand for ceremony." For both +doors stood wide open. + +"Good-evening," said the young lady, coming forward, leaning upon +the arm of a middle-aged gentleman. "Mr. Dinsmore, I have brought my +father, Dr. King, to see you." + +The gentlemen shook hands, the doctor observing, "I am happy to make +your acquaintance, Mr. Dinsmore. I brought my daughter along to +introduce me, lest our good Aunt Wealthy here, in her want of +appreciation of nobility and birth, should, as she sometimes does, +give me a rank lower than my true one, making me to appear only a +Prince, while I am really a King." + +A general laugh followed this sally, Miss Stanhope insisting that that +was a mistake she did not often make now. Then Elsie was introduced, +and, all being seated again, Dr. King turned to his hostess with the +laughing remark, "Well, Aunt Wealthy, by way of amends, I'll own up +that my wife says that you're the better doctor of the two. That bran +has done her a world of good." + +"Bran?" said Mr. Dinsmore inquiringly. + +"Yes, sir; Mrs. King was suffering from indigestion; Miss Stanhope +advised her to try eating a tablespoonful or so of dry bran after her +meals, and it has had an excellent effect." + +"My father learnt it from an old sea-captain," said Miss Stanhope; +"and it has helped a great many I've recommended it to. Some prefer +to mix it with a little cream, or take a little water with it but the +best plan's to take it dry if you can." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + When to mischief mortals bend their will, + How soon they find fit instruments of ill. + + --POPE'S "RAPE OF THE LOCK." + + +"What, Art, are you going out?" + +"Yes." + +"Do you know it's after ten?" + +"Yes, you just mind your own business, Wal; learn your lessons, and +go off to bed like a good boy when you get through. I'm old enough to +take care of myself." + +"Dear me! I'm awfully afraid he's gone back to his evil courses, as +father says," muttered Walter Dinsmore to himself, as the door closed +upon his reckless elder brother. "I wonder what I ought to do about +it," he continued, leaning his head upon his hand, with a worried, +irresolute look; "ought I to report to the governor? No, I shan't, +there then; I don't know anything, and I never will be a sneak or a +tell-tale." And he drew the light nearer, returned to his book with +redoubled diligence for some ten or fifteen minutes more; then, +pushing it hastily aside, with a sigh of relief, started up, threw off +his clothes, blew out the light, and tumbled into bed. + +Meanwhile Arthur had stolen noiselessly from the college, and pursued +his way into the heart of the town. On turning a corner he came +suddenly upon another young man who seemed to have been waiting for +him; simply remarking, "You're late to-night, Dinsmore," he faced +about in the same direction, and the two walked on together. + +"Of course; but how can a fellow help it when he's obliged to watch +his opportunity till the Argus eyes are closed in sleep, or supposed +to be so?" grumbled Arthur. + +"True enough, old boy; but cheer up, your day of emancipation must +come some time or other," remarked his companion, clapping him +familiarly; on the shoulder. "Of age soon, aren't you?" + +"In about a year. But what good does that do me? I'm not so fortunate +as my older brother--shall have nothing of my own till one or other of +my respected parents sees fit to kick the bucket, and leave me a pile; +a thing which at present neither of them seems to have any notion of +doing." + +"You forget your chances at the faro-table." + +"My chances! You win everything from me, Jackson. I'm a lame duck +now, and if my luck doesn't soon begin to turn, I'll--do something +desperate, I believe." + +The lad's tone was bitter, his look reckless and half despairing. + +"Pooh, don't be a spooney! We all have our ups and downs, and you must +take your turn at both, like the rest." + +They had ascended a flight of steps, and Jackson rang the bell as he +spoke. It was answered instantly by a colored waiter, who with, a +silent bow stepped back and held the door open for their entrance. +They passed in and presently found themselves in a large, +well-lighted, and handsomely-furnished room, where tables were set out +with the choicest viands, rich wine, and trays of fine cigars. + +They seated themselves, ate and drank their fill, then, each lighting +a cigar, proceeded to a saloon, on the story above, where a number of +men were engaged in playing cards--gambling, as was evident from the +piles of gold, silver, and bank-notes lying here and there upon the +tables about which they sat. + +Here also costly furniture, bright light, and rich wines lent their +attractions to the scene. + +Arthur took possession of a velvet-cushioned chair on one side of an +elegant marble-topped table, his companion placing himself in another +directly opposite. Here, seated in the full blaze of the gas-light, +each face was brought out into strong relief. Both were young, both +handsome; Jackson, who was Arthur's senior by five or six years, +remarkably so; yet his smile was sardonic, and there was often a +sinister expression in his keen black eye as its glance fell upon his +victim, for such Arthur Dinsmore was--no match for his cunning and +unscrupulous antagonist, who was a gambler by profession. + +Arthur's pretended reformation had lasted scarcely longer than until +he was again exposed to temptation, and his face, as seen in that +brilliant light, wore unmistakable signs of indulgence in debauchery +and vice. He played in a wild, reckless way, dealing out his cards +with a trembling hand, while his cheek burned and his eye flashed. + +At first Jackson allowed him to win, and filled with a mad delight at +the idea that "his luck had turned," the boy doubled and trebled his +stakes. + +Jackson chuckled inwardly, the game went on, and at length Arthur +found all his gains suddenly swept away and himself many thousands of +dollars in debt. + +A ghastly pallor overspread his face, he threw himself back in his +chair with a groan, then starting up with a bitter laugh, "Well, I see +only one way out of this," he said. "A word in your ear, Tom; come +along with me. I've lost and you won enough for one night; haven't we, +eh?" + +"Well, yes; I'm satisfied if you are." And the two hurried into the +now dark and silent street, for it was long past midnight, and sober +and respectable people generally had retired to their beds. + +"Where are you going?" asked Jackson. + +"Anywhere you like that we can talk without danger of being +overheard." + +"This way then, down this street. You see 'tis absolutely silent and +deserted." + +They walked on, talking in an undertone. + +"You'd like your money as soon as you can get it?" said Arthur. + +"Of course; in fact I must have it before very long, for I'm hard +pushed now." + +"Suppose I could put you in the way of marrying a fortune, would you +hold me quit of all your claims against me?" + +"H'm, that would depend upon the success of the scheme." + +"And that upon your own coolness and skill. I think I've heard you +spoken of as a woman-killer?" + +"Ha, ha! Yes, I flatter myself that I have won some reputation in that +line, and that not a few of the dear creatures have been very fond of +me. It's really most too bad to break their soft little hearts; but +then a man can't marry 'em all; unless he turns Mormon." + +Arthur's lips curled with scorn and contempt, and he half turned away +in disgust and aversion; but remembering that he was in the power +of this man, whom, too late, alas! he was discovering to be an +unscrupulous villain, he checked himself, and answered in his usual +tone, "No, certainly not; and so you have never yet run your neck into +the matrimonial noose?" + +"No, not I, and don't fancy doing so either, yet I own that a fortune +would be a strong temptation. But, I say, lad, if it's a great chance, +why do you hand it over to me? Why not try for it yourself? It's not +your sister, surely?" + +"No, indeed; you're not precisely the sort of brother-in-law I should +choose," returned the boy, with a bitter, mocking laugh. "But stay, +don't be insulted"--for his companion had drawn himself up with an air +of offended pride--"the lady in question is but a step farther from +me; she is my brother's daughter." + +"Eh! you don't say? A mere child, then, I presume." + +"Eighteen, handsome as a picture, as the saying is, and only too +sweet-tempered for my taste." + +"And rich you say? that is her father's wealthy, eh?" + +"Yes, he's one of the richest men in our county, but she has a fortune +in her own right, over a million at the very lowest computation." + +"Whew! You expect me to swallow that?" + +"It's true, true as preaching. You wonder that I should be so willing +to help you to get her. Well, I owe her a grudge, I see no other way +to get out of your clutches, and I shall put you in the way of making +her acquaintance only on condition that if you succeed we share the +spoils." + +"Agreed. Now for the modus operandi. You tell me her whereabouts and +provide me with a letter of introduction, eh?" + +"No; on the contrary, you are carefully to conceal the fact that you +have the slightest knowledge of me. The introduction must come from +quite another quarter. Listen, and I'll communicate the facts and +unfold my plan. It has been running in my head for weeks, ever since I +heard that the girl was to spend the summer in the North with nobody +but an old maiden aunt, half-cracked at that, to keep guard over her; +but I couldn't quite make up my mind to it till to-night, for you must +see, Tom," he added with a forced laugh, "that it can't be exactly +delightful to my family pride to think of bringing such a dissipated +fellow as you into the connection." + +"Better look at home, lad. But you are right; one such scamp is, or +ought to be, all-sufficient for one family." + +Arthur said, "Certainly," but winced at the insinuation nevertheless. +It was not a pleasant reflection that his vices had brought him down +to a level with this man who lived by his wits--or perhaps more +correctly speaking, his rascalities--of whose antecedents he knew +nothing and whom, with his haughty Southern pride, he thoroughly +despised. + +But scorn and loathe him as he might in his secret soul, it was +necessary that he should be conciliated, because it was now in his +power to bring open disgrace and ruin upon his victim. So Arthur went +on to explain matters and, with Jackson's assistance, to concoct a +plan of getting Elsie and her fortune into their hands. + +As he had said, the idea had been in his mind for weeks, yet it was +not until that day that he could see clearly how to carry it out. +Also, his family pride had stood in the way until the excitement of +semi-intoxication and his heavy losses had enabled him to put it aside +for the time. To-morrow he would more than half regret the step he was +taking, but now he plunged recklessly into the thing with small regard +for consequences to himself or others. + +"Can you imitate the chirography of others?" he asked. + +"Perfectly, if I do say it that shouldn't." + +"Then we can manage it. My brother Walter has kept up a correspondence +with this niece ever since he left home. In a letter received +yesterday she mentions that her father was about leaving her for +the rest of the summer. Also that Miss Stanhope, the old aunt she's +staying with, was formerly very intimate with Mrs. Waters of this +city. + +"It just flashed on me at once that a letter of introduction from her +would be the very thing to put you at once on a footing of intimacy +in Miss Stanhope's house; and that if you were good at imitating +handwriting we might manage it by means of a note of invitation which +I received from Mrs. Waters some time ago, and which, as good luck +would have it, I threw into my table drawer instead of destroying." + +"But who knows that it was written by the lady herself?" + +"I do, for I heard Bob Waters say so." + +"Good! have you the note about you?" + +"Yes, here it is." And Arthur drew it from his pocket. "Let's cross +over to that lamp-post." + +They did so, and Jackson held the note up to the light for a moment, +scanning it attentively. "Ah, ha! the very thing! no trouble at all +about that," he said, pocketing it with a chuckle of delight, "But," +and a slight frown contracted his brows, "what if the old lady should +take it into her head to open a correspondence on the subject with her +old friend?" + +"I've thought of that too, but fortunately for our scheme Mrs. Waters +sails for Europe to-morrow; and by the way that should be mentioned in +the letter of introduction." + +"Yes, so it should. Come to my room at the Merchants' House to-morrow +night, and you shall find it ready for your inspection. I suppose the +sooner the ball's set in motion the better?" he added as they moved +slowly on down the street. + +"Yes, for there's no knowing how long it may take you to storm the +citadel of her ladyship's heart, or how soon her father may come to +the conclusion that he can't do without her, and go and carry her off +home. And I tell you, Tom, you'd stand no chance with him, or with her +if he were there. He'd see through you in five minutes." + +"H'm! What sort is she?" + +"The very pious!" sneered Arthur, "and you're bound to take your cue +from that or you'll make no headway with her at all." + +"A hard role for me, Dinsmore. I know nothing of cant." + +"You'll have to learn it then; let her once suspect your true +character--a drinking, gambling, fortune-hunting roue--and she'll turn +from you with the same fear and loathing that she would feel for a +venomous reptile." + +"Ha, ha! you're in a complimentary mood to-night, Dinsmore. Well, +well, such a fortune as you speak of is worth some sacrifice and +effort, and I think I may venture the character of a perfectly moral +and upright man with a high respect for religion. The rest I can learn +by degrees from her; and come to think of it, it mightn't be a bad +idea to let her imagine she'd converted me." + +"Capital! The very thing, Tom! But good-night. I must be off now to +the college. I'll come to your room to-morrow night and we'll finish +the arrangement of all preliminaries." + +More than a fortnight had passed since the arrival of Miss Stanhope's +guests. It had been a season of relaxation and keen enjoyment to +them, to her, and to Dr. King's family, who had joined them in many a +pleasant little excursion to points of interest in the vicinity, and +several sociable family picnics among the surrounding hills and woods. +A warm friendship had already sprung up between the three young girls, +and had done much toward reconciling Elsie to the idea of spending the +summer there away from her father. + +She had finally consented to do so, yet as the time drew near her +heart almost failed her. In all these years since they went to live +together at the Oaks, they had never been far apart--except once or +twice for a few days when he had gone to New Orleans to attend to +business connected with the care of her property; and only on a very +few occasions, when she paid a little visit in their own neighborhood, +had they been separated for more than a day. + +She could not keep back her tears as she hung about his neck on +parting. "Ah, papa, how can I do without you for weeks and months?" +she sighed. + +"Or I without you, my darling?" he responded, straining her to his +breast. "I don't know how I shall be able to stand it. You need not be +surprised to see me again at any time, returning to claim my treasure; +and in the meanwhile we will write to each other every day. I shall +want to know all you are doing, thinking, and feeling. You must tell +me of all your pursuits and pleasures; your new acquaintances, too, +if you form any. In that you must be guided by the advice of Aunt +Wealthy, together with your father's known wishes. I am sure I can +trust my daughter to obey those in my absence as carefully as in my +presence." + +"I think you may, papa. I shall try to do nothing that you would +disapprove, and to attend faithfully to all your wishes." + +Mr. Dinsmore left by the morning train, directly after breakfast. It +was a bright, clear day, and Miss Stanhope, anxious to help Elsie to +recover her spirits, proposed a little shopping expedition into the +village. + +"You have not seen our stores yet," she said, "and I think we'd better +go now before the sun gets any hotter. Should you like it, my dear?" + +"Thank you, yes, auntie. I will go and get ready at once." + +Elsie could hardly forbear smiling at the quaint little figure that +met her in the porch a few moments later, and trotted with quick, +short steps by her side across the lawn and up and down the village +streets. The white muslin dress with its short and scanty skirt, an +embroidered scarf of the same material, the close, old-fashioned +leg-horn bonnet, trimmed with one broad strip of white mantua ribbon, +put straight down over the top and tied under the chin, and the black +mitts and morocco slippers of the same hue, formed a tout ensemble +which, though odd, was not unpleasant to look upon. In one hand the +little lady carried a very large parasol, in the other a gayly-colored +silk reticule of corresponding size, this last not by a ribbon or +string, but with its hem gathered up in her hand. All in singular +contrast to Elsie with her slight, graceful form, fully a head taller, +and her simple yet elegant costume. But the niece no more thought of +feeling ashamed of her aunt, than her aunt of her. + +They entered a store, and the smiling merchant asked, "What can I do +for you to-day, ladies?" + +"I will look at shirting muslin, if you please, Mr. Under," replied +Miss Stanhope, laying parasol and reticule upon the counter. + +"Over, if you please, Miss Stanhope," he answered with an amused look. +"Just step this way, and I'll show you a piece that I think will +suit." + +"I beg your pardon, I'm always making mistakes in names," she said, +doing as requested. + +"Anything else to-day, ladies?" he asked when the muslin had been +selected. "I have quite a lot of remnants of dress goods, Miss +Stanhope. Would you like to look at them?" + +"Yes," she answered almost eagerly, and he quickly spread them on the +counter before her. She selected quite a number, Elsie wondering what +she wanted with them. + +"I'll send the package at once," said Mr. Over, as they left the +store. + +They entered another where Miss Stanhope's first inquiry was for +remnants, and the same thing was repeated till, as she assured Elsie, +they had visited every dry-goods store in the place. + +"Pretty nice ones, too, some of them are; don't you think so, dear?" + +"Yes, auntie; but do you know you have strongly excited my curiosity?" + +"Ah! how so?" + +"Why, I cannot imagine what you can want with all those remnants. I'm +sure hardly one of them could be made into a dress for yourself or for +Phillis, and you have no little folks to provide for." + +"But other folks have, child, and I shall use some of the smallest for +patchwork." + +"Dere's a lady in de parlor, Miss Stanhope," said Chloe, meeting them +at the gate; "kind of lady," she added with a very broad smile, "come +to call on you, ma'am, and Miss Elsie too." + +"We'll just go in without keeping her waiting to take off our +bonnets," said Aunt Wealthy, leading the way. + +They found a rather gaudily-dressed, and not very refined-looking +woman, who rose and came forward to meet them with a boisterous +manner, evidently assumed to cover a slight feeling of embarrassment. +"Oh, I'm quite ashamed, Aunt Wealthy, to have been so long in calling +to see your friends; you really must excuse me; it's not been for want +of a strong disinclination, I do assure you: but you see I've been +away a-nursing of a sick sister." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Sixpence." + +"Excuse me, Schilling." + +"Oh no, not at all, it's my mistake. Elsie, Mrs. Schilling. My niece, +Miss Dinsmore. Sit down, do. I'm sorry you got here before we were +through our shopping." + +"I'm afraid it's rather an early call," began Mrs. Schilling, her +rubicund countenance growing redder than ever, "but--" + +"Oh, aunt did not mean that," interposed Elsie, with gentle +kindliness. "She was only regretting that you had been kept waiting." + +"Certainly," said Miss Stanhope. "You know I'm a sad hand at talking, +always getting the horse before the cart, as they say. But tell me +about your sister. I hope she has recovered. What ailed her?" + +"She had inflammation of the tonsils; she's better now though; the +tonsils is all gone, and I think she'll get along. She's weak yet; +but that's all. There's been a good bit of sickness out there in that +neighborhood, through the winter and spring; there were several cases +of scarlet fever, and one of small-pox. That one died, and what do you +think, Aunt Wealthy; they had a reg'lar big funeral, took the corpse +into the church, and asked everybody around to come to it." + +"I think it was really wicked, and that if I'd been the congregation, +every one of me would have staid away." + +"So would I. There now, I'm bound to tell you something that happened +while I was at father's. My sister had a little girl going on two +years old, and one day the little thing took up a flat iron, and let +it fall on her toe, and mashed it so we were really afraid 'twould +have to be took off. We wrapped it up in some kind o' salve mother +keeps for hurts, and she kept crying and screamin' with pain, and we +couldn't peacify her nohow at all, till a lady that was visiting next +door come in and said we'd better give her a few drops of laud'num. So +we did, and would you believe it? it went right straight down into her +toe, and she stopped cryin', and pretty soon dropped asleep. I thought +it was the curiosest thing I ever heard of." + +"It was a wise prescription, no doubt," returned Miss Stanhope, with a +quiet smile. + +"Oh, Aunt Wealthy, won't you tell me how you make that Farmer's +fruit-cake?" asked the visitor, suddenly changing the subject. "Miss +Dinsmore, it's the nicest thing you ever eat. You'd be sure it had +raisins or currants in it." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Schilling. You must soak three cups of dried apples +in warm water over night, drain off the water through a sieve, chop +the apples slightly, them simmer them for two hours in three cups of +molasses. After that add two eggs, one cup of sugar, one cup of sweet +milk or water, three-fourths of a cup of butter or lard, one-half +teaspoonful of soda, flour to make a pretty stiff batter, cinnamon, +cloves, and other spices to suit your taste." + +"Oh, yes! but I'm afraid I'll hardly be able to remember all that." + +"I'll write the receipt and send it over to you," said Elsie. + +Mrs. Schilling returned her thanks, sat a little longer, conversing in +the same lucid style, then rose and took leave, urging the ladies to +call soon, and run in sociably as often as they could. + +She was hardly out of the door before Aunt Wealthy was beating up +her crushed chair-cushions to that state of perfect roundness and +smoothness in which her heart delighted. It amused Elsie, who had +noticed that such was her invariable custom after receiving a call in +her parlor. + +Lottie King and Mrs. Schilling passed each other on the porch, the +one coming in as the other went out. Kind Aunt Wealthy, intent on +preventing Elsie from grieving over the emptiness of her father's +accustomed seat at the table, had invited her young friend to dinner. +The hour of the meal had, however, not yet arrived, and the two girls +repaired to Elsie's room to spend the intervening time. + +Lottie, in her benevolent desire to be so entertaining to Elsie that +her absent father should not be too sorely missed, seized upon the +first topic of conversation which presented itself and rattled on in a +very lively manner. + +"So you have begun to make acquaintance with our peculiar currency, +mon ami! An odd sixpence as Aunt Wealthy calls her. Two of them I +should say, since it takes two sixpences to make a shilling." + +"I don't know; I'm inclined to think Aunt Wealthy's arithmetic has the +right of it, since she was never more than a shilling, and has lost +her better half," returned Elsie, laughing. + +"Better half, indeed! fie on you, Miss Dinsmore! have you so little +regard for the honor of your sex as to own that the man is ever that? +But I must tell you of the time when she sustained the aforesaid loss; +and let me observe, sustained is really the proper--very properest of +words to express my meaning, for it was very far from crushing her. +While her husband was lying a corpse, mother went over with a pie, +thinking it might be acceptable, as people are not apt to feel like +cooking at such a time. She did not want to disturb the new-made widow +in the midst of her grief, and did not ask for her; but Mrs. Schilling +came to the door. 'Oh, I'm so much obliged to you for bringing that +pie!' she said. 'It was so good of you. I hadn't any appetite to eat +while he was sick, but now that he's dead, I feel as if I could eat +something. You and your girls must come over and spend a day with +me some time soon. He's left me full and plenty, and you needn't be +afraid to take a meal's victuals off me'!" + +"How odd! I don't think she could be quite broken-hearted." + +"No, and she has apparently forgotten him, and bestowed her affections +upon another; a widower named Wert. Mr. Was, Aunt Wealthy usually +calls him. They both attend our church, and everybody notices how +impossible it seems to be for her to keep her eyes off him; and you +can never be five minutes in her company without hearing his name. +Didn't she talk of him to-day?" + +"Oh, yes, she spoke of Mr. Wert visiting some sick man, to talk and +pray with him, and rejoiced that the man did not die till he gave +evidence that he was repaired." + +"Yes, that sounds like her," laughed Lottie. "She's always getting the +wrong word. I told you she never could keep her eyes off Mr. Wert. +Well, the other day--three or four weeks ago--coming from church he +was behind her; she kept looking back at him, and presently came bump +up against a post. She made an outcry, of course everybody laughed, +and she hurried off with a very red face. That put an idea into my +head, and--" Lottie paused, laughing and blushing-- + +"I'm half ashamed to tell you, but I believe I will--Nettie and I +wrote a letter in a sort of manly hand, signed his initials, and put +it into an iron pot that she keeps standing near her back door. The +letter requested that she would put her answer in the same place, and +she did. Oh, it was rich! such a rapture of delight; and such spelling +and such grammar as were used to express it! It was such fun that we +went on, and there have been half a dozen letters on each side. I +daresay she is wondering why the proposal doesn't come. Ah, Elsie, I +see you don't approve; you are as grave as a judge." + +"I would prefer not to express an opinion; so please don't ask me." + +"But you don't think it was quite right, now do you?" + +"Since you have asked a direct question, Lottie, dear," Elsie +answered, with some hesitation, "I'll own that it does not seem to me +quite according to the golden rule." + +"No," Lottie said, after a moment's pause, in which she sat with +downcast eyes, and cheeks crimsoning with mortification. "I'm ashamed +of myself, and I hope I shall never again allow my love of fun to +carry me so far from what is true and kind. + +"And so Aunt Wealthy took you out shopping, and secured the benefit of +your taste and judgment in the choice of her remnants?" she exclaimed, +with a sudden change to a lively, mirthful tone. + +"How do you know that she bought remnants?" asked Elsie, in surprise. + +"Oh, she always does; that's a particular hobby of the dear old +body's; two or three times in a season she goes around to all the +stores, and buys up the most of their stock; they save the best of +them for her, and always know what she's after the moment she shows +her pleasant face. She gives them away, generally, to the minister's +wife, telling her the largest are to be made into dresses for her +little girls; and the poor lady is often in great tribulation, not +knowing how to get the dresses out of such small patterns, and afraid +to put them to any other use, lest Miss Stanhope should feel hurt or +offended. By the way, what do you think of Aunt Wealthy's own dress?" + +"That it is very quaint and odd, but suits her as no other would." + +"I'm so glad! It's just what we all think, but before you came we were +much afraid you would use your influence to induce her to adopt a more +fashionable attire." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + Bear fair presence, though your heart be tainted; + Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint. + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "COMEDY OF ERRORS." + + +"It's a very handsome present, child, very; and your old auntie will +be reminded of you every time she uses it, or looks at it." + +"Both beautiful and useful, like the giver," remarked Lottie. + +"It" was a sewing-machine, Elsie's gift to Aunt Wealthy, forwarded +from Cincinnati, by Mr. Dinsmore; the handsomest and the best to be +found in the city; so Elsie had requested that it should be, and so he +had written that it was. + +"I am glad you like it, auntie, and you too, Lottie," was all she said +in response to their praises, but her eyes sparkled with pleasure at +the old lady's evident delight. + +"It" had arrived half an hour before, on this the second morning after +Mr. Dinsmore's departure, and now stood in front of one of the windows +of Aunt Wealthy's bedroom--a delightfully shady, airy apartment on the +ground floor, back of the parlor, and with window and door opening +out upon a part of the lawn where the trees were thickest and a tiny +fountain sent up its showers of spray. + +Miss Stanhope stood at a table, cutting out shirts. Lottie was +experimenting on the machine with a bit of muslin, and Elsie sat +near by with her father's letter in her hand, her soft dark eyes now +glancing over it for perhaps the twentieth time, now at the face of +one or the other of her companions, as Lottie rattled on in her usual +gay, flighty style, and Aunt Wealthy answered her sometimes with a +straightforward sentence, and again with one so topsy-turvy that her +listeners could not forbear a smile. + +"For whom are you making shirts, aunt?" asked Elsie. + +"For my boy Harry. He writes that his last set are going wonderfully +fast; so I must send up another to make." + +"You must let us help you, Lottie and I; we have agreed that it will +be good fun for us." + +"Thank you, dearie, but I didn't suppose plain sewing was among your +accomplishments." + +"Mamma says I am quite a good needle-woman," Elsie replied with a +smile and a blush, "and if I am not it is no fault of hers. She took +great pains to teach me. I cut out a shirt for papa once, and made +every stitch of it myself." + +"And she can run the machine too," said Lottie, "though her papa won't +let her do so for more than half an hour at a time, lest she should +hurt herself." + +"He's very careful of her, and no wonder," Aunt Wealthy responded, +with a loving look at the sweet, fair face. "You may help me a little, +now and then, children, when it just suits your humor, but I want you +to have all the rides and walks, the reading and recreation of every +sort that you can enjoy." + +"Here comes Lenwilla Ellawea Schilling," said Lottie, glancing from +the window. + +"What do you want, Willy?" asked Miss Stanhope, as the child appeared +in the doorway with a teacup in her hand. + +"Mother wants a little light'ning to raise her bread." + +"Yeast? Oh, yes, just go round to Phillis, and she'll give you some." + +The door-bell rang. + +"It's a gentleman," said the child, "I seen him a-coming in at the +gate." + +Chloe answered the bell and entered the room the next moment with a +letter, which she handed to Miss Stanhope. + +The old lady adjusted her spectacles and broke the seal. "Ah, a letter +of introduction, and from my old friend and schoolmate Anna Waters; +wishes me to treat the young man with all the courtesy and kindness I +would show to her own son, for she esteems him most highly, etc., etc. +Aunt Chloe, what have you done with him?" + +"Showed him into de parlor, mistis, and leff him a-sittin' dar." + +"What's his name, auntie?" asked Lottie, as the old lady refolded the +letter and took off her glasses. + +"Bromly Egerton; quite romantic, isn't it? Excuse me for a few +minutes, dears; I must go and see what he wants." + +Aunt Wealthy found a well-dressed, handsome young man seated on one of +her softly-cushioned chairs. He rose and came forward to meet her with +courtly ease and grace. "Miss Stanhope, I presume?" + +"You are right, Mr. Ledgerfield. Pray be seated, sir." + +"Thank you, madam, but let me first help you to a seat. Excuse the +correction, but Egerton is my name." + +"Ah, yes! For the sake of my friend, Mrs. Waters, I welcome you to +Lansdale. Do you expect to make some stay in our town?" + +"Well, madam, I hardly had such expectation before arriving here, but +I find it so pretty a place that I begin to think I can scarcely do +better. My health has been somewhat impaired by very strict and close +attention to business; and my physician has ordered entire relaxation +for a time, and fresh country air. Can you recommend a boarding-place +in town? Some quiet, private hotel where drinking and things of that +kind would not be going on. I'm not used to it, and should find it +very disgusting." + +"I'm glad to hear such sentiments, young man; they do you honor. I +daresay Mrs. Sixpence,--no, Mrs. Schilling,--just opposite here, would +take you in. She told me some weeks ago that she would be glad to have +one or two gentlemen boarders." + +"Thank you, the location would suit me well; and you think she could +give me comfortable accommodations?" + +"I do; she has pleasant rooms and is a good cook." + +"A widow?" + +"Yes, not very young, and has two children. But they are old enough +not to be annoying to a boarder." + +"What sort of woman is she?" + +"A good manager, neat, industrious, honest, and obliging. Very +suitable for a landlady, if you are not looking in the person of your +hostess for an intellectual companion." + +"Oh, not at all, Miss Stanhope, unless--unless you could find it in +your benevolent heart to take me in yourself;" and his smile was very +insinuating. "In that case I should have the luxury of intellectual +companionship superadded to the other advantages of which you have +spoken." + +The old lady smiled, but shook her head quite decidedly. "I have lived +so long in the perfect house that I should not know how to give it up. +I have come to think men a care and a trouble that I cannot take upon +me in my old age." + +"Excuse me, my dear madam, for the unwarrantable liberty I took +in asking it," he said in an apologetic tone, and with a slightly +embarrassed air. "I beg ten thousand pardons." + +"That is a great many," she answered with a smile, "but you may +consider them all granted. I hope you left my friend Mrs. Waters well? +I must answer her letter directly." + +"Ah, then you are not aware that she is already on her way to Europe?" + +"No, is she indeed?" + +"Yes, she sailed the day after that letter was written; which accounts +for the date not being a very recent one. You see I did not leave +immediately on receiving it from her." + +She was beginning to wish that he would go, but he lingered for some +time, vainly hoping for a glimpse of Elsie. On finally taking his +leave, he asked her to point out Mrs. Schilling's house, and she +noticed that he went directly there. + +"Really, auntie, we began to think that your visitor must intend to +spend the day," cried Lottie, as Miss Stanhope returned to her room +and her interrupted employment. + +"Ah? Well it was not my urging that kept him; I was very near telling +him that he was making me waste a good deal of time" replied the old +lady; then seeing that Lottie was curious on the subject, she kindly +went on to tell all that she had learned in regard to the stranger and +his intentions. + +Elsie was amusing herself with Thomas, trying to cajole him to return +to the frolicsomeness of his long-forgotten kittenhood, and did not +seem to hear or heed. What interest for her had this stranger, or his +doings? + +"Young and handsome, you say, Aunt Wealthy? and going to stay in +Lansdale all summer? Would you advise me to set my cap for him?" + +"No, Lottie; not I." + +"You were not smitten with the gentleman, eh?" + +"Not enough to spare him to you anyhow, but he may improve upon +acquaintance." + +"I don't approve of marrying, though, do you, auntie? Your practice +certainly seems to speak disapproval." + +"Perhaps every one does not have the opportunity, my dear," answered +the old lady, with a quiet smile. + +"Oh, but you must have had plenty of them. Isn't that so? and why did +you never accept?" + +Elsie dropped the string she had been waving before the eyes of the +cat, and looked up with eager interest. + +"Yes, I had offers, and one of them I accepted," replied Aunt Wealthy, +with a slight sigh, while a shade of sadness stole over her usually +happy face, "but my friends interfered and the match was broken off. +Don't follow my example, children, but marry if the right one comes +along." + +"Surely you don't mean if our parents refuse their consent, auntie?" +Elsie's tone spoke both surprise and disapproval. + +"No, no, child! It is to those who keep the fifth commandment God +promises long life and prosperity." + +"And love makes it so easy and pleasant to keep it," murmured Elsie, +softly, and with a sweet, glad smile on her lips and in her eyes, +thinking of her absent father, and almost unconsciously thinking +aloud. + +"Ah, child, it can sometimes make it very hard," said Miss Stanhope, +with another little sigh, and shaking her head rather sadly. + +"Elsie, you must have had lots of lovers before this, I am sure!" +exclaimed Lottie, stopping her machine, and facing suddenly round upon +her friend. "No girl as rich and beautiful as you are could have lived +eighteen years without such an experience." + +Elsie only smiled and blushed. + +"Come now, am I not right?" persisted Lottie. + +"I do assure you that I have actually lived to this mature age quite +heart-whole," laughed Elsie. "If I have an idol, it is papa, and I +don't believe anybody can ever succeed in displacing him." + +"You have quite misunderstood me, wilfully or innocently--I asked of +your worshippers, not of your idols. Haven't you had offers?" + +"Several; money has strong attractions for most men, papa tells me." + +"May the Lord preserve you from the sad fate of a woman married for +her money, dear child!" ejaculated Aunt Wealthy, with a glance of +anxious affection at her lovely niece. "I'm sometimes tempted to think +a large amount of it altogether a curse and an affliction." + +"It is a great responsibility, auntie," replied Elsie, with a look of +gravity beyond her years. Then after a moment's pause, her expression +changing to one of gayety and joy, "Now, if you and Lottie will excuse +me for a little, I'll run up to my room, and answer papa's letter," +she said, rising to her feet. "After which I shall be ready to make +myself useful in the capacity of seamstress. Au revoir." And she +tripped away with a light, free step, every movement as graceful as +those of a young gazelle. + +Mr. Bromly Egerton, alias Tom Jackson, was fortunate enough to find +Mrs. Schilling at home. It was she who answered his knock. + +"Good-day, sir," she said. "Will you walk in? Just step into the +parlor here, and take a seat." + +He accepted the invitation and stated his business without preface, or +waiting to be questioned at all. + +She seemed to be considering for a moment. "Well, yes, I can't say as +I'd object to taking a few gentlemen boarders, but--I'd want to know +who you be, and all about you." + +"Certainly, ma'am, that's all right. I'm from the East; rather broken +down with hard work--a business man, you see--and want to spend the +summer here to recruit. Pitched upon your town because it strikes me +as an uncommonly pretty place. I brought a letter of introduction to +your neighbor, Miss Stanhope, and she recommended me to come here in +search of board, saying you'd make a capital landlady." + +"Well, if she recommends you, it's all right. Would you like to look +at the rooms?" + +She had two to dispose of--one at the back and the other in the front +of the house, both cheerful, airy, of reasonable size, and neatly +furnished. He preferred the latter, because it overlooked Miss +Stanhope's house and grounds. + +As he stood at the window, taking note of this, a young girl appeared +at the one opposite. For one minute he had a distinct view of her face +as she stood there and put out her hand to gather a blossom from the +vine that had festooned itself so gracefully over the window. + +He uttered an exclamation of delighted surprise, and turning to his +companion asked, "Who is she?" + +"Miss Dinsmore, Miss Stanhope's niece. She's here on a visit to her +aunt. She's from the South, and worth a mint of money, they say. Aint +she handsome though? handsome as a picture?" + +"Posh! handsome doesn't begin to express it! Why, she's angelic! But +there! she's gone!" And he drew a long breath as he turned away. + +"You'd better conclude to take this room if you like to look at her," +artfully suggested Mrs. Schilling. "That's her bedroom window, and +she's often at it. Besides, you can see the whole front of Miss +Stanhope's place from here, and watch all the comings and goings o' +the girls--Miss Dinsmore, and Miss Nettie and Lottie King." + +"Who are they?" + +"Kind o' fur-off cousins to Miss Stanhope. They live in that next +house to hern, and are amazin' thick with her, runnin' in and out all +times o' day. Nice, spry, likely girls they be too, not bad-lookin' +neither, but hardly fit to hold a candle to Miss Dinsmore, as fur as +beauty's concerned. Well, what do you say to the room, Mr. Egerton?" + +"That I will take it, and would like to have immediate possession." + +"All right, sir; fetch your traps whenever you've a mind; right away, +if you like." + +There was no lack of good society in Lansdale. It had even more than +the usual proportion of well-to-do, intelligent, educated, and refined +people to be found in American villages of its size. They were +hospitable folks, too, disposed to be kind to strangers tarrying in +their midst, and, Miss Stanhope being an old resident, well known and +highly esteemed, spite of her eccentricities, her friends had received +a good deal of attention. Elsie had already become slightly acquainted +with a number of pleasant families; a good many young girls, and also +several young gentlemen had called upon her, and Lottie assured her +there were many more to come. + +"Some of the very nicest are apt to be slow about calling--we're +such busy folks here," she said, laughing. "I've a notion, too, that +several of the beaux stood rather in awe of your papa." + +They were talking together over their sewing, after Elsie had come +down from finishing her letter, and sent Chloe to the post-office with +it. + +"I don't wonder," she answered, looking up with a smile; "there was a +time, a long while ago, when I was very much afraid of him myself; and +even now I have such a wholesome dread of his displeasure as would +keep me from any act of disobedience, if love was not sufficient to do +that without help from any other motive." + +"You are very fond of him, and he of you?" + +"Yes, indeed! how could it be otherwise when for so many years each +was all the other had? But I'm sure, quite sure that neither of us +loves the other less because now we have mamma and darling little +Horace." + +"I should like to know them both," said Miss Stanhope. "I hope your +father will bring them with him when he comes back for you." + +"Oh, I hope he will! I want so much to have you know them. Mamma is so +dear and sweet, almost as dear as papa himself. And Horace--well, I +can't believe there ever was quite such another darling to be found," +Elsie continued, with a light, joyous laugh. + +"Ah!" said Aunt Wealthy with a sigh and a smile, "it is a good and +pleasant thing to be young and full of life and gayety, and to have +kind, wise parents to look to for help and guidance. You will realize +that when you grow old and have to be a prop for others to lean upon +instead." + +"Yes, dear auntie," Elsie answered, giving her a look of loving +reverence, "but surely the passing years must have brought you so much +wisdom and self-reliance that that can be no such very hard task to +you." + +"Ah, child!" replied the old lady, shaking her head, "I often feel +that my stock of those is very small. But then how sweet it is to +remember that I have a Father to whom I never shall grow old; never +cease to be His little child, in constant need of His tender, watchful +care to guard and guide. Though the gray hairs are on my head, the +wrinkles of time, sorrow, and care upon my brow, He does not think me +old enough to be left to take care of myself. No; He takes my hand in +His and leads me tenderly and lovingly along, choosing each step for +me, protecting me from harm, and providing for all my needs. What does +He say? 'Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I +carry you'!" + +"Such sweet words! They almost reconcile one to growing old," murmured +Lottie, and Aunt Wealthy answered, with a subdued gladness in her +tones, "You need not dread it, child, for does not every year bring us +nearer home?" + +The needles flew briskly until the dinner-bell sounded its welcome +summons. + +"We shall finish two at least this afternoon, I think," said Lottie, +folding up her work. + +"No, we've had sewing enough for to-day," replied Miss Stanhope. "I +have ordered the carriage at two. We will have a drive this afternoon, +and music this evening; if you and Elsie do not consider it too much +of a task to play and sing for your old auntie." + +"A task, Aunt Wealthy! It would be a double delight--giving you +pleasure and ourselves enjoying the delicious tones of that splendid +piano. Its fame has already spread over the whole town," she added, +turning to Elsie, "and between its attractions and those of its owner, +I know there'll be a great influx of visitors here." + +Elsie was a very fine musician, and for her benefit during her stay in +Lansdale, Mr. Dinsmore had had a grand piano sent on from the East, +ordering it in season to have it arrive almost as soon as they +themselves. + +"Yes, Lottie is quite right about it, Aunt Wealthy, and you shall +call for all the tunes you want," Elsie said, noticing her friend's +prediction merely by a quiet smile. + +"You don't know how I enjoy that piano," Lottie rattled on as they +began their meal. "It must be vastly pleasant to have plenty of +money and such an indulgent father as yours, Elsie. Not that I would +depreciate my own at all--I wouldn't exchange him even for yours--but +he, you see, has more children and less money." + +"Yes, I think we are both blessed in our fathers," answered Elsie. "I +admire yours very much; and mine is, indeed, very indulgent, though at +the same time very strict; he never spares expense or trouble to give +me pleasure. But the most delightful thing of all is to know that he +loves me so very, very dearly;" and the soft eyes shone with the light +of love and joy. + +It was nearly tea time when they returned from their drive, some lady +callers having prevented them from setting out at the early hour +intended. + +"Now I must run right home," said Lottie, as they alighted. "Mother +complains that she gets no good of me at all of late." + +"Well, she has Nettie," returned Miss Stanhope, "and she told me Elsie +and I might have all we wanted of you till the poor child gets a +little used to her father's absence." + +"Did she, Aunt Wealthy? There, I'll remind her of that, and also of +the fact that Nettie is worth two of me any day." + +"And you'll come back to spend the evening? Indeed you must, or how is +Elsie to learn her visitors' names? You know I could never get them +straight. But there's the tea-bell, so come in with us. No need to go +home till bed-time, or till to-morrow, that I can see." + +"Thank you, but of course, auntie, I want to primp a bit, just as you +did in your young days, when the beaux were coming. So good-bye for +the present," she cried, skipping away with a merry laugh, Miss +Stanhope calling after her to bring Nettie along when she returned. + +"We have so many odd names in this town, and I such an odd sort of +memory, that I make a great many mistakes," said the old lady, leading +the way to the house. + +Elsie thought that was all very true, when in the course of the +evening she was introduced to Mr. Comings, Mr. Tizard, Mr. Stop, +Miss Lock, and Miss Over, and afterward heard her aunt address them +variously as "Mr. In-and-out," "Mr. Wizard," "Mr. Lizard," "Mr. Quit," +"Miss Under," and "Miss Key." + +But the old lady's peculiarity was so well known that no one thought +of taking offence; and her mistakes caused only mirth and amusement. + +Lottie's prediction was so fully verified that Elsie seemed to be +holding a sort of levee. + +"What faultless features, exquisitely beautiful complexion, and sweet +expression she has." "What a graceful form, what pleasant, affable +manners, so entirely free from affectation or hauteur; no patronizing +airs about her either, but perfect simplicity and kindliness." "And +such a sweet, happy, intelligent face." "Such beautiful hair too; +did you notice that? so abundant, soft and glossy, and such a +lovely color." "Yes, and what simple elegance of dress." "She's an +accomplished musician, too, and has a voice as sweet, rich, and full +as a nightingale's," remarked one and another as they went away. The +unanimous verdict seemed to be, that the young stranger was altogether +charming. + +Across the street, Mrs. Schilling's boarder paced to and fro, watching +the coming and going, listening to the merry salutations, and gay +adieux, the light laughter, and the sweet strains of music and song, +till the desire to make one of the happy throng grew so strong upon +him that it was no longer to be resisted. + +"I will go in with those," he muttered, crossing over just in time to +enter directly in the rear of a lady and gentleman, whom he saw coming +up the street. "Miss Stanhope invited me to call again, without +particularizing how soon, and I can turn my speedy acceptance into a +compliment to their music, without even a white lie, for it does sound +extremely attractive to a lonely, idle fellow like me." + +Miss Stanhope met him at the door, would scarce listen to his +apology--insisting that "none was needed; one who had come to her with +such an introduction from so valued a friend as Mrs. Waters, must +always be a welcome guest in her house"--and ushering him into the +parlor, introduced him to her niece, and all others present. + +A nearer and more critical view of Elsie only increased his +admiration; he thought her the loveliest creature he had ever seen. +But it did not suit his tactics to show immediately any strong +attraction toward her, or desire to win her regard. For this evening +he devoted himself almost exclusively to Miss Stanhope, exerting all +his powers to make a favorable impression upon her. + +In this he was entirely successful. He had, when he chose, most +agreeable and polished manners. Also he had seen much of the world, +possessed a large fund of general information, and knew exactly how to +use it to the best advantage. With these gifts, very fine, expressive +eyes, regular features, and handsome person, no wonder he could boast +himself "a woman-killer." + +Aunt Wealthy, though old enough to be invulnerable to Cupid's arrows, +showed by her warm praises, after he had left that evening, that she +was not proof against his fascinations. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Your noblest natures are most credulous. + + --CHAPMAN. + + +Bromly Egerton (we give him the name by which he had become known to +our friends in Lansdale) considered it "a very lucky chance" that +had provided him a boarding-place so near the temporary home of his +intended victim. He felicitated himself greatly upon it, and lost no +time in improving to the utmost all the advantages it conferred. +It soon came to be a customary thing for him to drop in at Miss +Stanhope's every day, or two or three times a day, and to join the +young girls in their walks and drives, for, though at first paying +court to no one but the mistress of the mansion, he gradually turned +his attention more and more to her niece and Miss King. + +As their ages were so much nearer his this seemed perfectly natural, +and excited no suspicion or remark. Aunt Wealthy was quite willing to +resign him to them; for--a very child in innocent trustfulness--she +had no thought of any evil design on the part of the handsome, +attractive young stranger so warmly recommended to her kindness and +hospitality by an old and valued friend, and only rejoiced to see the +young folks enjoying themselves so much together. + +Before leaving Lansdale Mr. Dinsmore had provided his daughter with a +gentle, but spirited and beautiful little pony, and bade her ride out +every day when the weather was favorable, as was her custom at home. +At the same time he cautioned her never to go alone; but always to +have Simon riding in her rear, and, if possible, a lady friend at her +side. + +Dr. King was not wealthy, and having a large family to provide for, +kept no horse except the one he used in his practice; but Elsie, with +her well-filled purse, was more than content to furnish ponies for +her friends Lottie and Nettie whenever they could accompany her; and +matters were so arranged by their indulgent mother that one or both +could do so every day. + +It was not long before Mr. Egerton joined them in these excursions +also, having made an arrangement with a livery-stable keeper for the +daily use of a horse. And gradually his attention, in the beginning +about equally divided between the two, or the three, were paid more +and more exclusively to Elsie. + +She was not pleased with him in their earlier interviews, she could +scarcely have told why; but there was an intuitive feeling that he was +not one to be trusted. That, however, gradually gave way under the +fascinations of his fine person, agreeable manners, and intellectual +conversation. He was very plausible and captivating, she full of +charity and ready to believe the best of everybody, and so, little by +little, he won her confidence and esteem so completely that at length +she had almost forgotten that her first impression had not been +favorable. + +He went regularly to the church she, her aunt, and the Kings attended, +appearing an interested listener, and devout worshipper; and that not +on the Sabbath only, but also at the regular weekday evening service; +he seemed also to choose his associates among good, Christian people. +The natural inference from all this was that he too was a Christian, +or at least a professor of religion; and thus all our friends soon +came to look upon him as such, and to feel the greater friendship for, +and confidence in him. + +He found that Elsie's beauty would bear the closest scrutiny, that her +graces of person and mind were the more apparent the more thoroughly +she was known; that she was highly educated and accomplished, +possessed of a keen intellect, and talents of no common order, and a +wonderful sweetness of disposition. He acknowledged to himself that, +even leaving money out of the question, she was a prize any man might +covet; yet that if she were poor, he would never try to win her. A +more voluptuous woman would have suited him better. Elsie's very +purity made her distasteful to him, his own character seeming so much +blackened by contrast that at times he could but loathe and despise +himself. + +But her fortune was an irresistible attraction, and he resolved more +firmly than ever to leave no stone unturned to make himself master of +it. + +He soon perceived that he had many rivals, but he possessed one +advantage over them all in his entire leisure from business, leaving +him at liberty to devote himself to her entertainment during the day +as well as the evening. + +For a while he greatly feared that he had a more dangerous rival at a +distance; for, watching from his windows, he saw that every morning +Simon brought one or more letters from the post, and that Elsie was +usually on the front porch awaiting his coming; that she would often +come flying across the lawn, meet her messenger at the gate, and +snatching her letter with eager, joyful haste, rush back to the house +with it, and disappear within the doorway. Then frequently he would +see her half an hour later looking so rosy and happy, that he could +hardly hope her correspondent was other than an accepted lover. + +For weeks he tormented himself with this idea; the more convinced that +he was right in his conjecture, because she almost always posted her +reply with her own hands, when going out for her daily walk, or sent +it by her faithful Chloe; but one day, venturing a jest upon the +subject, she answered him, with a merry laugh, "Ah, you are no +Yankee, Mr. Egerton, to make such a guess as that! I have a number of +correspondents, it is true; but the daily letter I am so eager for +comes from my father." + +"Is it possible, Miss Dinsmore! do you really receive and answer a +letter from your father every day?" + +"We write every day, and each receives a letter from the other every +day but Sunday; on that day we never go or send to the post-office; +and we write only on such subjects as are suited to the sacredness of +its Sabbath rest. I give papa the text and a synopsis of the sermon I +have heard, and he does the same by me." + +"You must be extremely strict Sabbath-keepers." + +"We are, but not more so than the Bible teaches that we should be." + +"But isn't it very irksome? don't you find the day very long and +tedious?" + +"Not at all; I think no other day in the week is quite so short to me, +none, I am sure, so delightful." + +"Then it isn't only because your aunt is strict too, that you go on +keeping your father's rules, while you are at a safe distance from +him?" he queried in a half jesting tone. + +Elsie turned her soft eyes full upon him, as she answered with gentle +gravity: "I feel that the commands of both my earthly and my heavenly +Father are binding upon me at all times, and in all places, and I hope +I may ever be kept from becoming an eye-servant. Love makes it easy to +obey, and God's commands are not grievous to those who love him." + +"I beg your pardon," he said; "but to go back to the letters, how +can you fill one every day to your father? I can imagine that lovers +might, in writing to each other, but fathers and daughters would not +be apt to indulge in that sort of nonsense." + +"But Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie are no common father and daughter," +remarked Lottie, who had not spoken for the last ten minutes. + +"And can find plenty to say to each other," added Elsie, with a bright +look and smile. "Papa likes to hear just how I am spending my time, +what I see in my walks, what new plants and flowers I find, etc., +etc.; what new acquaintances I make, what books I am reading, and what +I think of them." + +"The latter or the former?" he asked, resuming his jesting tone. + +"Both. And I tell him almost everything. Papa is my confidant; more so +than any other person in the world." + +They were returning from a walk over the hills, and had just reached +Miss Stanhope's gate. Mr. Egerton opened it for the ladies, closed +it after them, bowed a good-morning and retired, wondering if he was +mentioned in those letters to Mr. Dinsmore, and cautioning himself +to be exceeding careful not to say or do a single thing which, if +reported there, might be taken as a warning of danger to the heiress. + +The girls ran into Miss Wealthy's room, and found her lamenting over a +white muslin apron. + +"What is it, auntie?" Elsie asked. + +"Why, just look here, child, what a hole I have made in this! It had +got an ink-stain on it, and Phillis had put one of Harry's new shirts +into a tin basin, and iron-rusted it; so I thought I would try some +citric acid on them both; and I did; but probably made it too strong, +and this is how it served the apron." + +"And the shirt?" asked Lottie, interested for the garment she had +helped to make. + +"Well, it's a comfort I handled it very gingerly, and it seems to be +sound yet, after I saw what this has come to." + +"It is quite a pity about the apron; for it really is a very pretty +one," said Elsie, "the acid must have been very strong." + +"Yes, and I am sorry to have the apron ruined, but after all, I shall +not care so very much, if it only doesn't eat Harry's tail off, and it +will make a little one for some child." + +Both girls laughed. It was impossible to resist the inclination to do +so. + +"The shirt's tail I mean, of course, and a little apron," said Miss +Wealthy, joining in the mirth; "that's where the spots all happen to +be, which is a comfort in case a piece should have to be set in." + +"There comes Lenwilla Ellawea; for some more light'ning, I suppose, as +I see she carries a teacup in her hand," whispered Lottie, +glancing from the window, as a step sounded upon the gravel walk. +"Good-morning, little sixpence; what are you after now?" she added +aloud, as the child appeared in the open doorway. + +"Mother's out o' vinegar, and dinner's just ready, and the +gentleman'll want some for his salad, and there aint no time to send +to the grocery. And mother says, will you lend her a teacupful, Aunt +Wealthy? And she's goin' to have some folks there to-night, and she +says you're all to come over." + +"Tell her we're obliged, and she's welcome to the vinegar," said Miss +Stanhope, taking the cup and giving it to Chloe to fill. "But what +sort of company is it to be?" + +"I dunno; ladies and gentlemen, but no married folks, I heard her say. +She's goin' to have nuts, and candies, and things to hand round, and +you'd better come. I hope that pretty lady will," in a stage whisper, +bending toward Miss Stanhope, as she spoke, and nodding at Elsie. + +All three laughed. + +"Well, I'll try to coax her," said Aunt Wealthy, as Chloe re-entered +the room. "And here's your vinegar. You'd better hurry home with it." + +"Aunt Wealthy, you can't want me to go there!" cried Elsie, as the +child passed out of hearing. "Why, the woman is not a lady, and I am +sure papa would be very unwilling to have me make an associate of her. +He is very particular about such matters." + +"She is not educated or very refined, it is true, my child; and I must +acknowledge is a little silly, too; but she is a clever, kind-hearted +woman, a member of the same church with myself, and a near neighbor +whom I should feel sorry to hurt; and I am sure she would be much hurt +if you should stay away, and deeply gratified by your attendance at +her little party." + +"I wouldn't miss it for anything!" cried Lottie, pirouetting about the +room, laughing and clapping her hands; "she has such comical ways of +talking and acting. I know it will be real fun. You won't think of +staying away, Elsie?" + +"I really do not believe your father would object, if he were here, my +child," added Miss Stanhope, laying her hand on her niece's shoulder +and looking at her with a kindly persuasive smile. + +"Perhaps not, auntie; and he bade me obey you in his absence; so if +you bid me, I will go," Elsie answered, returning the smile, and +touching her ruby lips to the faded cheek. + +"That's a dear," cried Lottie. "Hold her to her word, Aunt Wealthy. +And now I must run home, and see if Nettie's had an invite, and what +she's going to wear." + +The ladies were just leaving the dinner-table, when Mrs. Schilling +came rushing in. "Oh, excuse my informality in not waiting to ring, +Miss Stanhope; but I'm in the biggest kind of a hurry. I've just put +up my mind to make some sponge-cake for to-night, and I thought I'd +best run over and get your prescription; you always have so much +better luck than me. I don't know whether it's all in the luck though, +or whether it's partly the difference in prescriptions--I know some +follows one, and some another--and so, if you'll let me have yours, +I'll be a thousand times obliged." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Sixpence, you'll be as many times welcome," returned +Aunt Wealthy, going for her receipt-book. "It's not to be a large +party, is it?" she asked, coming back. + +"No, ma'am, just a dozen or so of the young folks; such ladies and +gentlemen which I thought would be agreeable to meet Miss Dinsmore. I +hope you'll both be over and bright and early too; for I've heard say +you don't never keep very late hours, Miss Dinsmore." + +"No, papa does not approve of them; not for me at least. He is so +careful of me, so anxious that I should keep my health." + +"Well, I'm sure that's all right and kind. But you'll come, both +of you, won't you?" And receiving an assurance that such was their +intention, she hurried away as fast as she had come. + +"I wonder she cares to make a party when she must do all the work of +preparing for it herself," said Elsie, looking after her as she sped +across the lawn. + +"She is strong and healthy, and used to work; and doubtless feels +that it will be some honor and glory to be able to boast of having +entertained the Southern heiress who is visiting Lansdale," Miss +Stanhope answered in a half-jesting tone. + +Elsie looked amused, then grave, as she replied: "It is rather +humbling to one's pride to be valued merely or principally on account +of one's wealth." + +"Yes; but, dearie, those who know you don't value you for that, but +for your own dear, lovable self. My darling, your old aunt is growing +very fond of you, and can hardly bear to think how soon your father +will be coming to carry you away again," she added, twinkling away a +tear, as she took the soft, white hand, and pressed it affectionately +in both her own. + +"And I shall be so sorry to leave you, auntie. I wish we could carry +you away with us. I have so often thought how happy my friend Lucy +Carrington ought to be in having such a nice grandma. I have never +had one, you know; for papa's stepmother would never own me for her +grandchild; but you seem to be the very one I have always longed for." + +"Thank you, dear," and Miss Stanhope sighed, slightly. "Had your own +grandmother, my sweet and dear sister Eva, been spared to this time, +you would have had one to love and be proud of. Now, do you want to +take a siesta? you must feel tired after this morning's long tramp, +I should think, and I want you to be very bright and fresh to-night, +that it may not harm you if you should happen to be kept up a little +later than usual. You see I want to take such care of you, that when +your father comes he can see only improvement in you, and feel willing +to let me have you again some day." + +"Thank you, you dear old auntie!" Elsie answered, giving her a hug. +"I'm sure even he could hardly be more kindly careful of me than you +are. But I am not very tired, and sitting in an easy-chair will give +me all the rest I need. Haven't you some work for me? I've done +nothing but enjoy myself in the most idle fashion all day." + +"No, my sewing's all done now that the shirts are finished. But I must +lie down whether you will or not. I can't do without my afternoon +nap." + +"Yes, do, auntie; and I shall begin to-morrow's letter to papa; +finishing it in the morning with an account of the party." + +She was busy with her writing when Lottie burst in upon her. + +"I ran in," she said, "to propose that we all go over there together, +and to ask you to come into our house when you're dressed. Nettie and +I are going to try a new style of doing up our hair, and we want your +opinion about its becomingness." + +"I'll be happy to give it for what it is worth." + +"By the way, I admire your style extremely; but of course no one could +imitate it who was not blessed with a heavy suit of natural curls. You +always wear it one way, don't you?" + +"Yes, papa likes it so, but until within the last year, he would not +let me have it in a comb at all." + +She wore it now gathered into a loose knot behind, and falling over +a comb, in a rich mass of shining curls, while in front it waved and +rippled above her white forehead, or fell over it, in soft, tiny, +golden brown rings. + +"It is so beautiful!" continued Lottie, passing her hand caressingly +over it; "and so is its wearer. Oh, if I were only a gentleman!" + +"You don't wish it," said Elsie, laughing. "I don't believe a real, +womanly woman ever does." + +"You don't, hey? Well, I must go; for I've a lot to do to Lot King's +wearing apparel. Adieu, mon cher. Nay, don't disturb yourself to come +to the door." + +Elsie came down to tea ready dressed for the evening, in simple white, +with a white rose in her hair. + +"I like your taste in dress, child," said Aunt Wealthy, regarding her +with affectionate admiration. "The rose in your hair is lovely, and +you seem to me like a fresh, fair, sweet flower, yourself." + +"Ah, how pleasant it is to be loved, auntie, for love always sees +through rose-colored spectacles," answered the young girl gayly. + +"I promised Lottie to run in there for a moment to give my opinion +about their appearance," she said, as they rose from the table. "I'll +not be gone long; and they're to come in and go with us." + +She found her friends in the midst of their hair-dressing. + +"Isn't it a bore?" cried Lottie. "How fortunate you are in never +having to do this for yourself." + +"Why," said Elsie, "I was just admiring your independence, and feeling +ashamed of my own helplessness." + +"Did you ever try it," asked Nettie; "doing your own hair, I mean?" + +"No, never." + +"Did you ever dress yourself?" + +"No, I own that I have never so much as put on my own shoes and +stockings," Elsie answered with a blush, really mortified at the +thought. + +"Well, it is rather nice to be able to help yourself," remarked Lottie +complacently. "There! mine's done; what do you think of it, Miss +Dinsmore?" + +"That it is very pretty and extremely becoming. Girls, mammy will +dress your hair for you at any time, if you wish." + +"Oh, a thousand thanks!" exclaimed Nettie. "Do you think she would be +willing to come over and do mine now? I really can't get it to suit +me, and I know Lot wants to put on her dress." + +"Yes, I'll go back and send her." + +"Oh, no; don't go yet; can't we send for her?" + +"That would do; but I told Aunt Wealthy I wouldn't stay long; so I +think I'd better go. Perhaps I can be of use to her." + +"I don't believe she'll need any help with her toilet," said Lottie, +"she does it all her own way; but I daresay she grudges every minute +of your company. I know I should. Isn't she sweet and lovely, and good +as she can be?" she added to her sister as Elsie left the room. + +"Yes, and how tastefully she dresses; everything is rich and +beautiful, yet so simply elegant; what magnificent lace she wears, and +what jewelry; yet not a bit too much of either." + +"And she knows all about harmony of colors, and what suits her style; +though I believe she would look well in anything." + +There was a communicating gate between Dr. King's grounds and Miss +Stanhope's, and Elsie gained her aunt's house by crossing the two +gardens. As she stepped upon the porch, she saw Mr. Egerton standing +before the door. + +"Good-evening, Miss Dinsmore," he said, bowing and smiling. "I was +just about to ring; but I presume that is not necessary now." + +"No, not at all. Walk into the parlor, and help yourself to a seat. +And if you will please excuse me I shall be there in a moment." + +"I came to ask if I might have the pleasure of escorting you to the +party," he said laughingly, as she returned from giving Chloe her +directions, and asking if her aunt needed any assistance. + +"Thank you; but you are taking unnecessary trouble," she answered +gayly, "since it is only across the street, and there are four of us +to keep each other company." + +"The Misses King are going with you?" + +"Yes; they are not quite ready yet; but it is surely too early to +think of going?" + +"A little; but Mrs. Schilling is anxious to see you as soon as +possible; particularly as she understands there is no hope of keeping +you after ten o'clock. Do you really always observe such early hours?" + +"As a rule, yes. I believe the medical authorities agree that it is +the way to retain one's youth and health." + +"And beauty," he added, with an admiring glance at her blooming face. + + * * * * * + +"I do believe we shall be almost the first; very unfashionably early," +remarked Nettie King, as their little party crossed the street. + +"We are not the first, I have seen several go in," rejoined Aunt +Wealthy, as Mr. Egerton held open the gate for them to pass in. + +Mrs. Schilling in gay attire, streamers flying, cheeks glowing, and +eyes beaming with delight, met them at the door, and invited them to +enter. + +"Oh, ladies, good-evening. How do you all do? I'm powerful glad you +came so early. Walk right into the parlor." + +She ushered them in as she spoke. Four or five young misses were +standing about the centre-table, looking at prints, magazines, and +photographs, while Lenwilla Ellawea, arrayed in her Sunday best, had +ensconced herself in a large cushioned rocking-chair; she was leaning +lazily back in it, and stretching out her feet in a way to show her +shoes and stockings to full advantage. Mrs. Schilling had singular +taste in dress. The child wore a Swiss muslin over a red flannel +skirt, and her lower limbs were encased in black stockings and blue +shoes. + +"Daughter Lenwilla Ellawea, subside that chair!" exclaimed the mother, +with a wave of her hand. "You should know better than to take the best +seat, when ladies are standing. Miss Stanhope, do me the honor to take +that chair. I assure you, you will find it most commodious. Take a +seat on the sofy, Miss Dinsmore, and--ah, that is right, Mr. Egerton, +you know how to attend to the ladies." + +Greetings and introductions were exchanged; an uncomfortable pause +followed, then a young lady, with a magazine open on the table before +her, broke the silence by remarking: "What sweet verses these are!" + +"Yes," said Mrs. Schilling, looking over her shoulder, "I quite agree +in that sentiment. Indeed, she's my favorite author." + +"Who?" asked Mr. Egerton. + +"Anon." + +"Ah! does she write much for that periodical?" he asked, with assumed +gravity. + +"Oh, yes, she has a piece in nearly every number; sometimes two of +'em." + +"That's my pap, that is," said Lenwilla Ellawea, addressing a second +young lady, who was slowly turning the leaves of a photograph album. + +"Is it?" + +"Yes, and we've got two or three other picters of him." + +"Photographs, Lenwilla Ellawea," corrected her mother. "Yes, we've got +several. Miss Stanhope, do you know there's a sculpture in town? and +what do you think? He wants to make a basque relief out o' one o' them +photographs of my 'Lijah. But I don't know as I'll let him. Would +you?" + +A smile trembled about the corners of Elsie's lips, and she carefully +avoided the glance of Lottie's eyes, which she knew were dancing with +fun, while there was a half-suppressed titter from the girls at the +table. + +"I really can't say I understand exactly what it is," said Aunt +Wealthy dubiously. + +"What sort of looking creature is a sculpture, Mrs. Schilling?" asked +Mr. Egerton. + +"Excuse me; there's some more company coming," she answered, hurrying +from the room. + +"My good landlady is really quite an amusing person," he observed in +an aside to Elsie, near to whom he had seated himself. + +She made no response. The newly-arrived guests were being ushered in, +and there were fresh greetings and introductions to be gone through +with. Then conversation became quite brisk, and after a little, it +seeming to be understood that all invited, or expected, were present +some one proposed playing games. They tried several of the quieter +kind, then Lottie King proposed "Stage-coach." + +"Lot likes that because she's a regular romp," said her sister. + +"And because she tells the story so well; she's just splendid at it!" +cried two or three voices. "Will you take that part if we agree to +play it?" + +"Yes, if no one else wants it." + +"No danger of that. We'll play it. Miss Dinsmore, will you take part?" + +"Thank you; I never heard of the game before, and should not know what +to do." + +"Oh, it's easy to understand. Each player--except the +story-teller--takes the name of some part of the stage-coach, or +something connected with it;--one is the wheels, another the window, +another the whip, another the horses, driver, and so on, and so on. +After all are named and seated--leaving one of their number out, and +no vacancy in the circle--the one left out stands in the centre, and +begins a story, in which he or she introduces the names chosen by the +others as often as possible. Each must be on the qui vive, and the +instant his name is pronounced, jump up, turn round once and sit down +again. If he neglects to do so, he has to pay a forfeit. If the +word stage-coach is pronounced, all spring up and change seats; the +story-teller securing one, if he can and leaving some one else to try +his hand at that." + +Lottie acquitted herself well; Mr. Egerton followed, doing even +better; then Aunt Wealthy was the one left out, and with her crooked +sentences and backward or opposite rendering of names caused shouts +of merriment. The selling of the forfeits which followed was no less +mirth-provoking. Then the refreshments were brought in; first, several +kinds of cake--the sponge and the farmers' fruit-cake, made after Miss +Stanhope's prescription, as Mrs. Schilling informed her guests, and +one or two other sorts. Elsie declined them all, saying that she never +ate anything in the evening. + +"Oh, now that's too bad, Miss Dinsmore! do take a little bit of +something," urged her hostess; "I shall feel real hurt if you don't; +it looks just as if you didn't think my victuals good enough for you +to eat." + +"Indeed you must not think that," replied Elsie, blushing deeply. +"Your cake looks very nice, but I always decline evening refreshments; +and that solely because of the injury it would be to my health to +indulge in them." + +"Why, you aint delicate, are you? You don't look so; you've as healthy +a color as ever I see; not a bit like as though you had the dyspepsy." + +"No, I have never had a touch of dyspepsia, and I think my freedom +from it is largely owing to papa's care of me in regard to what I eat +and when. He has never allowed me to eat cake in the evening." + +"Well, I do say! you're the best girl to mind your pa that ever I see! +But you're growed up now--'most of age, I should judge--and I reckon +you've a sort o' right to decide such little matters for yourself. I +don't believe a bit o' either of these would hurt you a mite; and +if it should make you a little out o' sorts just you take a dose of +spirits of pneumonia. That's my remedy for sick stomic, and it cures +me right up, it does." + +Elsie smiled, but again gently but firmly declined. "Please don't +tempt me any more, Mrs. Schilling," she said; "for it is a temptation, +I assure you." + +"Well, p'raps you'll like the next course better," rejoined her +hostess, moving on. + +"She's a splendid cook and the cake is really nice," remarked Lottie +King in a low tone, close at her friend's side. + +"Yes, Miss Dinsmore, you'd better try a little of it; I don't believe +it would hurt you, even so much as to call for the spirits of +pneumonia," said Egerton, laughing. + +"Oh, look!" whispered Lottie, her eyes twinkling with merriment, "here +comes the second course served up in the most original style." + +Mrs. Schilling had disappeared for a moment, to return bearing a +wooden bucket filled with a mixture of candies, raisins and almonds, +and was passing it around among her guests, inviting each to take a +handful. + +"Now, Miss Dinsmore, you won't refuse to try a few of these?" she +said persuasively, as she neared their corner, "I shall be real +disappointed if you do." + +"I am very sorry to decline your kind offer, even more for my own +sake than yours," returned Elsie, laughing and blushing; "for I am +extremely fond of confectionery; but I must say no, thank you." + +"Mr. Egerton, do you think 'twas because my cakes and things wasn't +good enough for her that she wouldn't taste 'em?" asked his landlady, +in an aggrieved tone, as the last of the guests departed. + +Elsie had gone an hour before, he having had the pleasure of escorting +her and Miss Stanhope across the street, leaving them at their own +door; but he did not need to ask whom Mrs. Schilling meant. + +"Oh, no, not at all, my good woman!" he answered. "It was nothing but +filial obedience joined to the fear of losing her exuberant health. +Very wise, too, though your refreshments were remarkably nice." + +"Poor Mrs. Sixpence," Lottie King was saying to her sister at that +moment, "she whispered to me that though her party had gone off so +splendidly, she had had two great disappointments,--in Mr. Wert's +absenting himself, and the refusal of the Southern heiress to so much +as taste her carefully prepared dainties." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + A goodly apple rotten at the heart; + O what a goodly outside falsehood hath! + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "MERCHANT OF VENICE." + + +In mental power, education, good looks, courtly manners, and general +information Mr. Egerton was decidedly superior to any of the young men +resident in Lansdale; and of this fact no one was better aware than, +himself. He did not confine his attentions to Elsie, and soon found +himself a prime favorite among the ladies of the town. No female +coquette ever coveted the admiration of the other sex more than he, +or sought more assiduously to gain it. He carried on numerous small +flirtations among the belles of the place, yet paid court to Elsie +much oftener than to any one else, using every art of which he was +master in the determined effort to win her affection and to make +himself necessary to her happiness. + +He had read many books and seen much of life, having travelled all +over our own country, and visited both Europe and South America; and +possessing a retentive memory, fine descriptive powers, a fund of +humor, and a decided talent for mimicry, was able, when he chose, to +make his conversation exceedingly amusing and interesting, and very +instructive. Also, he seemed all that was good and noble, and she soon +gave him a very warm place in her regard; much warmer than she herself +at first suspected. + +According to his own account--and probably it was the truth--Bromly +Egerton had had many hair-breadth escapes from sudden and violent +death. He was telling of one of these in which he had risked and +nearly lost his life from mere love of adventure. Elsie shuddered, and +drew a long breath of relief, as the story reached its close. + +"Does it frighten you to hear of such things?" he asked, with a smile. + +"Yes, it seems to me a dreadful thing to risk the loss of one's life, +when there is no good to ourselves or others to be gained by it." + +"Ah, if you were a man or boy you would understand that more than half +the charm of such adventures lies in the risk." + +"But is it right, or wise?" + +"A mere matter of taste, or choice, I should say--a long dull life, or +a short and lively one." + +Elsie's face had grown very grave. "Are those really your sentiments, +Mr. Egerton?" she asked, in a pained, disappointed tone. "I had +thought better of you." + +"I do not understand; have I said anything very dreadful?" + +"Is it not a sin to throw away the life which God has given us to be +used in His service?" + +"Ah, perhaps that may be so; but I had not looked at it in precisely +that way. I had only thought of the fact that life in this world is +not so very delightful that one need be anxious to continue it for a +hundred years. We grow tired of it at times, and are almost ready to +throw it away; to use your expression." + +"Ah, before doing that we should be very sure of going to a better +place." + +"But how can we be sure of that, or, indeed, of anything? What is +there that we know absolutely, and beyond question? how can I be sure +of even my own existence? how do I know that I am what I believe +myself to be? There are crazy men who firmly believe themselves kings +and princes, or something else quite as far from the truth; and how do +I know that I am not as much mistaken as they?" + +She gave him a look of grieved surprise, and he laughingly asked, +"Well, now, Miss Dinsmore, is there anything of which you really are +absolutely certain? or you, Miss King?" as Lottie drew near the log on +which the two were seated. + +They had taken a long ramble through the woods that morning, and +Egerton and Elsie had some ten minutes before sat down here to rest +and wait for their companions, who had wandered a little from the path +they were pursuing. + +"Cogito, ergo sum," she answered gayly, "Also I am sure we have had a +very pleasant walk. But isn't it time we were moving toward home?" + +"Yes," Elsie answered, consulting her watch. + +"That's a pretty little thing," observed Egerton. "May I look at it?" +And he held out his hand. + +"One of papa's birthday gifts to his petted only daughter," she said, +with a smile, as she allowed him to take it. "I value it very highly +on that account even more than for its intrinsic worth; though it is +an excellent time-keeper." + +"It must have cost a pretty penny; the pearls and diamonds alone must +be worth quite a sum," he said, turning it about and examining it with +eager interest. "I would be careful, Miss Dinsmore, how I let it be +known that I carried anything so valuable about me, or wore it into +lonely places, such as these woods," he added, as he returned it to +her. + +"I never come out alone," she said, looking slightly anxious and +troubled; "papa laid his commands upon me never to do so; but I shall +leave it at home in future." + +"Riches bring cares; that's the way I comfort myself in my poverty," +remarked Lottie, lightly. "But, Elsie, my dear, don't allow anxious +fears to disturb you; we are a very moral people at Lansdale; I never +heard of a robbery there yet." + +"I believe I am naturally rather timid," said Elsie, "yet I seldom +suffer from fear. I always feel very safe when papa is near to protect +me, and our Heavenly Father's care is always about us." + +"That reminds me that you have not answered my question," remarked +Egerton, switching off the head of a clover-blossom with his cane. "Is +the care you speak of one thing of which you feel certain?" + +"Yes, and there are others." + +"May I ask what?" + +She turned her sweet, soft eyes full upon him as she answered in low, +clear tones, "'I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no +good thing.' 'I know that my Redeemer liveth.' 'I know that it shall +be well with them that fear God.'" + +"You are quoting?" + +"Yes, from a book that I know is true. Do you doubt it, Mr. Egerton?" + +"Why, Miss Dinsmore, you do not take me for an infidel, surely?" + +"No, until to-day I had hoped you were a Christian." + +Her eyes were downcast now, and there were tears in her voice as she +spoke. He saw he had made a false step and lowered himself in her +esteem, yet, remembering his talk with Arthur, he felt certain he +could more than retrieve that error. And he grew exultant in the +thought of the evident pain the discovery of his unbelief had caused +her. "She does care for me; I believe the prize is even now almost +within my reach," he said to himself, as they silently pursued their +way into the town, no one speaking again until they parted at Miss +Stanhope's gate. + +Elsie, usually full of innocent mirth and gladness, was very quiet at +dinner that day, and Aunt Wealthy, watching her furtively, thought she +noticed an unwonted shade of sadness on the fair face. + +"What is it, dear?" she asked at length; "something seems to have gone +wrong with you." + +The young girl replied by repeating the substance of the morning's +talk with Mr. Egerton, and expressing her disappointment at the +discovery that he was not the Christian man she had taken him to be. + +"Perhaps what you have taken in earnest, was but spoken in jest, my +child," said Miss Stanhope. + +"Ah, auntie, but a Christian surely could not say such things even +in jest," she answered, with a little sigh, and a look of sorrowful +concern on her face. + +Half an hour later, Elsie sat reading in the abode of the vine-covered +porch, while her aunt enjoyed her customary after-dinner nap. She +presently heard the gate swing to, and the next moment Mr. Egerton was +helping himself to a seat by her side. + +"I hope I don't intrude, Miss Dinsmore," he began, assuming a slightly +embarrassed air. + +"Oh, no, not at all," she answered, closing her book; "but aunt is +lying down, and--" + +"Ah, no matter; I wouldn't have her disturbed for the world; and in +fact I am rather glad of the opportunity of seeing you alone. I--I +have been thinking a good deal of that talk we had this morning, +and--I am really quite shocked at the sentiments I then expressed, +though they were spoken more than half in jest. Miss Dinsmore, I am +not a Christian, but--but I want to be, and would, if I only knew how; +and I've come to you to learn the way; for somehow I seem to feel that +you could make the thing plainer to me than any one else. What must I +do first?" + +Glad tears shone in the soft eyes she lifted to his face as she +answered, "'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.' +Believe, 'only believe.'" + +"But I must do something?" + +"'Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, +and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and +to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.'" + +The man was an arrant knave and hypocrite, simulating anxiety about +his soul's salvation only for the purpose of ingratiating himself +with Elsie; but "the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God," +pricked him for the moment, as she wielded it in faith and prayer. +What ways, what thoughts were his! Truly they had need to be forsaken +if he would hope ever to see that holy city of which we are told +"There shall in no wise enter it anything that defileth, neither +whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie." + +For a moment he sat silent and abashed before the gentle, earnest +young Christian, feeling her very purity a reproach, and fearing that +she must read his hypocrisy and the baseness of his motives in his +countenance. + +But hers was a most innocent and unsuspicious nature, apt to believe +others as true and honest as herself. She went on presently. "It is so +beautifully simple and easy,--God's way of saving us poor sinners: +it is its very simplicity that so stumbles wise men and women, while +little children, in their sweet trustfulness, just taking God at His +word, understand it without any difficulty." She spoke in a musing +tone, not looking at Egerton at all, but with her eyes fixed +meditatingly upon the floor. + +He perceived that she had no doubts of his sincerity, and rallying +from the thrust she had so unconsciously given him, went on with the +role he had laid down for himself. + +"I fear I am one of the wise ones you speak of, for I confess I do not +see the way yet. Can you not explain it more fully?" + +"I will try," she said. "You believe that you are a sinner deserving +of God's wrath?" + +"Yes." + +"You have broken His law, and His justice demands your punishment; but +Jesus has kept its requirements, and borne its penalty in your +stead, and now offers you his righteousness and salvation as a free +gift,--'without money and without price.'" + +"But what am I to do?" + +"Simply take the offered gift." + +"But how? I fear I must seem very obtuse, but I really do not +comprehend." + +"Then ask for the teachings of the Spirit; ask Jesus to give you +repentance and faith. 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye +shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one +that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that +knocketh, it shall be opened." + +Elsie's voice was low and pleading, her tones were tremulous with +earnest entreaty, the eyes she lifted to his face were half filled +with tears; for she felt that the eternal interests of her hearer were +trembling in the balance. + +He looked at her admiringly, and, lost in the contemplation of her +beauty, had almost betrayed himself by his want of interest in what +she was saying. But just then Miss Stanhope joined them, and shortly +after he took his leave. + +From this time Egerton played his part with consummate skill, +deceiving Elsie so completely that she had not the slightest doubt of +his being an humble, penitent, rejoicing believer; and great were her +joy and thankfulness when he told her that she had been the means of +leading him to Christ; that her words had made the way plain to him, +as he had never been able to see it before. It seemed to her a very +tender, strong tie between them, and he appeared to feel it to be so +also. + +She was not conscious of looking upon him in the light of a lover, but +he saw with secret exultation that he was fast winning her heart; he +read it in the flushing of her cheek and the brightening of her eye at +his approach, and in many other unmistakable signs. He wrote to Arthur +that the prize was nearly won; so nearly that he had no doubt of his +ultimate success. + +"And I'll not be long now about finishing up the job," he continued; +"it's such precious hard work to be so good and pious all the time, +that I can hardly wait till matters are fully ripe for action. I'm +in constant danger of letting the mask slip aside in some unguarded +moment, and so undoing the whole thing after the world of trouble it +has cost me. It's no joke, I can assure you, for a man of my tastes +and habits to lead the sort of life I've led for the last three +months, I believe I'd give her up this minute, fortune and all, if the +winning of them would lay me under the necessity of continuing it for +the rest of my days, or even for any length of time. But once the knot +is tied, and the property secured, there'll be an end of this farce. +I'll let her know I'm done with cant, will neither talk it nor listen +to it." + +Arthur Dinsmore's face darkened as he read, and in a sudden burst of +fury he tore the letter into fragments, then threw them into the empty +grate. He was not yet so hardened as to feel willing to see Elsie in +the power of such a heartless wretch, such a villain as he knew Tom +Jackson to be. Many times already had he bitterly repented of having +told him of her wealth, and helped him to an acquaintance with her. +His family pride revolted against the connection, and some latent +affection for his niece prompted him to save her from the life of +misery that must be hers as the wife of one so utterly devoid of honor +or integrity. + +Yet Arthur lacked the moral courage to face the disagreeable +consequences of a withdrawal from his compact with Jackson, and a +confession to his father or Horace of the wretch's designs upon Elsie +and his own disgraceful entanglement with him. He concluded to take a +middle course. He wrote immediately to Jackson, somewhat haughtily, +advising him at once to give up the whole thing. + +"You will inevitably fail to accomplish your end," he said. "Elsie +will never marry without her father's consent, and that you will find +it utterly impossible to gain. Horace is too sharp to be hoodwinked or +deceived, even by you. He will ferret out your whole past, lay bare +the whole black record of your rascalities and hypocrisies, and forbid +his daughter ever again to hold the slightest communication with you. +And she will obey if it kills her on the spot." + +"There's some comfort in that last reflection," muttered Arthur to +himself, as he folded and sealed his epistle; "no danger of the rascal +getting into the family." + +Two days later, Egerton took this letter from the post-office in +Lansdale. He read it with a scowl on his brow. "Ah! I see your game, +young man," he muttered with an oath, "but you'll find that you've got +hold of the wrong customer. My reply shall be short and sweet, and +quite to the point." + +It ran thus: "Your warning and advice come too late, my young friend; +the mischief is already wrought, and however unworthy your humble +servant may be deemed by yourself or others of its members to become +connected with the illustrious D---- family, they will find they +cannot help themselves; the girl loves me, and believes in me, and I +defy all the fathers and relations in creation to keep us apart." Then +followed some guarded allusions to various sums of borrowed money, and +so-called "debts of honor," and to some compact by which they were to +be annulled, accompanied by a threat of exposure if that agreement +were not kept to the very letter. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + Thou shall not see me blush, + Nor change my countenance for this arrest. + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "HENRY VI.," PART II. + + +It was a sultry summer night. In the grounds of one of the largest and +most beautiful of the many elegant country seats to be found in the +suburbs of Cincinnati two gentlemen were pacing leisurely to and fro. + +They were friends who had met that day for the first time in several +years; strongly attached friends, spite of a very considerable +difference in their ages. They had had much to say to each other for +the first few hours, but it was now several minutes since either had +spoken. + +The silence was broken by the younger of the two exclaiming in a tone +of hearty congratulation, "This is a magnificent place, Beresford! It +does my heart good to see you so prosperous!" + +"It is a fine place, Travilla, but," and he heaved a deep sigh, "I +sometimes fear my wealth is to prove anything but a blessing to my +children; that in fact my success in acquiring it is to be the ruin of +my first-born." + +"Ah, I hope not! Is Rudolph not doing well?" + +"Well?" groaned the father, dropping his head upon his breast, "he +seems to be rushing headlong to destruction. Have you not noticed his +poor mother's sad and careworn look? or mine? That boy is breaking +our hearts. I could not speak of it to every one, but to you, my +long-tried friend, I feel that I may unburden myself, sure of genuine +sympathy--" And he went on to tell how his son, becoming early imbued +with the idea that his father's wealth precluded all necessity of +exertion on his part, had grown up in habits of idleness that led to +dissipation, and going on from bad to worse, was now a drunkard, a +gambler, and frequenter of low haunts of vice. + +"Day and night he is a heavy burden upon our hearts," continued the +unhappy father; "when he is with us we find it most distressing to +behold the utter wreck his excesses are making of him, and when he +is out of our sight it is still worse; for we don't know what sin +or danger he may be running into. Indeed at times we are almost +distracted. Ah, Travilla, much as I love my wife and children, I +am half tempted to envy your bachelor exemption from such care and +sorrow!" + +Mr. Travilla's kind heart was deeply moved. He felt painfully +conscious of his own inability to comfort in such sorrow; but spoke +of God's power to change the heart of the most hardened sinner, his +willingness to save, and his promises to those who seek his aid in the +time of trouble. + +"Thank you. I knew you would feel for us; your sympathy does me good," +returned Mr. Beresford, grasping his friend's hand and pressing it +between his own; "your words too; for however well we know these +truths we are apt to forget them, even when they are most needed. + +"But it is growing late, and you must be weary after your journey. Let +me show you to your room." + +Three days passed in which Rudolph was not once seen in his home, and +his parents were left in ignorance of his whereabouts. They exerted +themselves for the pleasure and entertainment of their guest, but +he could see plainly that they were enduring torture of anxiety and +suspense. + +Late in the evening of the third day, Mr. Beresford said to him, "My +carriage is at the door. I must go into town and search for my boy. I +have done so vainly several times since he last left his home, but I +must try again to-night. Will you go with me?" + +Travilla consented with alacrity, and they set out at once. + +While on their way to the city Mr. Beresford explained that, for some +time past, he had had reason to fear that his son was frequenting one +of its gambling-hells; that thus far he had failed in his efforts to +gain admittance, in order to search for him; but to-day, a professed +gambler, well known in the house; had come to him and offered his +assistance. + +"As his convoy, I think we shall get in," added Mr. Beresford. "I +cannot fathom the man's motives, but suspect he owes a grudge to a +newcomer, who, he says, is winning large sums from Rudolph. I shall +drive to Smith's livery stable, leave my horse and carriage there, +then walk on to the place, which is only a few squares distant. Our +guide is to meet us at the first corner from Smith's." + +This programme was carried out, their guide was in waiting at the +appointed place, and at once conducted them to the gambling-house Mr. +Beresford had spoken of. They were admitted without question or demur, +and in another moment found themselves standing beside a table where a +number of men were at play, nearly all so absorbed in their game as to +seem entirely unconscious of the presence of spectators. + +Two of them, pitted against each other, and both young, though there +must have been several years' difference in their ages, particularly +attracted Travilla's attention; and glancing at his friend, he saw +that it was the same with him,--that his eyes were fixed upon the face +of the younger of the two, with an expression of keen distress, while +he trembled with emotion, and almost gasped for breath, as he leaned +toward him, and whispered, "It is he--my son." + +At the same instant the young man's face grew deadly pale, he started +up with a wild, ringing cry, "I am ruined!" drew a pistol from his +breast, and placed the muzzle to his mouth. + +But Mr. Travilla, springing forward, struck it from his hand ere he +could pull the trigger. + +A scene of much excitement and confusion followed, in the midst of +which young Beresford was led away by his father and Travilla. + +A week later the latter gentleman reached Lansdale, arriving there in +the early morning train. He put up at its principal hotel, and having +refreshed himself by a few hours' sleep, a bath, and breakfast, +inquired the way to Miss Stanhope's. + +Elsie was just coming down the front stairway, as he appeared before +the open door, and was about to ring for admittance. + +"Oh, Mr. Travilla, my dear old friend! who would have expected to see +you here?" she cried, in delighted surprise, as she bounded forward to +meet him, with both hands extended in joyous greeting. + +He took them in his, and kissed her first on one cheek, then on the +other. "Still fresh and blooming as a rose, and with the same happy +light in the sweet brown eyes," he said, gazing fondly into their +tender depths. + +"And you are the same old flatterer," she answered gayly, a rich color +mantling her cheek. "Come in and sit down. But oh, tell me when did +you see papa last? and mamma, and little Horace? Ah! the sight of you +makes me homesick for them." + +"I left them at Cape May, about a fortnight since, all well and happy, +but missing you very much. I think papa will hardly be able to do +without his darling much longer." + +"Nor his darling without him. Oh, dear! sometimes I get to wanting him +so badly that I feel as if I should have to write to him to come for +me at once. But excuse me while I go and call Aunt Wealthy." + +"Not yet; let us have a little chat together first." + +Of course, after so long a separation, such old and tried friends +would find a great deal to say to each other. The time slipped away +very fast, and half an hour afterward Mr. Egerton, coming in without +ringing--a liberty he sometimes took of late--found them seated close +together on the sofa, talking earnestly, Elsie with her hand in that +of her friend, and a face even brighter and happier than its wont. + +Mr. Travilla had one of those faces that often seem to come to a +stand-still as regards age, and to scarcely know any change for many +years. He was at this time thirty-four, but would have passed readily +for twenty-five. Egerton thought him no more than that, and at once +took him for a successful rival. + +"Excuse me, Miss Dinsmore," he said, bowing stiffly, "I should have +waited to ring, but--" + +"Oh, never mind, Mr. Egerton," she said; "let me introduce you to my +old friend, Mr. Travilla--" + +But she stopped in astonishment and dismay. Mr. Travilla had risen, +and the two stood confronting each other like mortal foes. + +Mr. Travilla was the first to speak. "I have met you before, sir!" he +said with stern indignation. + +"Indeed! that must be a mistake, sir, for upon my word and honor I +never set eyes on you before." + +"Your honor! the honor of a sharper, a black-leg, a ----" + +"Sir, do you mean to insult me? by what right do you apply such +epithets to me? Pray where did you ever meet me?" + +"In a gambling-hell in Cincinnati; the time, one week ago to-night; +the occasion, the playing of a game of cards between young Beresford +and yourself in which you were the winner--by what knavery you best +know--the stakes so heavy that, on perceiving that he had lost, +the young man cried out that he was ruined, and in his mad despair +attempted self-destruction. It is quite possible that you may not have +observed me in the crowd that gathered about your wretched victim; but +I can never forget the face of the man who had wrought his ruin." + +Egerton's countenance expressed the utmost astonishment and +incredulity. "I have not been in Cincinnati for two months," he +averred, "and all I know of that affair I have learned from the +daily papers. But I shall not stay here to be insulted by you, +sir. Good-afternoon, Miss Dinsmore. I hope to be allowed an early +opportunity to explain this, and to be able to do so to your entire +satisfaction." + +He bowed and withdrew, hastening from the house with the rapid step of +one who is filled with a just indignation. + +Mr. Travilla turned to Elsie. She was sitting there on the sofa, with +her hands clasped in her lap, and a look of terror and anguish on her +face, from which every trace of color had fled. + +His own grew almost as pale, and his voice shook, as again sitting +down beside her, and laying his hand on hers, he said, "My poor child! +can it be possible that you care for that wretch?" + +"Oh, don't!" she whispered hoarsely and turning away her face; "I +cannot believe it; there must be some dreadful mistake." + +Then, recovering her composure by a mighty effort, she rose and +introduced her aunt, who entered the room at that moment. + +Mr. Travilla sat for some time conversing with her, Elsie joining in +occasionally, but with a tone and manner from which all the brightness +and vivacity had fled; then he went away, declining a pressing +invitation to stay to dinner, but promising to be there to tea. + +The moment he was gone Miss Stanhope was busied in beating up her +cushions, and Elsie flew to her room, where she walked back and forth +in a state of great agitation. But the dinner-bell rang, and composing +herself as well as she could, she went down. Her cheeks were burning, +and she seemed unnaturally gay, but ate very little as her aunt +noticed with concern. + +The meal was scarcely over, when a ring at the door-bell was followed +by the sound of Mr. Egerton's voice asking for Miss Dinsmore. + +"Ah!" said Miss Stanhope with an arch smile, "he does not ask this +hour for me; knowing it's the time of my siesta." + +Elsie found Egerton pacing the parlor floor to and fro. He took her +hand, led her to the sofa, and sitting down by her side, began at once +to defend himself against Mr. Travilla's charge. He told her he had +never been guilty of gambling; he had "sowed some wild oats," years +ago--getting slightly intoxicated on two or three occasions, and +things of that sort--but it was all over and repented of; and surely +she could not think it just and right that it should be brought up +against him now. + +As to Mr. Travilla's story--the only way he could account for the +singular mistake was in the fact that he had a cousin who bore the +same name as himself, and resembled him so closely that they had +been frequently mistaken for each other. And that cousin, most +unfortunately, especially on account of the likeness, did both drink +and gamble. He was delighted by the look of relief that came over +Elsie's face, as he told her this. She cared for him, then; yet her +confidence had been shaken. + +"Ah, you doubted me, then?" he said in a tone of sorrowful reproach. + +"Oh! I could not bear to think it possible. I was sure there must be a +mistake somewhere," she said with a beautiful smile. + +"But you are quite satisfied now?" + +"Quite." + +Then he told her he loved her very dearly, better than his own soul; +that he found he could not live without her; life would not be worth +having, unless she would consent to share it with him. "Would she, oh! +would she promise some day to be his own precious little wife?" + +Elsie listened with downcast, blushing face, and soft eyes beaming +with joy; for the events of that day had revealed to her the fact that +this man had made himself master of her heart. + +"Will you not give to me a word of hope?" pleaded Egerton. + +"I--I cannot, must not, without my father's permission," she faltered, +"and oh! he forbade me to listen to anything of the kind. I am too +young he says." + +"When was that?" + +"Three years ago." + +"Ah! but you are older now; and you will let me write and ask his +consent? I may say that you are not quite indifferent to me?" + +"Yes," she murmured, turning her sweet, blushing face away from his +ardent gaze. + +"Thank you, dearest, a thousand thanks!" he cried, pressing her hand +in his. "And now may I ask who and what that Mr. Travilla is?" + +She explained, winding up by saying that he was much like a second +father to her. + +"Father!" he exclaimed, "he doesn't look a day over twenty-five." + +"He is about two years younger than papa and doesn't look any younger, +I think," she answered with a smile. "But strangers are very apt to +take papa for my brother." + +Egerton left an hour before Mr. Travilla came, and that hour Elsie +spent in her own room in a state of great excitement,--now full of the +sweet joy of loving and being loved, now trembling with apprehension +at the thought of the probable effect of Mr. Travilla's story upon her +father. She was fully convinced of Egerton's truth and innocence; yet +quite aware that his explanation might not prove so satisfactory to +Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Oh, papa, papa!" she murmured, as she paced restlessly to and fro, +"how can I obey if you bid me give him up? And yet I must. I know it +will be my duty, and that I must." + +"What a color you hab in your cheeks, darlin'! an' how your eyes +do shine. I'se 'fraid you's gettin' a fever," said Chloe, with an +anxious, troubled gaze into her young lady's face, as she came in to +dress her for the evening. + +"Oh, no, mammy, I am perfectly well," Elsie answered with a slight +laugh. Then seating herself before the glass, "Now do your best," she +said gayly, "for we are to have company to tea. I doubt if you can +guess whom?" + +"Den 'spose my pet saves her ole mammy de trouble. 'Taint massa, for +sure?" + +"No, not quite so welcome a guest; but one you'll be delighted to see. +Mr. Travilla." + +"Ki, darlin'! he not here?" + +"Yes, he came this morning. Ah! I knew you'd be delighted." + +Elsie knew that it would require the very strongest proof to convince +her father of the truth of Mr. Egerton's story, but hoped to find Mr. +Travilla much more ready to give it credence. She was proportionably +disappointed when, on hearing it from her, he scouted it as utterly +unworthy of belief, or even examination. + +"No, my child," he said, "the man's face is indelibly impressed upon +my memory, and I can not be mistaken in his identity." + +Elsie's face flushed crimson, and indignant tears sprang to her eyes +and trembled in her voice as she answered, "I never knew you so +uncharitable before, sir. I could not have believed it of my +kind-hearted, generous old friend." + +He gave her a very troubled, anxious look, as he replied, "Why should +you take it so to heart, Elsie? Surely this man is nothing to you." + +"He is to be some day, if papa will permit," she murmured, turning +away her blushing face from his gaze. + +Mr. Travilla uttered a groan, made two or three rapid turns across the +room, and coming back to her side, laid his hand in an affectionate, +fatherly manner upon her shoulder. + +"My dear," he said with emotion, "I don't know when I have heard +anything that distressed me so much; or that could give such pain and +distress to your doting father." + +"Mr. Travilla, you will not, you cannot be so unkind, so cruel, as to +try to persuade papa to think as you do of--of Mr. Egerton?" + +Her tone was half indignant, half imploring, and her eyes were lifted +pleadingly to his face. + +"My poor child," he said, "I could not be so cruel to you as to leave +him in ignorance of any of the facts; but I shall not attempt to +bias his judgment; nor would it avail if I did. Your father is an +independent thinker, and will make up his mind for himself." + +"And against poor Bromly," thought Elsie, with an emotion of anguish, +and something akin to rebellion rising in her heart. + +Mr. Travilla read it all in her speaking countenance. "Do not fear +your father's decision, my little friend." he said, sitting down +beside her again, "he is very just, and you are as the apple of his +eye. He will sift the matter thoroughly, and decide as he shall deem +best for your happiness. Can you not trust his wisdom and his love?" + +"I know he loves me very dearly, Mr. Travilla, but--he is only human, +and may make a mistake." + +"Then try to leave it all in the hands of your heavenly Father, who +cannot err, who is infinite in wisdom, power, and in His love for +you." + +"I will try," she said with a quivering lip. "Now please talk to me +of something else. Tell me of that young man. Did you say he shot +himself?" + +"Young Beresford, my friend's son? No, he was prevented." And he went +on to tell of Rudolph's horror and remorse on account of that rash +act, and of the excesses that led to it; also of the trembling hope +his parents and friends were beginning to indulge that he was now +truly penitent, and, clothed in his right mind, was sitting at the +Saviour's feet. + +Elsie listened with interest. They had had the parlor to themselves +for an hour or more, Miss Stanhope having received an unexpected +summons to the bedside of a sick neighbor. + +She was with them at tea, and during most of the evening, but left +them alone together for a moment just before Mr. Travilla took his +leave, and he seized the opportunity to say to Elsie that he thought +she ought to refrain from further intercourse with Egerton till she +should learn her father's will in regard to the matter. + +"I cannot promise--I will think of it," she said with a look of +distress. + +"You write frequently to your papa?" + +"Every day." + +"I know you would not wish to deceive him in the least. Will you tell +him what I conceive to be the facts in regard to Mr. Egerton? or shall +I?" + +"I cannot, oh, I cannot!" she murmured, turning away her face. + +"Then I shall spare you the painful task, by, doing it myself, my poor +child. I shall write to-night." + +She was silent, but he could see the tumultuous heaving of her breast, +and the tears glistening on the heavy drooping lashes that swept her +pale cheek. His heart bled for her, while his indignation waxed hot +against the hypocritical scoundrel who, he feared, had succeeded only +too well in wrecking her happiness. + +She had described to him Egerton's character as he had made it appear +to her, telling of their conversations on religious subjects, his +supposed conversion, etc., etc.; thus unintentionally enabling +Travilla to see clearly through the man's base designs. He silently +resolved to stay in Lansdale and watch over her until her father's +arrival. + +"You ride out daily?" he inquired. + +"Yes, sir." + +"May I be your escort to-morrow?" + +She cast down her eyes, which she had lifted to his face for an +instant, blushing painfully. It seemed an effort for her to reply, and +the words came slowly, and with hesitation. "I--should be glad to have +you, sir; you know I have always valued your society, but--Mr. Egerton +always goes with us--Lottie King and me--of late; and--and I can +hardly suppose either of you would now find the company of the other +agreeable." + +"No, Elsie; but what do you think your father would wish?" + +"I know he would be glad to have me under your care, and if you don't +mind the unpleasantness." + +"My dear, I would cheerfully endure far more than that, to watch over +your father's child. You will not let this unhappy circumstance turn +you against your old friend? I could hardly bear that, little Elsie." +And he drew her toward him caressingly. + +"Oh, no, no! I don't think anything could do that; you've always been +so good to me--almost a second father." + +He released her hand with a slight involuntary sigh, as at that +instant Miss Stanhope re-entered the room. The two were standing by +the piano, Mr. Travilla having risen from one of the cushioned chairs +to draw near to Elsie while talking to her. Miss Stanhope flew to the +chair, caught up the cushion, shook it, laid it down again, and with +two or three little loving pats restored it to its normal condition of +perfect roundness. Mr. Travilla watched her with a surprised, puzzled +look. + +"Have I done any mischief, Elsie?" he asked in an undertone. + +"Oh, no!" she answered with a faint smile, "it's only auntie's way." + +Their visitor had gone, and Elsie turned to her aunt to say +good-night. + +"Something is wrong with you, child; can't you tell the trouble to +your old auntie, and let her try to comfort you?" Miss Stanhope asked, +putting an arm about the slender waist, and scanning the sweet face, +usually so bright and rosy, now so pale and agitated, with a look of +keen but loving scrutiny. + +Then, in broken words, and with many a little half-sobbing sigh and +one or two scalding tears, hastily brushed away, Elsie told the whole +painful story, secure of warm sympathy from the kind heart to which +she was so tenderly folded. + +Miss Stanhope believed in Bromly Egerton almost as firmly as Elsie +herself; what comfort there was in that! She believed too in the +inspired assurances that "all things work together for good to them +that love God," and that He is the hearer and answerer of prayer. She +reminded her niece of them; bade her cast her burden on the Lord and +leave it there, and cheered her with the hope that Bromly would be +able to prove to her father that Mr. Travilla was entirely mistaken. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + My heart has been like summer skies, + When they are fair to view; + But there never yet were hearts or skies + Clouds might not wander through. + + --MRS. L.P. SMITH. + + +Walter Dinsmore was doing well at college, studying hard, and keeping +himself out of bad company. In this last he might not have been so +successful but for his brother's assistance; for, though choosing his +own associates from among the dissolute and vile, Arthur resolutely +exerted himself to preserve this young brother from such +contamination. "I've enough sins of my own to answer for, Wal," he +would say, sometimes almost fiercely, "and I won't have any of +yours added to 'em; nobody shall say I led you into bad company, or +initiated you into my own evil courses." + +For months Arthur's spirits had been very variable, his frequent fits +of gloom, alternating with unnatural gayety, exciting Walter's wonder +and sympathy. + +"I cannot imagine what ails him," he said to himself again and again; +for Arthur utterly refused to tell him the secret of his despondency. + +It had been almost constant since the receipt of Egerton's last +epistle, and Walter was debating in his own mind whether he ought not +to speak of it in his next letter to their mother, when one night he +was wakened by a sudden blow from Arthur's hand, and started up to +find him rolling and tossing, throwing his arms about, and muttering +incoherently in the delirium of fever. + +It was the beginning of a very serious illness. It was pronounced +such by the physician called in by Walter at an early hour the next +morning, and the boy sat down with a heavy heart to write the sad +tidings to his parents. + +While doing so he was startled by hearing Arthur pronounce Elsie's +name in connection with words that seemed to imply that some danger +threatened her. He rose and went to the bedside, asking, "What's wrong +with Elsie, Art?" + +"I say, Tom Jackson, she'll never take you. Horace won't consent." + +"I should think not, indeed!" muttered Walter. Then leaning over his +brother, "Art, I say, Art! what is it all about? Has Tom Jackson gone +to Lansdale?" + +No answer, save an inarticulate murmur that might be either assent or +dissent. + +The doctor had promised to send a nurse and, as Walter now glanced +about the room, the thought occurred to him that it would seem very +disorderly to the woman. Arthur's clothes lay in a heap over the back +of a chair, just as he had thrown them down on retiring. + +"I can at least hang these in the closet," thought Walter, picking up +the jacket. + +A letter fell from the pocket upon the floor. + +"Jackson's handwriting, I declare!" he exclaimed, with a start of +surprise, as he stooped to pick it up. It was without an envelope, +written in a bold, legible hand, and unintentionally he read the date, +"Lansdale, Ohio, Aug. -- 185-," and farther down the page some parts +of sentences connected with the "D---- family" ... "can't help +themselves" ... "the girl loves me and believes in me." + +He glanced at the bed. Arthur's eyes were closed. He looked down at +the letter again; there was the signature "T. J., alias B. E." + +"It's a conspiracy; there's mischief brewing, and I believe I ought to +read it," he muttered; then, turning his back toward the bed, perused +every word of it with close attention. + +It was sufficient to give him a clear insight into the whole affair. +Elsie's letters had of late spoken quite frequently of Mr. Bromly +Egerton, and so he was the "T. J., alias B. E." of this epistle, the +Tom Jackson who had been the ruin of Arthur. + +"The wretch! the sneaking, hypocritical scoundrel!" muttered Walter +between his teeth, and glancing again at the bed, though the epithet +was meant to apply to Jackson and not to Arthur. "What can I do to +circumvent him? Write to Horace, of course, and warn him of Elsie's +danger." And though usually vacillating and infirm of purpose, on this +occasion Walter showed himself both prompt and decided. The next mail +carried the news of his discovery to Elsie's natural protector,--her +father, who with Rose, the Allison family, and little Horace, was +still at Cape May. + +This letter and the three from Lansdale were handed Mr. Dinsmore +together. He opened Elsie's first. The contents puzzled, surprised, +and alarmed him. They were merely a few hastily written lines of +touching entreaty that he would not be angry, but would please forgive +her for giving her heart to one of whom he knew nothing, and daring to +let him speak to her of love; and that he would not believe anything +against him until he had heard his defence. + +With a murmured "My poor darling! you have been too long away from +your father," Mr. Dinsmore laid it down and opened the one directed in +a strange hand; rightly supposing it to come from the person to whom +she alluded. + +Egerton spoke in glowing terms of his admiration for Elsie's character +and personal charms, and the ardent love with which they had inspired +him, and modestly of his own merits. Ignoring all knowledge of her +fortune, he said that he had none, but was engaged in a flourishing +business which would enable him to support her in comfort and to +surround her with most of the elegancies and luxuries of life to which +she had been accustomed. Lastly he alluded in a very pious strain to +the deep debt of gratitude he owed her as the one who had been the +means of his hopeful conversion; said she had acknowledged that she +returned his affection, and earnestly begged for the gift of her hand. + +Mr. Dinsmore gave this missive an attentive perusal, laid it aside, +and opened Mr. Travilla's. + +Rose was in the room, putting little Horace to bed. She had heard his +little prayer, given him his good-night kiss, and now the child ran to +his father to claim the same from him. + +It was given mechanically, and Mr. Dinsmore returned to his letter. +The child lingered a moment, gazing earnestly into his father's face, +troubled by its paleness and the frown on his brow. + +"Papa," he said softly, leaning with confiding affection upon his +knee, "dear papa, are you angry with me? have I been a naughty boy, +to-day?" + +"No, son; but I am reading; don't disturb me now." + +Mr. Dinsmore's hand rested caressingly on the curly head for an +instant and the boy turned away satisfied. But Rose was not. Coming to +her husband's side the next moment, and laying her hand affectionately +on his shoulder, "What is it, dear?" she asked, "has anything gone +wrong with our darling, or at home?" + +"Trouble for her, I fear, Rose. Read these," he answered with emotion, +putting Elsie's, Egerton's, and Travilla's letters into her hands, +then opening Walter's. + +"Travilla is right! the man is an unmitigated scoundrel!" he cried, +starting up with great excitement. "Rose, I must be off by the next +train; it leaves in half an hour. I shall go alone and take only a +portmanteau with me. Can it be got ready in season?" + +"Yes, dear, I will pack it at once myself. But what is wrong? Where +are you going? and how long will you be away?" + +"To my brother's first--Arthur is seriously ill, and I must get hold +of evidence that Walter can supply--then on to Lansdale with all speed +to rescue Elsie from the wiles of a gambling, swindling, hypocritical, +fortune-hunting rascal!" + +At a very early hour of the next morning, Walter Dinsmore was roused +from his slumbers by, a knock at his door. + +"Who's there?" he asked, starting up in bed. + +"I, Walter," answered a well-known voice, and with a joyful +exclamation he sprang to the door, and opened it. + +"Horace! how glad I am to see you! I hardly dared hope you could get +here so soon." + +"Your news was of the sort to hasten a man's movements," returned Mr. +Dinsmore, holding the lad's hand in a warm brotherly grasp. "How are +you? and how's Arthur now?" + +"About the same. Hark! you may hear him moaning and muttering. This is +our study. I have had that cot-bed brought in here, and given up the +bedroom to him and the nurse; though I'm with him a good deal too." + +"You have a good nurse, and the best medical advice?" + +"Yes." + +"You must see that he has every comfort, Walter; let no expense be +spared, nothing left undone that may alleviate his sufferings or +assist his recovery. What is the physician's opinion of the case?" + +"He is not very communicative to me; may be more so to you. You'll +stay and see him when he calls, won't you?" + +"What time? I must be off again by the first train. I want to reach +Lansdale to-morrow." + +"It will give you time to do that. He calls early." + +"Now take me to Arthur; and then I must see that letter, and hear all +you have to tell me in regard to that matter." + +"What does Elsie say?" asked Walter, with intense interest; "do you +think she cares for him?" + +"I'm afraid she does," and Mr. Dinsmore shook his head sadly. + +"Oh, dear! but you won't allow--" + +"Certainly not; 'twould be to entail upon her a life of misery." + +"It's her fortune he's after, that's evident, and indeed I would hurry +to Lansdale, if I were you, lest they might take it into their heads +to elope. Such a shame as it would be for him to get her--the dear, +sweet darling!" + +"I have no fear that Elsie could ever be so lost to her sense of +filial duty; nor, I am sure, have you, Walter," answered Mr. Dinsmore +gravely. + +"No, Horace; and it's the greatest relief and comfort to me just now +to know how truly obedient and affectionate she is to you." + +Horace Dinsmore omitted nothing that he could do to add to the comfort +of his brothers, saw the physician and learned from him that he had +good hopes of a naturally vigorous constitution bringing Arthur safely +through the attack from which he was suffering, examined the evidence +Walter was able to furnish that Bromly Egerton and Tom Jackson were +one and the same--a man in whom every vice abounded--found time to +show an interest in Walter's studies and pastimes, and was ready to +leave by the train of which he had spoken. + +Jackson had not been wary enough to disguise his hand in either the +letter that had fallen from Arthur's pocket, or the one written to Mr. +Dinsmore, and a careful comparison of the two had proved conclusively +that they were the work of the same person. The broken sentences +that occasionally fell from Arthur's lips in his delirious ravings +furnished another proof not less strong. Also Walter had managed to +secure an excellent photograph of Jackson, which Mr. Dinsmore carried +with him, safely bestowed in the breast-pocket of his coat. He had +studied it attentively and felt sure he should be able instantly to +recognize the original. + +Bromly Egerton lay awake most of the night following his passage at +arms with Mr. Travilla, considering the situation, and how he would be +most likely to secure the coveted prize. He remembered perfectly well +all that Arthur Dinsmore had said about the difficulty of deceiving or +outwitting his brother, and the impossibility of persuading Elsie to +disobedience. Of the latter, he had had convincing proof that day, in +her firm refusal to engage herself to him without first obtaining her +father's consent. The conclusion he came to was, that should he remain +inactive until Mr. Dinsmore's arrival, his chances of success were +exceedingly small; in fact that his only hope lay in running away with +Elsie, and afterwards persuading her into a clandestine marriage. + +Their ride was to be taken shortly after an early breakfast, there +being a sort of tacit understanding that he was to accompany the young +ladies; but before Elsie had left her room, Chloe came up with a +message. "Marse Egerton in de parlor, darlin', axin could he see my +young missis for five minutes, just now." + +Elsie went down at once. Her visitor stood with his back toward +the door, apparently intently studying the pattern of her +great-great-grandmother's sampler, but turning instantly at the +sound of the light, quick footstep, came eagerly toward her with +outstretched hand. + +"Excuse this early call, dearest, but--ah, how lovely you are looking +this morning!" and bending his head he drew her toward him. + +But she stepped back, avoiding the intended caress, while a crimson +tide rushed over the fair face and neck, and her eyes sought the +carpet. + +"We are not engaged, Mr. Egerton; cannot be till papa has given +consent." + +"I beg ten thousand pardons," he said, coloring violently in his turn, +and feeling his hopes grow fainter. + +"Will you not take a seat?" she asked, gently withdrawing her hand +from his. + +"Thank you, no; I have but a moment to stay. My errand was to ask if +we could not so arrange it as, for once at least, to have our ride +alone together? Miss Lottie is a very nice girl, but I would give much +to have my darling all to myself to-day." + +"I would like it much too, very much, but papa bade me always have a +lady friend with me; and--and besides," she added with hesitation, and +blushing more deeply than before, "papa's friend. Mr. Travilla, is to +go with us. I--I have promised that he shall be my escort to-day." + +Egerton was furious, and had much ado to conceal the fact; indeed, +came very near uttering a horrible oath, and thus forever ruining his +hopes. He bit his lips and kept silent, but Elsie saw that he was +angry. + +"Do not be offended or hurt," she said; "do not suppose that I +followed my own inclination in consenting to such an arrangement. No, +I only acted from a sense of duty; knowing that it was what papa would +wish." + +"And you would put his wishes before mine? Love him best, I presume?" + +"He is my father, and entitled to my obedience, whether present or +absent." + +"But what very strict ideas you must have on that subject! do you +really think it your duty to obey his wishes as well as his command?" + +"I do; that is the kind of obedience he has taught me, that the Bible +teaches, and that my love for him would dictate. I love my father very +dearly, Mr. Egerton." + +"I should think so, indeed; but you must pardon me if at present I am +far more concerned about your love for me," he said, with a forced +laugh. "As for this Travilla, I can hardly be expected to feel any +great cordiality toward him after his attack upon me yesterday; and +I am free to confess that it would not cause me great grief to learn +that some sudden illness or accident had occurred to prevent his +spoiling our ride to-day." + +"Your feelings are perfectly natural; but, believe me, Mr. Travilla +has the kindest of hearts, and when he learns his mistake will be most +anxious to do all in his power to make amends for it. Will you stay +and take breakfast with us?" For at that instant the bell rang. + +"No, thank you," he said, moving toward the door. "But promise me, +Elsie, that I shall be your escort after this until your father comes. +Surely love may claim so small a concession from duty." + +She could not resist his persuasive look and tone, but with a smile +and a blush gave the promise for which he pleaded. + +Procuring as fine a horse as his landlord could furnish, Mr. Travilla +rode to Miss Stanhope's, and alighting at the gate, walked up to the +house. + +He found its mistress on the front porch, picking dead leaves from her +vines. She had mounted a step ladder to reach some that otherwise +were too high up for her small stature. Turning at the sound of +his approach, "Good-morning, sir," she said. "You see I'm like the +sycamore tree that climbed into Zaccheus. Shortness is inconvenient at +times. My, what a jar!" as she came down rather hard, missing the last +step--"I feel it from the crown of my foot to the sole of my head. +Here, Simon, take away this ladder-step; the next time I want it I +think I'll do without; I'm growing so old in my clumsy age. Walk in +and take a seat, Mr. Torville. Or shall we sit here? It's pleasanter +than indoors I think." + +"I agree with you," he said, accepting her invitation with a smile at +the oddity of her address. "You have a fine view here." + +They sat there conversing for some time before Elsie made her +appearance, Mr. Travilla both charmed and amused with his companion, +and she liking him better every moment. When Elsie did come down at +last, looking wondrous sweet and fair in a pretty, coquettish riding +hat and habit, her aunt informed her that she had been urging "Mr. +Vanilla" to come and make his home with them while in town, and that +he had consented to let her send Simon at once for his trunk. + +"If it will be agreeable to my little friend to have me here?" Mr. +Travilla said, taking her hand in his with the affectionate, fatherly +manner she had always liked so much in him. + +Her face flushed slightly, but she answered without an instant's +hesitation that she hoped he would come. + +The horses were already at the gate, Egerton was seen crossing the +street, and Lottie came tripping in at a side entrance. She had heard +a good deal of Mr. Travilla from Elsie, and seemed pleased to make his +acquaintance. + +Egerton came in, he and Mr. Travilla exchanged the coldest and most +distant of salutations, and the party set off; Mr. Travilla riding by +Elsie's side, Egerton and Lottie following a little in their rear. + +Finding it almost a necessity to devote himself to Miss King for +the time being, Egerton! took a sudden resolution to make a partial +confidante of her, hoping thus to secure a powerful ally. He told her +of the state of affairs between Elsie and himself, of Mr. Travilla's +"attack upon him;" how "utterly mistaken" it was, and how he presumed +"the mistake" had occurred; giving the story he had told Elsie of the +cousin who bore so strong a likeness to him, and so bad a character. +He professed the most ardent, devoted affection for Elsie, and the +most torturing fears lest her father, crediting him with his cousin's +vices, should forbid the match and crush all his hopes. + +The warm-hearted, innocent girl believed every word, and rushing into +her friend's room on their return, threw her arms about her, and +hugging her close, told her she knew all, was so, so sorry for her, +and for poor Egerton; and begged her not to allow anything to make her +give him up and break his heart. + +Elsie returned the embrace, shed a few tears, but answered not a word. + +"You do believe in him? and won't give him up; will you?" persisted +Lottie. + +"I do believe in him, and will not give him up unless--unless papa +commands it," Elsie answered in a choking voice. + +"I wouldn't for that!" cried Lottie. + +"'Children, obey your parents,'" repeated her friend, tears filling +the soft brown eyes, and glistening on the drooping lashes. "It is +God's command." + +"But you are not a child any longer." + +"I am papa's child; I always shall be. Oh, it would break my heart if +ever he should disown me and say, 'You are no longer my child!'" + +"How you do love him!" + +"Better than my life!" + +Mr. Travilla was already established at Miss Stanhope's, and very glad +to be there, that he might keep the more careful and constant watch +and ward over his "little friend." Thoroughly convinced of the +vileness of the wretch who had won her unsuspicious heart, he could +scarce brook the thought of leaving her alone with him, or of seeing +him draw close to her side, touch her hand, or look into the soft, +sweet eyes so full of purity and innocence. Yet these things no one +but her father might forbid, and Mr. Travilla would not force his +companionship upon Elsie when he saw or felt that it was distasteful +to her. The lovers were frequently left to themselves in the parlor or +upon the porch, though the friendly guardian, dreading he hardly knew +what, took care always to be within call. + +Elsie longed for, yet dreaded her father's coming. She knew he would +not delay one moment longer than necessary after receiving their +letters, yet he reached Lansdale almost a day sooner than she expected +him. + +Sitting alone in her room, she heard his voice and step in the hall +below. She flew down to meet him. + +"Oh, papa, dear, dear papa!" + +"My darling, precious child!" And her arms were about his neck, his +straining her to his heart. The next moment she lifted her face, and +her eyes sought his with a wistful, pleading, questioning look. He +drew her into the sitting-room, and Miss Stanhope closed the door, +leaving them alone. + +"My darling," he said, "you must give him up; he is utterly unworthy +of you." + +"Oh, papa! would you break my heart?" + +"My precious one, I would save you from a life of misery." + +"Ah, papa! you would never say that if you knew how--how I love him," +she murmured, a deep blush suffusing her face. + +"Hush! it horrifies me to hear you speak so of so vile a wretch,--a +drinking, swearing gambler, swindler, and rake; for I have learned +that he is all these." + +"Papa, it is not true! I will not hear such things said of him, even +by you!" she cried, the hot blood dyeing her face and neck, and the +soft eyes filling with indignant tears. + +He put his finger upon her lips. "My daughter forgets to whom she is +speaking," he said with something of the old sternness, though there +was tender pity also in his tones. + +"Oh, papa, I am so wretched!" she sobbed, hiding her face on his +breast. "Oh, don't believe what they say; it isn't, it can't be true." + +He caressed her silently, then taking the photograph from his pocket, +asked, "Do you know that face?" + +"Yes, it is his." + +"I knew it, and it is also the face of the man whose character I have +just described." + +"Oh, no, papa!" and with breathless eagerness she repeated the story +with which Egerton had swept away all her doubts. She read incredulity +in her father's face, "You do not believe it, papa?" + +"No, my child, no more than I do black is white. See here!" and he +produced Egerton's letter to him, and the one to Arthur, made her +read and compare them, and gave her the further proofs Walter had +furnished. + +She grew deathly pale, but was no more ready to be convinced than he. +"Oh, papa, there must be some dreadful mistake! I cannot believe he +could be guilty of such things. The cousin has been personating him, +has forged that letter, perhaps; and the photograph may be his also." + +"You are not using your good common-sense, Elsie; the proof is very +full and clear to my mind. The man is a fortune-hunter, seeking your +wealth, not you; a scoundrel whose vices should shut him out of all +decent society. I can hardly endure the thought that he has ever known +you, or dared to address a word to you, and it must never be again." + +"Must I give him up?" she asked with pale, quivering lips. + +"You must, my daughter; at once and for ever." + +A look of anguish swept over her face, then she started, flushed, and +trembled, as a voice and step were heard on the porch without. + +"It is he?" her father said inquiringly, and her look answered, "Yes." + +He rose to his feet, for they had been sitting side by side on the +sofa while they talked. She sprang up also, and clinging to his arm, +looked beseechingly into his face, pleading in a hoarse whisper, +"Papa, you will let me see him, speak to him once more?--just a few +words--in your presence--oh, papa!" + +"No, my darling, no; his touch, his breath, are contamination; his +very look is pollution, and shall never rest upon you again if I can +prevent it. Remember you are never to hold any communication with him +again--by word, letter, or in any other way; I positively forbid it; +you must never look at him, or intentionally allow him a sight of your +face. I must go now, and send him away." He held her to his heart as +he spoke; his tone was affectionate, but very firm, and decided; he +kissed her tenderly, two or three times, placed her in an easy-chair, +saying, "Stay here till I come to you," and left the room. + +For a moment she lay back against the cushions like one stunned by a +heavy blow; then, roused by the sound of the voices of the two she +loved best on earth, started and leaned forward in a listening +attitude, straining her ear to catch their words. Few of them reached +her, but her father's tones were cold and haughty, Egerton's at first +persuasive, then loud, angry, and defiant. + +He was gone, she had heard the last echo of his departing footsteps, +and again her father bent over her, his face full of tender pity. She +lifted her sad face to his, with the very look that had taunted him +for years, that he could never recall without a pang of regret and +remorse--that pleading, mournful gaze with which she had parted from +him in the time of their estrangement. + +It almost unmanned him now, almost broke his heart. "Don't, my +darling, don't look at me so," he said in low, moved tones, taking her +cold hands in his. "You don't know, precious one, how willingly your +father would bear all this pain for you if he could." + +She threw herself upon his breast, and folding her close to his heart, +he caressed her with exceeding tenderness, calling her by every fond, +endearing name. + +For many minutes she received it all passively, then suddenly raising +her head, she returned one passionate embrace, withdrew herself from +his arms, and hurried from the room. + +He let her go unquestioned; he knew she went to seek comfort and +support from One nearer and dearer, and better able to give it +than himself. He rose and walked the room with a sad and troubled +countenance, and a heart filled with grief for his child, with anger +and indignation toward the wretch who had wrecked her happiness. + +Miss Stanhope opened the door and looked in. + +"You have had no dinner, Horace. It will be ready in a few moments." + +"Thank you, aunt. I will go up to my room first and try to get rid of +some of the dust and dirt I have brought with me." + +"Stay a moment, nephew. I am sorely troubled for the child. You don't +approve of her choice?" + +"Very far from it. I have forbidden the man ever to come near her +again." + +"But you won't be hard with her, poor dear?" + +"Hard with her, Aunt Wealthy? hard and cruel to my darling whom I +love better than my life? I trust not; but it would be the height of +cruelty to allow this thing to go on. The man is a vile wretch guilty +of almost every vice, and seeking my child for her wealth, not for +herself. I have forbidden her to see or ever to hold the slightest +communication with him again." + +"Well, it is quite right if your opinion of him is correct; and I +hardly think she is likely to refuse submission." + +"I have brought up my daughter to habits of strict, unquestioning +obedience, Aunt Wealthy," he said, "and I think they will stand her in +good stead now. I have no fear that she will rebel." + +A half hour with her best Friend had done much to soothe and calm our +sweet Elsie; she had cast her burden on the Lord and He sustained her. +She knew that no trial could come to her without His will, that He +had permitted this for her good, that in His own good time and way He +would remove it, and she was willing to leave it all with Him; for was +He not all-wise, all-powerful, and full of tenderest, pitying love for +her? + +She had great faith in the wisdom and love of her earthly father also, +and doubted not that he was doing what he sincerely believed to be for +her happiness,--giving her present pain only in order to save her from +keener and more lasting distress and anguish in the future. + +It was well for her that she had such trust in him and that their +mutual love was so deep and strong; well too that she was troubled +with no doubts of the duty of implicit obedience to parental authority +when not opposed to the higher commands of God. Her heart still clung +to Egerton, refusing to credit his utter unworthiness, and she felt +it a bitter trial to be thus completely separated from him, yet hoped +that at some future, and perhaps not distant day, he might be able to +convince her father of his mistake. + +Mr. Dinsmore felt it impossible to remain long away from his suffering +child; after leaving the table, a few moments only were spent in +conversation with his aunt and Mr. Travilla, and then he sought his +darling in her room. + +"My poor little pet, you have been too long away from your father," he +said, taking her in his arms again. "I shall never forgive myself for +allowing it. But, daughter, why was this thing suffered to go on? Your +letters never spoke of this man in a way to lead me to suppose that +he was paying you serious attention; and indeed I did not intend to +permit that from any one yet." + +"Papa, I did not deceive you intentionally, I did not mean to be +disobedient," she said imploringly. "Lottie and I were almost always +together, and I did not think of him as a lover till he spoke." + +"Well, dearest, I am not chiding you; your father could never find +it in his heart to add one needless pang to what you are already +suffering." His tone was full of pitying tenderness. + +She made no answer; only hid her face on his breast and wept silently. +"Papa," she murmured at length. "I--I do so want to break one of your +rules; oh, if you would only let me, just this once!" + +"A strange request, my darling," he said, "but which of them is it?" + +"That when you have once decided a matter I must never ask you to +reconsider. Oh, papa, do, do let me entreat you just this once!" + +"I think it will be useless, daughter, only giving me the pain of +refusing, and you of being refused; but you may say on." + +"Papa, it is, that I may write a little note to--to Mr. Egerton," she +said, speaking eagerly and rapidly, yet half trembling at her own +temerity the while, "just to tell him that I cannot do anything +against your will, and that he must not come near me or try to hold +any sort of intercourse with me till you give consent; but that I +have not lost my faith in him, and if he is innocent and unjustly +suspected, we need not be wretched and despairing; for God will surely +some day cause it to be made apparent. Oh, papa, may I not? Please, +please let me! I will bring it to you when written, and there shall +not be one word in it that you do not approve." She had lifted her +face, and the soft, beseeching eyes were looking pleadingly into his. + +"My dearest child," he said, "it is hard to refuse you, but I cannot +allow it. There, there! do not cry so bitterly; every tear I see you +shed sends a pang to my heart. Listen to me, daughter. Believing what +I do of that man, I would not for a great deal have him in possession +of a single line of your writing. Have you ever given him one?" + +"No, papa, never," she sobbed. + +"Or received one from him?" + +"No, sir." + +"It is well." Then as if a sudden thought had struck him, "Elsie, have +you ever allowed him to touch your lips?" he asked almost sternly. + +"No, papa, not even my cheek. I would not while we were not engaged; +and that could not be without your consent." + +"I am truly thankful for that!" he exclaimed in a tone of relief; "to +know that he had--that these sweet lips had been polluted by contact +with his--would be worse to me than the loss of half my fortune." And +lifting her face as he spoke, he pressed his own to them again and +again. + +But for the first time in her life she turned from him as if almost +loathing his caresses, and struggled to release herself from the clasp +of his arm. + +He let her go, and hurrying to the farther side of the room, she stood +leaning against the window-frame, with her back toward him, shedding +very bitter tears of mingled grief and anger. + +But in the pauses of her sobbing a deep sigh struck upon her ear. Her +heart smote her at the sound; still more as she glanced back at her +father and noted the pained expression of his eye as it met hers. In a +moment she was at his side again, down upon the carpet, with her head +laid lovingly on his knee. + +"Papa, I am sorry." The low, street voice was tremulous with grief and +penitence. + +"My poor darling, my poor little pet!" he said, passing his hand with +soft, caressing movement over her hair and cheek, "try to keep your +love for your father and your faith in his for you, however hard this +rule may seem." + +"Ah, papa, my heart would break if I lost either," she sobbed. Then +lifting her tear-dimmed eyes with tender concern to his face, which +was very pale and sad, "Dear papa," she said, "how tired you look! you +were up all night, were you not?" + +"Last night and the one before it." + +"That you might hasten here to take care of me," she murmured in a +tone of mingled regret and gratitude. "Do lie down now and take a nap. +This couch is soft and pleasant, and I will close the blinds and sit +by your side to keep off the flies." + +He yielded to her persuasions, saying as he closed his eyes, "Don't +leave the room without waking me." + +She was still there when he woke, close at his side and ready to +greet him with an affectionate look and smile, though the latter was +touchingly sad and there were traces of tears on her cheeks. + +"How long have I slept?" he asked. + +"Two hours," she answered, holding up her watch, "and there is the +tea-bell." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + What thou bidst, + Unargued I obey; so God ordained. + + --MILTON. + + +"I hope you don't intend to hurry this child away from me, Horace?" +remarked Miss Stanhope inquiringly, glancing from him to Elsie, as she +poured out the tea. + +"I'm afraid I must, Aunt Wealthy," he answered, taking his cup from +her hand, "I can't do without her any longer, and mamma and little +brother want her almost as badly." + +"And what am I to do?" cried Miss Stanhope, setting down the teapot, +and dropping her hands into her lap. "It just makes a baby of me to +think how lonely the old house will seem when she's gone. You'd get +her back soon, for 'tisn't likely I've got long to live, if you'd only +give her to me, Horace." + +"No, indeed, Aunt Wealthy; she's a treasure I can't spare to any +one. She belongs to me, and I intend to keep her," turning upon his +daughter a proud, fond look and smile, which was answered by one of +sweet, confiding affection. + +"Good-evening!" cried a gay, girlish voice. "Mr. Dinsmore, I'd be +delighted to see you, if I didn't know you'd come to rob us of Elsie." + +"What, you too ready to abuse me on that score, Miss Lottie?" he said +laughingly, as he rose to shake hands with her. "I think I rather +deserve thanks for leaving her with you so long." + +"Well, I suppose you do. Aunt Wealthy, papa found some remarkably +fine peaches in the orchard of one of his patients, and begs you will +accept this little basketful." + +"Why, they're beautiful, Lottie!" said the old lady, rising and taking +the basket from her hand. "You must return my best thanks to your +father. I'll set them on the table just so. Take off your hat, child, +and sit down with us. There's your chair all ready to your plate, +and Phillis's farmer's fresh fruit-cake, to tempt you, and the +cream-biscuits that you are so fond of, both." + +"Thank you," said Lottie, partly in acknowledgment of the invitation, +partly of Mr. Travilla's attention, as he rose and gallantly handed +her to her seat, "I can't find it in my heart to resist so many +temptations." + +"Shall I bring a dish for de peaches, mistis?" asked Chloe, who was +waiting on the table. + +"Yes." + +"Oh, let us have them in that old-fashioned china fruit-basket I've +always admired so much, Aunt Wealthy!" cried Lottie eagerly. "I don't +believe Elsie has seen it at all." + +"No, so she hasn't; but she shall now," said the old lady, hastening +toward her china-closet. "There, Aunt Chloe, just stand on the dish, +and hand down that chair from this top shelf. Or, if you would, +Horace, you're taller, and can reach better. I'm always like the +sycamore tree that was little of stature, and couldn't see Zaccheus +till he climbed into it." + +"Rather a new and improved version of the Bible narrative, aunt, isn't +it?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, with an amused look, as he came toward her. +"And I fear I'm rather heavy to stand on a dish; but will use the +chair instead, if you like." + +"Ah! I've put the horse before the cart as usual, I see;" she said, +joining good-humoredly in the laugh the others found it impossible +to suppress. "It's an old trick of my age, that increases with my +advancing youth, till I sometimes wonder what I'm coming to; the words +will tangle themselves up in the most troublesome fashion; but if you +know what I mean, I suppose it's all the same." + +"Why, Aunt Wealthy, this is really beautiful," said Mr. Dinsmore, +stepping from the chair with the basket, in his hand. + +"Yes, it belonged to your great-grandmother, Horace, and I prize it +highly on that account. No, Aunt Chloe, I shall wipe it out and put +the peaches into it myself; it will take but a moment, and it's too +precious a relic to trust to any other hands than my own." + +Lottie was apparently in the gayest spirits, enlivening the little +party with many a merry jest and light, silvery laugh, enjoying the +good things before her, and gratifying her hostess with praises of +their excellence. Yet through it all she was furtively watching her +friends, and grieved to notice the unwonted paleness of her cheek, the +traces of tears about her eyes, that her cheerfulness was assumed, +and that if she ate anything it was only from a desire to please her +father, who seemed never to forget her for a moment, and to be a good +deal troubled at her want of appetite. In all these signs Lottie read +disappointment of Egerton's hopes, and of Elsie's, so far as he was +concerned. + +"So I suppose her father has commanded her to give him up," she said +to herself. "Poor thing! I wonder if she means to be as submissive as +she thought she would." + +The two presently slipped away together into the garden, leaving the +gentlemen conversing in the sitting-room, and Miss Stanhope busied +with some household care. + +"You poor dear, I am so sorry for you!" whispered Lottie, putting her +arm about her friend. "Must you really quite give him up?" + +"Papa says so," murmured Elsie, vainly struggling to restrain her +tears. + +"Is it that he believes Mr. Travilla was not mistaken?" + +"Yes, and--and he has heard some other things against him, and thinks +his explanation of Mr. Travilla's mistake quite absurd. Oh, Lottie, he +will not even allow us one parting interview and says I am never to +see Mr. Egerton again, or hold any communication with him in any way. +If I should meet him in the street I am not to recognize him; must +pass him by as a perfect stranger, not looking at him or permitting +him to see my face, if I can avoid doing so." + +"And will you really submit to all that? I don't believe I could be so +good." + +"I must; papa will always be obeyed." + +"But don't you feel that it's very hard? doesn't it make you feel +angry with your father and love him a little less?" + +"I was angry for a little while this afternoon," Elsie acknowledged +with a blush, "but I am sure I have no right to be; I know papa is +acting for my good,--doing just what he believes will be most likely +to secure my happiness. He says it is to save me from a life of +misery, and certainly it would be that to be united to such a man as +he believes Mr. Egerton is." + +"But you don't believe it, Elsie?" + +"No, no, indeed! I have not lost my faith in him yet, and I hope he +may some day be able to prove to papa's entire satisfaction that he is +really all that is good, noble, and honorable." + +"That is right; hope on, hope ever." + +"Ah, I don't know how we could live without hope," Elsie said, smiling +faintly through her tears. "But I ought not to be wretched--oh, very +far from it, with so many blessings, so many to love me! Papa's love +alone would brighten life very much to me. And then," she added in a +lower tone, "'that dearer Friend that sticketh closer than a brother,' +and who has promised, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'" + +"And He will keep His promise, child," said Aunt Wealthy, joining them +in the arbor where they had seated themselves. "I have proved His +faithfulness many times, and I know that it never fails. Elsie, dear, +your old auntie would save you from every trial, but He is a far wiser +and truer friend, and will cause all things to work together for your +good, and never allow you to suffer one unneeded pang." She softly +stroked her niece's sunny hair, as she spoke, and the kind old face +was full of pitying tenderness. + +"Come back to the house now, dears," she added, "I think the dew is +beginning to fall, and I heard my nephew asking for his daughter." + +"How much longer may we hope to keep you, Elsie?" Lottie asked as they +wended their way toward the house. + +"Papa has set Monday evening for the time of leaving." + +"And this is Friday; so we shall have but two more rides together. Oh, +dear! how I shall miss you when you're gone." + +"And I you. I shall never forget what pleasant times we have had +together; Aunt Wealthy and you and I. You musn't let her miss me too +much, Lottie." And Elsie turned an affectionate look upon her aged +relative. + +"As if I could prevent it! But I'll do my best; you may rest assured +of that." + +"You are dear girls, both of you," said Miss Stanhope with a very +perceptible tremble in her voice, "and you have brightened my home +wonderfully; if I could only keep you!" + +"Well, auntie, you're not likely to lose me altogether for some time +yet," returned Lottie gayly, though the tears shone in her eyes. + +Bromly Egerton went out from Mr. Dinsmore's presence with his temper +at a white heat, for he had just been treated to some plain truths +that were far from palatable; besides which it seemed evident that he +had missed the prize he so coveted and had made such strenuous efforts +to win. He had learned nothing new in regard to his own character, yet +somehow it had never looked so black as now, when seen through the +spectacles of an upright, honest, vice-detesting Christian gentleman. +He writhed at the very recollection of the disgust, loathing, and +contempt expressed in Mr. Dinsmore's voice and countenance as well as +in his words. + +He scarcely gave a thought to the loss of Elsie herself: he had no +feeling for her at all worthy of the name of love; his base, selfish +nature was, indeed, hardly capable of such a sentiment; especially +toward one so refined, so guileless in her childlike innocence and +purity that to be with her gave him an uncomfortable sense of his own +moral inferiority. + +No, the wounds under which he smarted were all stabs given to his +self-love and cupidity. He had learned how honest men looked upon him; +and he had failed in the cherished expectation of laying his +hands upon a great fortune, which he had fondly hoped to have the +opportunity of spending. + +Rushing into the street, boiling with rage and shame, he hurried +onward, scarcely knowing or caring whither he went; out into the open +country, and on through woods and over hills he tramped, nor thought +of turning back till the sun had set, and darkness began to creep +about his path. + +There was light in Miss Stanhope's parlor and strains of rich +melody greeted his ear as he passed. He turned away with a muttered +imprecation, crossed the street, and entered Mrs. Schilling's gate. +She was sitting on her doorstep, resting after her day's work, and +enjoying the cool evening air. + +"Why, la me Mr. Egerton! is that you?" she cried, starting up, and +stepping aside for him to pass in. "I'd really begun to think you was +lost. The fire's been put and everything cleaned away this two hours. +I kep' the table a-waitin' for you a right smart spell, but finally +come to the conclusion that you must 'a' stayed to Miss Stanhope's or +someone else, to tea." + +"No, I've not had supper," he answered gruffly. + +"You haint, eh? and I 'spose you're hungry, too. Well, sit down, and +I'll hunt up something or 'nother. But I'm afraid you'll get the +dyspepsy eatin' so late; why, it's nigh on to ten o'clock; and I was +just a-thinking' about shutting' up and going off to bed." + +"Well, you'll not be troubled with me long. I shall leave the place in +a few days." + +"Leave Lansdale, do you mean?" + +"Yes." + +"Why, what's up?" + +"The time I had appropriated to rest and recreation. Business men +can't play forever." + +"Well, I shouldn't wonder. And Mr. Dinsmore's come after his daughter, +too." + +"What's that got to do with it?" he muttered. But she had left the +room and was out of hearing. + +Before closing his eyes in sleep that night, Egerton resolved to make +a moving appeal to Elsie herself. He would write and find some means +by which to get the letter into her hands. Directly after breakfast +he sat down to his task, placing himself in a position to constantly +overlook Miss Stanhope's house and grounds. He was hoping to get +sight of Elsie, and anxious to watch Mr. Dinsmore's movements. Mrs. +Schilling had informed him that "Miss Stanhope's friends didn't expect +to leave till sometime a Monday; so she had learned from Phillis, +through Lenwilla Ellawea, who had been sent over for a little of +Phillis's light'ning, to raise some biscuits for breakfast," yet he +had some fear that the information might prove unreliable, and Mr. +Dinsmore slip away with his daughter that day. + +That fear was presently relieved by seeing Simon bringing out the +horses for the young ladies, and shortly after a livery-stable man +leading up two fine steeds, evidently intended for the use of the +gentlemen. He now laid down his pen, and kept close watch for a few +moments, when he was rewarded by seeing the whole party come out, +mount, and ride away; Mr. Dinsmore beside his daughter, Mr. Travilla +with Lottie. Elsie, however, was so closely veiled that he could not +so much as catch a glimpse of her face. + +With a muttered oath, he took up his pen again, feeling more desirous +than ever to outwit "that haughty Southerner," and secure the prize in +spite of him. + +Half an hour afterward Simon, who was at work gathering corn and +tomatoes for dinner in the garden behind the house, heard some one +calling softly to him from the other side of the fence. Turning his +head, he saw Mr. Egerton standing there, motioning to him to draw +near. + +"Good-mornin', sah. What you want, sah?" inquired the lad, setting +down his basket, and approaching the fence that separated them. + +"Do you know what this is?" asked Egerton, holding up a small +glittering object. + +"Yes, sah; five-dollar gold piece, sah," replied the negro, bowing and +chuckling. "What de gentleman want dis niggah do for to arn 'em?" + +"To put this into Miss Dinsmore's hands," answered Egerton, showing +a letter; "into her own hands, now, mind. If you do that, the five +dollars are yours; and if you bring me an answer, I'll make it ten. +But you are to manage it so that no one else shall see what you do. Do +you understand?" + +"Yes, sah, and I bet I do it up about right, sah." + +Very anxious to win the coveted reward, Simon was careful to be on +hand when the riding party returned. He stationed himself near Elsie's +horse. Her father assisted her to alight, and as he turned to make a +remark to Lottie, Simon, being on the alert, managed to slip the note +into Elsie's hand, unperceived by Mr. Dinsmore, or the others. + +She gave a start of surprise, turning her eyes inquiringly upon him, +the rich color rushing all over her fair face and neck; as he could +see, even through the folds of her thick veil. + +Simon grinned broadly, as, by a nod and wink toward the opposite side +of the street, he indicated whence the missive had come. + +She turned and walked quickly toward the house, her heart beating very +fast and loud, and her fingers tightly clasping the note underneath +the folds of her long riding-skirt, as she held it up. She hurried +to her room, shut and locked the door, and, throwing off her hat and +veil, dropped into a seat, trembling in every limb with the agitation +and excitement of her feelings. She longed intently to know what he +had said to her; but she had never deceived or wilfully disobeyed her +father, and should she begin now? The temptation was very great, and +perhaps she would have yielded; but Mr. Dinsmore's step came quickly +up the stairs, and the next moment he rapped lightly on the door. + +She rose and opened it, at the same time slipping the note into her +pocket. + +"Why, my darling, what is the matter?" he asked, looking much +concerned at the sight of her pale, agitated countenance. + +"Oh, papa, if you would let me! if you only would!" she cried, +bursting into tears, and putting her arms coaxingly about his neck. + +"Let you do what, my child?" he asked, stroking her hair. + +"Read this," she said, in a choking voice, taking the note from her +pocket. "Oh, if you knew how much I want to! Mayn't I, papa? do, dear +papa, say yes." + +"No, Elsie; it grieves me to deny you, but it must go back unopened. +Give it to me." + +She put it into his hand and turned away with a sob. + +"How did it come into your hands?" he inquired, going to her +writing-desk for an envelope, pen and ink. + +"Must I tell you, papa?" she asked; in a tone that spoke reluctance to +give the information he required. + +"Certainly." + +"Simon gave it to me a few moments since." + +He touched the bell, and, Chloe appearing in answer, bade her take +that note to the house on the opposite side of the street. + +"There is no message," he added; "it is directed to Mr. Egerton, and +you have nothing to do but hand it in at the door." + +"Yes, sah." And with a sorrowful, pitying glance at the wet eyes of +her young mistress, the faithful old creature left the room. + +"My poor little daughter, you feel now that your father is very +cruel," Mr. Dinsmore said tenderly, taking Elsie in his arms again, +"but some day you will thank me for all this." + +She only laid her face down on his breast and cried bitterly, while he +soothed her with caresses and words of fatherly endearment. + +"Oh, papa, don't be vexed with me," she murmured at length. "I'm +trying not to be rebellious, but it seems so like condemning him +unheard." + +"No, my child, it is not. I gave him the opportunity to refute the +charges against him, but he has no proof to bring." + +"Papa, he said it would break his heart to lose me," she cried with a +fresh burst of grief. + +"My dear child, he has no heart to break. If he could get possession +of your property, he would care very little indeed what became of +you." + +Mr. Dinsmore spoke very decidedly, but, though silenced, Elsie was not +convinced. + +Egerton, watching through the half-closed blinds of his bed-room, had +seen, with a chuckle of delight, the success of Simon's manoeuvre, +and Elsie hurrying into the house; for the purpose--he had scarcely +a doubt--of secretly reading and answering his note. He saw Chloe +crossing the street, and thought that her young mistress had sent him +a hasty line, perhaps to appoint the time and place of a clandestine +meeting; for such confidence had he in his own powers of fascination +for all the fair sex, that he could not think it possible she could +give him up without a struggle. + +Lenwilla went to the door, and in his eagerness to receive the message +he ran out and met her on the landing. What was his disappointment and +chagrin at sight of the bold, masculine characters on the outside, and +only his own handwriting within! + +"Sent back unopened! The girl must be a fool!" he cried, fairly +gnashing his teeth with rage. "She could have managed it easily +enough; she had the best chance in the world, for he didn't see her +take it, I know." + +He considered a moment, put on his hat, and, walking over to Dr. +King's, inquired for Miss Lottie. + +"Jist walk intil the parlor, sir," said Bridget, "an' I'll call the +young lady." + +Lottie came to him presently, with her kind face full of regret and +sympathy. + +He told his tale, produced his note, and begged her to be his +messenger, saying he supposed Mr. Dinsmore had come upon Elsie before +she had time to read it, and he thought it hard for both her and +himself that she should not have the chance. + +"Yes," said Lottie, "but I am very sure she would not read it without +her father's permission, and you may depend upon it, she showed it to +him of her own accord." + +He shook his head with an incredulous smile. "Do you really think she +has so little sense? Or is it that you believe she too has turned +against me?" + +"No, she has not turned against you, she believes in you still; nor is +she wanting in sense; but she is extremely conscientious about obeying +her father, and told me she meant to be entirely submissive, whatever +it cost her." + +"I can hardly think you are right," he said, with another of his +incredulous smiles, "but even supposing she was silly enough to hand +my note over to her father, I should like to give her an opportunity +to retrieve her error, so won't you undertake"-- + +"Don't ask me to carry it to her," interrupted Lottie. "It would go +against my conscience to tempt Elsie to do violence to hers, I do +assure you, though I have no idea I should be successful. So you +really must excuse me." + +He tried argument and persuasion by turns, but Lottie stood firm in +her refusal, and at length he went away, evidently very angry. + +Lottie spent the evening with her friend, and when a fitting +opportunity offered gave her an account of this interview with +Egerton, Elsie telling her in return something of what had passed +between her father and herself in regard to the note. + +That Egerton had desired to tempt her to disobedience and deception +did not tend to increase Elsie's esteem and admiration for him, but +quite the reverse. + +"I think he'll not prevent me from getting sight of her to-day," +muttered Egerton, stationing himself at the front window the next +morning, as the hour for church drew near. + +He had not been there long, when he saw Miss Stanhope and Mr. +Travilla, then Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie, come out of the house and cross +the lawn. He made a hasty exit and was in the act of opening Mrs. +Schilling's front gate as the latter couple reached the one opposite. + +"Put down your veil, Elsie; take my arm; and don't look toward that +man at all," commanded her father, and she obeyed. + +Egerton kept opposite to them all the way to the church, but without +accomplishing his object. He followed them in and placed himself in a +pew on the other side of the aisle, and a little nearer the front than +Miss Stanhope's, so that, by turning half way round, he could look +into the faces of its occupants. But Elsie kept hers partly concealed +by her veil, and never once turned her eyes in his direction. + +She was seated next her father, who seemed to watch her almost +constantly--not with the air of a jailer, but with a sort of tender, +protecting care, as one keeping guard over something belonging to him, +and which he esteemed very sweet and precious,--while now and then +her soft eyes were lifted to his for an instant with a look of loving +reverence. + +"Poor Elsie was well watched to-day," remarked Nettie King to her +sister as they walked home together; "her father scarcely took his +eyes off her for five consecutive minutes, I should think; and Mr. +Egerton stared at her from the time he came in till the benediction +was pronounced." + +"Yes, I thought he was decidedly rude." + +"Isn't Mr. Dinsmore excessively strict and exacting?" + +"Yes, I think so; yet he dotes on her, and she on him. I never saw a +father and daughter so completely wrapped up in each other." + +They were now within sight of their own home, and Miss Stanhope's. + +"Just look!" cried Nettie, "I do believe Egerton means to force +himself upon their notice and compel Elsie to speak to him." + +He was crossing the street so as to meet them face to face, just at +the gate, giving them no chance to avoid the rencontre. + +"Good-morning, Miss Dinsmore," he said in a loud, cordial tone of +greeting, as they neared each other. + +Elsie started and tightened her grasp of her father's arm, but neither +looked up nor spoke. + +"My daughter acknowledges no acquaintance with you, sir," answered Mr. +Dinsmore, haughtily, and Egerton turned and strode angrily away. + +"There, Elsie, you see what he is; his behavior is anything but +gentlemanly," remarked her father, opening the gate for her to pass +in. "But you need not tremble so, child; there is nothing to fear." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + Oh, what a feeble fort's a woman's heart, + Betrayed by nature, and besieged by art. + + --FANE'S "LOVE IN THE DARK." + + +"Dear child, what shall I do without you?" sighed Miss Stanhope, +clasping Elsie in her arms, and holding her in a long, tender embrace; +for the time of parting had come. "Horace, will you bring her to see +me again?" + +"Yes, aunt, if she wants to come. But don't ask me to leave her +again." + +"Well, if you can't stay with me, or trust her yourself, let Mr. +Vanilla come and stand guard over us both. I'd be happy, sir, at any +time when you can make it convenient for me to see you here, with +Horace and the child, or without them." + +"Thank you, Miss Stanhope; and mother and I would be delighted to see +you at Ion." + +"Come, Elsie, we must go; the carriage is waiting and the train nearly +due," said Mr. Dinsmore. "Good-bye, Aunt Wealthy. Daughter, put down +your veil." + +Egerton was at the depot, but could get neither a word with Elsie, nor +so much as a sight of her face. Her veil was not once lifted, and +her father never left her side for a moment. Mr. Travilla bought the +tickets, and Simon attended to the checking of the baggage. Then the +train came thundering up, and the fair girl was hurried into it, +Mr. Travilla, on one side, and her father on the other, effectually +preventing any near approach to her person on the part of the baffled +and disappointed fortune-hunter. + +He walked back to his boarding-house, cursing his ill luck and Messrs. +Dinsmore and Travilla, and gave notice to his landlady that his room +would become vacant the next morning. + +As the train sped onward, again Elsie laid her head down upon her +father's shoulder and wept silently behind her veil. Her feelings had +been wrought up to a high pitch of excitement in the struggle to be +perfectly submissive and obedient, and now the overstrained nerves +claimed this relief. And love's young dream, the first, and sweetest, +was over and gone. She could never hope to see again the man she still +fondly imagined to be good and noble, and with a heart full of deep, +passionate love for her. + +Her father understood and sympathized with it all. He passed his arm +about her waist, drew her closer to him, and taking her hand in his, +held it in a warm, loving clasp. + +How it soothed and comforted her. She could never be very wretched +while thus tenderly loved, and cherished. + +And, arrived at her journey's end, there were mamma and little brother +to rejoice over her return, as at the recovery of a long-lost, +precious treasure. + +"You shall never go away again," said the little fellow, hugging her +tight. "When a boy has only one sister, he can't spare her to other +folks, can he, papa?" + +"No, son," answered Mr. Dinsmore, patting his rosy cheek, and softly +stroking Elsie's hair, "and it is just the same with a man who has but +one daughter." + +"You don't look bright and merry, as you did when you went away," said +the child, bending a gaze of keen, loving scrutiny upon the sweet +face, paler, sadder, and more heavy-eyed than he had ever seen it +before. + +"Sister is tired with her journey," said mamma tenderly; "we won't +tease her to-night." + +"Yes," said her father, "she must go early to bed, and have a long +night's rest." + +"Yes, papa, and then she'll be all right to-morrow, won't she? But, +mamma, I wasn't teasing her, not a bit; was I, Elsie? And if anybody's +been making her sorry, I'll kill him. 'Cause she's my sister, and I've +got to take care of her." + +"But suppose papa was the one who had made her sorry; what then?" +asked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"But you wouldn't, papa," said the boy, shaking his head with an +incredulous smile. "You love her too much a great deal; you'd never +make her sorry unless she'd be naughty; and she's never one bit +naughty,--always minds you and mamma the minute you speak." + +"That's true, my son; I do love her far too well ever to grieve her if +it can be helped. She shall never know a pang a father's love and care +can save her from." And again his hand rested caressingly on Elsie's +head. + +She caught it in both of hers and laying her cheek lovingly against +it, looked up at him with tears trembling in her eyes. "I know it, +papa," she murmured. "I know you love your foolish little daughter +very dearly; almost as dearly as she loves you." + +"Almost, darling? If there were any gauge by which to measure love, I +know not whose would be found the greatest." + +Mr. Dinsmore and his father-in-law had taken adjoining cottages for +the summer, and though "the season" was so nearly over that the hotels +and boarding-houses were but thinly populated and would soon close, +the two families intended remaining another month. So this was in some +sort a home-coming to Elsie. + +After tea the Allisons flocked in to bid her welcome. All seemed glad +of her coming, Richard, Harold, and Sophy especially so. They were +full of plans for giving her pleasure, and crowding the greatest +possible amount of enjoyment into the four or five weeks of their +expected sojourn on the island. + +"It will be moonlight next week," said Sophy; "and we'll have some +delightful drives and walks along the beach. The sea does look so +lovely by moonlight." + +"And we'll have such fun bathing in the mornings," remarked Harold. +"You'll go in with us to-morrow, won't you, Elsie?" + +"No," said Mr. Dinsmore, speaking for his daughter; "she must be +here two or three days before she goes into the water. It will be +altogether better for her health." + +Elise looked at him inquiringly. + +"You get in the air enough of the salt water for the first few days," +he said. "Your system should become used to that before you take +more." + +"Yes, that is what some of the doctors here, and the oldest +inhabitants, tell us," remarked Mr. Allison, "and I believe it is the +better plan." + +"And in the meantime we can take some rides and drives,--down to +Diamond Beach, over to the light-house, and elsewhere," said Edward +Allison, his brother Richard adding, "and do a little fishing and +boating." + +Mr. Dinsmore was watching his daughter. She was making an effort to be +interested in the conversation, but looking worn, weary, and sad. + +"You are greatly fatigued, my child," he said. "We will excuse you and +let you retire at once." + +She was very glad to avail herself of the permission. + +Rose followed her to her room, a pleasant, breezy apartment, opening +on a veranda, and looking out upon the sea, whose dark waves, here +and there tipped with foam, could be dimly seen rolling and tossing +beneath the light of the stars and of a young moon that hung like a +golden crescent just above the horizon. + +Elsie walked to the window and looked out. "How I love the sea," she +said, sighing, "but, mamma, to-night it makes me think of a text--'All +Thy waves and Thy billows have gone over me.'" + +"It is not so bad as that, I hope, dear," said Rose, folding her +tenderly in her arms; "think how we all love you, especially your +father. I don't know how we could any of us do without you, darling. I +can't tell you how sadly we have missed you this summer." + +"Mamma, I do feel it to be very, very sweet to be so loved and cared +for. I could not tell you how dear you and my little brother are to +me, and as for papa--sometimes I am more than half afraid I make an +idol of him; and yet--oh, mamma," she murmured, hiding her face in +Rose's bosom, "why is it that I can no longer be in love with the +loves that so fully satisfied me?" + +"'Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.' It +is part of woman's curse that she must ever crave that sort of love, +often yielding to her craving, to her own terrible undoing. Be +patient, darling, and try to trust both your heavenly and your earthly +father. You know that no trial can come to you without your heavenly +Father's will, and that He means this for your good. Look to Him and +he will help you to bear it, and send relief in His own good time and +way. You know He tells us it is through much tribulation we enter +the kingdom of God; and that whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, +and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 'If ye be without +chastisements, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and no +sons!" + +"Ah, yes, mamma; better the hardest of earthly trials, than to be left +out of the number of his adopted children. And this seems to be really +my only one, while my cup of blessings is full to overflowing. I fear +I am very wicked to feel so sad." + +"Let us sit down on this couch while we talk; you are too tired +to stand," said Rose, drawing her away from the window to a +softly-cushioned lounge. "I do not think you can help grieving, +darling, though I agree with you that it is your duty to try to be +cheerful, as well as patient and submissive; and I trust you will find +it easier as the days and weeks move on. You are very young, and have +plenty of time to wait; indeed, if all had gone right, you know your +papa would not have allowed you to marry for several years yet." + +"You know all, mamma?" + +"Yes, dear; papa told me; for you know you are my darling daughter +too, and I have a very deep interest in all that concerns you." + +A tender caress accompanied the words, and was returned with equal +ardor. + +"Thank you, best and kindest of mothers; I should never want anything +kept from you." + +"Your father tells me you have behaved beautifully, though you +evidently felt it very hard to be separated so entirely and at once +fr--" + +"Yes, mamma," and Elsie's lip quivered, and her eyes filled, "and oh, +I can't believe he is the wicked man papa thinks him. From the first +he seemed to be a perfect gentleman, educated, polished, and refined; +and afterward he became--at least so I thought from the conversations +we had together--truly converted, and a very earnest, devoted +Christian. He told me he had been, at one time, a little wild, but +surely he ought not to be condemned for that, after he had repented +and reformed." + +"No, dear; and your father would agree with you in that. But he +believes you have been deceived in the man's character; and don't you +think, daughter, that he is wiser than yourself, and more capable of +finding out the truth about the matter?" + +"I know papa is far wiser than I, but, oh, my heart will not believe +what they say of--of him!" she cried with sudden, almost passionate +vehemence. + +"Well, dear, that is perfectly natural, but try to be entirely +submissive to your father, and wait patiently; and hopefully too," she +added with a smile; "for if Mr. Egerton is really good, no doubt it +will be proved in time, and then your father will at once remove his +interdict. And if you are mistaken, you will one day discover it, and +feel thankful, indeed, to your papa for taking just the course he +has." + +"There he is now!" Elsie said with a start, as Mr. Dinsmore's step was +heard without, and Chloe opened the door in answer to his rap. + +"What, Elsie disobeying orders, and mamma conniving at it!" he +exclaimed in a tone that might mean either jest or serious reproof. +"Did I not bid you go to bed at once, my daughter?" + +"I thought it was only permission, papa, not command," she answered, +lifting her eyes to his face, and moving to make room for him by her +side. "And mamma has been saying such sweet, comforting things to me." + +"Has she, darling? Bless her for it! I know you need comfort, my poor +little pet," he said, taking the offered seat, and passing his arm +round her waist. "But you need rest too, and ought not to stay up any +longer." + +"But surely papa knows I cannot go to bed without my good-night kiss +when he is in the same house with me," she said, winding her arms +about his neck. + +"And didn't like to take it before folks? Well, that was right, but +take it now. There, good-night. Now mamma and I will run away, and you +must get into bed with all speed. No mistake about the command this +time, and disobedience, if ventured on, will have to be punished," he +said with playful tenderness, as he returned her embrace, and rose to +leave the room. + +"The dear child; my heart aches for her," he remarked to his wife, +as they went out together, "and I find it almost impossible yet to +forgive either that scoundrel Jackson or my brother Arthur." + +"You have no lingering doubts as to the identity and utter +unworthiness of the man?" + +"Not one; and if I could only convince Elsie of his true character +she would detest him as thoroughly as I do. If he had his deserts, he +would be in the State's Prison; and to think of his daring to approach +my child, and even aspire to her hand!" + +Elsie lay all night in a profound slumber, and awoke at an early hour +the next morning, feeling greatly refreshed and invigorated. The +gentle murmur of old ocean came pleasantly to her ear, and sweetly +in her mind arose the thought of Him whom even the winds and the sea +obey; of His never failing love to her, and of the many great and +precious promises of His word. She remembered how He had said, "Your +Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things," and, content to +bear the cross He had sent her, and leave her future in His hands, she +rose to begin the new day more cheerful and hopeful than she had been +since learning her father's decision in regard to Egerton. + +Throwing on a dressing-gown over her night dress, she sat down before +the open window with her Bible in her hand. She still loved, as of +old, to spend the first hour of the day in the study of its pages, and +in communion with Him whose word it is. + +Chloe was just putting the finishing touches to her young lady's +toilet when little Horace came running down the hall, and rapping on +Elsie's door, called out, "Sister, papa says put on a short dress, and +your walking shoes, and come take a stroll on the beach with us before +breakfast." + +"Yes, tell papa I will. I'll be down in five minutes." + +She came down looking sweet and fresh as the morning; a smile on the +full red lips, and a faint tinge of rose color on the cheeks that had +been so pale the night before. + +"Ah, you are something like yourself again," said Rose, greeting her +with a motherly caress, as they met in the lower hall. "How nice it is +to have you at home once more." + +"Thank you, mamma, I am very glad to be here; and I had such a good +restful sleep. How well you look." + +"And feel too, I am thankful to be able to say. But there, your father +is calling to you from the sitting-room." + +Elsie hastened to obey the summons, and found him seated at his +writing desk. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, "and tell me if you obeyed orders last +night." + +"Yes, papa, I did." + +"I am writing a few lines to Aunt Wealthy, to tell her of our safe +arrival. Have you any message to send?" and laying down his pen he +drew her to his knee. + +"Only my love, papa, and--and that she must not be anxious about me, +as she said that she should. That I am very safe and happy in the +hands of my heavenly Father--and those of the kind earthly one He has +given me," she added in a whisper, putting her arms about his neck, +and looking in his face with eyes brimful of filial tenderness and +love. + +"That is right, my darling," he said, "and you shall never want for +love while your father lives. How it rejoices my heart to see you +looking so bright and well this morning." + +"I feat I have not been yielding you the cheerful obedience I ought, +papa," she murmured with tears in her eyes, "but I am resolved to try +to do so in future; and have been asking help where I know it is to be +obtained." + +"I have no fault to find with you on that score, my dear child," he +said tenderly, "but if you can be cheerful, it will be for your own +happiness, as well as ours." + +She kept her promise faithfully, and had her reward in much real +enjoyment of the many pleasures provided for her. + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were still youthful in their feelings, and +joined with great zest in the sports of the young people, going with +them in all their excursions, taking an active part in all their +pastimes, and contriving so many fresh entertainments, that during +those few weeks life seemed like one long gala day. + +Mr. Travilla was with them most of the time. He had tarried behind in +Philadelphia, as Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter passed through, but +followed them to Cape Island a few days later. + +The whole party left the shore about the last of September, the +Allisons returning to their city residence, Mr. Travilla to his +Southern home, and the Dinsmores travelling through Pennsylvania and +New York, from one romantic and picturesque spot to another; finishing +up with two or three weeks in Philadelphia, during which Rose and +Elsie were much occupied with their fall and winter shopping. + +Mr. Dinsmore took this opportunity to pay another flying visit to his +two young brothers. He found Arthur nearly recovered, and at once +asked a full explanation of the affair of Tom Jackson, alias Bromly +Egerton; his designs upon Elsie, and Arthur's participation in them. + +"I know nothing about it," was the sullen rejoinder. + +"You certainly were acquainted with Tom Jackson, and how, but through +you, could he have gained any knowledge of Elsie and her whereabouts?" + +"I don't deny that I've had some dealings with Jackson, but your +Egerton I know nothing of whatever." + +"You may as well speak the truth, sir; it will be much better for +you in the end," said Mr. Dinsmore, sternly, his eyes flashing with +indignant anger. + +"And you may as well remember that it isn't Elsie you are dealing +with. I'm not afraid of you." + +"Perhaps not, but you may well fear Him who has said, 'a lying tongue +is but for a moment.' How do you reconcile such an assertion as you +have just made with the fact of your having that letter in your +possession?" + +"I say it's a cowardly piece of business for you to give the lie to a +fellow that hasn't the strength to knock you down for it." + +"You would hardly attempt that if you were in perfect health, Arthur." + +"I would." + +"You have not answered my question about the letter. + +"I wrote it myself." + +"A likely story; it is in a very different hand from yours." + +"I can adopt that hand on occasion, as I'll prove to your +satisfaction." + +He opened his desk, wrote a sentence on a scrap of paper, and handed +it to Mr. Dinsmore. The chirography was precisely that of the letter. +While slowly convalescing, Arthur had prepared for this expected +interview with Horace, by spending many a solitary hour in laboriously +teaching himself to imitate Jackson's ordinary hand, in which most of +the letters he had received from him were written. The sentence he had +first penned was, "I did it merely for my own amusement, and to hoax +Wal." + +"I don't believe a word of it," said Mr. Dinsmore, looking sternly at +him. "Arthur, you had better be frank and open with me. You will gain +nothing by denying the hand you have had in this disgraceful business. +You can hardly suppose me credulous enough to believe an assertion so +perfectly absurd as this. I have no doubt that you sent that villain +to Lansdale to try his arts upon Elsie; and for that you are richly +deserving of my anger, and of any punishment it might be in my power +to deal out to you. + +"It has been no easy matter for me to forgive the suffering you have +caused my child, Arthur; but I came here to-day with kind feelings and +intentions. I hoped to find you penitent and ready to forsake your +evil courses; and in that case, intended to help you to pay off your +debts and begin anew, without paining father with the knowledge that +his confidence in you has been again so shamefully abused. But I must +say that your persistent denial of your complicity with that scoundrel +Jackson does not look much like contrition, or intended amendment." + +Arthur listened in sullen silence, though his rapidly changing color +showed that he felt the cutting rebuke keenly. At one time he had +resolved to confess everything, throw himself upon the mercy of his +father and brother, and begin to lead an honest, upright life; but a +threatening letter received that morning from Jackson had led him to +change his purpose, and determine to close his lips for a time. + +Mr. Dinsmore paused for a reply, but none came. + +Walter looked at Arthur in surprise. "Come, Art, speak, why don't +you?" he said. "Horace, don't look so stern and angry, I know he means +to turn over a new leaf; for he told me so. And you will help him, +won't you?" + +"I ask no favors from a man who throws the lie in my teeth," muttered +Arthur angrily. + +"And I can give none to one who persists in denying his guilt," +replied Mr. Dinsmore. "But, Arthur, I give you one more chance, and +for our father's sake I hope you will avail yourself of it. If you go +on as you have for the last three or four years, you will bring down +his gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. I presume you have put +yourself in Jackson's power; but if you will now make a full and free +confession to me, and promise amendment, I will help you to get rid of +the rascal's claims upon you, and start afresh. Will you do it?" + +"No, you've called me a liar, and what's the use of my telling you +anything? you wouldn't believe it if I did." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + She is not sad, yet in her gaze appears + Something that makes the gazer think of tears. + + --MRS. EMBURY. + + +The family at Roselands were gathered about the breakfast-table. A +much smaller party than of yore, since Horace had taken Elsie and +set up an establishment of his own, and the other sons were away at +college and two daughters married; leaving only Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, +Adelaide and Enna to occupy the old home. + +"I presume you have the lion's share as usual, papa," observed the +last named, as her father opened the letter-bag which Pomp had just +brought in. + +"And who has a better right, Miss Malapert?" retorted the old +gentleman. "Yes, here are several letters for me; but as there is one +apiece for the rest of you, nobody need complain. Here, Pomp, hand +this to your mistress. From Walter, I see." + +"Yes," she answered, opening it, "and a few lines from Arthur too. I'm +glad he's able to write again, poor fellow!" + +"Yes," said Adelaide. "Rose says Horace has been up there and found +him nearly recovered. She writes that they are coming home." + +"When?" asked Enna. + +"Why, to-day! the letter has been delayed," said her sister, looking +at the date. "I shall ride over directly, to see that all is in order +for them at the Oaks." + +"There is no need," remarked her mother. "Rose will have written to +Mrs. Murray." + +"I presume so, still I shall go; it will be pleasant to be there to +welcome them when they arrive." + +"How fond you are of Rose," said Mrs. Dinsmore in a piqued tone; "you +wouldn't do more for one of your own sisters, I believe, than for +her." + +"I wouldn't do less, mamma, and I am very fond of her; we are so +perfectly congenial." + +"And Elsie's a great pet of yours, too," said Enna sneeringly. "Well, +I shall put off my call till to-morrow, when the trunks will have been +unpacked, and I shall have a chance to see the fashions. Elsie will +have loads of new things; it's perfectly absurd the way Horace heaps +presents upon her, and pocket-money too. Such loads of jewelry as she +has,--two or three gold watches, and everything else in proportion." + +"He may as well; she can never spend the half of her income," remarked +Mr. Dinsmore. "Unless she takes to gambling," he added, in a tone that +seemed to say that his purse had suffered severely from some one's +indulgence in that vice. + +Mrs. Dinsmore winced, Enna looked vexed and annoyed, and Adelaide sad +and troubled; but when she spoke it was in answer to Enna. + +"Yes, Elsie will have a great many beautiful things to show us, of +course; but, though she wears nothing outre, she has never been, and I +think never will be a mirror of fashion. It would suit neither her own +taste nor Horace's; and you know, fond of her as he is, he will never +allow her to have a will of her own in dress or anything else. So it +is well their tastes harmonize." + +"I wouldn't be his child for all her money," said Enna. + +"There would be some fighting if you were," said her father, laughing. + +"I never could tell whether he tyrannized over Rose in the same style +or not," observed Mrs. Dinsmore interrogatively. + +"All I know about it is that they seem perfectly happy in each other," +answered Adelaide; "but I don't suppose Horace considers a husband's +authority by any means equal to a father's." + +Something delayed Adelaide, and it was nearly two hours after they +rose from the table ere she was fairly on her way to the Oaks. + +"Why, they are here before me!" she exclaimed half aloud as she came +in sight of the house. + +There were piles of luggage upon the veranda, and the whole family, +including all the house servants, were gathered round a large +open trunk from which Mrs. Dinsmore and Elsie were dealing out +gifts--dresses, aprons, bonnets, hats, gay handkerchiefs, etc., etc.; +the darkies receiving them with a delight that was pleasant to see. + +Mr. Dinsmore too was taking his part in the distribution, and as +Adelaide rode up little Horace was in the act of throwing a gay shawl +about the shoulders of his nurse, who caught him in her arms and +hugged and kissed him over and over, calling him "honey," and "pet," +and "you ole mammy's darlin' ole chil'!" + +So much engaged were they all that no one perceived Adelaide's +approach till she had reined in her horse close to the veranda, and +throwing her bridle to her attendant, sprung lightly to the ground. + +But then there was a shout of welcome from little Horace, followed +instantly by joyous exclamations and embraces from the others. + +"Dear me, what a long stay you made of it!" said Adelaide. "You can +have no idea how I missed you all; even down to this little man," +patting Horace's rosy cheek. "You look remarkably well, Rose; and the +two Horaces also; but Elsie, I think, has grown a little pale, thin, +and heavy-eyed. What ails you, child? Pining for your native air--no, +home air--I presume. Is that it?" + +"Hardly pining for it, auntie, but very glad to get back, +nevertheless," Elsie answered, with a blush and a smile. + +"And you are not pale now. But don't let me interrupt your pleasant +employment. I wish I had been in time to see the whole of it." + +"You are in season for your own gifts. Will you accept a trifle from +me?" said her brother, putting a jewel-case into her hand. + +"Coral! and what a beautiful shade!" she cried. "Thank you; they are +just what I wanted." + +"I thought they would contrast prettily with this, auntie," said +Elsie, laying a dress-pattern of black silk upon her lap. + +"And these are to be worn at the same time, if it so pleases you," +added Rose, presenting her with collar and undersleeves of point lace. + +"Oh, Rose, how lovely! and even little Horace bringing auntie a gift!" +as the child slipped something into her hand. + +"It's only a card-case; but mamma said you'd like it, Aunt Adie." + +"And I do; it's very pretty. And here's a hug and a kiss for the pet +boy that remembered his old-maid auntie." + +"Old maid, indeed! Adelaide, I'll not have you talking so," said Rose. +"There's nothing old-maidish about you; not even age yet; a girl of +twenty-six to be calling herself that! it's perfectly absurd. Isn't +it, my dear?" + +"I think so, indeed," replied Mr. Dinsmore. "Here, Jim, Cato, and the +rest of you carry in these trunks and boxes, and let us have them +unpacked and put out of sight." + +"Oh, yes!" said Adelaide, "I want to see all the fine things you have +brought, Rose. Mamma, Enna, and I are depending upon you and Elsie for +the fashions." + +"Yes, we had all our fall and winter dresses made up in Philadelphia; +we prefer their styles to the New York; they don't go to such +extremes, you know; and besides--hailing from the Quaker city as I do, +it's natural I should be partial to her plainer ways--but we brought +quantities of patterns from both places; knowing that nothing was +likely to be too gay for Enna. We will let Elsie display hers first. I +feel in a special hurry, dear, to show your aunt those elegant silks +your papa and I helped you to select. I hope you will see them all on +her, one of these days, Adelaide. + +"That child's complexion is so perfect, that she can wear anything," +she added in an aside, as they followed Elsie to her apartments; +"there's a pale blue that she looks perfectly lovely in; a pearl-color +too, and a delicate pink, and I don't know how many more. One might +think we expected her to do nothing but attend parties the coming +season." + +Elsie seemed to take a lively interest in displaying her pretty things +to her aunt, and in looking on for a little, while Rose did the same +with hers; but at length, though the two older ladies were still +turning over and discussing silks, satins, velvets, laces, ribbons, +feathers, and flowers, her father noticed her sitting in the corner of +a sofa, in an attitude of weariness and dejection, with a pale cheek, +and a dreary, far-off look in her eyes that it pained him to see. + +"You are very tired, daughter," he said, going to her side, and +smoothing her glossy brown hair with tender caressing motion, as he +spoke; "go and lie down for an hour or two. A nap would do you a great +deal of good." + +"I don't like to do so while Aunt Adie is here, papa," she said, +looking up at him with a smile, and trying to seem fresh and bright. + +"Never mind that; you can see her any day now. Come, you must take a +rest." And drawing her hand within his arm, he led her to her boudoir +and left her there, comfortably established upon a sofa. + +"A hat trimmed in that style would be becoming to Elsie," remarked +Adelaide, continuing the conversation with Rose, and turning to look +at her niece as she spoke. "Why, she's not here." + +"Papa took her away to make her lie down," said little Horace. + +"Rose, does anything ail the child?" asked Adelaide, in an undertone. + +"She does not seem to be out of health; but you know we are very +careful of her; she is so dear and sweet, and has never looked very +strong." + +"But there is something wrong with her, is there not? she does not +seem to me quite the gay, careless child she was when you went away. +Horace," and she turned to him, as he re-entered the room, "may I not +know about Elsie? You can hardly love her very much better than I do, +I think." + +"If that is so, you must love her very much indeed," he answered with +a faint smile. "Yes, I will tell you." And he explained the matter; +briefly at first, then more in detail, as she drew him on by questions +and remarks. + +Her sympathy for Elsie was deep and sincere; yet she thought her +brother's course the only wise and kind one, and her indignation waxed +hot against Arthur and Egerton. + +"And Elsie still believes in the scoundrel?" she said inquiringly. + +"Yes, her loving, trustful nature refuses to credit the proofs of +his guilt, and only her sweet, conscientious submission to parental +authority has saved her from becoming his victim." + +"She is a very good, submissive, obedient child to you, Horace." + +"I could not ask a better, Adelaide. I only wish it were in my power +to make obedience always easy and pleasant to her, poor darling." + +"I hope you have something for me there, my dear," Rose remarked to +her husband at the breakfast-table the next morning, as he looked over +the mail just brought in by his man John. + +"Yes, there is one for you; from your mother, I think; and, Elsie, do +you know the handwriting of this?" + +"No, papa, it is quite strange to me," she answered, taking the letter +he held out to her, and which bore her name and address on the back, +and examining it critically. + +"And the post-mark tells you nothing either?" + +"No, sir; I cannot quite make it out, but it doesn't seem to be any +place where I have a correspondent." + +"Well, open it and see from whom it comes. But finish your breakfast +first." + +Elsie laid the letter down by her plate, and putting aside, for the +present, her curiosity in regard to it, went on with her meal. "From +whom can it have come?" she asked herself, while listening half +absently to extracts from Mr. Allison's epistle; "not from him surely, +the hand is so very unlike that of the one he sent me in Lansdale." + +"You have not looked at that yet," her father said, seeing her take it +up as they rose from the table. "You may do so now. I wish to know who +the writer is. Don't read it till you have found that out," he added, +leading her to a sofa in the next room, and making her sit down there, +while he stood by her side. + +She felt that his eye was upon her as she broke open the envelope and, +taking the letter from it, glanced down the page, then in a little +flutter of surprise and perplexity turned to the signature. Instantly +her face flushed crimson, she trembled visibly, and her eyes were +lifted pleadingly to his. + +He frowned and held out his hand. + +"Oh, papa, let me read it!" she murmured low and tremulously, her eyes +still pleading more eloquently than her tongue. + +"No," he said, and his look and gesture were imperative. + +She silently put the letter into his hand, and turned away with a low +sob. + +"It is not worth one tear, or even an emotion of regret, my child," he +said, sitting down beside her. "I shall send it back at once; unread, +unless you prefer to have me read it first." + +"No, papa." + +"Very well, then I shall not. But, Elsie, do you not see now that he +is quite capable of imitating the handwriting of another?" + +"Yes, papa; but that does not prove that he did in the case you refer +to." + +"And he has acted quite fairly and honestly in using that talent to +elude my vigilance and tempt you to deception and disobedience, eh?" + +"He is not perfect, papa, but I can't believe him as bad as you +think." + +"There are none so blind as those that won't see, Elsie; but, +remember"--and his tone changed from one of great vexation to another +sternly authoritative--"I will be obeyed in this thing." + +"Yes, papa," she said, and rising, hastily left the room. + +"Try to be very patient with her, dear," said Rose, who had been a +silent, but deeply interested spectator of the little scene; "she +suffers enough, poor child!" + +"Yes, I know it, and my heart bleeds for her; yet she seems so +wilfully blind to the strongest proofs of the fellow's abominable +rascality that at times I feel as if I could hardly put up with it +at all. The very pain of seeing her suffer so makes me out of all +patience with her folly." + +"Yes, I understand it, but do not be stern with her; she surely does +not deserve it while she is so perfectly submissive to your will." + +"No, she does not, poor darling," he said with a sigh. "But I must +make haste to write some letters that ought to go by the next mail." + +He left the room, and Mrs. Dinsmore, longing to comfort Elsie in her +trouble, was about to go in search of her, when Mrs. Murray, who was +still housekeeper at the Oaks, came to ask advice or direction about +some household matters. + +Their consultation lasted for half an hour or more, and in the +meanwhile Mr. Dinsmore finished his correspondence and went himself to +look for his daughter. She was in the act of opening her writing-desk +as he entered the room. + +"What are you doing, daughter?" he asked. + +"I was about to write a letter to Sophy, papa." + +"It would be too late for to-day's mail; so let it wait, and come with +me for a little stroll into the grounds. Aunt Chloe, bring a garden +hat and sunshade. You would like to go, daughter?" + +"Yes, sir. Papa, you are not vexed with me? You don't think I want to +be disobedient or wilful?" There were tears in her voice and traces of +them on her cheeks. + +"No, darling!" he said, drawing her to him, "and you did not in the +least deserve to be spoken to in the stern tone that I used. But--can +you understand it?--my very love for you makes me angry and impatient +at your persistent love for that scoundrel." + +"Papa, please don't!" she said in a low, pained tone, and turning away +her face. + +"Ah, you do not like to hear a word against him!" he sighed; "I can't +bear to think it, and yet I fear you care more for him than for me, +your own father, who almost idolizes you. Is it so?" + +"Papa," she murmured, winding her arms about his neck, and laying +her head on his breast, "if I may have but one of you, I could never +hesitate for a moment to choose to cling here where I have been so +long and tenderly cherished. I know what your love is,--I might be +mistaken and deceived in another. And besides, God commands me to +honor and obey you." + +He held her close to his heart for a moment, as something too dear and +precious ever to be given up to another, then drawing her hand within +his arm, while Chloe placed the hat on her head, and gave her the +parasol, he led her out into the grounds. + +It pained him to notice the sadness of her countenance, sadder than he +had seen it for many days, and he exerted himself to entertain her +and divert her thoughts, calling her attention to some new plants and +flowers, consulting her taste in regard to improvements he designed +making, and conversing with her about a book they had been reading. + +She understood his thoughtful kindness, was grateful for it, and did +her best to be interested and cheerful. + +"It is so nice to have you treat me as your companion and friend as +well as your daughter, papa," she said, looking up at him with a +smile. + +"Your companionship is very dear and sweet to me, daughter," he +answered. "But I think we had better go in now; the sun is growing +hot." + +"Oh, here you are!" cried a girlish voice as they turned into a shaded +walk leading to the house. "I've been looking everywhere and am +glad to have found you at last. Really, if a body didn't know your +relationship, he or she might almost imagine you a pair of lovers." + +"Don't be silly, Enna. How do you do?" said Mr. Dinsmore, shaking +hands with her and giving her a brotherly kiss. + +"As usual, thank you," she answered, turning from him to Elsie, whom +she embraced with tolerable warmth, saying, "I'm really glad to have +you here again. I missed you more than I would have believed. Now come +in and show me all your pretty things. I'm dying to see them. Adelaide +says you've brought home such quantities of lovely laces, silks, +velvets, ribbons, flowers, feathers and what not, that one might +imagine you'd nearly bought out the Philadelphia merchants." + +"No, they had quite a stock still left," replied Elsie, smiling; "but, +as mamma says, papa was very indulgent and liberal to us both; and I +shall take pleasure in showing you his gifts." + +"How do you like my present to Adelaide? asked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Oh, very much; but when my turn comes please remember I want +amethysts." + +"Ah, then I have been fortunate in my selection," he said, quite +unsuspicious of the fact that Enna had instructed Elsie beforehand in +regard to her wishes, should Horace intend making her a present. Elsie +had quietly given the desired hint, but merely as though the idea had +originated with herself. + +The jewelry was highly approved, as also a rich violet silk from Rose, +and a lace set from Elsie. + +Adelaide had been intrusted with quite as rich gifts for her father +and mother; nor had Lora been forgotten; Elsie had a handsome shawl +for her, Mr. Dinsmore a beautiful pair of bracelets, and Rose a costly +volume of engravings. + +"Do you think Aunt Lora will be pleased?" asked Elsie. + +"They're splendid! It must be mighty nice to have so much money to +spend. But come now, show me what you got for yourselves." + +She spent a long while, first in Rose's apartment, then in Elsie's, +turning over and admiring the pretty things, discussing patterns, and +styles of trimming, and what colors and modes would be becoming to +her, trying on some of the dresses, laces, sacques, shawls, bonnets, +and hats--without so much as saying by your leave, when the article in +question belonged to her niece--that she might judge of the effect; +several times repeating her remark that it must be delightful to have +so much money, and that Elsie was exceedingly fortunate in being so +enormously wealthy. + +"Yes; it is something to be thankful for," Elsie said at length, "but, +Enna, it is also a great responsibility. We are only stewards, you +know, and sometimes I fear it is hardly right for me to spend so much +in personal adornment." + +"That wouldn't trouble me in the least; but why do you do it, if you +are afraid it's wrong?" + +"Papa does not think so; he says the manufacturers of these rich goods +must live as well as others, and that for one with my income, it is no +more extravagant to wear them than for one with half the means to wear +goods only half as expensive." + +"And I'm sure he's perfectly right; and of course you have no choice +but to obey. Well, I presume I've seen everything now, and I'm +actually weary with my labors," she added, throwing herself into an +easy-chair. "You've grown a little pale, I think, and your eyes look +as if you'd been crying. What ails you?" + +"I am not at all ill," returned Elsie, flushing. + +"I didn't say you were, but something's wrong with you, and you can't +deny it; you don't seem as gay as you used to before you went away." + +She paused, but receiving no reply, went on. "Come now, it isn't worth +while to be so close-mouthed with me, Miss Dinsmore; for I happen to +know pretty much all about it already. You've fallen in love with a +man that your father thinks is a scamp and though you don't believe +it, you've given him up, in obedience to orders, like the cowardly +piece that you are. Dear me, before I'd be so afraid of my father!" + +"No, you neither fear nor love your father as I do mine; but fear of +papa has very little to do with it. I love him far too well to refuse +to submit to him in this, and I fear God, who bids me obey and honor +him. But, Enna, how did you learn all this?" + +"Ah, that is my secret." + +Elsie looked disturbed. "Won't you tell me?" + +"Not I." + +"Is it generally known in the family?" + +"So far as I am aware, no one knows it but myself." + +"Ah!" thought Elsie, "I did not believe Aunt Adelaide or Walter would +tell her; but I wonder how she did find it out." + +"I wouldn't give up the man I loved for anybody," Enna went on in a +sneering tone. "I say parents have no business to interfere in such +matters; and so I told papa quite plainly when he took it upon him +to lecture me about receiving attentions from Dick Percival, and +threatened to forbid him the house." + +"Oh, Enna!" + +"You consider it wickedly disrespectful and rebellious no doubt, but +I say I'm no longer a child, and so the text, 'Children obey your +parents'--which I know is just on the end of your tongue--doesn't +apply to me." + +"The Bible doesn't say obey till you are of age, then do as you +please. You are not seventeen yet, and Isaac was twenty when he +submitted to be bound and laid upon the altar." + +"Well, when I go to the altar, it shall be leaning on Dick's arm," +said Enna, laughing. "I don't care if he is wild; I like him, and +intend to marry him too." + +"But are you not afraid?" + +"Afraid of what?" + +"That he will run through his property in a few years, and perhaps +become an habitual drunkard and abusive to his wife." + +"I mean to risk it anyhow," returned Enna sharply, "so it is not worth +while for my friends to waste their breath in lecturing me on the +subject." + +"Oh, Enna! you can't expect a blessing, if you persist in being so +undutiful; I think it would be well for you if your father were more +like mine." + +"Indeed! I wouldn't be your father's daughter for anything." + +"And I am glad and thankful that I am." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + The human heart! 'tis a thing that lives + In the light of many a shrine; + And the gem of its own pure feelings gives + Too oft on brows that are false to shine; + It has many a cloud of care and woe + To shadow o'er its springs, + And the One above alone may know + The changing tune of its thousand strings. + + --MRS. L.P. SMITH. + + +Mr. and Mrs. Horace Dinsmore were most anxious to promote Elsie's +happiness, and in order to that to win her to forgetfulness of her +unworthy suitor. Being Christians they did not take her to the +ball-room, the Opera, or the theater (nor would she have consented +to go had they proposed it), but they provided for her every sort of +suitable amusement within their reach. She was allowed to entertain as +much company and to pay as many visits to neighbors and friends as she +pleased. + +But a constant round of gayety was not to her taste; she loved quiet +home pleasures and intellectual pursuits far better. And of these also +she might take her fill, nor lack for sympathizing companionship; both +parents, but especially her father, being of like mind with herself. +They enjoyed many a book together, and she chose to pursue several +studies with him. + +And thus the weeks and months glided away not unhappily, though at +times she would be possessed with a restless longing for news from +Egerton, and for the love that was denied her; then her eyes would +occasionally meet her father's with the old wistful, pleading look +that he found so hard to resist. + +He well understood their mute petition; yet it was one he could not +grant. But he would take her in his arms, and giving her the fondest, +tenderest caresses, would say, in a moved tone, "My darling, don't +look at me in that way; it almost breaks my heart. Ah, if you could +only be satisfied with your father's love!" + +"I will try, papa," was her usual answer, "and oh, your love is very +sweet and precious!" + +Such a little scene, occurring one morning in Elsie's boudoir, was +interrupted by Chloe coming in to say that Miss Carrington had called +to see her young mistress and was waiting in the drawing-room. + +"Show her in here, mammy," Elsie said, disengaging herself from her +father's arms, and smoothing out her dress. "She used to come here in +the old times without waiting for an invitation." + +The Carringtons had not been able quite to forgive the rejection of +Herbert's suit, and since his death there had been a slight coolness +between the two families, and the girls had seen much less of each +other than in earlier days; their intercourse being confined to an +occasional exchange of formal calls, except when they met at the +house of some common acquaintance or friend. Still they were mutually +attached, and of late had resumed much of their old warmth of manner +toward each other. + +"Ah, this seems like going back to the dear old times again," Lucy +said when their greetings were over, and sending an admiring glance +about the luxuriously furnished apartment as she spoke. "I always +thought this the most charming of rooms, Elsie, but how many lovely +things,--perfect gems of art,--you have added to it since I saw it +last." + +"Papa's gifts to his spoiled darling, most of them," answered Elsie, +with a loving look and smile directed to him. + +"Petted, but not spoiled," he said, returning the smile. + +"No, indeed, I should think not," said Lucy. "Mamma says she is the +most perfectly obedient, affectionate daughter she ever saw, and I +can't tell you how often I have heard her wish I was more like her." + +"Ah," said Elsie, "I think Mrs. Carrington has always looked at me +through rose-colored spectacles." + +After a little more chat Lucy told her errand. Her parents and +herself, indeed the whole family, she said, had greatly regretted the +falling off of their former intimacy and strongly desired to renew it; +and she had come to beg Elsie to go home with her and spend a week at +Ashlands in the old familiar way. + +Elsie's eye brightened, and her cheek flushed. "Dear Lucy, how kind!" +she exclaimed; then turned inquiringly to her father. + +"Yes, it is very kind," he said. "Use your own pleasure, daughter. I +think perhaps the change might do you good." + +"Thanks, papa, then I shall go. Lucy, I accept your invitation with +pleasure." + +They were soon on their way, cantering briskly along side by side, +Lucy in gay, almost wild spirits, and Elsie's depression rapidly +vanishing beneath the combined influence of the bracing air and +exercise, the brilliant sunshine, and her friend's lively sallies. + +Arrived at Ashlands, she found herself received and welcomed with all +the old warmth of affection. Mrs. Carrington folded her to her heart +and wept over her. "My poor boy!" she whispered; "it seems almost to +bring him back again to have you with us once more. But I will not +mourn," she added, wiping her eyes; "for our loss has been his great +gain." + +Tender memories of Herbert, associated with nearly every room in the +house, saddened and subdued Elsie's spirit for a time, yet helped to +banish thoughts of Egerton from her mind. + +But Lucy had a great deal to tell her, and in listening to these +girlish confidences, Herbert was again half forgotten. Lucy too had +spent the past summer in the North, and had there "met her fate." She +was engaged, the course of true love seemed to be running smoothly, +and they expected to marry in a year. + +Elsie listened with interest, sympathizing warmly in her friend's +happiness; but Lucy, who was watching her keenly, noticed a shade of +deep sadness steal over her face. + +"Now I have told you all my secrets," she said, "won't you treat me as +generously, by trusting me with yours?" + +"If I had as happy a tale to tell," replied Elsie, the tears filling +her eyes. + +"You poor dear, what is wrong? Is it that papa refuses his consent." + +Elsie nodded; her heart was too full for speech. + +"What a shame!" cried Lucy. "Does he really mean to keep you single +all your life? is he quite determined to make an old maid of you?" + +"No, oh, no! but he does not believe my friend to be a good man. There +seems to be some sad mistake, and I cannot blame papa; because if Mr. +Egerton really was what he thinks him, it would be folly and sin for +me to have anything to do with him; and indeed I could not give either +hand or heart to one so vile,--a profane swearer, gambler, drunkard, +and rake." + +"Oh, my, no!" and Lucy looked quite horrified; "but you don't believe +him such a villain?" + +"No; on the contrary I think him a truly converted man. I believe +he was a little wild at one time; for he told me he had been; but I +believe, too, that he has truly repented, and therefore ought to be +forgiven." + +"Then I wouldn't give him up if I were you, father or no father," +remarked Lucy, with spirit. + +"But, Lucy, there is the command, 'Children, obey your parents.'" + +"But you are not a child." + +"Hardly more, not of age for more than two years." + +"Well, when you are of age, surely you will consider a lover's claims +before those of a father." + +"No," Elsie answered low and sadly. "I shall never marry without +papa's consent. I love him far too dearly to grieve him so; and it +would be running too fearful a risk." + +"Then you have resigned your lover entirely?" + +"Unless he can some day succeed in convincing papa that he is not so +unworthy." + +"Well, you are a model of filial piety! and deserve to be happy, and I +am ever so sorry for you," cried Lucy, clasping her in her arms, and +kissing her affectionately. + +"Thank you, dear," Elsie said, "but oh, I cannot bear to have my +father blamed. Believing as he does, how could he do otherwise than +forbid all intercourse between us? And he is so very, very kind, so +tenderly affectionate to me. Ah, I could never do without his dear +love!" + +After this, the two had frequent talks together on the same subject, +and though Lucy did not find any fault with Mr. Dinsmore, she yet +pleaded Egerton's cause, urging that it seemed very unfair in Elsie +to condemn him unheard, very hard not to allow him even so much as a +parting word. + +"I had no choice," Elsie said again and again, in a voice full of +tears; "it was papa's command, and I could do nothing but obey. Oh, +Lucy, it was very, very hard for me, too! and yet my father was +doing only his duty, if his judgment of Mr. Egerton's character was +correct." + +One afternoon, when Elsie had been at Ashlands four or five days, Lucy +came flying into her room; "Oh, I'm so glad to find you dressed! You +see I'm in the midst of my toilet, and Scip has just brought up word +that a gentleman is in the parlor asking for the young ladies--Miss +Dinsmore and Miss Carrington. Would you mind going down alone and +entertaining him till I come? do, there's a dear." + +"Who is he?" + +"Scip didn't seem to have quite understood the name; but it must be +some one we both know, and if you don't mind going, it would be a +relief to my nerves to know that he's not sitting there with nothing +to do but count the minutes, and think, 'What an immense time it takes +Miss Carrington to dress. She must be very anxious to make a good +impression upon me.' For you see men are so conceited, they are always +imagining we're laying ourselves out to secure their admiration." + +"I will go down then," Elsie answered, smiling, "and do what I can to +keep him from thinking any such unworthy thoughts of you. But please +follow me as soon as you can." + +The caller had the drawing-room to himself, and as Elsie entered was +standing at the centre-table with his back toward her. As she drew +near, he turned abruptly, caught her hand in his, threw his arm about +her waist, and kissed her passionately, crying in a low tone of +rapturous delight, "My darling, I have you at last! Oh, how I have +suffered from this cruel separation." + +It was Egerton, and for a few moments she forgot everything else, in +her glad surprise at the unexpected meeting. + +He drew her to a sofa, and still keeping his arm about her, poured out +a torrent of fond loverlike words, mingled with tender reproaches that +she had given him up so easily, and protestations of his innocence of +the vices and crimes laid to his charge. + +At first Elsie flushed rosy red, and a sweet light of love and joy +shone in the soft eyes, half veiled by their heavy, drooping lashes; +but as he went on her cheek grew deathly pale, and she struggled to +free herself from his embrace. + +"Let me go!" she cried, in an agitated tone of earnest entreaty, "I +must, indeed I must! I can't stay--I ought not; I should not have come +in, or allowed you to speak to, or touch me. Papa has forbidden all +intercourse between us, and he will be so angry." And she burst into +tears. + +"Then don't go back to him; stay with me, and give me a right to +protect you from his anger. I can't bear to see you weep, and if you +will be mine--my own little wife, you shall never have cause to shed +another tear," he said, drawing her closer to him and kissing them +away. + +"No, no, I cannot, I cannot! You must let me go; indeed you must!" +she cried, shrinking from the touch of his lip upon her cheek, and +averting her face, "I am doing wrong, very wrong to stay, here!" + +"No, I shall hold you fast for a few blissful moments at least;" he +answered, tightening his grasp and repeating his caresses, as she +struggled the harder to be free. "You cannot be so cruel as to refuse +to hear my defence." + +"Oh, I cannot stay another moment--I must not hear another word, for +every instant that I linger I am guilty of a fresh act of disobedience +to papa. I shall be compelled to call for help it you do not loose +your hold." + +He took his arm from her waist, but still held fast to her hand. "No, +don't do that," he said; "think what a talk it would make. I shall +detain you but a moment, and surely you may as well stay that much +longer; 'in for a penny, in for a pound,' you know. Oh, Elsie, can't +you give me a little hope." + +"If you can gain papa's approval, not otherwise." + +"But when you come of age." + +"I shall never marry without my father's consent." + +"Surely you carry your ideas of obedience too far. You owe a duty to +yourself and to me, as well as to your father. Excuse my plainness, +but in the course of nature we shall both outlive him, and is it +right to sacrifice the happiness of our two lives because he has +unfortunately imbibed a prejudice against me?" + +"I could expect no blessing upon a union entered into in direct +opposition to my father's wishes and commands," she answered with sad +and gentle firmness. + +"That's a hard kind of obedience; and I don't think it would answer to +put in practice in all cases," he said bitterly. + +"Perhaps not; I do not attempt to decide for others; but I am +convinced of my own duty; and know too that I should be wretched +indeed, if I had to live under papa's frown. And oh, how I am +disobeying him now! I must go this instant! Release my hand, Mr. +Egerton." And she tried with all her strength to wrench it free. + +"No, no, not yet," he said entreatingly. "I have not given you half +the proofs of my innocence that I can bring forward; do me the simple +justice to stay and hear them." + +She made no reply but half yielded, ceasing her struggles for a +moment. She had no strength to free her hand from his grasp, and could +not bear to call others upon the scene. Trembling with agitation and +eagerness, she waited for his promised proofs; but instead he only +poured forth a continuous stream of protestations, expostulations and +entreaties. + +"Mr. Egerton, I must, I must go," she repeated; "this is nothing to +the purpose, and I cannot stay to hear it." + +A step was heard approaching; he hastily drew her toward him, touched +his lips again to her cheek, released her, and she darted from the +room by one door, as Lucy entered by another. + +"Where is she? gone? what's the matter? wasn't she pleased to see you? +wouldn't she stay?" + +Lucy looked into the disappointed, angry, chagrined face of Egerton, +and in her surprise and vexation piled question upon question without +giving him time to answer. + +"No, the girl's a fool!" he muttered angrily, and turning hastily from +her, paced rapidly to and fro for a moment; then suddenly recollecting +himself, "I beg pardon, Miss Carrington," he said, coming back to +the sofa on which she sat regarding him with a perturbed, displeased +countenance, "I--I forgot myself; but you will perhaps, know how to +excuse an almost distracted lover." + +"Really, sir," returned Lucy coolly, "your words just now did not +sound very lover-like; and would rather lead one to suspect that +possibly Mr. Dinsmore may be in the right." + +He flushed hotly. "What can you mean, Miss Carrington?" + +"That your love is for her fortune rather than for herself." + +"Indeed you wrong me. I adore Miss Dinsmore, and would consider myself +the happiest of mortals could I but secure her hand, even though she +came to me penniless. But she has imbibed the most absurd, ridiculous +ideas of filial duty and refuses to give me the smallest encouragement +unless I can gain her father's consent and approval; which, seeing he +has conceived a violent dislike to me, is a hopeless thing. Now +can you not realize that the more ardent my love for her, the more +frantically impatient I would feel under such treatment?" + +"Perhaps so; men are so different from women; but nothing could ever +make me apply such an epithet to the man I loved." + +"Distracted with disappointed hopes, I was hardly a sane man at the +moment, Miss Carrington," he said deprecatingly. + +"The coveted interview has proved entirely unsatisfactory then?" she +said in a tone of inquiry. + +"Yes; and yet I am most thankful to have had sight and speech of her +once more; truly grateful to you for bringing it about so cleverly. +But--oh, Miss Carrington, could you be persuaded to assist me still +further, you would lay me under lasting obligations!" + +"Please explain yourself, sir," she answered coldly, moving farther +from him, as he attempted to take her hand. + +"Excuse me," he said. "I am not one inclined to take liberties with +ladies; but I am hardly myself to-day; my overpowering emotion--my +half distracted state of mind--" + +Breaking off his sentence abruptly, and putting his hand to his head, +"I believe I shall go mad if I have to resign all hope of winning the +sweet, lovely Elsie," he exclaimed excitedly, "and I see only one way +of doing it. If I could carry her off, and get her quite out of her +father's reach, so that no fear of him need deter her from following +the promptings of her own heart, I am sure I could induce her to +consent to marry me at once. Miss Carrington, will you help me?" + +"Never! If Elsie chooses to run away with you, and wants any +assistance from me, she shall have it; but I will have nothing to do +with kidnapping." + +He urged, entreated, used every argument he could think of, but with +no other effect than rousing Lucy's anger and indignation; "underhand +dealings were not in her line," she told him, and finally--upon his +intimating that what she had already done might be thought to come +under that head--almost ordered him out of the house. + +He went, and hurrying to her friend's room, she found her walking +about it in a state of great agitation, and weeping bitterly. + +"Oh, Lucy, how could you? how could you?" she cried, wringing her +hands and sobbing in pitiable distress. "I had no thought of him when +I went down; I did not know you knew him, or that he was in this part +of the country at all. I was completely taken by surprise, and have +disobeyed papa's most express commands, and he will never forgive me, +never! No, not that either, but he will be very, very angry. Oh, what +shall I do!" + +"Oh, Elsie, dear, don't be so troubled! I am as sorry as I can be," +said Lucy, with tears in her eyes. "I meant to do you a kindness; +indeed I did; I thought it would be a joyful surprise to you. + +"I met him last summer at Saratoga. He came there immediately from +Lansdale, and somehow we found out directly that we both knew you, and +that I was a near neighbor and very old friend of yours; and he told +me the whole story of your love-affair, and quite enlisted me in his +cause; he seemed so depressed and melancholy at your loss, and grieved +so over the hasty way in which your father had separated you,--not +even allowing a word of farewell. + +"He told me he hoped and believed you were still faithful to him in +your heart, but he could not get to see or speak to you, or hold any +correspondence with you. And so I arranged this way of bringing you +together." + +"It was kindly meant, I have no doubt, Lucy, but oh, you don't know +what you have done! I tremble at the very thought of papa's anger when +he hears it; for I have done and permitted things he said he would not +allow for thousands of dollars." + +"Well, dear, I don't think you could help it; and I'm so sorry for my +share in it," said Lucy, putting her arms round her, and kissing her +wet cheek. "But perhaps your father will not be so very angry with +you after all; and at any rate you are too old to be whipped, so a +scolding will be the worst you will be likely to get." + +"He never did whip me, never struck me a blow in his life; but I would +prefer the pain of a dozen whippings to what I expect," said Elsie, +with a fresh burst of tears. + +"What is that, you poor dear?" asked Lucy. "I can't imagine what he +could do worse than beat you." + +"He may put me away from his arms for weeks or months, and be cold, +and stern, and distant to me, never giving me a caress or even so much +as a kind word or look. Oh, if he should do that, how can I bear it!" + +"Well, don't tell him anything about it. I wouldn't, and I don't see +any reason why you should." + +Elsie shook her head sorrowfully. "I must; I never conceal +anything--any secret of my own--from him; and I should feel like a +guilty thing, acting a lie, and could not look him in the face; and he +would know from my very look and manner that something was wrong, and +would question me, and make me tell him all. Lucy, I must go home at +once." + +"No, indeed, you must not. Why, you were to stay a week--two days +longer than this; and if you were ready to start this minute, it would +be quite dark before you could possibly reach the Oaks." + +Elsie looked at her watch, and perceiving that her friend was right, +gave up the idea of going that day, but said she must leave the next +morning. To that Lucy again objected. "I can't bear to lose those two +days of your promised visit," she said, "for if you are determined to +tell your papa all about this, there's no knowing when he will allow +you to come here again." + +"Never, I fear," sighed Elsie. + +"I haven't been able to help feeling a little hard to him on poor +Herbert's account," Lucy went on, "and I believe that had something +to do with my readiness to help Egerton to outwit him in obtaining an +interview with you. But I'll never do anything of the kind again; so +he needn't be afraid to let you come to see us." + +She then told Elsie what had passed in the drawing-room between +Egerton and herself--his request and her indignant refusal. + +It helped to shake Elsie's confidence in the man, and made her still +more remorseful in view of that day's disobedience; for she could +not deceive herself into the belief that she had been altogether +blameless. "As I said before, I can't bear the idea of losing you so +soon," continued Lucy, "but there is still another reason why I must +beg of you to stay till the set time of your leaving. Mamma knows +nothing about this affair, and would be exceedingly displeased with +me, if she should find it out; as of course she must, if you go +to-morrow; as that would naturally call out an explanation. So, dear, +do promise me that you will give up the idea." + +Elsie hesitated, but not liking to bring Lucy into trouble, finally +yielded to her urgent entreaties, and consented to stay. + +All the enjoyment of her visit, however, was over; she felt it +impossible to rest till her father knew all, shed many tears in +secret, and had much ado to conceal the traces of them, and appear +cheerful in the presence of the family. + +But the two wretched days were over at last, and declining the urgent +invitations of her friends to linger with them a little longer, she +bade them an affectionate farewell, and set out for home. + +Jim had been sent to escort her, another servant with the wagon for +Chloe and the luggage. Struck with a sudden fear that she might meet +or be overtaken by Egerton, Elsie ordered Jim to keep up close in the +rear, then touching the whip to her horse, started off at a brisk +canter. Her thoughts were full of the coming interview with her +father, which she dreaded exceedingly, while at the same time she +longed to have it over. She drew rein at the great gates leading into +the grounds, and the servant dismounted and opened them. + +"Jim," she asked, "is your master at home?" + +"Dunno, Miss Elsie, but the missus am gone ober to Ion to spend the +day, an lef' little Marse Horace at Roselands." + +"Why, what's the matter, Jim?" + +"De missus at Ion little bit sick, I b'lieve, Miss Elsie." + +"And papa didn't go with them?" + +"Yes, miss; but he comed right back again, and I 'spect he's in de +house now." + +"Dear papa! he came back to receive me," murmured Elsie to herself, as +she rode on, and a scalding tear fell at the thought of how the loving +look and fond caress with which he was sure to greet her, would be +quickly exchanged for dark frowns, and stern, cold reproofs. + +"Oh, if I were a child again, I believe I should hope he would just +whip me at once, and then forgive me, and it would be all over; but +now--oh, dear! how long will his displeasure last?" + +It was just as she had expected; he was on the veranda, watching for +her coming--hastened forward, assisted her to alight, embraced her +tenderly, then pushing aside her veil, looked searchingly into her +face. + +"What is the matter?" he asked, as her eyes met his for an instant +with a beseeching, imploring glance, then fell beneath his gaze while +her face flushed crimson. + +She tried to answer him, but her tongue refused to do its office, +there was a choking sensation in her throat and her lips quivered. + +He led her into his private study, took off her hat and threw it +aside, and seating her on a sofa, still keeping his arm about her--for +she was trembling very much--asked again, "What is the matter? what +has gone wrong with you, my daughter?" + +His tone, his look, his manner were very gentle and tender; but that +only increased her remorse and self-reproach. + +"Papa, don't be so kind," she faltered; "I--I don't deserve it, for I +have--disobeyed you." + +"Is it possible! when? where? and how? Can it be that you have seen +and spoken with that--scoundrel, Elsie?" + +"Yes, papa." Her voice was very low and tremulous, her heart throbbed +almost to suffocation, her bosom heaved tumultuously, and her color +came and went with every breath. + +He rose and paced hurriedly across the room two or three times, +then coming back to her side, "Tell me all about it," he said +sternly--"every action, every word spoken by either, as far as you can +recall it." + +She obeyed in the same low, tremulous tones in which she had answered +him before, her voice now and then broken by a half-smothered sob, and +her eyes never once meeting his, which she felt were fixed so severely +upon her tearful, downcast face. + +He cross-questioned her till he knew all that had passed nearly as +well as if he had been present through the whole interview, his tones +growing more and more stern and angry. + +"And you dared to permit all that, Elsie?" he exclaimed when she had +finished; "to allow that vile wretch to put his arm around you, hold +your hand in his, for half an hour probably, and even to press his +lips again and again to yours or to your cheek; and that after I had +told you I would not have him take such a liberty with you for half I +am worth; and--" + +"Not to my lips, papa." + +"Then it is not quite so bad as I thought, but bad enough certainly; +and all this after I had positively forbidden you to even so much as +exchange the slightest salutation with him. What am I to think of such +high-handed rebellion?" + +"Papa," she said beseechingly, "is not that too hard a word? I did not +disobey deliberately--I don't think anything could have induced me to +go into that room knowing that he was there. I was taken by surprise, +and when he had got hold of my hand I tried in vain to get it free." + +"Don't attempt to excuse yourself, Elsie. You could have escaped from +him at once, by simply raising your voice and calling for assistance. +I do not believe it would have been impossible to avoid even that +first embrace; and it fairly makes my blood boil to think he succeeded +in giving it to you. How dared you so disobey me as to submit to it?" + +"Papa, at the moment I forgot everything but--but just that he was +there." + +The last words were spoken in a voice scarcely raised above a whisper, +while her head drooped lower and lower and her cheek grew hot with +shame. + +"Did I ever take forgetfulness of my orders as any excuse of +disobedience?" he asked in as stern a tone as he had ever used to her. + +"No, papa; but oh, don't be very angry with me!" + +"I am exceedingly displeased with you, Elsie! so much so that nothing +but your sex saves you from a severe chastisement. And I cannot allow +you to escape punishment. You must be taught that though no longer a +mere child, you are not yet old enough to disobey me with impunity. +Hush!" as she seemed about to speak, "I will not have a word of reply. +Go to your own apartments and consider yourself confined to them till +you hear further from me. Stay!" he added as she rose to obey, "when +did all this occur?" + +She told him in her low, tearful tones, her utterance half choked with +sobs. + +"Two days ago, and yet your confession has been delayed till now. Does +that look like penitence for your fault?" + +She explained why she had not returned home at once; but he refused to +accept the excuse, and ordered her away as sternly as before. + +She obeyed in silence, controlling her feelings by a great effort, +until she had gained the privacy of her own apartments, then giving +way to a fit of almost hysterical weeping. It was years since her +father had been seriously displeased with her, and loving him with +such intense affection, his anger and sternness nearly broke her +heart. + +Her tender conscience pricked her sorely too, adding greatly to her +distress by its reproaches on account of her disobedience and her +delay in confessing it. + +It came to her mind at length that her heavenly Father might be more +tender and forbearing with her, more ready to forgive and restore to +favor, than her earthly one. She remembered the sweet words, "There is +forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." "If any man sin, +we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." She +went to Him with her sin and sorrow, asking pardon for the past and +help for the future. She asked, too, that the anger of her earthly +parent might be turned away; that the Lord would dispose him to +forgive and love her as before. + +She rose from her knees with a heart, though still sad and sorrowful, +yet lightened of more than half its load. + +But the day was a very long one; with a mind so disturbed she could +not settle to any employment, or find amusement in anything. She +passed the time in wandering restlessly from room to room, starting +and trembling as now and then she thought she heard her father's step +or voice, then weeping afresh as she found that he did not come near +her. + +When the dinner-bell rang she hoped he would send, or come to her; but +instead he sent her meal to her; such an one as was usual upon their +table--both luxurious and abundant,--which comforted her with the hope +that he was less displeased with her than at other times when he had +allowed her little more than prison fare. But excitement and mental +distress had brought on a severe headache; she had no appetite, and +sent the food away almost untasted. + +It was mild, beautiful weather in the early spring; such weather as +makes one feel it a trial to be compelled to stay within doors, and +Elsie longed for her favorite retreat in the grounds. + +In the afternoon some ladies called; Mr. Dinsmore was out, and she +dared not go to the drawing room without permission; but her headache +furnished sufficient excuse for declining to see them, and they went +away. + +Shortly after, she heard her father's return. He had not been off the +estate, or out of sight of the house; he was keeping guard over her, +but still did not come near her. + +Just at tea-time she again heard the sound of wheels; then her +father's, mother's, and little brother's voices. + +"Mamma and Horace have come home," she thought with a longing desire +to run out and embrace them. + +"Oh, papa, has sister come home?" she heard the child's voice ask in +eager tones. + +"Yes." + +"Oh, then I must run into her room and kiss her!" + +"No, you must not; stay here." + +"But why mustn't I go to sister, papa?" + +"Because I forbid it." + +Every word of the short colloquy reached Elsie's ear, adding to her +grief and dismay. Was she, then, to be separated from all the rest of +the family? did her father fear that she would exert a bad influence +over Horace, teaching him to be disobedient and wilful? How deeply +humbled and ashamed she felt at the thought. + +Rose gave her husband a look of surprised, anxious inquiry. "Is Elsie +sick, dear?" she asked. + +"No, Rose, but she is in disgrace with me," he answered in an +undertone, as he led the way into the house. + +"Horace, you astonish me! what can she have done to displease you?" + +"Come in here; and I will tell you," he said, throwing open the door +of his study. + +Rose listened in silence, while he repeated to her the substance of +Elsie's confession, mingled with expressions of his own anger and +indignation. + +"Poor child!" murmured Rose, as he concluded; "Horace, don't be hard +with her; she must have suffered a great deal in these last three +days." + +"Yes," he answered in a moved tone; "when I think of that, I can +scarcely refrain from going to her, taking her in my arms, and +lavishing caresses and endearments upon her; but then comes the +thought of her allowing that scoundrel to do the same, and I am ready +almost to whip her for it." His face flushed hotly, and his dark eyes +flashed as he spoke. + +"Oh, my dear!" exclaimed Rose, half frightened at his vehemence, "you +cannot mean it?" + +"Rose," he said, pacing to and fro in increasing excitement, "the +fellow is a vile wretch, whose very touch I esteem pollution to a +sweet, fair, innocent young creature like my daughter. I told her so, +and positively forbade her to so much as look at him, or permit him +to see her face, if it could be avoided, or to recognize, or hold the +slightest communication with him in any way. Yet in defiance of all +this, she allows him to take her hand and hold it for, I don't know +how long, put his arm around her waist and kiss her a number of times. +Now what does such disobedience deserve?" + +"Had she no excuse to offer?" + +"Excuse? Yes, she did not disobey deliberately--was taken by +surprise--forgot everything but that he was there." + +"Well, my dear," and Rose's hand was laid affectionately on his arm, +while a tender smile played about her mouth, and her sweet blue eyes +looked fondly into his. "You know how it is with lovers, if you will +only look back a very few years. I think there were times when you and +I forgot that there was anybody in the wide world but just our two +selves." + +A smile, a tender caress, a few very lover-like words, and resuming +his gravity and seriousness, Mr. Dinsmore went on: "But you forget +the odious character of the man. If I had objected to him from mere +prejudice or whim, it would have been a very different thing." + +"But you know Elsie does not believe--" + +"She ought to believe what her father tells her," he interrupted +hotly; "but believe or not, she must and shall obey me; and if she +does not I shall punish her." + +"And to do that, you need only look coldly on her, and refrain from +giving her caresses and endearing words. Such treatment from her +dearly loved father would of itself be sufficient, very soon, to crush +her tender, sensitive spirit." + +His face softened, the frown left his brow, and the angry fire his +eye. "My poor darling!" he murmured, with a sigh, his thoughts going +back to a time of estrangement between them long years ago. "Yes, +Rose, you are right; she is a very tender, delicate, sensitive plant, +and it behooves her father to be exceeding gentle and forbearing with +her." + +"Then you will forgive her, and take her to your heart again?" + +"Yes--if she is penitent;--and tell her that she owes it to her +mother's intercession; for I had intended to make her feel herself in +disgrace for days or weeks." + +Chloe was at that moment carrying a large silver waiter, filled with +delicacies, into the apartments of her young mistress. "Now, darlin', +do try to eat to please your ole mammy," she said coaxingly, as she +set it down before her. "I'se taken lots ob pains to fix up dese tings +dat my pet chile so fond ob." + +Elsie's only answer was a sad sort of smile; but for the sake of the +loving heart that had prompted the careful preparation of the tempting +meal--the loving eyes that watched her as she ate, she tried to do her +best. + +Only half satisfied with the result, Chloe bore the waiter away again, +while Elsie seated herself in a large easy-chair that was drawn up +close to the glass doors opening upon the lawn and laying her head +back upon its cushions, turned her eyes toward the outer world, +looking longingly upon the shaded alleys and gay parterres, the lawn +with its velvet carpet of emerald green, where a fountain cast up +its cool showers of spray, and long shadows slept, alternating with +brilliant patches of ruddy light from the slowly sinking sun. + +She sighed deeply, and her eyes filled with tears. "How long should +she be forbidden to wander there at her own sweet will?" + +A soft, cool hand was gently laid upon her aching brow, and looking +up she saw her father standing by her side. She had not heard his +approach, for his slippered feet made no noise in passing over the +rich velvet carpet. + +His face was grave, but no longer stern or angry. "Does your head +ache, daughter?" he asked almost tenderly. + +"Yes, papa; but not half so badly as my heart does," she answered, +a tear rolling quickly down her cheek. "I am so sorry for my +disobedience. Oh, papa, will you forgive me?" And her eyes sought +his with the imploring look he ever found it well-nigh impossible to +resist. + +"Yes, I will--I do," he said, stooping to press a kiss upon the +quivering lips. "I had thought I ought to keep you in disgrace some +time longer, but your mamma has pleaded for you, and for her sake--and +for the sake of a time, long ago, when I caused my little girl much +undeserved suffering," he added, his tones growing tremulous with +emotion, "I forgive and receive you back into favor at once." + +She threw her arm about his neck, and as he drew her to his breast, +laid her head down there, weeping tears of joy and thankfulness. +"Dear, kind mamma! and you too, best and dearest of fathers! I don't +deserve it," she sobbed. "I am afraid I ought to be punished for such +disobedience." + +"I think you have been," he said pityingly, "the last three days can +hardly have been very happy ones to you." + +"No, papa; very, very wretched." + +"My poor child! Ah, I must take better care of my precious one in +future. I shall allow you to go nowhere without either your mother or +myself to guard and protect you. Also, I shall break off your intimacy +with Lucy Carrington; she is henceforth to be to you a mere speaking +acquaintance; come, now we will take a little stroll through the +grounds. The cool air will, I hope, do your head good." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + 'Twas the doubt that thou wert false, + That wrung my heart with pain; + But now I know thy perfidy, + I shall be well again. + + --BRYANT. + + +Elsie submitted without a murmur to her father's requirements and +restrictions; but though there was nothing else to remind her that she +had been for one sad day in disgrace with him--his manner toward her +having again all the old tender fondness--she did not fully recover +her spirits, but, spite of her struggles to be cheerful and hopeful, +seemed often depressed, and grew pale and thin day by day. + +Her father noticed it with deep concern and anxiety. "Something +must be done," he said one day to his wife; "the child is drooping +strangely, and I fear will lose her health. I must try what change +will do for her. What do you say to a year in Europe?" + +"For all of us?" + +"Yes, for you and me and our two children." + +"It might be very pleasant, and Elsie has never been." + +"No; I have always meant to take her, but found home so enjoyable that +I have put it off from year to year." + +Elsie entered the room as he spoke. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, making room for her on the sofa by his +side. "I was just saying to mamma that I think of taking you all to +Europe for a year. How should you like that?" + +"Oh, very much, papa!" she answered, looking up brightly; "I should so +enjoy seeing all the places you have told me of,--all the scenes of +your adventures when you travelled there before." + +"Then I think we will go. Shall we not, mamma?" + +"Yes; but I must pay a visit home first, and do some preparatory +shopping in Philadelphia. Can we go on in time to spend some weeks +there before sailing?" + +"You might, my dear; but I shall have to stay behind to arrange +matters here; which will take some time, in contemplation of so +lengthened an absence from the estate." + +"Then I suppose we must have a temporary separation," said Rose, in a +jesting tone; "I had better take the children and go home at once, so +that Elsie and I can be getting through our shopping, etc., while you +are busy here." + +"No, Rose; you may go, and take Horace with you, if you like; but +Elsie must stay with me. I cannot trust her even with you!" + +"Oh, papa!" And the sweet face flushed crimson, the soft eyes filled +with tears. + +"I think you misunderstand me, daughter," he said kindly; "I do not +mean that I fear you would fail in obedience to my commands or my +wishes; but that I must keep you under my protection. Besides, I +cannot possibly spare all my treasures--wife, son, and daughter--at +once. Would you wish to go and leave me quite alone?" + +"Oh no, no, indeed, you dear, dearest father!" she cried, putting her +arm round his neck, and gazing in his face with eyes beaming with joy +and love. + +"Yours is the better plan, I believe, my dear," said Rose. "I would +rather not have you left alone, and I think I could do what is +necessary for Elsie, in the way of shopping and ordering dresses made, +if she likes to trust me." + +So it was arranged; three days after this conversation Mrs. Dinsmore +left for Philadelphia, taking little Horace with her, and a fortnight +later Mr. Dinsmore followed with Elsie. + +Dearly as the young girl loved Rose and her little brother, it had yet +been an intense pleasure to her to have her father all to herself, and +be everything to him for those two weeks; and she was almost sorry to +have them come to an end. + +It was late at night when they reached the City of Brotherly Love. Mr. +Allison's residence was several miles distant from the depot, but his +carriage was there in waiting for them. + +"Are the family all well, Davis?" inquired Mr. Dinsmore, addressing +the coachman, as he placed Elsie in the vehicle. + +"All well, sir; Mrs. Dinsmore and the little boy too." + +"Ah, I am thankful for that. You may drive on at once. My man John +will call a hack and follow us with Aunt Chloe and the baggage." + +"Did you give John the checks, papa?" asked Elsie as he took his seat +by her side, and Davis shut the carriage door. + +"Yes. How weary you look, my poor child! There, lean on me," and he +put his arm about her and made her lay her head on his shoulder. + +They drove on rapidly, passing through several comparatively silent +and deserted streets, then suddenly the horses slackened their pace, +a bright light shone in at the carriage window and the hum of +many voices and sound of many feet attracted the attention of the +travellers. + +Elsie started and raised her head, asking, "What is it, papa?" + +"We are passing a theatre, and it seems the play is just over, judging +by the crowds that are pouring from its doors." + +Davis reined in his horses to avoid running over those who were +crossing the street, and Elsie, glancing from the window, caught sight +of a face she knew only too well. Its owner was in the act of stepping +from the door of the theatre, and staggered as he did so--would have +fallen to the ground had he not been held up by his companion, a +gaudily dressed, brazen-faced woman, whose character there was no +mistaking. + +"Ha, ha, Tom!" she cried, with a loud and boisterous laugh, "I saved +you from a downfall that time; which I'll be bound is more than that +Southern heiress of yours would have done." + +"Now don't be throwing her up to me again, Bet," he answered thickly, +reeling along so close to our travellers that they caught the scent of +his breath; "I tell you again she can't hold a candle to you, and I +never cared for her; it was the money I was after." + +Mr. Dinsmore saw a deadly pallor suddenly overspread his daughter's +face; for a single instant her eyes sought his with an expression of +mute despairing agony that wrung his heart; then all was darkness as +again the carriage rolled rapidly onward. + +"My poor, poor darling!" he murmured, drawing her close to him and +folding his arms about her as if he would shield her from every danger +and evil, while hers crept around his neck and her head dropped upon +his breast. + +The carriage rattled on over the rough stones. Elsie clung with +death-like grasp to her father, shudder after shudder shaking her +whole frame, in utter silence at first, but at length, as they came +upon a smoother road and moved with less noise and jolting, "Papa," +she whispered, "oh, what a fearful, fearful fate you have saved me +from! Thank God for a father's protecting love and care!" + +"Thank Him that I have my darling safe." he responded in a deeply +moved tone, and caressing her with exceeding tenderness. + +In another moment they had stopped before Mr. Allison's door, which +was thrown wide open almost on the instant; for Rose and Edward were +up, waiting and listening for their coming. + +"Come at last! glad to see you!" cried the latter, springing down +the steps to greet his brother-in-law as he alighted. Then, as Mr. +Dinsmore turned, lifted his daughter from the carriage, and half +carried her into the house, "But what's the matter? Elsie ill? hurt? +have you had an accident?" + +Rose stood waiting in the hall. "My dear husband!" she exclaimed in a +tone of mingled affection, surprise, and alarm. "What is it? what is +wrong with our darling? Come this way, into the sitting-room, and lay +her on the sofa." + +"She has received a heavy blow, Rose, but I think--I hope it will turn +out for her good in the end," he said low and tremulously, as he laid +her down. + +She seemed in a half-fainting condition, and Edward rushed away in +search of restoratives. + +Rose asked no more questions at the time, nor did her husband give any +further information, but in silence, broken only now and then by +a subdued whisper, they both devoted their energies to Elsie's +restoration. + +"Shall I go for a doctor?" asked Edward. + +"No, thank you. I think she will be better presently," answered Mr. +Dinsmore. + +"I am better now," murmured Elsie feebly. "Papa, if you will help me +up to bed, I shall do very well." + +"Can't you eat something first?" asked Rose, "I have a nice little +supper set out in the next room for papa and you." + +Elsie shook her head, and sighed, "I don't think I could, mamma; I am +not at all hungry." + +"I want you to try, though," said her father; "it is some hours now +since you tasted food, and I think you need it," and lifting her +tenderly in his arms he carried her into the supper-room, where he +seated her at the table in an easy-chair which Edward hastily wheeled +up for her use. + +To please her father she made a determined effort, and succeeded in +swallowing a few mouthfuls. After that he helped her to her room and +left her in the care of Rose and Chloe. + +Having seen with her own eyes, and heard with her own ears, Elsie +could no longer doubt the utter unworthiness of Egerton, or his +identity with Tom Jackson; of whose vices and crimes she had heard +from both her father and Walter, with whom she still kept up a +correspondence. She loved him no longer; nay, she had never loved him; +her affection had been bestowed upon the man she believed him to be, +not the man that he was. But now the scales had fallen from her eyes, +she saw him in all his hideous moral deformity, and shrank with horror +and loathing from the recollection that his arm had once encircled +her waist, his lip touched her cheek. She could now appreciate her +father's feelings of anger and indignation on learning that she had +permitted such liberties, and felt more deeply humbled and penitent on +account of it than ever before. + +She slept little that night, and did not leave her room for several +days. The sudden shock had quite unnerved her; but the cause of her +illness remained a secret between herself and her parents, who watched +over her with the tenderest solicitude, and spared no effort to +cheer and comfort her. She seemed at this time to shrink from all +companionship but theirs, although she and her mamma's younger +brothers and sisters had always entertained a warm friendship for each +other. + +On the fourth day after their arrival her father took her out for +a drive, and returning left her resting on the sofa in her +dressing-room, while he and Rose went for a short walk. + +The door-bell rang, and presently Chloe came up with a very smiling +face to ask if "Marse Walter" might come in. + +"Walter?" cried Elsie, starting up. "Yes, indeed!" + +She had scarcely spoken the words before he was there beside her, +shaking hands, and kissing her, saying with a gay boyish laugh, "I +suppose your uncle has a right?" + +"Yes, certainly; though I don't know when, he ever claimed it before. +But oh, how glad I am to gee you! and how you've grown and improved. +Sit down, do. There's an easy-chair. + +"Excuse my not getting up; papa bade me lie and rest for an hour." + +"Thanks, yes; and I know you always obey orders. And so you're on the +sick list? what's the matter?" + +An expression of pain crossed her features and the color faded from +her cheek. "I have been ailing a little," she said, "but am better +now. How is Arthur?" + +"H'm! well enough physically, but--in horrible disgrace with papa. +You've no idea, Elsie, to what an extent that Tom Jackson has fleeced +him. He's over head and ears in debt, and my father's furious. He has +put the whole matter into Horace's hands for settlement. Did he tell +you about it?" + +"No, he only said he expected to go to Princeton to-morrow to attend +to some business. He would have gone sooner, but didn't like to leave +me." + +"Careful of you as ever! that's right. I say, Elsie, I think Horace +has very sensible ideas about matters and things." + +"Do you? I own I think so myself," she answered with a quiet smile. + +"Yes; you see Arthur is in debt some thousands, a good share of it +what they call debts of honor. Papa had some doubt as to whether they +ought to be paid, and asked Horace what was his opinion. Adelaide +wrote me the whole story, you see. Here, I'll give it to you in his +exact words, as she reports them," he added, taking a letter from his +pocket and reading aloud, "'Father, don't think of such a thing! Why, +surely it would be encouraging gambling, which is a ruinous vice; and +paying a man for robbing and cheating. I would, if necessary, part +with the last cent to pay an honest debt; but a so-called debt of +honor (of dishonor would be more correct) I would not pay if I had +more money than I could find other uses for.' And I think he was +right. Don't you?" concluded Walter. + +"I think papa is always right." + +"Yes? Well, I was afraid you didn't think he was in regard to +that--fellow you met out in Lansdale; I've been wanting to see you to +tell you what I know of the scoundrelism of Tom Jackson, and the proof +that they are one and the same." + +"Yes, I know, I--I believe it now, Walter, and--But don't let us speak +of it again," she faltered, turning deathly pale and almost gasping +for breath. + +"I won't; I didn't know you'd mind; I--I'm very sorry," he stammered, +looking anxious, and vexed with himself. + +"Never mind; I shall soon learn not to care. Now tell me about Arthur. +Will he stay and finish his course?" + +"No; papa says his patience is worn out, and his purse can stand no +more such drains as Arthur has put upon it two or three times already. +So he is to leave and go home as soon as Horace has settled up his +affairs." + +"And you?" + +"I hope to go on and to graduate in another year." + +"Oh, Wal, I'm so glad! so thankful you have'nt followed in poor +Arthur's footsteps." + +"He wouldn't let me, Elsie; he actually wouldn't. I know I'm lacking +in self-reliance and firmness, and if Art had chosen to lead me wrong, +I'm afraid he'd have succeeded. But he says, poor fellow! that it's +enough for one to be a disgrace to the family, and has tried to keep +me out of temptation. And you can't think how much my correspondence +with you has helped to keep me straight. Your letters always did me so +much good." + +"Oh, thank you for telling me that!" she cried, with bright, glad +tears glistening in her eyes. + +"No, 'tis I that owe thanks to you," he said, looking down +meditatively at the carpet and twirling his watch-key between his +finger and thumb. + +"Poor Art! this ought to have been his last year, and doubtless would +if he had only kept out of bad company." + +"Ah, Wal, I hope that you will never forget that 'evil communications +corrupt good manners.'" + +"I hope not, Elsie. I wish you could stay and attend our commencement. +What do you say? Can't you? It comes off in about a fortnight." + +"No, Wal. I'm longing to get away, and papa has engaged our passage +in the next steamer. But perhaps we may return in time to see you +graduate next year." + +"What, in such haste to leave America! I'm afraid you're losing your +patriotism," he said playfully. + +"Ah, it is no want of love for my dear native land that makes me +impatient to be gone!" she answered half sadly. + +"And are you really to be gone a year?" + +"So papa intends, but of course everything in this world is +uncertain." + +"I shall look anxiously for my European letters, and expect them to be +very interesting." + +"I'll do my best, Wal," she said languidly, "but I don't feel, just +now, as if I could ever write anything worth reading." + +"I think I never saw you so blue," he said in a lively, jesting tone. +"I must tell you of the fun we fellows have, and if it doesn't make +you wish yourself one of us--Well," and he launched out into an +animated description of various practical jokes played off by the +students upon their professors or on each other. + +He succeeded at length in coaxing some of the old brightness into the +sweet face, and Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, mounting the stairs on their +return from their walk, exchanged glances of delighted surprise at the +sound of a silvery laugh which had not greeted their ears for days. + +Walter received a hearty welcome from both. His visit, though +necessarily short, was of real service to Elsie, doing much to rouse +her out of herself and her grief; thus beginning the cure which +time and change of scene--dulling the keen edge of sorrow and +disappointment, and giving pleasant occupation to her thoughts--would +at length carry on to completion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + "The shaken tree grows firmer at the roots; + So love grows firmer for some blasts of doubt." + + +It was two years or more since the Oaks had suffered the temporary +loss of its master and mistress, yet they had not returned; they still +lingered on foreign shores, and Mrs. Murray, who had been left at +the head of household affairs, looked in vain for news of their +home-coming. + +She now and then received a short business letter from Mr. Dinsmore +or of directions from Rose; or a longer one from the latter or Elsie, +giving entertaining bits of travel, etc.; and occasionally Adelaide +would ride over from Roselands and delight the old housekeeper's +heart by reading aloud a lively gossipy epistle one or the other had +addressed to her. + +How charmed and interested were both reader and listener; especially +when they came upon one of Rose's graphic accounts of their +presentation at court--in London, Paris, Vienna, or St. +Petersburg--wherein she gave a minute description of Elsie's dress +and appearance, and dwelt with motherly pride and delight upon the +admiration everywhere accorded to the beauty and sweetness of the +lovely American heiress. + +It was a great gratification to Adelaide's pride in her niece to learn +that more than one coronet had been laid at her feet; yet she was not +sorry to hear that they had been rejected with the gentle firmness +which she knew Elsie was capable of exercising. + +"But what more could the bairn or her father desire? would he keep the +sweet lassie single a' her days, Miss Dinsmore?" asked Mrs. Murray +when Adelaide told her this. + +"No," was the smiling rejoinder; "I know he would be very loath to +resign her; but this is Elsie's own doing. She says the man for whom +she would be willing to give up her native land must be very dear +indeed, that her hand shall never be given without her heart, and that +it still belongs more to her father than to any one else." + +"Ah, that is well, Miss Adelaide. I hae been sorely troubled aboot my +sweet bairn. I never breathed the thoct to ither mortal ear, but when +they cam hame frae that summer in the North, she was na the blythe +young thing she had been; and there was that in the wistfu' and +hungered look o' her sweet een--when she turned them whiles upon her +father--that made me think some ane he didna approve had won the +innocent young heart." + +"Ah, well, Mrs. Murray, whatever may have been amiss then, is all over +now. My sister writes me that Elsie seems very happy, and as devotedly +attached to her father as ever, insisting that no one ever can be so +dear to her as he." + +Mrs. Dinsmore's last letter was dated Naples, and there they still +lingered. + +One bright spring day they were out sight-seeing, and had wandered +into a picture-gallery which they had visited once or twice before. +Rose had her husband's arm. Elsie held her little brother's hand in +hers. + +"Sister," said the child, "look at those ladies and gentlemen. They +are English, aren't they?" + +"Yes; I think so," Elsie answered, following the direction of his +glance; "a party of English tourists. No, one of the gentlemen looks +like an American." + +"That one nearest this way? I can only see his side face, but I think +he is the handsomest. Don't you?" + +"Yes; and he has a fine form too, an easy, graceful carriage, and +polished manners," she added, as at that moment he stooped to pick +up a handkerchief, dropped by one of the ladies of his party, and +presented it to its owner. + +Elsie was partial to her own countrymen, and unaccountably to herself, +felt an unusual interest in this one. She watched him furtively, +wondering who he was, and thinking that in appearance and manners he +compared very favorably with the counts, lords, and dukes who in the +past two years had so frequently hovered about her, and hung upon her +smiles. + +But her father called her attention to something in the painting he +and Rose were examining, and when she turned to look again for the +stranger and his companions, she perceived that they were gone. + +"Papa," she asked, "did you notice that party of tourists?" + +"Not particularly. What about them?" + +"I am quite certain one of the gentlemen was an American; and I half +fancied there was something familiar in his air and manner." + +"Ah! I wish you had spoken of it while he was here, that I might have +made sure whether he were an old acquaintance. But come," he added, +taking out his watch, "it is time for us to return home." + +The Dinsmores were occupying an old palace, the property of a noble +family whose decayed fortunes compelled the renting of their +ancestral home. In the afternoon of the day of their visit to the +picture-gallery Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter were seated in its +spacious saloon, she beside a window overlooking the street, he at +a little distance from her, and near to a table covered with books, +magazines, and newspapers. That day had brought him a heavy mail from +America, and he was examining the New York and Philadelphia dailies +with keen interest. + +Elsie was evidently paying no heed to what might be passing in the +street. A bit of fancy work gave employment to her fingers, while her +thoughts were busy with the contents of a letter received from her +Aunt Adelaide that morning. + +It brought ill news. Arthur had been seriously injured by a railroad +accident and, it was feared, was crippled for life. But that was not +all. Dick Percival--whom Enna had married nearly two years before--had +now become utterly bankrupt, having wasted his patrimony in rioting +and drunkenness, losing large sums at the gaming-table; and his young +wife, left homeless and destitute, had been compelled to return to her +father's house with her infant son. + +Mr. Dinsmore uttered a slight exclamation. + +"What is it, papa?" asked Elsie, lifting her eyes to meet his fixed +upon her with an expression of mingled gratitude and tenderness. + +"Come here," he said, and as she obeyed he drew her to his knee, +passing his arm about her waist, and, holding the paper before her, +pointed to a short paragraph which had just caught his eye. + +She read it at a glance; her face flushed, then paled; she put her arm +about his neck, and laid her cheek to his, while tears trembled in the +sweet eyes, as soft and beautiful as ever. + +For a moment neither spoke; then she murmured in low, quivering tones +the same words that had fallen from her lips two years ago,--"Thank +God for a father's protecting love and care!" + +"Thank Him that I have my daughter safe in my arms," he said, +tightening his clasp about her slender waist. "Ah, my own precious +child, how could I ever have borne to see you sacrificed to that +wretch!" + +They had just learned that Tom Jackson had been tried for manslaughter +and for forgery, found guilty on both charges, and sentenced to the +State's Prison for a long term of years. + +They were quiet again for a little; then Elsie said, "Papa, I want to +ask you something." + +"Well, daughter, say on." + +"I have been thinking how sad it must be for poor Enna to find herself +so destitute, and that I should like to settle something upon her--say +ten or twenty thousand dollars, if I may--" + +"My dear child," he said with a smile, "I have no control over you +now as regards the disposal of your property. Do you forget that you +passed your majority three weeks ago?" + +"No, papa, I have not forgotten; but I don't mean ever to do anything +of importance without your approval. So please make up your mind that +I'm always to be your own little girl; never more than eighteen or +twenty to you. Now won't you answer my question about Enna?" + +"I think it would be quite as well, or better, to defer any such +action for the present. It won't hurt Enna to be made to feel poor and +dependent for a time; she needs the lesson; and her parents will not +allow her to suffer privation of any sort. Ah, here comes mamma in +walking attire. We are going out for perhaps an hour; leaving house, +servants, and the little ones in your charge. Horace, be careful to do +just as your sister tells you." + +"Yes, papa, I will," answered the child, who had come in with his +mother, and had a book in his hand. "Will you help me with my lesson, +Elsie, and hear me say it when it is learned?" + +"Yes, that I will. Here's a stool for you close by my side," she said, +going back to her seat by the window. + +"Good-bye, dears, we won't be gone long." said Rose, taking her +husband's arm. + +Elsie and Horace watched them till they had passed out of sight far +down the street, then returned to their employments; her thoughts +now going back, not to Roselands, but to Lansdale, Ashlands, and +Philadelphia; memory and imagination bringing vividly before her each +scene of her past life in which Egerton had borne a part. Did any of +the old love come back? No, for he was not the man who had won her +esteem and affection; and even while sending up a silent petition for +his final conversion, she shuddered at the thought of her past danger, +and was filled with gratitude to God and her father at the remembrance +of her narrow escape. + +Her brother's voice recalled her from her musings. "Look, sister," he +exclaimed, glancing from the window, "there is the very same gentleman +we saw this morning! and see, he's crossing the street! I do believe +he's coming here." + +Elsie looked, recognized the stranger, and perceived, with a slight +emotion of surprise and pleasure, that he was approaching their door. +That he was her countryman, and perhaps direct from her dear native +land, was sufficient to make him a welcome visitor. + +The next moment John threw open the door of the saloon and announced, +"A gentleman from America!" + +"One who brings no letter of introduction; yet hopes for an audience +of you, fair lady," he said, coming forward with smiling countenance +and outstretched hand. + +"Mr. Travilla! can it be possible!" she cried, starting up in joyful +astonishment, and hastening to bid him welcome. + +"You are not sorry to see me then, my little friend?" he said, taking +her offered hand and pressing it in both of his. + +"Sorry, my dear sir! what a question! Were you not always a most +welcome guest in my father's house? and if welcome at home, much more +so here in a foreign land." + +Mr. Travilla looked into the sweet face, more beautiful than ever, and +longed to treat her with the affectionate freedom of former days, yet +refrained; the gentle dignity of her manner seeming to forbid it, +pleased and cordial as was her greeting. + +He turned to Horace and shook hands with him, remarking that he had +grown very much. + +"I am very glad to see you, sir," said the boy. + +"You have not forgotten me then?" + +"Ah, no, indeed; and I can't think how it was that sister and I did +not know you yesterday in the picture-gallery; though we knew you were +an American!" + +"Ah, were you there? How blind I must have been!" and he turned to +Elsie again. + +"We were there for but a few minutes before your party left; and quite +at the other end of that long gallery," she said. "But I am surprised +that I failed to recognize you, even at that distance. But I had no +thought of your being in the country. How delighted papa will be +to see you. He has often spoken of the old times when you and he +travelled over Europe together, and wished that you were with him on +this trip. He and mamma have gone out, but will be in presently." + +Elsie had many inquiries to make in regard to the health and welfare +of relatives and friends, and the old family servants at the Oaks; Mr. +Travilla numerous questions to ask concerning all that she had seen +and done since leaving America. But in the midst of it all she +exclaimed, "Ah, you must see our little Frenchwoman! such a darling as +she is!" + +"I'll ring the bell, sister," said Horace, seeing her glance toward +it. + +John appeared in answer, was ordered to tell the nurse to bring the +baby, and a neatly dressed middle-aged woman presently entered the +room, carrying a lovely infant a little more than a year old. + +"See, is she not a darling?" said Elsie, taking it in her arms. "She +has mamma's own sweet pretty blue eyes, and is named for her. Our +Rosebud we call her. Papa gave her the name, and he says she is as +much like her mother as I am like mine. You don't know, Mr. Travilla, +how glad I was when she came to us; it was something so new and +delightful to have a sister of my own. Ah, I love her dearly, and she +returns my affection. There, see her lay her little head down on my +shoulder." + +Mr. Travilla admired and caressed the little creature, coaxed her to +come to him for a moment, and the nurse carried her away. + +"When do you return home, Elsie?" he asked. + +"In the fall. Mr. and Mrs. Perris, mamma's grandparents, have their +golden wedding in October. Sophy expects to be married at the same +time, and of course we wish to be present on the occasion. We have +yet to visit Turin, Venice, and Munich. After seeing these places we +intend to spend the rest of the summer in Switzerland, sailing for +America some time in September. Ah, here are papa and mamma!" she +added as the two entered the room together. + +"Travilla! what favorable wind blew you here?" cried Mr. Dinsmore, +shaking his friend's hand, in almost boyish delight. + +"A westerly one, I believe," answered Travilla, laughing and shaking +hands with Rose, who looked scarcely less pleased than her husband. +"They think at Roselands and the Oaks that your year is a very long +one, or that you have lost your reckoning, and were anxious to send +a messenger to assist you in recovering it; so I volunteered my +services." + +"Ah, that was kind! but to be able to do so to advantage you will need +to take up your abode with us for the present, and to make one of our +party when we start again upon our travels." + +"Of course you will," added Rose; "we always consider you one of the +family; a sort of brother to us and uncle to the children." + +"Thank you, you are most kind," he said, a slight flush suffusing his +cheek for an instant, while his eyes involuntarily sought Elsie's face +with a wistful, longing look. + +Her father turned laughingly to her. "Is this your stranger of the +picture-gallery? ah, are you not ashamed of failing to recognize so +old a friend?" + +"Yes, papa, but I did not catch sight of his full face, and he was +at quite a distance, and I never thinking of the possibility that he +could be anywhere out of America." + +"And time makes changes in us all--is fast turning me into a quiet +middle-aged man." + +"You are very kind to furnish another excuse for my stupidity," said +Elsie, smiling, "but I really cannot see that you have changed in the +least since I saw you last." + +"And no stranger would ever think of pronouncing you over thirty," +added Rose. + +"Ah, you flatter me, fair ladies," returned Mr. Travilla, smiling and +shaking his head. + +"No, I can vouch for the truthfulness and honesty of both," said Mr. +Dinsmore. + +Mr. Travilla did not hesitate to accept his friend's invitation, +knowing that it was honestly given, and feeling that he could not +decline it without doing violence to his own inclination. He made one +of their party during the rest of their stay in Europe and on the +voyage to America. + +His presence was most welcome to all; he saw no reason to doubt that, +and yet Elsie's manner sometimes saddened and depressed him. Not that +there was ever in it anything approaching to coolness, but it lacked +the old delightful familiarity, instead of which there was now a quiet +reserve, a gentle dignity, that kept him at a distance, and while +increasing his admiration for the fair girl, made him sigh for the old +childish days when she was scarcely under more constraint with him +than with her father. + +Our little party reached Philadelphia a fortnight before the golden +wedding. They found the handsome city residence of the Allisons +occupied by the family, and full of the pleasant stir and bustle of +preparation for the eventful day which was to witness the celebration +of the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris, and +the marriage of their granddaughter. + +Sophy, while paying a visit to Rose in her Southern home, had won the +heart of Harry Carrington, and they had been engaged a year or more. +Harry had once indulged in a secret penchant for Elsie; but now he +would not have exchanged his merry, blue-eyed Sophy for her, or for +any other lady in the land. + +The young couple were married at church, very early in the evening, +Elsie acting as first bridesmaid. Returning to the house the bridal +party were ushered into the drawing-room, which they found richly +ornamented with evergreens and flowers. In the centre rose a pyramid +of rare and beautiful blossoms, filling the air with their delicious +perfume. Above that was a wide arch of evergreens bearing the +monograms of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris, placed between the dates of their +marriage and of this anniversary. + +The old bride and groom sat together beneath the arch on one side of +the pyramid, while the newly-married pair took up a similar position, +upon the other. + +Only the family and near connections were present for the first half +hour. The eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris made a short address, +thanking his aged parents for their unselfish love and devotion to +their offspring, and exhorting the youthful bride and groom to follow +in their footsteps. Upon the conclusion of this little speech, +gifts were presented by children and grandchildren, and letters of +congratulation, in both poetry and prose, from absent friends were +read. + +After this the doors were thrown open to the invited guests, and for +the remainder of the evening the house was thronged with the elite of +the city, and with friends and acquaintances from other parts of the +country. + +Among the latter were Adelaide and Walter Dinsmore, and Mr. Travilla +and his mother. The last named was seated in the corner of a sofa, her +son standing by her side. + +He heard a low-breathed sigh, noted the quivering of her lip and +the gathering tears in the gentle eyes, as she turned them upon the +gray-haired bride and groom, and he knew that her thoughts were with +the early dead, the husband and father whose image he could scarcely +recall. His heart swelled with tender pitying, protecting love, as he +thought of her long, lonely widowhood, and of all that she had been +and still was to him. + +But her gaze wandered to the pair standing just upon the threshold of +married life; and smiling up at him, "They are a handsome couple," she +said; "how proud and happy Harry looks! Ah, Edward, when will your +turn come?" + +He shook his head with a rather melancholy smile. + +"It is your own fault, I am sure," she continued in a playful tone; +"there are plenty of pretty girls and charming young widows who would +like well to be mistress of Ion, and I am growing old, and sometimes +feel that I would be glad to resign the sceptre to younger hands." + +He gave her a glance of affectionate concern. "I shall look for a +housekeeper immediately. I ought to have thought of it before." + +"No, no, it is a daughter I want," she returned still playfully. "I +have often wondered how it has come to pass that my warm-hearted boy +seems so perfectly invulnerable to Cupid's darts." + +"All seeming, mother," he answered lightly, but with a wistful +yearning look in his eyes which were fixed upon a little group on the +farther side of the room; "to tell you a secret," and he bent down, +that the low-breathed words might catch her ear alone, "I have been +hopelessly in love for many years." + +She started with surprise,--for there was the ring of deep, earnest +feeling beneath the jesting tone--then following the direction of +his glance, and perceiving that the group upon which it rested +was composed of Adelaide and Elsie Dinsmore, with some half dozen +gentlemen who had gathered about them, she looked greatly pleased. + +"And why hopeless?" she asked. + +"Ah, the evidences of indifference are so patent that I cannot hope +she will ever learn to care for me." + +"And pray what may they be?" + +"Constraint and reserve, where formerly there was much warmth and +cordiality of manner." + +"You foolish boy! if that be all, you may take heart. I would not ask +for better symptoms. And remember the old proverb--'Faint heart never +won fair lady.' You do not fear that she still clings to the old +love?" + +"No, ah no!" + +"I never saw Adelaide look better than she does to-night," was Mrs. +Travilla's next remark; "what a queenly presence, and noble face she +has, and how very lovely our little Elsie is! She seems to have gained +every womanly grace without losing a particle of her sweet childish +simplicity and freshness." + +Her son assented with a slight sigh, and wandered off in their +direction. But before he reached the little group, Elsie had taken +Harold Allison's arm and was being led away toward the conservatory. +Harold had a rare plant to show her, and was glad of the excuse to get +her to himself for a few moments. + +For the rest of the evening Mr. Travilla devoted himself to Adelaide, +his mother looking on with beaming countenance, and thinking how +gladly she would welcome the dear girl to her heart and home. + +It was past twelve when the company dispersed. Harry and his bride +having started an hour before upon their wedding tour. + +"Get to bed as soon as you can, my dear child; you are looking sadly +fatigued," Mr. Dinsmore said, putting his arm about his daughter as +she came to him for her good-night kiss. + +"I will, papa," she answered, clinging to him with more than her usual +warmth of affection. "Dear papa, what could I ever do without you to +love me?" + +"My darling, if it please the Lord, may we be long spared to each +other," he whispered, clasping her close. "Now, good-night, and may He +bless you, and keep you, and ever cause his face to shine upon you." + +Elsie turned away with eyes full of tears, and her pillow was bedewed +with them ere she slept that night. But the morning found her +apparently her own bright, sunny self again. + +She was in her mamma's dressing-room soon after breakfast, chatting +with her and Adelaide, Mr. Dinsmore sitting by with Rosebud on his +knee. Of course they were discussing the wedding, how lovely the bride +and her attendants looked, how handsome the groom, how tasteful and +becoming was the dress of this lady and that, how attentive was Mr. +Such-an-one to Miss So-and-so, etc., etc. Rose making a little jesting +allusion to "the devotion of a certain gentleman to Adelaide;" and +saying how delighted she was; nothing could please her better than for +them to fancy each other; when in the midst of it all, a servant came +up with a message. "Mr. Travilla was in the drawing-room asking for +Miss Dinsmore,--Miss Adelaide." + +She went down at once, and as the door closed upon her, Rose turned to +her husband with the laughing remark, "It would be a splendid match! +they seem just made for each other. I wonder they didn't find it out +long ago, and I begin to quite set my heart upon it." + +"Better not, my dear, lest they disappoint you, and allow me to advise +you to let match-making alone; 'tis a dangerous business. Elsie, my +child, you are looking pale this morning; late hours do not agree +with you. I think I shall have to take to sending you to bed at nine +o'clock again, when once I get you home." + +"Won't ten be early enough, papa?" she answered with a faint smile, a +vivid color suddenly suffusing her cheek. + +"Well, we will see about it. But I can't have you looking so. Go and +put on your hat and shawl, and I will take you and mamma out for an +airing?" + +"Looking so?" said Rose, with an arch glance at the glowing cheeks, as +she stooped to take Rosebud in her arms, "she is not pale now." + +"No, certainly not," he said. "Come back, daughter," for Elsie had +risen to obey his order, and was moving toward the door, "come here +and tell me what ails you?" + +"I am quite well, papa, only a little tired from last night, I +believe," she answered, as he took her hands in his and looked +searchingly into her face. + +"I hope that is all," he said a little anxiously. "You must lie down +and try to get a nap when we return from our drive; and remember you +must be in bed by ten o'clock to-night." + +"I shall do just as my father bids me," she said, smiling up at him, +"my dear father who is so kindly careful of me." Then as he let go her +hands, she tripped lightly from the room. + +Mr. Travilla had come on an errand from his mother; she begged +Adelaide's advice and assistance in a little shopping. + +Adelaide was at leisure, and at once donned bonnet and shawl and went +with him to the Girard House, where the old lady awaited their coming, +and the three spent the remainder of the morning in attending to Mrs. +Travilla's purchases and visiting the Academy of Fine Arts. In driving +down Chestnut street, the Dinsmores passed them on their way to the +Academy. + +Adelaide did not return to Mr. Allison's to dinner, but Mr. Travilla +called presently after, to say that she had dined with his mother and +himself at the hotel, and would not return until bed-time, as they +were all going to hear Gough lecture that evening. + +He was speaking to Mrs. Allison. Several of the family were in the +room, Elsie among them. She was slipping quietly away, when he turned +toward her, saying: "Would you not like to go with us, my little +friend? I think you would find it entertaining, and we would be glad +to have you." + +"Thank you, sir, you are very kind, but a prior engagement compels me +to decline," she answered, glancing smilingly at her father. + +"She has not been looking well to-day, and I have ordered her to go +early to bed to-night," Mr. Dinsmore said. + +"Ah, that is right!" murmured Mr. Travilla, rising to take leave. + +The Travillas staid a week longer in the city. During that time +Adelaide went out with them, quite frequently, but Elsie saw scarcely +anything of her old friend; which was, however, all her own fault, +as she studiously avoided him; much to his grief and disturbance. He +could not imagine what he had done to so completely estrange her from +him. + +Mr. Dinsmore felt in some haste to be at home again, but Mrs. Allison +pleaded so hard for another week that he consented to delay. Adelaide +and Walter went with the Travillas, and wanted to take Elsie with +them, but he would not hear of such an arrangement; while she said +very decidedly that she could not think of being separated from her +father. + +She seemed gay and happy when with the family, or alone with him or +Rose; but coming upon her unexpectedly in her dressing-room, the day +after the others had left, he found her in tears. + +"Why, my darling, what can be the matter?" he asked, taking her in his +arms. + +"Nothing, papa," she said, hastily wiping away her tears and hiding +her blushing face on his breast--"I--I believe I'm a little homesick." + +"Ah, then, why did you not ask to go with the others?" + +"And leave you? Ah, do you not know that my father is more--a great +deal more than half of home to me?" she answered, hugging him close. +"And you wouldn't have let me go?" + +"No, indeed, not I; but I'm afraid I really ought to read you a +lecture. I daresay you miss Sophy very much, but still there are young +people enough left in the house to keep you from feeling very dull and +lonely, I should think; and as you have all your dear ones about you, +and expect to go home in a few days--" + +"I ought to be cheerful and happy. I know it, papa," she said, as he +paused, leaving his sentence unfinished, "and I'm afraid I'm very +wicked and ungrateful. But please don't be vexed with me, and I will +try to banish this feeling of depression." + +"I fear you are not well," he said, turning her face to the light and +examining it with keen scrutiny; "tell me, are you ill?" + +"No, papa, I think not. Don't be troubled about me." + +"I shall send for a doctor if this depression lasts," he said +decidedly, "for I shall have to conclude that it must arise from some +physical cause, since I know of no other; and it is so foreign to the +nature of my sunny-tempered little girl." + +He saw no more of it, though he watched her carefully. + +Great was the rejoicing at the Oaks when at last the family returned. +Adelaide was there to welcome them, and Elsie thought she had never +seen her look so youthful, pretty, and happy, Chloe remarked upon it +while preparing her young mistress for bed, adding that the report in +the kitchen was that Miss Adelaide and Mr. Travilla were engaged, and +would probably marry very soon. + +Elsie made no remark, but her heart seemed to sink like lead in her +bosom. "Why am I grieving so? what is there in this news to make me +sorry?" she asked herself as she wetted her pillow with her tears. +"I'm sure I'm very glad that dear Aunt Adie is so happy, and--and I +used often to wish he was my uncle." Yet the tears would not cease +their flow till she had wept herself to sleep. + +But she seemed bright and gay as usual in the morning, and meeting +her parents at the breakfast-table, thought they looked as though +something had pleased them greatly. + +It was Rose who told her the news, as an hour later they sauntered +around the garden together, noting the changes which had taken place +there in their absence. + +"I have something to tell you, dear," Rose said, and Elsie shivered +slightly, knowing what was coming; "something that pleases your father +and me very much, and I think will make you glad too. Can you guess +what it is?" + +"About Aunt Adelaide, mamma?" Elsie stooped over a plant, thus +concealing her face from view, and so controlled her voice that it +betrayed no emotion. "Yet; I know; she is engaged." + +"And you are pleased with the match, of course; I knew you would be. +You used so often to wish that he was your uncle, and now he soon will +be. Your papa and I are delighted; we think there could not have been +a more suitable match for either." + +"I am very glad for her--dear Aunt Adie--and for--for him too," Elsie +said, her voice growing a little husky at the last. + +But Rose was speaking to the gardener, and did not notice it, and +Elsie wandered on, presently turned into the path leading to her arbor +and seeking its welcome privacy, there relieved her full heart by a +flood of tears. + +Mr. Travilla called that day, but saw nothing of his "little friend," +and in consequence went away very sorrowful, and pondering deeply +the question what he could have done to alienate her affections so +entirely from him. + +The next day he came again, quite resolved to learn in what he had +offended, and was overjoyed at hearing that she was alone in her +favourite arbor. + +He sought her there and found her in tears. She hastily wiped them +away on perceiving his approach, but could not remove their traces. + +"Good-morning," she said, rising and giving him her hand; but with the +reserved manner that had now become habitual, instead of the pleasant +ease and familiarity of earlier days; "were you looking for papa? I +think he is somewhere on the plantation." + +"No, my dear child, it was you I wished to see." + +"Me, Mr. Travilla?" and she east down her eyes, while her cheek +crimsoned; for he was looking straight into them with his, so wistful +and tender, so fall of earnest, questioning, sorrowful entreaty, that +she knew not how to meet their gaze. + +"Yes, you, my little friend, for I can no longer endure this torturing +anxiety. Will you not tell me, dear child, what I have done to hurt or +grieve you so?" + +"I--I'm not hurt or gri--you have always been most kind," she +stammered, "most--But why should you think I--I was--" + +The rest of the sentence was lost in a burst of tears, and covering +her burning cheeks with her hands, she sank down upon the seat from +which she had risen to greet him. + +"My dear child, I did not mean to pain you so; do not weep, it breaks +my heart to see it. I was far from intending to blame you, or complain +of your treatment," he said in an agitated tone, and bending over her +in tender concern. "I only wanted to understand my error in order that +I might retrieve it, and be no longer deprived of your dear society. +Oh, little Elsie, if you only knew how I love you; how I have loved +you, and only you, all these years--as child and as woman--how I have +waited and longed, hoping even against hope, that some day I might be +able to win the priceless treasure of your young heart." + +Intense, glad surprise made her drop her hands and look up at him. +"But are you not--I--I thought--I understood--Aunt Adelaide--" + +"Your Aunt Adelaide!" he cried, scarcely less astonished than herself, +"can it be that you do not know--that you have not heard of her +engagement to Edward Allison?" + +A light broke upon Elsie at that question, and her face grew radiant +with happiness; there was one flash of exceeding joy in the soft eyes +that met his, and then they sought the ground. + +"Oh, my darling, could you? is it--can it be--" + +He took her in his arms, folded her close to his heart, calling her by +every tender and endearing name, and she made no effort to escape, or +to avoid his caresses; did nothing but hide her blushing face on his +breast, and weep tears of deep joy and thankfulness. + +It might have been half an hour or an hour afterward (they reckoned +nothing of the flight of time) that Mr. Dinsmore, coming in search of +his daughter, found them seated side by side, Mr. Travilla with his +arm about Elsie's waist, and her hand in his. So absorbed were they in +each other that they had not heard the approaching footsteps. + +It was a state of affairs Mr. Dinsmore was far from expecting, and +pausing upon the threshold, he stood spell-bound with astonishment. +"Elsie!" he said at length. + +Both started and looked up at the sound of his voice, and Mr. +Travilla, still holding fast to his new-found treasure, said in tones +tremulous with joy, "Will you give her to me, Dinsmore? she is willing +now." + +"Ah, is it so, Elsie, my darling?" faltered the father, opening his +arms to receive her as she flew to him. "Is it so? have I lost the +first place in my daughter's heart?" he repeated, straining her to his +breast, and pressing his lips again and again to her fair brow. + +"Dear papa, I never loved you better," she murmured, clinging more +closely to him. "I shall never cease to be your own dear daughter; can +never have any father but you--my own dear, dear papa. And you will +not be left without a little girl to pet and fondle; darling Rosebud +will fill my place." + +"She has her own; but neither she nor any one else can ever fill +yours, my darling," he answered with a quivering lip. "How can I--how +can I give you up? my first-born, my Elsie's child and mine." + +"You will give her to me, my friend?" repeated Travilla. "I will +cherish her as the apple of my eye; I shall never take her away from +you, you may see her every day. You love her tenderly, but she is +dearer to me than my own soul." + +"If you have won her heart, I cannot refuse you her hand. Say, Elsie, +my daughter, is it so?" + +"Yes, papa," she whispered, turning her blushing face away from his +keen, searching gaze. + +"I can hardly bear to do it. My precious one, I don't know how to +resign you to another," he said in a voice low and tremulous with +emotion, and holding her close to his heart; "but since it is your +wish, I must. Take her, my friend, she is yours. But God do so to you, +and more also, if ever you show her aught but love and tenderness." + +He put her hand into Travilla's, and turned to go. But she clung to +him with the other. "Yours too, papa," she said, looking up into his +sad face with eyes that were full of tears, "always your own daughter +who loves you better than life." + +"Yes, darling, and who is as dearly loved in return," he said, +stooping to press another kiss on the ruby lips. "Let us be happy, for +we are not to part." Then walking quickly away, he left them alone +together. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD *** + +This file should be named 7lcgh10.txt or 7lcgh10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 7lcgh11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 7lcgh10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Elsie's Girlhood + +Author: Martha Finley + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9963] +[This file was first posted on November 5, 2003] +[Most recently updated November 26, 2005] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD *** + + + + +E-text prepared by Charles Aldarondo, Josephine Paolucci, and Project +Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + +ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD + +A SEQUEL TO + +"ELSIE DINSMORE" AND "ELSIE'S HOLIDAYS AT ROSELANDS" + +BY + +MARTHA FINLEY + +1872 + + + + + + + +"Oh! time of promise, hope, and innocence, Of trust, and love, and +happy ignorance! Whose every dream is heaven, in whose fair joy +Experience yet has thrown no black alloy." + +--THOUGHTS OF A RECLUSE + + + + +PREFACE + + +Some years have now elapsed since my little heroine "ELSIE DINSMORE" +made her début into the great world. She was sent out with many an +anxious thought regarding the reception that might await her there. +But she was kindly welcomed, and such has been the favor shown her +ever since that Publishers and Author have felt encouraged to prepare +a new volume in which will be found the story of those years that have +carried Elsie on from childhood to womanhood--the years in which +her character was developing, and mind and body were growing and +strengthening for the real work and battle of life. + +May my readers who have admired and loved her as a child find her +still more charming in her fresh young girlhood; may she prove to all +a pleasant companion and friend; and to those of them now treading the +same portion of life's pathway a useful example also, particularly in +her filial love and obedience. + +M.F. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +It is a busy, talking world. + +--ROWE. + + +"I think I shall enjoy the fortnight we are to spend here, papa; it +seems such a very pleasant place," Elsie remarked, in a tone of great +satisfaction. + +"I am glad you are pleased with it, daughter," returned Mr. Dinsmore, +opening the morning paper, which John had just brought up. + +They--Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie, Rose and Edward Allison--were occupying +very comfortable quarters in a large hotel at one of our fashionable +watering-places. A bedroom for each, and a private parlor for the +joint use of the party, had been secured in advance, and late the +night before they had arrived and taken possession. + +It was now early in the morning, Elsie and her papa were in his room, +which was in the second story and opened upon a veranda, shaded by +tall trees, and overlooking a large grassy yard at the side of the +building. Beyond were green fields, woods, and hills. + +"Papa," said Elsie, gazing longingly upon them, as she stood by the +open window, "can't we take a walk?" + +"When Miss Rose is ready to go with us." + +"May I run to her door and ask if she is?--and if she isn't, may I +wait for her out here on the veranda?" + +"Yes." + +She skipped away, but was back again almost immediately. "Papa, what +do you think? It's just too bad!" + +"What is too bad, daughter? I think I never before saw so cross a look +on my little girl's face," he said, peering at her over the top of his +newspaper. "Come here, and tell me what it is all about." + +She obeyed, hanging her head and blushing. "I think I have some reason +to be cross, papa," she said; "I thought we were going to have such a +delightful time here, and now it is all spoiled. You could never guess +who has the rooms just opposite ours; on the other side of the hall." + +"Miss Stevens?" + +"Why, papa; did you know she was here?" + +"I knew she was in the house, because I saw her name in the hotel book +last night when I went to register ours." + +"And it just spoils all our pleasure." + +"I hope not, daughter. I think she will hardly annoy you when you are +close at my side; and that is pretty much all the time, isn't it?" + +"Yes, papa, and I'll stick closer than ever to you if that will make +her let me alone," she cried, with a merry laugh, putting her arm +round his neck and kissing him two or three times. + +"Ah, now I have my own little girl again," he said, drawing her to his +knee and returning her caresses with interest: "But there, I hear Miss +Rose's step in the hall. Run to mammy and have your hat put on." + +Miss Stevens' presence proved scarcely less annoying to Elsie than the +child had anticipated. She tried to keep out of the lady's way, but it +was quite impossible. She could scarcely step out on the veranda, go +into the parlor, or take a turn in the garden by herself, but in +a moment Miss Stevens was at her side fawning upon and flattering +her--telling her how sweet and pretty and amiable she was, how dearly +she loved her, and how much she thought of her papa too: he was so +handsome and so good; everybody admired him and thought him such a +fine-looking gentleman, so polished in his manners, so agreeable and +entertaining in conversation. + +Then she would press all sorts of dainties upon the little girl +in such a way that it was next to impossible to decline them, and +occasionally even went so far as to suggest improvements, or rather +alterations, in her dress, which she said was entirely too plain. + +"You ought to have more flounces on your skirts, my dear," she +remarked one day. "Skirt flounced to the waist are so very pretty and +dressy, and you would look sweetly in them, but I notice you don't +wear them at all. Do ask your papa to let you get a new dress and have +it made so; I am sure he would consent, for any one can see that he is +very fond of you. He doesn't think of it; we can't expect gentlemen +to notice such little matters; you ought to have a mamma to attend +to such things for you. Ah! if you were my child, I would dress you +sweetly, you dear little thing!" + +"Thank you, ma'am, I daresay you mean to be very kind," replied Elsie, +trying not to look annoyed, "but I don't want a mamma, since my own +dear mother has gone to heaven; papa is enough for me, and I like the +way he dresses me. He always buys my dresses himself and says how they +are to be made. The dressmaker wanted to put more flounces on, but +papa didn't want them and neither did I. He says he doesn't like to +see little girls loaded with finery, and that my clothes shall be of +the best material and nicely made, but neat and simple." + +"Oh, yes; I know your dress is not cheap; I didn't mean that at all: +it is quite expensive enough, and some of your white dresses are +beautifully worked; but I would like a little more ornament. You wear +so little jewelry, and your father could afford to cover you with it +if he chose. A pair of gold bracelets, like mine for instance, would +be very pretty, and look charming on your lovely white arms: those +pearl ones you wear sometimes are very handsome--any one could tell +that they are the real thing--but you ought to have gold ones too, +with clasps set with diamonds. Couldn't you persuade your papa to buy +some for you?" + +"Indeed, Miss Stevens, I don't want them! I don't want anything but +what papa chooses to buy for me of his own accord. Ah! there is Miss +Rose looking for me, I must go," and the little girl, glad of an +excuse to get away, ran joyfully to her friend who had come to the +veranda, where she and Miss Stevens had been standing, to tell her +that they were going out to walk, and her papa wished to take her +along. + +Elsie went in to get her hat, and Miss Stevens came towards Rose, +saying, "I think I heard you say you were going to walk; and I +believe, if you don't forbid me, I shall do myself the pleasure of +accompanying you. I have just been waiting for pleasant company. I +will be ready in one moment." And before Rose could recover from her +astonishment sufficiently to reply she had disappeared through the +hall door. + +Elsie was out again in a moment, just as the gentlemen had joined +Rose, who excited their surprise and disgust by a repetition of Miss +Stevens' speech to her. + +Mr. Dinsmore looked excessively annoyed, and Edward "pshawed, and +wished her at the bottom of the sea." + +"No, brother," said Rose, smiling, "you don't wish any such thing; on +the contrary, you would be the very first to fly to the rescue if you +saw her in danger of drowning." + +But before there was time for anything more to be said Miss Stevens +had returned, and walking straight up to Mr. Dinsmore, she put her arm +through his, saying with a little laugh, and what was meant for a +very arch expression, "You see I don't stand upon ceremony with old +friends, Mr. Dinsmore. It isn't my way." + +"No, Miss Stevens, I think it never was," he replied, offering the +other arm to Rose. + +She was going to decline it on the plea that the path was too narrow +for three, but something in his look made her change her mind and +accept; and they moved on, while Elsie, almost ready to cry with +vexation, fell behind with Edward Allison for an escort. + +Edward tried to entertain his young companion, but was too much +provoked at the turn things had taken to make himself very agreeable +to any one; and altogether it was quite an uncomfortable walk: no +one seeming to enjoy it but Miss Stevens, who laughed and talked +incessantly; addressing nearly all her conversation to Mr. Dinsmore, +he answering her with studied politeness, but nothing more. + +Miss Stevens had, from the first, conceived a great antipathy to +Rose, whom she considered a dangerous rival, and generally avoided, +excepting when Mr. Dinsmore was with her; but she always interrupted +a tête-à-tête between them when it was in her power to do so without +being guilty of very great rudeness. This, and the covert sneers with +which she often addressed Miss Allison had not escaped Mr. Dinsmore's +notice, and it frequently cost him quite an effort to treat Miss +Stevens with the respectful politeness which he considered due to her +sex and to the daughter of his father's old friend. + +"Was it not too provoking, papa?" exclaimed Elsie, as she followed him +into his room on their return from their walk. + +"What, my dear?" + +"Why, papa, I thought we were going to have such a nice time, and she +just spoiled it all." + +"She? who, daughter?" + +"Why, papa, surely you know I mean Miss Stevens!" + +"Then why did you not mention her name, instead of speaking of her as +she? That does not sound respectful in a child of your age, and I wish +my little girl always to be respectful to those older than herself. +I thought I heard you the other day mention some gentleman's name +without the prefix of Mr., and I intended to reprove you for it at the +time. Don't do it again." + +"No, sir, I won't," Elsie answered with a blush. "But, papa," she +added the next moment, "Miss Stevens does that constantly." + +"That makes no difference, my daughter," he said gravely. "Miss +Stevens is the very last person I would have you take for your model; +the less you resemble her in dress, manners, or anything else, the +better. If you wish to copy any one let it be Miss Allison, for she is +a perfect lady in every respect." + +Elsie looked very much pleased. "Yes, indeed, papa," she said, "I +should be glad if I could be just like Miss Rose, she is always kind +and gentle to everybody; even the servants, whom Miss Stevens orders +about so crossly." + +"Elsie!" + +"What, papa?" she asked, blushing again, for his tone was reproving. + +"Come here and sit on my knee; I want to talk to you. I am afraid my +little daughter is growing censorious," he said, with a very grave +look as he drew her to his side. "You forget that we ought not to +speak of other people's faults." + +"I will try not to do it any more, papa," she replied, the tears +springing to her eyes; "but you don't know how very annoying Miss +Stevens is. I have been near telling her several times that I did wish +she would let me alone." + +"No, daughter, don't do that. You must behave in a lady-like manner +whether she does or not. We must expect annoyances in this world, my +child; and must try to bear them with patience, remembering that +God sends the little trials as well as the great, and that He has +commanded us to 'let patience have her perfect work.' I fear it is a +lack of the spirit of forgiveness that makes it so difficult for us to +bear these trifling vexations with equanimity. And you must remember +too, dear, that the Bible bids us be courteous, and teaches us to +treat others as we ourselves would wish to be treated." + +"I think you always remember the command to be courteous, papa," she +said, looking affectionately into his face. "I was wondering all the +time how you could be so very polite to Miss Stevens; for I was quite +sure you would rather not have had her along. And then, what right had +she to take your arm without being asked?" and Elsie's face flushed +with indignation. + +Her father laughed a little. "And thus deprive my little girl of her +rights," he said, softly kissing the glowing cheek. "Ah! I doubt if +you would have been angry had it been Miss Rose," he added, a little +mischievously. + +"Oh, papa, you know Miss Rose would never have done such a thing!" +exclaimed the little girl warmly. + +"Ah! well, dear," he said in a soothing tone; "we won't talk any more +about it. I acknowledge that I do not find Miss Stevens the most +agreeable company in the world, but I must treat her politely, and +show her a little attention sometimes; both because she is a lady and +because her father once saved my father's life; for which I owe a debt +of gratitude to him and his children." + +"Did he, papa? I am sure it was very good of him, and I will try to +like Miss Stevens for that. But won't you tell me about it?" + +"It was when they were both quite young men," said Mr. Dinsmore, +"before either of them was married: they were skating together and +your grandfather broke through the ice, and would have been drowned, +but for the courage and presence of mind of Mr. Stevens, who saved him +only by very great exertion, and at the risk of his own life." + +A few days after this, Elsie was playing on the veranda, with several +other little girls. "Do you think you shall like your new mamma, +Elsie?" asked one of them in a careless tone, as she tied on an apron +she had just been making for her doll, and turned it around to see how +it fitted. + +"My new mamma!" exclaimed Elsie, with unfeigned astonishment, dropping +the scissors with which she had been cutting paper dolls for some of +the little ones. "What can you mean, Annie? I am not going to have any +new mamma." + +"Yes, indeed, but you are though," asserted Annie positively; "for I +heard my mother say so only yesterday; and it must be so, for she Miss +Stevens told it herself." + +"Miss Stevens! and what does she know about it? what has she to do +with my papa's affairs?" asked Elsie indignantly, the color rushing +over face, neck, and arms. + +"Well, I should think she might know, when she is going to marry him," +returned the other, with a laugh. + +"She isn't! it's false! my"--but Elsie checked herself and shut her +teeth hard to keep down the emotion that was swelling in her breast. + +"It's true, you may depend upon it," replied Annie; "everybody in the +house knows it, and they are all talking about what a splendid match +Miss Stevens is going to make; and mamma was wondering if you knew +it, and how you would like her; and papa said he thought Mr. Dinsmore +wouldn't think much of her if he knew how she flirted and danced until +he came, and now pretends not to approve of balls, just because he +doesn't." + +Elsie made no reply, but dropping scissors, paper, and everything, +sprang up and ran swiftly along the veranda, through the hall, +upstairs, and without pausing to take breath, rushed into her father's +room, where he sat quietly reading. + +"Why, Elsie, daughter, what is the matter?" he asked in a tone of +surprise and concern, as he caught sight of her flushed and agitated +face. + +"Oh, papa, it's that hateful Miss Stevens; I can't bear her!" she +cried, throwing herself upon his breast, and bursting into a fit of +passionate weeping. + +Mr. Dinsmore said nothing for a moment; but thinking tears would prove +the best relief to her overwrought feelings, contented himself with +simply stroking her hair in a soothing way, and once or twice pressing +his lips gently to her forehead. + +"You feel better now, dearest, do you not?" he asked presently, as she +raised her head to wipe away her tears. + +"Yes, papa." + +"Now tell me what it was all about." + +"Miss Stevens does say such hateful things, papa!" + +He laid his finger upon her lips. "Don't use that word again. It does +not sound at all like my usually gentle sweet-tempered little girl." + +"I won't, papa," she murmured, blushing and hanging her head. Then +hiding her face on his breast, she lay there for several minutes +perfectly silent and still. + +"What is my little girl thinking of?" he asked at length. + +"How everybody talks about you, papa; last evening I was out on the +veranda, and I heard John and Miss Stevens' maid, Phillis, talking +together. It was moonlight, you know, papa," she went on, turning her +face toward him again: "and they were out under the trees and John had +his arm round her, and he was kissing her, and telling her how pretty +she was; and then they began talking about Miss Stevens and you, and +John told Phillis that he reckoned you were going to marry her--" + +"Who? Phillis?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, looking excessively amused. + +"Oh, papa; no; you know I mean Miss Stevens," Elsie answered in a tone +of annoyance. + +"Well, dear, and what of it all?" he asked, soothingly. "I don't think +the silly nonsense of the servants need trouble you. John is a sad +fellow, I know; he courts all the pretty colored girls wherever he +goes. I shall have to read him a serious lecture on the subject. But +it is very kind of you to be so concerned for Phillis." + +"Oh, papa, don't!" she said, turning away her face. "Please don't +tease me so. You know I don't care for Phillis or John; but that isn't +all." And then she repeated what had passed between Annie and herself. + +He looked a good deal provoked as she went on with her story; then +very grave indeed. He was quite silent for a moment after she had +done. Then drawing her closer to him, he said tenderly, "My poor +little girl, I am sorry you should be so annoyed; but you know it is +not true, daughter, and why need you care what other people think and +say?" + +"I don't like them to talk so, papa! I can't bear to have them say +such things about you!" she exclaimed indignantly. + +He was silent again for a little; then said kindly, "I think I had +better take you away from these troublesome talkers. What do you say +to going home?" + +"Oh, yes, papa, do take me home," she answered eagerly. "I wish we +were there now. I think it is the pleasantest place in the world and +it seems such a long, long while since we came away. Let us start +to-morrow, papa; can't we?" + +"But you know you will have to leave Miss Rose." + +"Ah! I forgot that," she said a little sadly; but brightening again, +she asked: "Couldn't you invite her to go home with us and spend the +winter? Ah! papa, do! it would be so pleasant to have her." + +"No, my dear, it wouldn't do," he replied with a grave shake of the +head. + +"Why, papa?" she asked with a look of keen disappointment. + +"You are too young to understand why," he said in the same grave tone, +and then relapsed into silence; sitting there for some time stroking +her hair in an absent way, with his eyes on the carpet. + +At last he said, "Elsie!" in a soft, low tone that quite made the +little girl start and look up into his face; for she, too, had been in +a deep reverie. + +"What, papa?" she asked, and she wondered to see how the color had +spread over his face, and how bright his eyes looked. + +"I have been thinking," he said, in a half hesitating way, "that +though it would not do to invite Miss Rose to spend the winter with +us, it might do very nicely to ask her to come and live at the Oaks." + +Elsie looked at him for a moment with a bewildered expression; then +suddenly comprehending, her face lighted up. + +"Would you like it, dearest?" he asked; "or would you prefer to go on +living just as we have been, you and I together? I would consult your +happiness before my own, for it lies very near my heart, my precious +one. I can never forgive myself for all I have made you suffer, and +when you were restored to me almost from the grave, I made a vow to do +all in my power to make your future life bright and happy." + +His tones were full of deep feeling, and as he spoke he drew her +closer and closer to him and kissed her tenderly again and again. + +"Speak, daughter, and tell me what you wish," he said, as she still +remained silent. + +At last she spoke, and he bent down to catch the words. "Dear papa," +she whispered, "would it make you happy? and do you think mamma knows, +and that she would like it?" + +"Your mamma loves us both too well not to be pleased with anything +that would add to our happiness," he replied gently. + +"Dear papa, you won't be angry if I ask another question?'"' + +"No, darling; ask as many as you wish." + +"Then, papa, will I have to call her mamma? and do you think my own +mamma would like it?" + +"If Miss Allison consents to take a mother's place to you, I am sure +your own mamma, if she could speak to you, would tell you she deserved +to have the title; and it would hurt us both very much if you refused +to give it. Indeed, my daughter, I cannot ask her to come to us unless +you will promise to do so, and to love and obey, her just as you do +me. Will you?" + +"I will try to obey her, papa; and I shall love her very dearly, for I +do already; but I can not love anybody quite so well as I love you, my +own dear, dear father!" she said, throwing her arms around his neck. + +He returned her caress, saying tenderly, "That is all I can ask, +dearest; I must reserve the first place in your heart for myself." + +"Do you think she will come, papa?" she asked anxiously. + +"I don't know, daughter; I have not asked her yet. But shall I tell +her that it will add to your happiness if she will be your mamma?" + +"Yes, sir; and that I will call her mamma, and obey her and love her +dearly. Oh, papa, ask her very soon, won't you?" + +"Perhaps; but don't set your heart too much on it, for she may not be +quite so willing to take such a troublesome charge as Miss Stevens +seems to be," he said, returning to his playful tone. + +Elsie looked troubled and anxious. + +"I hope she will, papa," she said; "I think she might be very glad to +come and live with you; and in such a beautiful home, too." + +"Ah! but everyone does not appreciate my society as highly as you do," +he replied, laughing and pinching her cheek; "and besides, you forget +about the troublesome little girl. I have heard ladies say they would +not marry a man who had a child." + +"But Miss Rose loves me, papa; I am sure she does," she said, +flushing, and the tears starting to her eyes. + +"Yes, darling, I know she does," he answered soothingly. "I am only +afraid she loves you better than she does me." + +A large party of equestrians were setting out from the hotel that +evening soon after tea, and Elsie, in company with several other +little girls, went out upon the veranda to watch them mount and ride +away. She was absent but a few moments from the parlor, where she had +left her father, but when she returned to it he was not there. Miss +Rose, too, was gone, she found upon further search, and though she had +not much difficulty in conjecturing why she had thus, for the first +time, been left behind, she could not help feeling rather lonely and +desolate. + +She felt no disposition to renew the afternoon's conversation with +Annie Hart, so she went quietly upstairs to their private parlor and +sat down to amuse herself with a book until Chloe came in from eating +her supper. Then the little girl brought a stool, and seating herself +in the old posture with her head in her nurse's lap, she drew her +mother's miniature from her bosom, and fixing her eyes lovingly upon +it, said, as she had done hundreds of times before: "Now, mammy, +please tell me about my dear, dear mamma." + +The soft eyes were full of tears; for with all her joy at the thought +of Rose, mingled a strange sad feeling that she was getting farther +away from that dear, precious, unknown mother, whose image had been, +since her earliest recollection, enshrined in her very heart of +hearts. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + O lady! there be many things + That seem right fair above; + But sure not one among them all + Is half so sweet as love;-- + Let us not pay our vows alone, + But join two altars into one. + + --O. W. HOLMES + + Here still is the smile that no cloud can o'ercast, + And the heart, and the hand, all thy own to the last. + + --MOORE. + + +Mr. Horace Dinsmore was quite remarkable for his conversational +powers, and Rose, who had always heretofore found him a most +entertaining companion, wondered greatly at his silence on this +particular evening. She waited in vain for him to start some topic of +conversation, but as he did not seem disposed to do so, she at length +made the attempt herself, and tried one subject after another. +Finding, however, that she was answered only in monosyllables, she too +grew silent and embarrassed, and heartily wished for the relief of +Elsie's presence. + +She had proposed summoning the child to accompany them as usual, but +Mr. Dinsmore replied that she had already had sufficient exercise, and +he would prefer having her remain at home. + +They had walked some distance, and coming to a rustic seat where they +had often rested, they sat down. The moon was shining softly down upon +them, and all nature seemed hushed and still. For some moments neither +of them spoke, but at length Mr. Dinsmore broke the silence. + +"Miss Allison," he said, in his deep, rich tones, "I would like to +tell you a story, if you will do me the favor to listen." + +It would have been quite impossible for Rose to tell why her heart +beat so fast at this very commonplace remark, but so it was; and she +could scarcely steady her voice to reply, "I always find your stories +interesting, Mr. Dinsmore." + +He began at once. + +"Somewhere between ten and eleven years ago, a wild, reckless boy +of seventeen, very much spoiled by the indulgence of a fond, doting +father, who loved and petted him as the only son of his departed +mother, was spending a few months in one of our large Southern cities, +where he met, and soon fell desperately in love with, a beautiful +orphan heiress, some two years his junior. + +"The boy was of too ardent a temperament, and too madly in love, to +brook for a moment the thought of waiting until parents and guardians +should consider them of suitable age to marry, in addition to which he +had good reason to fear that his father, with whom family pride was a +ruling passion, would entirely refuse his consent upon learning that +the father of the young lady had begun life as a poor, uneducated boy, +and worked his way up to wealth and position by dint of hard labor and +incessant application to business. + +"The boy, it is true, was almost as proud himself, but it was not +until the arrows of the boy-god had entered into his heart too +deeply to be extracted, that he learned the story of his charmer's +antecedents. Yet I doubt if the result would have been different had +he been abundantly forewarned; for oh, Miss Rose, if ever an angel +walked the earth in human form it was she!--so gentle, so good, so +beautiful!" + +He heaved a deep sigh, paused a moment, and then went on: + +"Well, Miss Rose, as you have probably surmised, they were privately +married. If that sweet girl had a fault, it was that she was too +yielding to those she loved, and she did love her young husband with +all the warmth of her young guileless heart; for she had neither +parents nor kinsfolk, and he was the one object around which her +affections might cling. They were all the world to each other, and for +a few short months they were very happy. + +"But it could not last; the marriage was discovered--her guardian and +the young man's father were both furious, and they were torn asunder; +she carried away to a distant plantation, and he sent North to attend +college. + +"They were well-nigh distracted, but cherished the hope that when +they should reach their majority and come into possession of their +property, which was now unfortunately entirely in the hands of their +guardians, they would be reunited. + +"But--it is the old story--their letters were intercepted, and the +first news the young husband received of his wife was that she had +died a few days after giving birth to a little daughter." + +Again Mr. Dinsmore paused, then continued: + +"It was a terrible stroke! For months, reason seemed almost ready to +desert her throne; but time does wonders, and in the course of years +it did much to heal his wounds. You would perhaps suppose that he +would at once--or at least as soon as he was his own master--have +sought out his child, and lavished upon it the wealth of his +affections: but no; he had conceived almost an aversion to it; for he +looked upon it as the cause--innocent, it is true--but still the cause +of his wife's death. He did not know till long years afterwards +that her heart was broken by the false story of his desertion and +subsequent death. Her guardian was a hard, cruel man, though faithful +in his care of her property. + +"With him the child remained until she was about four years old when +a change was made necessary by his death, and she, with her faithful +nurse, was received into her paternal grandfather's family until her +father, who had then gone abroad, should return. But my story is +growing very long, and you will be weary of listening. I will try to +be as brief as possible. + +"The little girl, under the care of her nurse and the faithful +instructions of a pious old Scotchwoman--who had come over with the +child's maternal grandparents, and followed the fortunes of the +daughter and granddaughter, always living as housekeeper in the +families where they resided--had grown to be a sweet, engaging child, +inheriting her mother's beauty and gentleness. She had also her +mother's craving for affection, and was constantly looking and longing +for the return of her unknown father, which was delayed from time to +time until she was nearly eight years of age. + +"At last he came; but ah, what a bitter disappointment awaited the +poor child! His mind had been poisoned against her, and instead of +the love and tenderness she had a right to expect, he met her with +coldness--almost with aversion. Poor little one! she was nearly +heartbroken, and for a time scarcely dared venture into her father's +presence. She was gentle, submissive, and patient; he cold, haughty, +and stern. But she would love him, in spite of his sternness, and at +length she succeeded in winning her way to his affections, and he +learned to love her with passionate tenderness. + +"Still her troubles were not over. She was sincerely pious, and +conscientiously strict in many things which her father deemed of +little importance; especially was this the case in regard to the +observance of the Sabbath. He was a man of iron will, and she, though +perfectly submissive in other respects, had the firmness of a martyr +in resisting any interference with her conscience. + +"Well, their wills came in collision. He required her to do what she +considered a violation of God's law, although he could see no harm +in it, and therefore considered her stubborn and disobedient. He was +firm, but so was she. He tried persuasions, threats, punishments--all +without effect. He banished her from his arms, from the family circle, +deprived her of amusements, denied her to visitors, broke off her +correspondence with a valued friend, sent away her nurse; and finding +all these acts of severity ineffectual, he at length left her, telling +her he would return only when she submitted; and even refusing her a +parting caress, which she pleaded for with heart-breaking entreaties." + +Mr. Dinsmore's voice trembled with emotion, but recovering himself, he +went on: + +"Don't think, Miss Allison, that all this time the father's heart was +not bleeding; it was, at every pore; but he was determined to conquer, +and mistook the child's motives and the source of her strength to +resist his will. + +"He had bought a beautiful estate; he caused the house to be +handsomely fitted up and furnished, especially lavishing trouble and +expense upon a suite of rooms for his little girl, and when all was +completed, he wrote to her, bidding her go and see the lovely home +he had prepared for her reception as soon as she would submit,--and +presenting, as the only alternative, banishment to a boarding-school +or convent until her education was finished. This was the one drop +which made the cup overflow. The poor suffering child was prostrated +by a brain fever which brought her to the very gates of death. Then +the father's eyes were opened; he saw his folly and his sin, and +repented in sackcloth and ashes; and God, in His great mercy, was +pleased to spare him the terrible crushing blow which seemed to have +already fallen;--for at one time they told him his child was dead. Oh, +never, never can he forget the unutterable anguish of that moment!" + +Mr. Dinsmore paused, unable to proceed. Rose had been weeping for some +time. She well knew to whose story she was listening, and her gentle, +loving heart was filled with pity for both him and for his child. + +"I have but little more to tell," he resumed; "the child has at length +entirely recovered her health; she is dearer to her father's heart +than words can express, and is very happy in the knowledge that it is +so, and that henceforward he will strive to assist her to walk in the +narrow way, instead of endeavoring to lead her from it. + +"Their home has been a very happy one; but it lacks one thing--the +wife and mother's place is vacant; she who filled it once is +gone--never to return!--but there is a sweet, gentle lady who has +won the hearts of both father and daughter, and whom they would fain +persuade to fill the void in their affections and their home. + +"Miss Rose, dare I hope that you would venture to trust your happiness +in the hands of a man who has proved himself capable of such cruelty?" + +Rose did not speak, and he seemed to read in her silence and her +averted face a rejection of his suit. + +"Ah, you cannot love or trust me!" he exclaimed bitterly. "I was +indeed a fool to hope it. Forgive me for troubling you; forgive my +presumption in imagining for a moment that I might be able to win you. +But oh, Rose, could you but guess how I love you--better than aught +else upon earth save my precious child! and even as I love her better +than life. I said that our home had been a happy one, but to me it can +be so no longer if you refuse to share it with me!" + +She turned her blushing face towards him for a single instant, and +timidly placed her hand in his. The touch sent a thrill through her +whole frame. + +"And you will dare trust me?" he said in a low tone of intense joy. +"Oh, Rose! I have not deserved such happiness as this! I am not worthy +of one so pure and good. But I will do all that man can do to make +your life bright and happy." + +"Ah, Mr. Dinsmore! I am very unfit for the place you have asked me +to fill," she murmured. "I am not old enough, or wise enough to be a +mother to your little girl." + +"I know you are young, dear Rose, but you are far from foolish," he +said tenderly, "and my little girl is quite prepared to yield you a +daughter's love and obedience; but I do not think she will be a care +or trouble to you; I do not intend that she shall, but expect to take +all that upon myself. Indeed, Rose, dearest, you shall never know any +care or trouble that I can save you from. No words can tell how dear +you are to me, and were it in my power I would shield you from every +annoyance, and give you every joy that the human heart can know. I +have loved you from the first day we met!--ah, I loved you even before +that, for all your love and kindness to my darling child; but I +scarcely dared hope that you could return my affection, or feel +willing to trust your happiness to the keeping of one who had shown +himself such a monster of cruelty in his treatment of his little +gentle daughter. Are you not afraid of me, Rose?" + +His arm was around her waist, and he was bending over her, gazing down +into her face, and eagerly awaiting her answer. + +Presently it came, in calm, gentle tones; "No, Horace; 'perfect love +casteth out fear,' and I cannot judge you hardly for what may +have been only a mistaken sense of duty, and has been so bitterly +repented." + +"Heaven bless you, dearest, for these words," he answered with +emotion, "they have made me the happiest of men." + +Horace Dinsmore wore upon his little finger a splendid diamond ring, +which had attracted a good deal of attention, especially among the +ladies; who admired it extremely, and of which Miss Stevens had hoped +to be one day the happy and envied possessor. Taking Rose's small +white hand in his again, he placed it upon her slender finger. + +"This seals our compact, and makes you mine forever," he said, +pressing the hand to his lips. + +"With the consent of my parents," murmured Rose, a soft blush mantling +her cheek. + +Elsie was still in her papa's private parlor, for though it was long +past her usual hour for retiring, she had not yet done so; her father +having left a message with Chloe to the effect that she might, if she +chose, stay up until his return. + +Chloe had dropped asleep in her chair, and the little girl was +trying to while away the time with a book. But she did not seem much +interested in it, for every now and then she laid it down to run to +the door and listen. Then sighing to herself, "They are not coming +yet," she would go back and take it up again. But at last she started +from her seat with an exclamation of delight that awoke Chloe; for +this time there could be no doubt; she had heard his well-known step +upon the stairs. + +She moved quickly towards the door--stopped--hesitated, and stood +still to the middle of the room. + +But the door opened, and her father entered with Miss Rose upon his +arm. One look at his radiant countenance, and Rose's blushing, happy +face told the whole glad story. He held out his hand with a beaming +smile, and Elsie sprang towards him. + +"My darling," he said, stooping to give her a kiss, "I have brought +you a mother." + +Then taking Rose's hand, and placing one of Elsie's in it, while he +held the other in a close, loving grasp, he added: "Rose, she is your +daughter also. I give you a share in my choicest treasure." + +Rose threw her arm around the little girl and kissed her tenderly, +whispering: "Will you love me, Elsie, dearest? you know how dearly I +love you." + +"Indeed I will; I do love you very much, and I am very glad, dear, +darling Miss Rose," Elsie replied, returning her caress. + +Mr. Dinsmore was watching them with a heart swelling with joy and +gratitude. He led Rose to a sofa, and seating himself by her side, +drew Elsie in between his knees, and put an arm round each. "My two +treasures," he said, looking affectionately from one to the other. +"Rose, I feel myself the richest man in the Union." + +Rose smiled, and Elsie laid her head on her father's shoulder with a +happy sigh. + +They sat a few moments thus, when Rose made a movement to go, +remarking that it must be growing late. She felt a secret desire to +be safe within the shelter of her own room before the return of the +riding party should expose her to Miss Stevens' prying curiosity. + +"It is not quite ten yet," said Mr. Dinsmore, looking at his watch. + +"Late enough though, is it not?" she answered with a smile. "I think I +must go. Good-night, dear little Elsie." She rose, and Mr. Dinsmore, +gently drawing her hand within his arm, led her to her room, bidding +her good-night at the door, and adding a whispered request that she +would wait for him to conduct her down to the breakfast room in the +morning. + +"Must I go to bed now, papa?" asked Elsie, as he returned to the +parlor again. + +"Not yet," he said; "I want you." And, sitting down, he took her in +his arms. "My darling, my dear little daughter!" he said; "were you +very lonely this evening?" + +"No, papa; not very, though I missed you and Miss Rose." + +He was gazing down into her face; something in its expression seemed +to strike him, and he suddenly turned her towards the light, and +looking keenly at her, said, "You have been crying; what was the +matter?" + +Elsie's face flushed crimson, and the tears started to her eyes again. +"Dear papa, don't be angry with me," she pleaded. "I couldn't help it; +indeed I could not." + +"I am not angry, darling; only pained that my little girl is not +so happy as I expected. I hoped that your joy would be unclouded +to-night, as mine has been; but will you not tell your father what +troubles you, dearest?" + +"I was looking at this, papa," she said, drawing her mother's +miniature from her bosom, and putting it into his hand; "and mammy was +telling me all about my own mamma again; and, papa, you know I love +Miss Rose, and I am very glad she is coming to us, but it seems as +if--as if--" She burst into a flood of tears, and hiding her face on +his breast, sobbed out, "Oh, papa, I can't help feeling as though +mamma--my own dear mamma--is farther away from us now; as if she is +going to be forgotten." + +There were tears in his eyes, too; but gently raising her head, he +pushed back the curls from her forehead, and kissing her tenderly, +said, in low, soothing tones, "No, darling; it is only a feeling, and +will soon pass away. Your own dear mother--my early love--can never be +forgotten by either of us. Nor would Rose wish it. There is room in +my heart for both of them, and I do not love the memory of Elsie less +because I have given a place in it to Rose." + +There was a momentary silence; then she looked up, asking timidly, +"You are not vexed with me, papa?" + +"No, dearest; not at all; and I am very glad you have told me your +feelings so freely," he said, folding her closer and closer to his +heart. "I hope you will always come to me with your sorrows, and you +need never fear that you will not find sympathy, and help too, as far +as it is in my power to give it. Elsie, do you know that you are very +like your mother?--the resemblance grows stronger every day; and it +would be quite impossible for me to forget her with this living image +always before me." + +"Am I like her, papa? I am so glad!" exclaimed the little girl +eagerly, her face lighting up with a joyous smile. + +It seemed as though Mr. Dinsmore could hardly bear to part with his +child that night; he held her a long time in his arms, but at last, +with another tender caress, and a fervent blessing, he bade her +good-night and sent her away. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + She twin'd--and her mother's gaze brought back + Each hue of her childhood's faded track. + Oh! hush the song, and let her tears + Flow to the dream of her early years! + Holy and pure are the drops that fall + When the young bride goes from her father's hall; + She goes unto love yet untried and new-- + She parts from love which hath still been true. + + --MRS. HEMANS' POEMS. + + +"How did it happen that Mr. Dinsmore was not of your party last night, +Miss Stevens?" inquired one of the lady boarders the next morning at +the breakfast-table. + +"He had been riding all the morning with his little girl, and I +presume was too much fatigued to go again in the evening," Miss +Stevens coolly replied, as she broke an egg into her cup, and +proceeded very deliberately to season it. + +"It seems he was not too much fatigued to walk," returned the other, a +little maliciously; "or to take a lady upon his arm." + +Miss Stevens started, and looked up hastily. + +"I would advise you to be on your guard, and play your cards well, +or that quiet Miss Allison may prove a serious rival," the lady +continued. "He certainly pays her a good deal of attention." + +"It is easy to account for that," remarked Miss Stevens, with a +scornful toss of the head; "he is very fond of his little girl, and +takes her out walking or riding every day, and this Miss Allison--who +is, I presume, a kind of governess--indeed, it is evident that she +is, from the care she takes of the child--goes along as a matter of +course; but if you think Horace Dinsmore would look at a governess, +you are greatly mistaken, for he is as proud as Lucifer, as well as +the rest of his family, though he does set up to be so very pious!" + +"Excuse me, madam," observed a gentleman sitting near, "but you must +be laboring under a misapprehension. I am well acquainted with the +Allison family, and can assure you that the father is one of the +wealthiest merchants in Philadelphia." + +At this moment Mr. Dinsmore entered with Rose upon his arm, and +leading Elsie with the other hand. They drew near the table; he handed +Miss Allison to a seat and took his place beside her. + +A slight murmur of surprise ran round the table, and all eyes were +turned upon Rose, who, feeling uncomfortably conscious of the fact, +cast down her own in modest embarrassment, while Elsie, with a face +all smiles and dimples, sent a triumphant glance across the table at +Annie Hart, who was whispering to her mother, "See, mamma, she has Mr. +Dinsmore's ring!" + +That lady immediately called Miss Stevens' attention to it, which was +quite unnecessary, as she was already burning with rage at the sight. + +"They walked out alone last evening, and that ring explains what they +were about," said Mrs. Hart, in an undertone. "I am really sorry for +you, Miss Stevens; for your prize has certainly slipped through your +fingers." + +"I am much obliged to you," she replied, with a toss of her head; "but +there are as good fish in the sea as ever were caught." + +The next moment she rose and left the table, Mrs. Hart following her +into the public parlor, and continuing the conversation by remarking, +"I would sue him for breach of promise if I were you, Miss Stevens. I +understood you were engaged to him." + +"I never said so; so what right had you to suppose it?" returned Miss +Stevens snappishly. + +And upon reflecting a moment, Mrs. Hart could not remember that she +had ever said so in plain terms, although she had hinted it many +times--talking a great deal of Mr. Dinsmore's splendid establishment, +and frequently speaking of the changes she thought would be desirable +in Elsie's dress, just as though she expected some day to have it +under her control. Then, too, she had always treated Mr. Dinsmore with +so much familiarity that it was perfectly natural strangers should +suppose they were engaged, even though he never reciprocated it; +for that might be only because he was naturally reserved and +undemonstrative; as indeed Miss Stevens frequently averred, seeming to +regret it very deeply. + +Presently she burst out, "I don't know why people are always so ready +to talk! I don't care for Horace Dinsmore, and never did! There was +never anything serious between us, though I must say he has paid me +marked attentions, and given me every reason to suppose he meant +something by them. I never gave him any encouragement, however; and so +he has been taken in by that artful creature. I thought he had more +sense, and could see through her manoeuvers--coaxing and petting up +the child to curry favor with the father! I thank my stars that I am +above such mean tricks! I presume she thinks, now, she is making a +splendid match; but if she doesn't repent of her bargain before she +has been married a year, I miss my guess! She'll never have her own +way--not a bit of it--I can tell her that. Everybody that knows +him will tell you that he is high-tempered and tyrannical, and as +obstinate as a mule." + +"The grapes are very sour, I think," whispered Mrs. Hart to her next +neighbor, who nodded and laughed. + +"There is Elsie out on the veranda, now," said Annie. "I mean to +go and ask her what Miss Allison had her father's ring for; may I, +mamma?" + +"Yes; go, child, if you want to; I should like to hear what she will +say; though, of course, everybody understands that there must be an +engagement." + +"Well, Elsie, what made you run away in such a hurry yesterday?" asked +Annie, running up to our little friend. "Did you ask your papa about +the new mamma?" + +"I told him what you said, Annie, and it wasn't true," Elsie answered, +with a glad look of joy. "I am going to have a new mother though, and +papa said I might tell you; but it is Miss Allison instead of Miss +Stevens, and I am very glad, because I love her dearly." + +"Is she your governess?" + +"No, indeed! what made you ask?" + +"Miss Stevens said so," replied Annie, laughing and running away. And +just then Elsie's papa called her, and bade her go upstairs and have +her hat put on, as they were going out to walk. + +Edward Allison had been talking with his sister in her room, and they +came down together to the veranda, where Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie were +waiting for them. Edward was looking very proud and happy, but Rose's +face was half hidden by her veil. She took Mr. Dinsmore's offered arm +and Elsie asked, "Aren't you going with us, Mr. Edward?" + +"Not this time," he answered, smiling. "I have an engagement to play a +game of chess with one of the ladies in the parlor yonder." + +"Then I shall have papa's other hand," she said, taking possession of +it. + +She was very merry and talkative, but neither of her companions seemed +much disposed to answer her remarks. They were following the same path +they had taken the night before, and the thoughts of both were very +busy with the past and the future. + +At length they reached the rustic seat where they had sat while Mr. +Dinsmore told his story, and he inquired of Rose if she would like to +stop and rest. + +She assented, recognizing the place with a smile and a blush, and they +sat down. + +"Papa," said Elsie, "I am not tired, mayn't I run on to the top of +that hill yonder?" + +"Yes, if you will not go out of sight or hearing, so that I can see +that you are safe, and within call when I want you," he replied, and +she bounded away. + +Rose was sitting thoughtfully, with her eyes upon the ground, while +those of her companion were following the graceful figure of his +little girl, as she tripped lightly along the road. + +"Mr. Dinsmore," Rose began. + +"I beg pardon, but were you speaking to me?" he asked, turning to her +with a half smile. + +"Certainly," she replied, smiling in return; "there is no one else +here." + +"Well then, Rose, dear, please to remember that I don't answer to that +name from your lips, at least not when we are alone. I am not Mr. +Dinsmore to you, unless you mean to be Miss Allison to me," he added, +taking her hand and gazing tenderly into her blushing face. + +"Oh! no, no; I would not have you call me that!" + +"Well then, dear Rose, I want you to call me Horace. I would almost as +soon think of being Mr. Dinsmore to Elsie, as to you. And now, what +were you going to say to me?" + +"Only that I wish to set out on my homeward way to-night, with Edward. +I think it would be best, more especially as mamma has written +complaining of our long absence, and urging a speedy return." + +"Of course your mother's wishes are the first to be consulted, until +you have given me a prior right," he said, in a playful tone; "and +so I suppose Elsie and I will be obliged to continue our journey by +ourselves. But when may I claim you for my own indeed? Let it be as +soon as possible, dearest, for I feel that I ought to return to my +home ere long, and I am not willing to do so without my wife." + +"I must have a few weeks to prepare; you know a lady's wardrobe cannot +be got ready in a day. What would you say to six weeks? I am afraid +mamma would think it entirely too short." + +"Six weeks, dear Rose? why that would bring us to the middle of +November. Surely a month will be long enough to keep me waiting for my +happiness, and give the dressmakers sufficient time for their work. +Let us say one month from to-day." + +Rose raised one objection after another, but he overruled them all and +pleaded his cause so earnestly that he gained his point at last, and +the wedding was fixed for that day month, provided the consent of +her parents, to so sudden a parting with their daughter, could be +obtained. + +While Rose was at home making her preparations, Mr. Dinsmore and his +daughter were visiting the great lakes, and travelling through Canada. +He heard frequently from her, and there were always a few lines +to Elsie, which her father allowed her to answer in a little note +enclosed in his; and sometimes he read her a little of his own, or of +Miss Rose's letter, which she always considered a very great treat. + +New York City was their last halting place on their route, and there +they spent nearly two weeks in shopping and sight-seeing. Mr. Dinsmore +purchased an elegant set of furniture for his wife's boudoir, and +sent it on to his home, with his orders to Mrs. Murray concerning +its arrangement. To this he added a splendid set of diamonds as his +wedding gift to his bride, while Elsie selected a pair of very costly +bracelets as hers. + +They arrived in Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon, the next morning +being the time appointed for the wedding. Mr. Dinsmore himself went to +his hotel, but sent Elsie and her nurse to Mr. Allison's, as he had +been urgently requested to do, the family being now in occupation of +their town residence. + +Elsie found the whole house in a bustle of preparation. Sophy met her +at the door and carried her off at once to her own room, eager to +display what she called "her wedding dress." She was quite satisfied +with the admiration Elsie expressed. "But I suppose you bought ever so +many new dresses, and lots of other pretty things, in New York?" she +said inquiringly. + +"Yes; papa and I together. And don't you think, Sophy, he let me help +him choose some of his clothes, and he says he thinks I have very good +taste in ladies' and gentlemen's dress too." + +"That was right kind of him, but isn't it odd, and real nice too, that +he and Rose are going to get married? I was so surprised. Do you like +it, Elsie? and shall you call her mamma?" + +"Oh, yes, of course. I should be quite wretched if papa were going to +marry any one else; but I love Miss Rose dearly, and I am very glad +she is coming to us. I think it is very good of her, and papa thinks +so too." + +"Yes," replied Sophy honestly, "and so do I; for I am sure I shouldn't +like to leave papa and mamma and go away off there to live, though I +do like you very much, Elsie, and your papa too. Only think! he is +going to be my brother; and then won't you be some sort of relation +too? I guess I'll be your aunt, won't I?" + +"I don't know; I haven't thought about it," said Elsie; while at the +same instant Harold put his head in at the half-open door, saying, "Of +course you will; and I'll be her uncle." + +The little girls were quite startled at first, but seeing who it was, +Elsie ran towards him, holding out her hand. + +"How do you do, Harold?" she said; "I am glad to see you." + +He had his satchel of books on his arm. "Thank you, how are you? I +am rejoiced to see you looking so well, but, as for me, I am quite +sick--of lessons," he replied in a melancholy tone, and putting on a +comically doleful expression. + +Elsie laughed and shook her head. "I thought you ware a good boy and +quite fond of your books." + +"Commonly, I believe I am, but not in these wedding times. It's quite +too bad of your father, Elsie, to be carrying off Rose, when he won't +let us have you. But never mind, I'll be even with him some of these +days;" and he gave her a meaning look. + +"Come in Harold, and put your books down," said Sophy; "you can afford +to spend a few minutes talking to Elsie, can't you?" + +"I think I will!" he replied, accepting her invitation. + +They chatted for some time, and then Adelaide came in. Elsie had heard +that she was coming on to be first bridesmaid. "Elsie, dear, how +glad I am to see you! and how well and happy you are looking!" she +exclaimed, folding her little niece in her arms, and kissing her +fondly. "But come," she added, taking her by the hand and leading her +into the next room, "Miss Rose came in from her shopping only a few +minutes ago, and she wants to see you." + +Rose was standing by the toilet-table, gazing intently, with a blush +and a smile, at something she held in her hand. She laid it down as +they came in, and embracing the little girl affectionately, said how +very glad she was to see her. + +Then, turning to the table again, she took up what she had been +looking at--which proved to be a miniature of Mr. Dinsmore--and +handed it to Adelaide, saying, "Is it not excellent? and so kind and +thoughtful of him to give it to me." + +"It is indeed a most perfect likeness," Adelaide replied. "Horace is +very thoughtful about these little matters. I hope he will make you +very happy, dear Rose. I cannot tell you how glad I was when I heard +you were to be my sister." + +"You have seemed like a sister to me ever since the winter I spent +with you," said Rose. And then she began questioning Elsie about her +journey asking if she were not fatigued, and would not like to lie +down and rest a little before tea. + +"No thank you," Elsie said; "you know it is only a short trip from New +York, and I am not at all tired." + +Just then the tea-bell rang, and Rose laughed and said it was well +Elsie had not accepted her invitation. + +On going down to tea they found Mr. Dinsmore and Mr. Travilla there. +Elsie was delighted to meet her old friend, and it was evident that he +had already made himself a favorite with all the children, from Harold +down to little May. + +The wedding was a really brilliant affair. The bride and her +attendants were beautifully dressed and, as every one remarked, looked +very charming. At an early hour in the morning carriages were in +waiting to convey the bridal party and the family to the church where +the ceremony was to be performed. When it was over they returned to +the house, where an elegant breakfast was provided for a large number +of guests; after which there was a grand reception for several hours. +Then, when the last guest had departed, Rose retired to her own room, +appearing shortly afterwards at the family dinner-table in her pretty +travelling dress, looking very sweet and engaging, but sober and +thoughtful, as were also her father and brothers; while Mrs. Allison's +eyes were constantly filling with tears at the thought of losing her +daughter. + +There was very little eating done, and the conversation flagged +several times in spite of the efforts of the gentlemen to keep it up. +At length all rose from the table, and gathered in the parlor for +a few moments. Then came the parting, and they were gone; and Mrs. +Allison, feeling almost as if she had buried her daughter, tried to +forget her loss by setting herself vigorously to work overseeing the +business of putting her house in order. + +Rose's feelings were mingled. She wept for a time, but the soothing +tenderness of her husband's manner, and Elsie's winning caresses, soon +restored her to herself, and smiles chased away the tears. + +They had a very pleasant journey, without accident or detention, and +arrived in due time at their own home, where they were welcomed with +every demonstration of delight. + +Rose was charmed with the Oaks, thought it even more lovely than +either Roselands or Elingrove, and Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie intensely +enjoyed her pleasure and admiration. + +Then came a round of parties, which Elsie thought extremely tiresome, +as she could have no share in them, and was thus deprived of the +company of her papa and mamma almost every evening for several weeks. +But at last that too was over, and they settled down into a quiet, +home life, that suited them all much better, for neither Mr. Dinsmore +nor Rose was very fond of gayety. + +And now Elsie resumed her studies regularly, reciting as before to +her father; while Rose undertook to instruct her in the more feminine +branches of housekeeping and needlework, and a master came from the +city several times a week to give her lessons in music and drawing. +She had been so long without regular employment that she found it very +difficult at first to give her mind to her studies, as she had done +in former days; but her father, though kind and considerate, was +very firm with her, and she soon fell into the traces and worked as +diligently as ever. + +Elsie did not find that her father's marriage brought any +uncomfortable change to her. There was no lessening of his love or +care; she saw as much of him as before, had full possession of her +seat upon his knee, and was caressed and fondled quite as often and as +tenderly as ever. + +And added to all this were Rose's love and sweet companionship, which +were ever grateful to the little girl, whether they were alone or with +her father. Elsie loved her new mamma dearly and was as respectful +and obedient to her as to her father, though Rose never assumed any +authority; which, however, was entirely unnecessary, as a wish or +request from her was sure to be attended to as if it had been a +command. + +And Rose was very happy in her new home. Mr. Dinsmore's family were +pleased with the match and treated her most kindly, while he was +always affectionate, thoughtful, and attentive; not less devoted as +a husband than as a father. They were well suited in taste and +disposition; seldom had the slightest disagreement on any subject, and +neither had ever cause to regret the step they had taken, for each day +they lived together seemed but to increase their love for each other, +and for their little daughter, as Mr. Dinsmore delighted to call her, +always giving Rose a share in the ownership. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Of all the joys that brighten suffering earth + What joy is welcomed like a new-born child? + + --MRS. NORTON. + + +"Massa wants you for to come right along to him in de study, darlin', +jis as soon as your ole mammy kin get you dressed," said Chloe, one +morning to her nursling. + +"What for, mammy?" Elsie asked curiously, for she noticed an odd +expression on her nurse's face. + +"Massa didn't tell me nuffin 'bout what he wanted, an' I spects you'll +have to az hisself," replied Chloe evasively. + +Elsie's curiosity was excited, and she hastened to the study as soon +as possible. Her father laid down his paper as she entered, and held +out his hand with a smile as he bade her good-morning, and it struck +her that there was an odd twinkle in his eye also, while she was +certain that she could not be mistaken in the unusually joyous +expression of his countenance. + +"Good-morning, papa. But where is mamma?" she asked, glancing about +the room in search of her. + +"She is not up yet, but do you sit down here in your little rocking +chair. I have something for you." + +He left the room as he spoke, returning again in a moment, carrying +what Elsie thought was a strange-looking bundle. + +"There! hold out your arms," he said; and placing it in them, he +gently raised one corner of the blanket, displaying to her astonished +view a tiny little face. + +"A baby! Oh, the dear little thing!" she exclaimed in tones of +rapturous delight. Then looking up into his face, "Did you say I might +have it, papa? whose baby is it?" + +"Ours; your mamma's and my son, and your brother," he answered, gazing +down with intense pleasure at her bright, happy face, sparkling all +over with delight. + +"My little brother! my darling little brother," she murmured looking +down at it again, and venturing to press her lips gently to its soft +velvet cheek. "Oh, papa, I am so glad, so glad! I have so wanted a +little brother or sister. Is not God very good to give him to us, +papa?" And happy, grateful tears were trembling in the soft eyes as +she raised them to his face again. + +"Yes," he said, bending down and kissing first her cheek, and then the +babe's, "I feel that God has indeed been very good to me in bestowing +upon me two such treasures as these." + +"What is his name, papa?" she asked. + +"He has none yet, my dear." + +"Then, papa, do let him be named Horace, for you; won't you if mamma +is willing? And then I hope he will grow up to be just like you; as +handsome and as good." + +"I should like him to be a great deal better, daughter," he answered +with a grave smile; "and about the name--I don't know yet; I should +prefer some other, but your mamma seems to want that, and I suppose +she has the best right to name him; but we will see about it." + +"Better give little marster to me now, Miss Elsie," remarked his +nurse, stepping up, "I reckon your little arms begin to feel tired." +And taking the babe she carried him from the room. + +Nothing could have better pleased Mr. Dinsmore than Elsie's joyous +welcome to her little brother; though it was scarcely more than he had +expected. + +"My own darling child; my dear, dear little daughter," he said, taking +her in his arms and kissing her again and again. "Elsie, dearest, you +are very precious to your father's heart." + +"Yes, papa, I know it," she replied, twining her arms about his neck, +and laying her cheek to his; "I know you love me dearly, and it makes +me so very happy." + +"May I go in to see mamma?" she asked presently. + +"No, darling, not yet; she is not able to see you; but she sends her +love, and hopes she may be well enough to receive a visit from you +to-morrow." + +"Poor mamma! I am sorry she is ill," she said sorrowfully; "but I will +try to keep everything very quiet that she may not be disturbed." + +That evening, after tea, Elsie was told that she would be allowed to +speak to her mamma for a moment if she chose, and she gladly availed +herself of the privilege. + +"Dear Elsie," Rose whispered, drawing Her down to kiss her cheek, "I +am so glad you are pleased with your little brother." + +"Oh, mamma, he is such a dear little fellow!" Elsie answered eagerly; +"and now, if you will only get well we will be happier than ever." + +Rose smiled and said she hoped soon to be quite well again, and then +Mr. Dinsmore led Elsie from the room. + +Rose was soon about again and in the enjoyment of her usual health and +strength. Elsie's delight knew no bounds the first time her mamma +was able to leave her room, and take her place at the table with her +father and herself. She doted on her little brother, and, if allowed, +would have had him in her arms more than half the time; but he was a +plump little fellow, and soon grew so large and heavy that her father +forbade her carrying him lest she should injure herself; but she would +romp and play with him by the hour while he was in the nurse's arms, +or seated on the bed; and when any of her little friends called, she +could not be satisfied to let them go away without seeing the baby. + +The first time Mr. Travilla called, after little Horace's arrival, she +exhibited her treasure to him with a great deal of pride, asking if he +did not envy her papa. + +"Yes," he said, looking admiringly at her, and then turning away with +a half sigh. + +A few minutes afterwards he caught hold of her, set her on his knee, +and giving her a kiss, said, "I wish you were ten years older, Elsie, +or I ten years younger." + +"Why, Mr. Travilla?" she asked rather wonderingly. + +"Oh, because we would then be nearer of an age, and maybe you would +like me better." + +"No, I wouldn't, not a bit," she said, putting her arm round his neck, +"for I like you now just as well as I could like any gentleman but +papa." + +The elder Mr. Dinsmore was very proud of his little grandson and made +a great pet of him, coming to the Oaks much more frequently after his +birth than before. + +Once he spoke of him as his first grandchild. + +"You forget Elsie, father," said Horace, putting his arm round his +little girl, who happened to be standing by his side, and giving her a +tender, loving look. + +He greatly feared that the marked difference his father made between +the two would wound Elsie's sensitive spirit, and perhaps even arouse +a feeling of jealousy towards her little brother; therefore, when his +father was present, he was even more than usually affectionate in his +manner towards her, if that were possible. + +But Elsie had no feeling of the kind; she had long ceased to expect +any manifestation of affection from her grandfather towards herself, +but was very glad indeed that he could love her dear little brother. + +"Ah, yes! to be sure, I did forget Elsie," replied the old gentleman +carelessly; "she is the first grandchild of course; but this fellow is +the first grandson, and quite proud of him I am. He is a pretty boy, +and is going to be the very image of his father." + +"I hope he will, father," said Rose, looking proudly at her husband. +And then she added, with an affectionate glance at Elsie: "If he is +only as good and obedient as his sister, I shall be quite satisfied +with him. We could not ask a better child than our dear little +daughter, nor love one more than we do her; she is a great comfort and +blessing to us both." + +The color mounted to Elsie's cheek, and her eyes beamed with pleasure. +Mr. Dinsmore, too, looked very much gratified, and the old gentleman +could not fail to perceive that the difference he made between the +children was quite distasteful to both parents. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + A lovely being, scarcely formed or moulded, + A rose with all its sweetest leaves yet folded. + + --BYRON. + + +Elsie was nearly twelve when her little brother was born. During the +next three years she led a life of quiet happiness, unmarked by any +striking event. There were no changes in the little family at the Oaks +but such as time must bring to all. Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore perhaps +looked a trifle older than when they married, Elsie was budding into +womanhood as fair and sweet a flower as ever was seen, and the baby +had grown into a healthy romping boy. + +At Roselands, on the contrary, there had been many and important +changes. Louise and Lora were both married; the former to a resident +of another State, who had taken her to his distant home; the latter to +Edward Howard, an older brother of Elsie's friend Carrie. They had not +left the neighborhood, but were residing with his parents. + +For the last two or three years Arthur Dinsmore had spent his +vacations at home; he was doing so now, having just completed his +freshman year at Princeton. On his return Walter was to accompany him +and begin his college career. + +Miss Day left soon after Lora's marriage and no effort had been made +to fill her place, Adelaide having undertaken to act as governess to +Enna, now the only remaining occupant of the school-room. + +Taking advantage of an unusually cool breezy afternoon, Elsie rode +over to Tinegrove, Mr. Howard's plantation--to make a call. She found +the family at home and was urged to stay to tea; but declined, saying +she could not without permission, and had not asked it. + +"You will at least take off your hat," said Carrie. + +"No, thank you," Elsie answered, "it is not worth while, as I must go +so soon. If you will excuse me, I can talk quite as well with it on." + +They had not met for several weeks and found a good deal to say to +each other. At length Elsie drew out her watch. + +"Ah!" she exclaimed, "I have overstayed my time! I had no idea it was +so late--you have been so entertaining; but I must go now." And she +rose hastily to take leave. + +"Nonsense!" said her Aunt Lora in whose boudoir they were sitting, +"there is no such great hurry, I am sure. You'll get home long before +dark." + +"Yes, and might just as well stay another five or ten minutes. I wish +you would; for I have ever so much to say to you," urged Carrie. + +"It would be very pleasant, thank you, but indeed I must not. See how +the shadows are lengthening, and papa does not at all like to have me +out after sunset unless he is with me." + +"He always was overcareful of you, erring on the right side, I +suppose, if that be an allowable expression," laughed Lora, as she and +Carrie followed Elsie to the door to see her mount her horse. + +The adieus were quickly spoken and the young girl, just touching the +whip to the sleek side of her pony, set off at a gallop, closely +followed by her faithful attendant Jim. + +Several miles of rather a lonely road lay between them and home, and +no time was to be lost, if they would reach the Oaks while the sun was +still above the horizon. + +They were hardly more than half a mile from the entrance to the +grounds, when Elsie caught sight of a well-known form slowly moving +down the road a few paces ahead of them. It was Arthur, and she soon +perceived that it was his intention to intercept her; he stopped, +turning his face toward her, sprang forward as she came up, and seized +her bridle. + +"Stay a moment, Elsie," he said, "I want to speak to you." + +"Then come on to the Oaks, and let us talk there; please do, for I am +in a hurry." + +"No, I prefer to say my say where I am. I'll not detain you long. You +keep out of earshot, Jim. I want to borrow a little money, Elsie; a +trifle of fifty dollars or so. Can you accommodate me?" + +"Not without papa's knowledge, Arthur. So I hope you do not wish to +conceal the matter from him." + +"I do. I see no reason why he should know all my private affairs. +Can't you raise that much without applying to him? Isn't your +allowance very large now?" + +"Fifty dollars a month, Arthur, but subject to the same conditions as +of old. I must account to papa for every cent." + +"Haven't you more than that in hand now?" + +"Yes, but what do you want it for?" + +"That's neither your business nor his; let me have it for two weeks, +I'll pay it back then, and in the meantime he need know nothing about +it." + +"I cannot; I never have any concealments from papa, and I must give in +my account in less than a week." + +"Nonsense! You are and always were the most disobliging creature +alive!" returned Arthur with an oath. + +"Oh, Arthur, how can you say such wicked words," she said, recoiling +from him with a shudder. "And you quite misjudge me. I would be glad +to do anything for you that is right. If you will let me tell papa +your wish, and he gives consent, you shall have the money at once. Now +please let me go. The sun has set and I shall be so late that papa +will be anxious and much displeased." + +"Who cares if he is!" he answered roughly, still retaining his hold +upon her bridle, and compelling her to listen while he continued to +urge his request; enforcing it with arguments and threats. + +They were alike vain, she steadfastly refused to grant it except on +the conditions she had named, and which he determinately rejected--and +insisted being left free to pursue her homeward way. + +He grew furious, and at length with a shocking oath released her +bridle, but at the same instant struck her pony a severe blow upon his +haunches, with a stout stick he held in his hand. + +The terrified animal, smarting with the pain, started aside, reared +and plunged in a way that would have unseated a less skilful rider, +and had nearly thrown Elsie from the saddle: then darted off at the +top of its speed; but fortunately turned in at the gate held open by +Jim, who had ridden on ahead and dismounted for that purpose. + +"Whoa, you Glossy! whoa dere!" he cried, springing to the head of the +excited animal, and catching its bridle in his powerful grasp. + +"Just lead her for a little, Jim," said Elsie "There, there! my poor +pretty Glossy, be quiet now. It was too cruel to serve you so; but +it shan't happen again if your mistress can help it," she added in a +voice tremulous with sympathy and indignation, patting and stroking +her pony caressingly as she spoke. + +Jim obeyed, walking on at a brisk pace, leading Glossy with his right +hand, and keeping the bridle of the other horse over his left arm. + +"I'll walk the rest of the way, Jim," said Elsie presently, "just stop +her and let me get down. There," springing lightly to the ground, "you +may lead them both to the stable now." + +She hurried forward along the broad, gravelled winding carriage road +that led to the house. The next turn brought her face to face with her +father. + +"What, Elsie! alone and on foot at this late hour?" he said in a tone +of mingled surprise and reproof. + +"I have been riding, papa, and only a moment since dismounted and let +Jim lead the horses down the other road to the stables." + +"Ah, but how did you come to be so late?" he asked, drawing her hand +within his arm and leading her onward. + +"I have been to Tinegrove, sir, and Aunt Lora, Carrie, and I found so +much to say to each other, that the time slipped away before I knew +it." + +"It must not happen again, Elsie." + +"I do not mean it shall, papa, and I am very sorry." + +"Then I excuse you this once, daughter; it is not often you give me +occasion to reprove you." + +"Thank you, papa," she said with a grateful, loving look. "Did you +come out in search of me?" + +"Yes, your mamma and I had begun to grow anxious lest some accident +had befallen you. Our little daughter is such a precious treasure that +we must needs watch over her very carefully," he added in a tone that +was half playful, half tender, while he pressed the little gloved +hand in his, and his eyes rested upon the sweet fair face with an +expression of proud fatherly affection. + +Her answering look was full of filial reverence and love. "Dear papa, +it is so nice to be so loved and cared for; so sweet to hear such +words from your lips. I do believe I'm the very happiest girl in the +land." She had already almost forgotten Arthur and his rudeness and +brutality. + +"And I the happiest father," he said with a pleased smile. "Ah, here +comes mamma to meet as with little Horace." + +The child ran forward with a glad shout to meet his sister, Rose met +her with loving words and a fond caress; one might have thought from +their joyous welcome, that she was returning after an absence of +weeks or months instead of hours. Letting go her father's arm as they +stepped upon the piazza Elsie began a romping play with her little +brother, but at a gentle reminder from her mamma that the tea bell +would soon ring, ran away to her own apartments to have her riding +habit changed for something more suitable for the drawing room. + +Chloe was in waiting and her skilful hands made rapid work, putting +the last touches to her nursling's dress just as the summons to the +supper table was given. + +Mr. Dinsmore was quite as fastidious as in former days in regard to +the neatness and tastefulness of Elsie's attire. + +"Will I do, papa?" she asked, presenting herself before him, looking +very sweet and fair in a simple white dress with blue sash and +ribbons. + +"Yes," he said with a satisfied smile, "I see nothing amiss with +dress, hair, or face." + +"Nor do I," said Rose, leading the way to the supper room, "Aunt Chloe +is an accomplished tirewoman. But come, let us sit down to our meal +and have it over." + +On their return to the drawing room they, found Mr. Travilla +comfortably ensconced in an easy chair, reading the evening paper. He +was an almost daily visitor at the Oaks, and seldom came without some +little gift for one or both of his friend's children. It was for Elsie +to-night. When the usual greetings had been exchanged, he turned to +her, saying, "I have brought you a treat. Can you guess what it is?" + +"A book!" + +"Ah, there must be something of the Yankee about you," he answered, +laughing. "Yes, it is a book in two volumes; just published and a +most delightful, charming story," he went on, drawing them from his +pockets, and handing them to her as he spoke. + +"Oh, thank you, sir!" she cried with eager gratitude, "I'm so glad, +if--if only papa will allow me to read it. May I, papa?" + +"I can tell better when I have examined it, my child," Mr. Dinsmore +answered, taking one of the volumes from her hands and looking at the +title on the back. "'The Wide, Wide World!' What sort of a book is it, +Travilla?" + +"A very good sort. I think. Just glance through it or read a few +pages, and I'm pretty sure it will be sufficient to satisfy you of, +not only its harmlessness, but that its perusal would be a benefit to +almost any one." + +Mr. Dinsmore did so, Elsie standing beside him, her hand upon his arm, +and her eyes on his face--anxiously watching its changes of expression +as he read. They grew more and more satisfactory; the book was +evidently approving itself to his taste and judgment, and presently +he returned it to her, saying, with a kind fatherly smile, "Yes, my +child, you may read it. I have no doubt it deserves all the praise Mr. +Travilla has given it." + +"Oh, thank you, papa, I'm very glad," she answered joyously, "I am +just hungry for a nice story." And seating herself near the light, she +was soon lost to everything about her in the deep interest with which +she was following Ellen Montgomery through her troubles and trials. + +She was loath to lay the book aside when at the usual hour--a quarter +before nine--the bell rang for prayers. She hardly heeded the summons +till her papa laid his hand on her shoulder, saying, "Come, daughter, +you must not be left behind." + +She started up then, hastily closing the book, and followed the others +to the dining room, where the servants were already assembled to take +part in the family devotions. + +Mr. Travilla went away immediately after and now it was Elsie's +bed-time. Her father reminded her of it as, on coming back from seeing +his friend to the door, he found her again poring over the book. + +"Oh, papa, it is so interesting! could you let me finish this +chapter?" she asked with a very entreating look up into his face as he +stood at her side. + +"I suppose I could if I should make a great effort," he answered +laughingly. "Yes, you may, for once, but don't expect always to be +allowed to do so." + +"No, sir, oh, no. Thank you, sir." + +"Well, have you come to a good stopping-place?" he asked, as she +presently closed the book and put it aside with a slight sigh. + +"No, sir, it is just as bad a one as the other. Papa, I wish I was +grown up enough to read another hour before going to bed." + +"I don't," he said, drawing her to a seat upon his knee, and passing +his arm about her waist, "I'm not ready to part with my little girl +yet." + +"Wouldn't a fine young lady daughter be just as good or better?" she +asked, giving him a hug. + +"No, not now, some of these days I may think so." + +"But mayn't I stay up and read till ten to-night?" + +He shook his head. "Till half-past nine, then?" + +"No, not even a till quarter past. Ah, it is that now," he added, +consulting his watch. + +"You must say good-night and go. Early hours and plenty of sleep for +my little girl, that she may grow up to healthful, vigorous womanhood, +capable of enjoying life and being very useful in the church and the +world." He kissed her with grave tenderness as he spoke. + +"Good-night then, you dear father," she said, returning the caress. "I +know you would indulge me if you thought it for my good." + +"Indeed I would, pet. Would it help to reconcile you to the denial +of your wish to know that I shall be reading the book, and probably +enjoying it as much as you would?" + +"Ah yes, indeed, papa! it is a real pleasure to resign it to you," she +answered with a look of delight. "It's just the nicest story! at least +as far as I've read. Read it aloud to mamma, won't you?" + +"Yes, if she wishes to hear it. Now away with you to your room and +your bed." + +Only waiting to bid her mamma an affectionate good-night, Elsie +obeyed, leaving the room with a light step, and a cheerful, happy +face. + +"Dear unselfish child!" her father said, looking after her. + +"She is that indeed," said Rose. "How happy, shall I be if Horace +grows up to be as good and lovable." + +Elsie was a fearless horsewoman, accustomed to the saddle from her +very early years. Thus Arthur's wanton attack upon her pony had failed +to give her nerves the severe shock it might have caused to those of +most young girls of her age. Her feeling was more of excitement, +and of indignation at the uncalled-for cruelty to a dumb animal, +especially her own pet horse, than of fright at the danger to herself. +But she well knew that the latter was what her father would think of +first, and that he would be very angry with Arthur; therefore she had +tried, and successfully, to control herself and suppress all signs of +agitation on meeting him upon her return. + +She felt glad now as the affair recurred to her recollection while +preparing for the night's rest, that she had been able to do so. For a +moment she questioned with herself whether she was quite right to have +this concealment from her father, but quickly decided that she was. +Had the wrong-doing been her own--that would have made it altogether +another matter. + +She was shocked at Arthur's wickedness, troubled and anxious about his +future, but freely forgave his crime against her pony and herself, +and mingled with her nightly petitions an earnest prayer for his +conversion, and his welfare temporal and spiritual. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + O love! thou sternly dost thy power maintain, + And wilt not bear a rival in thy reign. + + --DRYDEN. + + +It was the middle of the forenoon, and Elsie in her own pretty little +sitting room was busied with her books; so deep in study indeed, that +she never noticed a slight girlish figure as it glided in at the glass +doors opening upon the lawn, to-day set wide to admit the air coming +fresh and cool with a faint odor of the far-off sea, pleasantly +mingling with that of the flowers in the garden, on the other side of +the house. + +"Buried alive in her books! Dear me! what a perfect paragon of +industry you are," cried the intruder in a lively tone. "I wish you +would imbue me with some of your love of study." + +"Why, Lucy Carrington! how did you get here?" and Elsie pushed her +books away, rose hastily and greeted her friend with an affectionate +embrace. + +"How? I came in through yonder door, miss; after riding my pony +from Ashlands to the front entrance of this mansion," replied Lucy, +courtesying low in mock reverence. "I hope your ladyship will excuse +the liberty I have taken in venturing uninvited into your sanctum." + +"Provided your repentance is deep and sincere," returned Elsie in the +same jesting tone. + +"Certainly, I solemnly pledge myself never to do it again till the +next time." + +"Sit down, won't you?" and Elsie pushed forward a low rocking chair. +"It's so pleasant to see you. But if I had thought about it at all +I should have supposed you were at home, and as busy over books and +lessons as I." + +"No; my respected governess, Miss Warren, not feeling very well, has +taken a week's holiday, and left me to do the same. Fancy my afflicted +state at the thought of laying aside my beloved books for seven or +eight whole days." + +"You poor creature! how I pity you," said Elsie, laughing; "suppose +you stay here and share the instructions of my tutor; I have no doubt +I could persuade him to receive you as a pupil." + +"Horrors! I'm much obliged, very much, but I should die of fright the +first time I had to recite. There, I declare I'm growing poetical, +talking in rhyme all the time." + +"Let mammy take your hat and scarf," said Elsie. "You'll stay and +spend the day with me, won't you?" + +"Thank you, no; I came to carry you off to Ashlands to spend a week. +Will you come?" + +"I should like to, dearly well, if papa gives permission." + +"Well, run and ask him." + +"I can't; unfortunately he is out, and not expected to return till +tea-time." + +"Oh, pshaw! how provoking! But can't your mamma give permission just +as well?" + +"If it were only for a day she might, but I know she would say the +question of a longer visit must be referred to papa." + +"Dear me! I wouldn't be you for something. Why, I never ask leave of +anybody when I want to pay a visit anywhere in the neighborhood. I +tell mamma I'm going, and that's all-sufficient. I don't see how you +stand being ordered about and controlled so." + +"If you'll believe me," said Elsie, laughing a gay, sweet, silvery +laugh, "I really enjoy being controlled by papa. It saves me a deal of +trouble and responsibility in the way of deciding for myself; and then +I love him so dearly that I almost always feel it my greatest pleasure +to do whatever pleases him." + +"And he always was so strict with you." + +"Yes, he is strict; but oh, so kind." + +"But that's just because you're so good; he'd have an awful time +ruling me. I'd be in a chronic state of disgrace and punishment; and +he obliged to be so constantly improving me and frowning sternly upon +my delinquencies that he'd never be able to don a smile of approval or +slip in a word of praise edgewise." + +"Indeed you're not half so bad as you pretend," said Elsie, laughing +again; "nor I half so good as you seem determined to believe me." + +"No, I've no doubt that you're an arch hypocrite, and we shall find +out one of these days that you are really worse than any of the rest +of us. But now I must finish my errand and go, for I know you're +longing to be at those books. Do you get a ferruling every time you +miss a word?--and enjoy the pain because it pleases papa to inflict +it?" + +"Oh, Lucy, how can you be so ridiculous?" and a quick, vivid blush +mounted to Elsie's very hair. + +"I beg your pardon, Elsie, dear, I had no business to say such a +thing," cried Lucy, springing up to throw her arms round her friend +and kiss her warmly; "but of course it was nothing but the merest +nonsense. I know well enough your papa never does anything of the +kind." + +"No; if my lessons are not well prepared they have to be learned over +again, that is all; and if I see that papa is displeased with me, I +assure you it is punishment enough." + +"Do you think he'll let you accept my invitation?" + +"I don't know, indeed, Lucy. I think he will hardly like to have me +give up my studies for that length of time, and in fact I hardly like +to do so myself." + +"Oh, you must come. You can practise on my piano every day for an hour +or two, if you like. We'll learn some duets. And you can bring your +sketch-book and carry it along when we walk or ride, as we shall +every day. And we might read some improving books together,--you and +Herbert, and I. He is worse again, poor fellow! so that some days he +hardly leaves his couch even to limp across the room, and it's partly +to cheer him up that we want you to come. There's nothing puts him +into better spirits than a sight of your face." + +"You don't expect other company?" + +"No, except on our birthday; but then we're going to have a little +party, just of our own set,--we boys and girls that have grown up--or +are growing up--together, as one may say. Oh, yes, I want to have +Carrie Howard, Mary Leslie, and Enna stay a day or two after the +party. Now coax your papa hard, for we must have you," she added, +rising to go. + +"That would be a sure way to make him say no," said Elsie, smiling; +"he never allows me to coax or tease; at least, not after he has once +answered my request." + +"Then don't think of it. Good-bye. No, don't waste time in coming to +see me off, but go back to your books like a good child. I mean to +have a little chat with your mamma before I go." + +Elsie returned to her lessons with redoubled energy. She was longing +to become more intimately acquainted with Ellen Montgomery, but +resolutely denied herself even so much as a peep at the pages of the +fascinating story-book until her allotted tasks should be faithfully +performed. + +These, with her regular daily exercise in the open air, filled up the +morning; there was a half hour before, and another after dinner, which +she could call her own; then two hours for needlework, music, and +drawing, and she was free to employ herself as she would till +bed-time. + +That was very apt to be in reading, and if the weather was fine she +usually carried her book to an arbor at some distance from the house. +It was reached by a long shaded walk that led to it from the lawn, on +which the glass doors of her pretty boudoir opened. It was a cool, +breezy, quiet spot, on a terraced hillside, commanding a lovely view +of vale, river, and woodland, and from being so constantly frequented +by our heroine, had come to be called by her name,--"Elsie's Arbor." +Arthur, well acquainted with these tastes and habits, sought, and +found her here on the afternoon of this day--found her so deeply +absorbed in Miss Warner's sweet story that she was not aware of his +approach--so full of sympathy for little Ellen that her tears were +dropping upon the page as she read. + +"What, crying, eh?" he said with a sneer, as he seated himself by her +side, and rudely pulled one of her curls, very much as he had been +used to do years ago. "Well, I needn't be surprised, for you always +were the greatest baby I ever saw." + +"Please let my hair alone, Arthur; you are not very polite in either +speech or action," she answered, brushing away her tears and moving a +little farther from him. + +"It's not worth while to waste politeness on you. What's that you're +reading?" + +"A new book Mr. Travilla gave me." + +"Has no name, eh?" + +"Yes, 'Wide, Wide World.'" + +"Some namby-pamby girl's story, I s'pose, since you're allowed to read +it; or are you doing it on the sly?" + +"No, I never do such things, and hope I never shall; papa gave me +permission." + +"Oh; ah! then I haven't got you in my power: wish I had." + +"Why?" + +"Because I might turn it to good account. I know you are as afraid as +death of Horace." + +"No, I am not!" dried Elsie indignantly, rich color rushing all over +her fair face and neck; "for I know that he loves me dearly and if I +had been disobeying or deceiving him I would far sooner throw myself +on his mercy than on yours." + +"You would, eh? How mad you are; your face is as red as a beet. A +pretty sort of Christian you are, aren't you?" + +"I am not perfect, Arthur; but you mustn't judge of religion by me." + +"I shall, though. Don't you wish I'd go away?" he added teasingly, +again snatching at her curls. + +But she eluded his grasp, and rising, stood before him with an air of +gentle dignity. "Yes," she said, "since you ask me, I'll own that I +do. I don't know why it is that, though your manners are polished when +you choose to make them so, you are always rude and ungentlemanly to +me when you find me alone. So I shall be very glad if you'll just go +away and leave me to solitude and the enjoyment of my book." + +"I'll do so when I get ready; not a minute sooner. But you can get rid +of me just as soon as you like. I see you take. Yes, I want that money +I asked you for yesterday, and I am bound to have it." + +"Arthur, my answer must be just the same that it was then; I can give +you no other." + +"You're the meanest girl alive! To my certain knowledge you are worth +at least a million and a half, and yet you refuse to lend me the +pitiful sum of fifty dollars." + +"Arthur, you know I have no choice in the matter. Papa has forbidden +me to lend you money without his knowledge and consent, and I cannot +disobey him." + +"When did he forbid you?" + +"A long while ago; and though he has said nothing about it lately, he +has told me again and again that his commands are always binding until +he revokes them." + +"Fifteen years old, and not allowed to do as you please even with +your pocket money!" he said contemptuously. "Do you expect to be in +leading-strings all your life?" + +"I shall of course have control of my own money matters on coming of +age; but I expect to obey my father as long as we both live," she +answered, with gentle but firm decision. + +"Do you have to show your balance in hand when you give in your +account?" + +"No; do you suppose papa cannot trust my word?" she answered, somewhat +indignantly. + +"Then you could manage it just as easily as not. There's no occasion +for him to know whether your balance in hand is at that moment in your +possession or mine; as I told you before, I only want to borrow it for +two weeks. Come, let me have it. If you don't, the day will come when +you'll wish you had." + +She repeated her refusal; he grew very angry and abusive, and at +length went so far as to strike her. + +A quick step sounded on the gravel walk, a strong grasp was laid on +Arthur's arm, he felt himself suddenly jerked aside and flung upon +his knees, while a perfect rain of stinging, smarting blows descended +rapidly upon his back and shoulders. + +"There, you unmitigated scoundrel, you mean, miserable caitiff; lay +your hand upon her again if you dare!" cried Mr. Travilla, finishing +the castigation by applying the toe of his boot to Arthur's nether +parts with a force that sent him reeling some distance down the walk, +to fall with a heavy thud upon the ground. + +The lad rose, white with rage, and shook his fist at his antagonist. +"I'll strike her when I please," he said with an oath, "and not be +called to account by you for it either; she's my niece, and nothing to +you." + +"I'll defend her nevertheless, and see to it that you come to grief if +you attempt to harm her in any way whatever. Did he hurt you much, my +child?" And Mr. Travilla's tone changed to one of tender concern as he +turned and addressed Elsie, who had sunk pale and trembling upon the +rustic seat where Arthur had found her. + +"No, sir, but I fear you have hurt him a good deal, in your kind zeal +for my defence," she answered, looking after Arthur, as he limped away +down the path. + +"I have broken my cane, that is the worst of it," said her protector +coolly, looking regretfully down at the fragment he still held in his +hand. + +"You must have struck very hard, and oh, Mr. Travilla, what if he +should take it into his head to challenge you?" and Elsie turned pale +with terror. + +"Never fear; he is too arrant a coward for that; he knows I am a good +shot, and that, as the challenged party, I would have the right to +the choice of weapons." + +"But you wouldn't fight, Mr. Travilla? you do not approve of +duelling?" + +"So, no indeed, Elsie; both the laws of God and of the land are +against it, and I could not engage in it either as a good citizen or a +Christian." + +"Oh, I am so glad of that, and that you came to my rescue; for I was +really growing frightened, Arthur seemed in such a fury with me." + +"What was it about?" + +Elsie explained, then asked how he had happened to come to her aid. + +"I had learned from the servants that your father and mother were both +out, so came here in search of you," he said. "As I drew near I saw +that Arthur was with you, and not wishing to overhear your talk, I +waited at a little distance up there on the bank, watching you through +the trees. I perceived at once that he was in a towering passion, and +fearing he would ill-treat you in some way, I held myself in readiness +to come to your rescue; and when I saw him strike you, such a fury +suddenly came over me that I could not possibly refrain from thrashing +him for it." + +"Mr. Travilla, you will not tell papa?" she said entreatingly. + +"My child, I am inclined to think he ought to hear of it." + +"Oh, why need he? It would make him very angry with Arthur." + +"Which Arthur richly deserves. I think your father should know, in +order that he may take measures for your protection. Still, if you +promise not to ride or walk out alone until Arthur has left the +neighborhood, it shall be as you wish. But you must try to recover +your composure, or your papa will be sure to ask the cause of your +agitation. You are trembling very much, and the color has quite +forsaken your cheeks." + +"I'll try," She said, making a great effort to control herself, "and I +give you the promise." + +"This is a very pleasant place to sit with book or work," he remarked, +"but I would advise you not even to come here alone again till Arthur +has gone." + +"Thank you, sir, I think I shall follow your advice. It will be only a +few weeks now till he and Walter both go North to college." + +"I see you have your book with you," he said, taking it up from the +seat where it lay. "How do you like it?" + +"Oh, so much! How I pity poor Ellen for having such a father, so +different from my dear papa; and because she had to be separated from +her mamma, whom she loved so dearly. I can't read about her troubles +without crying, Mr. Travilla." + +"Shall I tell you a secret," he said, smiling; "I shed some tears +over it myself." Then he went on talking with her about the different +characters of the story, thus helping her to recover her composure by +turning her thoughts from herself and Arthur. + +When, half an hour later, a servant came to summon her to the house, +with the announcement that her father had returned and was ready to +hear her recitations, all signs of agitation had disappeared; she had +ceased to tremble, and her fair face was as sweet, bright, and rosy as +its wont. + +She rose instantly on hearing the summons. "You'll excuse me, I know, +Mr. Travilla. But will you not go in with me? We are always glad to +have you with us. I have no need to tell you that, I am sure." + +"Thank you," he said, "but I must return to Ion now. I shall walk to +the house with you though, if you will permit me," he added, thinking +that Arthur might be still lurking somewhere within the grounds. + +She answered gayly that she would be very glad of his company. She had +lost none of her old liking for her father's friend, and was wont to +treat him with the easy and affectionate familiarity she might have +used had he been her uncle. + +They continued their talk till they had reached the lawn at the side +of the house on which her apartments were; then he turned to bid her +good-bye. + +"I'm much obliged!" she said, taking his offered hand, and looking up +brightly into his face. + +"Welcome, fair lady; but am I to be dismissed without any reward for +my poor services?" + +"I have none to offer, sir knight, but you may help yourself if you +choose," she said, laughing and blushing, for she knew very well what +he meant. + +He stooped and snatched a kiss from her ruby lips, then walked away +sighing softly to himself, "Ah, little Elsie, if I were but ten years +younger!" + +She tripped across the lawn, and entering the open door of her +boudoir, found herself in her father's arms. He had witnessed the +little scene just enacted between Mr. Travilla and herself, had +noticed something in his friend's look and manner that had never +struck him before. He folded his child close to his heart for an +instant then held her off a little, gazing fondly into her face. + +"You are mine; you belong to me; no other earthly creature has the +least shadow of a right or title in you; do you know that?" + +"Yes, papa, and rejoice to know it," she murmured, putting her arms +about his neck and laying her head against his breast. + +"Ah!" he said, sighing, "you will not always be able to say that, I +fear. One of these days you will--" He broke off abruptly, without +finishing his sentence. + +She looked up inquiringly into his face. + +He answered her look with a smile and a tender caress. "I had better +not put the nonsense into your head: it will get there soon enough +without my help. Come now, let us have the lessons. I expect to find +them well prepared, as usual." + +"I hope so, papa," she answered, bringing her books and seating +herself on a stool at his feet, he having taken possession of an +easy-chair. + +The recitations seemed a source of keen enjoyment to both; the one +loving to impart, and the other to receive, knowledge. + +Mr. Dinsmore gave the deserved meed of warm praise for the faithful +preparation of each allotted task, prescribed those for the coming +day, and the books were laid aside. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, as she closed her desk upon them, "I +have something to say to you." + +"What is it, papa?" she asked, seating herself upon his knee. "How +very grave you look." But there was not a touch of the old fear in her +face or voice, as there had been none in his of the old sternness. + +"Yes, for I am about to speak of a serious matter," he answered, +gently smoothing back the clustering curls from her fair brow, while +he looked earnestly into the soft brown eyes. "You have not been +lending money to Arthur, Elsie?" + +The abrupt, unexpected question startled her, and a crimson tide +rushed over her face and neck; but she returned her father's gaze +steadily: "No, papa; how could you think I would disobey so?" + +"I did not, darling, and yet I felt that I must ask the question +and repeat my warning, my command to you--never to do so without my +knowledge and consent. Your grandfather and I are much troubled about +the boy." + +"I am so sorry, papa; I hope he has not been doing anything very bad." + +"He seems to have sufficient cunning to hide many of his evil deeds," +Mr. Dinsmore said, with a sigh; "yet enough has come to light to +convince us that he is very likely to become a shame and disgrace to +his family. We know that he is profane, and to some extent, at +least, intemperate and a gambler. A sad, sad beginning for a boy of +seventeen. And to furnish him with money, Elsie, would be only to +assist him in his downward course." + +"Yes, papa, I see that. Poor grandpa, I'm so sorry for him! But, papa, +God can change Arthur's heart, and make him all we could wish." + +"Yes, daughter, and we will agree together to ask Him to do this great +work, so impossible to any human power; shall we not?" + +"Yes, papa." They were silent a moment; then she turned to him again, +told of Lucy Carrington's call and its object, and asked if she might +accept the invitation. + +He considered a moment. "Yes," he said kindly, "you may if you wish. +You quite deserve a holiday, and I think perhaps would really be the +better of a week's rest from study. Go and enjoy yourself as much as +you can, my darling." + +"Thank you, you dearest, kindest, and best of papas," she said, giving +him a hug and kiss. "But I think you look a little bit sorry. You +would rather I should stay at home, if I could content myself to do +so, and it would be a strange thing if I could not." + +"No, my pet, I shall miss you, I know; the house always seems lonely +without you; but I can spare you for a week, and would rather have you +go, because I think the change will do you good. Besides, I am willing +to lend my treasure for a few days to our friends at Ashlands. I +would gladly do more than that, if I could, for that poor suffering +Herbert." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + How many pleasant faces shed their light on every side. + + --TUPPER. + + +"Remember it is for only one week; you must be back again next +Wednesday by ten o'clock; I can't spare you an hour longer," Mr. +Dinsmore said, as the next morning, shortly after breakfast, he +assisted his daughter to mount her pony. + +"Ten o'clock at night, papa?" asked Elsie in a gay, jesting tone, as +she settled herself in the saddle, and took a little gold-mounted +riding whip from his hand. + +"No, ten A.M., precisely." + +"But what if it should be storming, sir?" + +"Then come as soon as the storm is over." + +"Yes, sir; and may I come sooner if I get homesick?" + +"Just as soon as you please. Now, good-bye, my darling. Don't go into +any danger. I know I need not remind you to do nothing your father +would disapprove." + +"I hope not, papa," she said, with a loving look into the eyes that +were gazing so fondly upon her. Then kissing her hand to him and her +mamma and little Horace, who stood on the veranda to see her off, she +turned her horse's head and cantered merrily away, taking the road to +Ashlands on passing out at the gate. + +It was a bright, breezy morning, and her heart felt so light and +gay that a snatch of glad song rose to her lips. She warbled a few +bird-like notes, then fell to humming softly to herself. + +At a little distance down the road a light wagon was rumbling along, +driven by one of the man-servants from the Oaks, and carrying Aunt +Chloe and her young mistress' trunks. + +"Come, Jim," said Elsie, glancing over her shoulder at her attendant +satellite, "we must pass them. Glossy and I are in haste to-day. Ah, +mammy, are you enjoying your ride?" she called to her old nurse as she +cantered swiftly by. + +"Yes, dat I is, honey!" returned the old woman. Then sending a loving, +admiring look after the retreating form so full of symmetry and grace, +"My bressed chile!" she murmured, "you's beautiful as de mornin', your +ole mammy tinks, an' sweet as de finest rose in de garden; bright an' +happy as de day am long, too." + +"De beautifullest in all de country, an' de finest," chimed in her +charioteer. + +The young people at Ashlands were all out on the veranda enjoying the +fresh morning air--Herbert lying on a lounge with a book in his hand; +Harry and Lucy seated on opposite sides of a small round table and +deep in a game of chess; two little fellows of six and eight--John and +Archie by name--were spinning a top. + +"There she is! I had almost given her up; for I didn't believe that +old father of hers would let her come," cried Lucy, catching sight of +Glossy and her rider just entering the avenue; and she sprang up in +such haste as to upset half the men upon the board. + +"Hollo! see what you've done!" exclaimed Harry. "Why, it's Elsie, sure +enough!" and he hastily followed in the wake of his sister, who had +already flown to meet and welcome her friend; while Herbert started up +to a sitting posture, and looked enviously after them. + +"Archie, John," he called, "one of you please be good enough to hand +me my crutch and cane. Dear me, what a thing it is to be a cripple!" + +"I'll get 'em, Herbie, this minute! Don't you try to step without +'em," said Archie, jumping up to hand them. + +But Elsie had already alighted from her horse with Harry's assistance, +and shaken hands with him, returned Lucy's rapturous embrace as warmly +as it was given, and stepped upon the veranda with her before Herbert +was fairly upon his feet. As she caught sight of him she hurried +forward, her sweet face full of tender pity. + +"Oh, don't try to come to meet me, Herbert," she said, holding out her +little gloved hand; "I know your poor limb is worse than usual, and +you, must not exert yourself for an old friend like me." + +"Ah," he said, taking the offered hand, and looking at its owner with +a glad light in his eyes, "How like you that is, Elsie! You always +were more thoughtful of others than any one else I ever knew. Yes, my +limb is pretty bad just now; but the doctor thinks he'll conquer the +disease yet; at least so far as to relieve me of the pain I suffer." + +"I hope so, indeed. How patiently you have borne it all these long +years," she answered with earnest sympathy of tone and look. + +"So he has; he deserves the greatest amount of credit for it," said +Lucy, as John and Archie in turn claimed Elsie's attention for a +moment. "But come now, let me take you to mamma and grandma, and then +to your own room. Aunt Chloe and your luggage will be along presently, +I suppose." + +"Yes, they are coming up the avenue now." + +Lucy led the way to a large pleasant, airy apartment in one of the +wings of the building, where they found Mrs. Carrington busily +occupied in cutting out garments for her servants, her parents Mr. and +Mrs. Norris with her, the one reading a newspaper, the other knitting. +All three gave the young guest a very warm welcome. She was evidently +a great favorite with the whole family. + +These greetings and the usual mutual inquiries in regard to the health +of friends and relatives having been exchanged, Elsie was next carried +off by Lucy to the room prepared for her special use during her stay +at Ashlands. It also was large, airy, and cheerful, on the second +floor--opening upon a veranda on one side, on the other into a similar +apartment occupied by Lucy herself. Pine India matting, furniture of +some kind of yellow grained wood, snowy counterpanes, curtains and +toilet covers gave them both an air of coolness and simple elegance, +while vases of fresh flowers upon the mantels shed around a slight but +delicious perfume. + +Of course the two girls were full of lively, innocent chat. In the +midst of it Elsie exclaimed, "Oh, Lucy! I have just the loveliest book +you ever read! a present from Mr. Travilla the other day, and I've +brought it along. Papa had begun it, but he is so kind he insisted I +should bring it with me; and so I did." + +"Oh, I'm glad! we haven't had anything new in the story-book line for +some time. Have you read it yourself?" + +"Partly; but it is worth reading several times; and I thought we would +enjoy it all together--one reading aloud." + +"Oh, 'tis just the thing! I'm going to help mamma to-day with the +sewing, and a nice book read aloud will make it quite enjoyable. We'll +have you for reader, Elsie, if you are agreed." + +"Suppose we take turns sewing and reading? I'd like to help your +mamma, too." + +"Thank you; well, we'll see. Herbert's a good reader, and I daresay +will be glad to take his turn at it too. Ah, here comes your baggage +and Aunt Chloe following it. Here, Bob and Jack," to the two stalwart +black fellows who were carrying the trunk, "set it in this corner. How +d'ye do, Aunt Chloe?" + +"Berry well, tank you, missy," replied the old nurse, dropping a +courtesy. "I'se berry glad to see you lookin' so bright dis here +mornin'." + +"Thank you. Now make yourself at home and take good care of your young +mistress." + +"Dat I will, missy; best I knows how. Trus' dis chile for dat." + +Elsie's riding habit was quickly exchanged for a house dress, her +hair made smooth and shining as its wont, and securing her book she +returned with Lucy to the lower veranda, where they found Herbert +still extended upon his sofa. + +His face brightened at sight of Elsie. He had laid aside his book, and +was at work with his knife upon a bit of soft pine wood. He whiled +away many a tedious hour by fashioning in this manner little boxes, +whistles, sets of baby-house furniture, etc., etc., for one and +another of his small friends. Books, magazines, and newspapers filled +up the larger portion of his time, but could not occupy it all, for, +as he said, he must digest his mental food, and he liked to have +employment for his fingers while doing so. + +"Please be good enough to sit where I can look at you without too +great an effort, won't you?" he said, smiling up into Elsie's face. + +"Yes, if that will afford you any pleasure," she answered lightly, as +Lucy beckoned to a colored girl, who stepped forward and placed a low +rocking chair at the side of the couch. + +"There, that is just right. I can have a full view of your face by +merely raising my eyes," Herbert said with satisfaction, as Elsie +seated herself in it. "What, you have brought a book?" + +"Yes," and while Elsie went on to repeat the substance of what she +had told Lucy, the latter slipped away to her mamma's room to make +arrangements about the work, and ask if they would not all like to +come and listen to the reading. + +"Is it the kind of book to interest an old body like me?" asked Mrs. +Norris. + +"I don't know, grandma; but Elsie says Mr. Travilla and her papa were +both delighted with it. Mr. Dinsmore, though, had not read the whole +of it." + +"Suppose we go and try it for a while then," said Mr. Morris, laying +down his paper. "If our little Elsie is to be the reader, I for one am +pretty sure to enjoy listening, her voice is so sweet-toned and her +enunciation so clear and distinct." + +"That's you, grandpa!" cried Lucy, clapping her hands in applause. +"Yes, you'd better all come, Elsie is to be the reader at the start; +she says she does not mind beginning the story over again." + +Mrs. Carrington began gathering up her work, laying the garments +already cut out in a large basket, which was then carried by her maid +to the veranda. In a few moments Elsie had quite an audience gathered +about her, ere long a deeply interested one; scissors or needle had +now and again to be dropped to wipe away a falling tear, and the voice +of the reader needed steadying more than once or twice. Then Herbert +took his turn at the book, Elsie hers with the needle, Mrs. Carrington +half reluctantly yielding to her urgent request to be allowed to +assist them. + +So the morning, and much of the afternoon also, passed most +pleasantly, and not unprofitably either. A walk toward sundown, and +afterward a delightful moonlight ride with Harry Carrington and +Winthrop Lansing, the son of a neighboring planter, finished the +day, and Elsie retired to her own room at her usual early hour. Lucy +followed and kept her chatting quite a while, for which Elsie's tender +conscience reproached her somewhat; yet she was not long in falling +asleep after her head had once touched her pillow. + +The next day was passed in a similar manner, still more time being +given to the reading, as they were able to begin it earlier: yet the +book was not finished; but on the morning of the next day, which was +Friday, Lucy proposed that, if the plan was agreeable to Elsie, they +should spend an hour or two in a new amusement; which was no other +than going into the dominions of Aunt Viney, the cook, and assisting +in beating eggs and making cake. + +Elsie was charmed with the idea, and it was immediately carried out, +to the great astonishment of Chloe, Aunt Viney, and all her sable +tribe. + +"Sho, Miss Lucy! what fo' you go for to fotch de company right yere +into dis yere ole dirty kitchen?" cried Aunt Viney, dropping a hasty +courtesy to Elsie, then hurrying hither and thither in the vain effort +to set everything to rights in a moment of time. "Clar out o' yere, +you, Han an' Scip," she cried, addressing two small urchins of dusky +hue and driving them before her as she spoke, "dere aint no room yere +fo' you, an' kitchens aint no place for darkies o' your size or sect. +I'll fling de dishcloth at yo' brack faces ef yo' comes in agin fo' +you sent for. I 'clare Miss Elsie, an' Miss Lucy, dose dirty niggahs +make sich a muss in yere, dere aint a char fit for you to set down +in," she continued, hastily cleaning two, and wiping them with her +apron. "I'se glad to see you, ladies, but ef I'd knowed you was +a-comin' dis kitchen shu'd had a cleanin' up fo' shuah." + +"You see, Aunt Viney, you ought to keep it in order, and then you +would be ready for visitors whenever they happened to come," said Lucy +laughingly. "Why, you're really quite out of breath with whisking +about so fast. We've come to help you." + +The fat old negress, still panting from her unwonted exertions, +straightened herself, pushed back her turban, and gazed in round-eyed +wonder upon her young mistress. + +"What! Missy help ole Aunt Viney wid dose lily-white hands? Oh, go +'long! you's jokin' dis time fo' shuah." + +"No indeed; we want the fun of helping to make some of the cake for +to-morrow. You know we want ever so many kinds to celebrate our two +birthdays." + +"Two birthdays, Miss Lucy? yo's and Massa Herbert's? Yes, dat's it; I +don't disremember de day, but I do disremember de age." + +"Sixteen; and now we're going to have a nice party to celebrate the +day, and you must see that the refreshments are got up in your very +best style." + +"So I will, Miss Lucy, an' no 'casion for you and Miss Elsie to +trouble yo' young heads 'bout de makin' ob de cakes an' jellies an' +custards an' sich. Ole Aunt Viney can 'tend to it all." + +"But we want the fun of it," persisted Lucy; "we want to try our hands +at beating eggs, rolling sugar, sifting flour, etc., etc. I've got a +grand new receipt book here, and we'll read out the recipes to you, +and measure and weigh the materials, and you can do the mixing and +baking." + +"Yes, missy, you' lily hands no' hab strength to stir, an' de fire +spoil yo' buful 'plexions for shuah." + +"I've brought mamma's keys," said Lucy; "come along with us to the +store-room, Aunt Viney, and I'll deal out the sugar, spices, and +whatever else you want." + +"Yes, Miss Lucy; but 'deed I don't need no help. You's berry kind, but +ole Viney kin do it all, an' she'll have eberything fus'-rate fo' de +young gemmen an' ladies." + +"But that isn't the thing, auntie; you don't seem to understand. Miss +Elsie and I want the fun, and to learn to cook, too. Who knows but we +may some day have to do our own work?" + +"Bress de Lord, Miss Lucy, how you talk, honey!" cried the old +negress, rolling up her eyes in horror at the thought. + +"Take care; Miss Elsie will think you very wicked if you use such +exclamations as that." + +"Dat wrong, you t'ink, missy?" asked Aunt Viney, turning to the young +visitor, who had gone with them to the store-room, and was assisting +Lucy in the work of measuring and weighing the needed articles. + +"I think it is," she answered gently; "we should be very careful +not to use the sacred name lightly. To do so is to break the third +commandment." + +"Den, missy, dis ole gal won't neber do it no more." + +Chloe had been an excellent cook in her young days, and had not +forgotten or lost her former skill in the preparation of toothsome +dainties. She, too, came with offers of assistance, and the four were +soon deep in the mysteries of pastry, sweetmeats, and confections. +Novelty gave it an especial charm to the young ladies, and they grew +very merry and talkative, while their ignorance of the business in +hand, the odd mistakes they fell into in consequence, and the comical +questions they asked, gave much secret amusement to the two old +servants. + +"What's this pound cake to be mixed up in, Aunt Viney?" asked Lucy. + +"In dis yere tin pan, missy." + +"Is it clean?" + +"Yes, missy, it's clean; but maybe 'taint suffishently clean, I'll +wash it agin." + +"How many kinds of cake shall we make?" asked Elsie. + +"Every kind that Chloe and Aunt Viney can think of and know how +to make well. Let me see--delicate cake, gold, silver and clove, +fruitcake, sponge, and what else?" + +"Mammy makes delicious jumbles." + +"Will you make us some, Aunt Chloe?" + +Chloe signified her readiness to do whatever was desired, and began at +once to collect her implements. + +"Got a rollin' pin, Aunt Viney?" she asked. + +"Yes, to be shuah, a revoltin' roller, de very bes' kind. No, Miss +Elsie, don' mix de eggs dat way, you spile 'em ef you mix de yaller +all up wid de whites. An' Miss Lucy, butter an' sugar mus' be worked +up togedder fus', till de butter resolve de sugah, 'fore we puts de +udder gredinents in." + +"Ah, I see we have a good deal to learn before we can hope to rival +you as cooks, Aunt Viney," laughed Lucy. + +"I spec' so, missy; you throw all de gredinents in togedder, an' +tumble your flouah in all at once, an' you nebber get your cake nice +an light." + +They had nearly reached the end of their labors when sounds as of +scuffling, mingled with loud boyish laughter, and cries of "That's it, +Scip, hit him again! Pitch into him, Han, and pay him off well for +it!" drew them all in haste to the window and door. + +The two little darkies who had been ejected from the kitchen, were +tussling in the yard, while their young masters, John and Archie, +looked on, shaking with laughter, and clapping their hands in noisy +glee. + +"What's all this racket about?" asked Grandpa Norris, coming out upon +the veranda, newspaper in hand, Herbert limping along by his side. + +"The old feud between Roman and Carthaginian, sir," replied John. + +"Why, what do you mean, child?" + +"Hannah Ball waging a war on Skipio, you know, sir." + +"History repeating itself, eh?" laughed Herbert. + +"Ah, that's an old joke, Archie," said his grandfather. "And you're +too big a rogue to set them at such work. Han and Scip, stop that at +once." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "All your attempts + Shall fall on me like brittle shafts on armor." + + +Lucy came into Elsie's room early the next morning to show her +birthday gifts, of which she had received one or more from every +member of her family. They consisted of articles of jewelry, toilet +ornaments, and handsomely-bound books. + +They learned on meeting Herbert at breakfast that he had fared quite +as well as his sister. Elsie slipped a valuable ring on Lucy's finger +and laid a gold pencil-case beside Herbert's plate. + +"Oh, charming! a thousand thanks, mon ami!" cried Lucy, her eyes +sparkling with pleasure. + +"Thank you, I shall value it most highly; especially for the giver's +sake," said Herbert, examining his with a pleased look, then turning +to her with a blush and joyous smile, "I am so much better this +morning that I am going out for a drive. Won't you and Lucy give me +the added pleasure of your company?" + +"Thank you, I can answer for myself that I'll be very happy to do so." + +"I, too," said Lucy. "It's a lovely morning for a ride. We'll make up +a party and go, but we must be home again in good season; for Carrie +and Enna promised to come to dinner. So I'm glad we finished the book +yesterday, though we were all so sorry to part from little Ellen." + +They turned out quite a strong party; Herbert and the ladies filling +up the family carriage, while Harry on horseback, and John and Archie +each mounted upon a pony, accompanied it, now riding alongside, now +speeding on ahead, or perchance dropping behind for a time as suited +their fancy. + +They travelled some miles, and alighting in a beautiful grove, partook +of a delicate lunch they had brought with them. Then, while Herbert +rested upon the grass the others wandered hither and thither until it +was time to return. They reached home just in season to receive their +expected guests. + +Carrie Howard was growing up very pretty and graceful; womanly in her +ways, yet quite unassuming in manner, frank and sweet in disposition, +she was a general favorite with old and young, and could already boast +of several suitors for her hand. + +Enna Dinsmore, now in her fourteenth year, though by some considered +even prettier, was far less pleasing--pert, forward, and conceited as +she had been in her early childhood; she was tall for her age, and +with her perfect self-possession and grown-up air and manner, might +be easily mistaken for seventeen. She had already more worldly wisdom +than her sweet, fair niece would ever be able to attain, and was, in +her own estimation at least, a very stylish and fashionable young +lady. She assumed very superior airs toward Elsie when her brother +Horace was not by, reproving, exhorting, or directing her; and was +very proud of being usually taken by strangers for the elder of the +two. Some day she would not think that a feather in her cap. + +Elsie had lost none of the childlike simplicity of five years ago; +it still showed itself in the sweet, gentle countenance, the quiet +graceful carriage, equally removed from forwardness on the one hand, +and timid self-consciousness on the other. She did not consider +herself a personage of importance, yet was not troubled by her +supposed insignificance; in fact seldom thought of self at all, so +engaged was she in adding to the happiness of others. + +The four girls were gathered in Lucy's room. She had been showing her +birthday presents to Carrie and Enna. + +"How do you like this style of arranging the hair, girls?" asked the +latter, standing before a mirror, smoothing and patting, and pulling +out her puffs and braids. "It's the newest thing out. Isabel Carleton +just brought it from New York. I saw her with hers dressed so, and +sent Delia over to learn how." + +Delia was Miss Enna's maid, and had been brought along to Ashlands +that she might dress her young lady's hair in this new style for the +party. + +"It's pretty," said Lucy. "I think I'll have Minerva dress mine so for +to-night, and see how it becomes me." + +"Delia can show her how," said Enna. "Don't you like it, Carrie?" + +"Pretty well, but if you'll excuse me for saying so, it strikes me as +rather grown up for a young lady of thirteen," answered Carrie in a +good-naturedly bantering tone. + +Enna colored and looked vexed. "I'm nearly fourteen," she replied with +a slight toss of the head; "and I overheard Mrs. Carleton saying to +mamma the other day, that with my height and finished manners I might +pass anywhere for seventeen." + +"Perhaps so; of course, knowing your age, I can't judge so well how it +would strike a stranger." + +"I see you have gone back to the old childish way of arranging your +hair. What's that for?" asked Enna, turning to Elsie; "I should +think it was about time you were beginning to be a little womanly in +something." + +"Yes, but not in dress or the arrangement of my hair. So papa says, +and of course I know he is right." + +"He would not let you have it up in a comb?" + +"No," Elsie answered with a quiet smile. + +"Why do you smile? Did he say anything funny when you showed yourself +that day?" + +"Oh, Elsie, have you tried putting up your hair?" asked Carrie; while +Lucy exclaimed, "Try it again to-night, Elsie, I should like to see +how you would look." + +"Yes," said Elsie, answering Carrie's query first. "Enna persuaded me +one day to have mammy do it up in young-lady fashion. I liked it right +well for a change, and that was just what mamma said when I went into +the drawing-room and showed myself to her. But when papa came in, he +looked at me with a comical sort of surprise in his face, and said. +'Come here; what have you been doing to yourself?' I went to him and +he pulled out my comb, and ordered me off to mammy to have my hair +arranged again in the usual way, saying, 'I'm not going to have you +aping the woman already; don't alter the style of wearing your hair +again, till I give you permission.' + +"And you walked off as meek as Moses, and did his bidding," said Enna +sarcastically. "No man shall ever rule me so. If papa should undertake +to give me such an order, I'd just inform him that my hair was my own, +and I should arrange it as suited my own fancy." + +"I think you are making yourself out worse than you really are, +Enna," said Elsie gravely. "I am sure you could never say anything so +extremely impertinent as that to grandpa." + +"Impertinent! Well, if you believe it necessary to be so very +respectful, consistency should lead you to refrain from reproving your +aunt." + +"I did not exactly mean to reprove you, Enna, and you are younger than +I." + +"Nobody would think it," remarked Enna superciliously and with a +second toss of her head, as she turned from the glass; "you are so +extremely childish in every way, while, as mamma says, I grow more +womanly in appearance and manner every day." + +"Elsie's manners are quite perfect, I think," said Carrie; "and her +hair is so beautiful, I don't believe any other style of arrangement +could improve its appearance in the least." + +"But it's so childish, so absurdly childish! just that great mass of +ringlets hanging about her neck and shoulders. Come, Elsie, I want you +to have it dressed in this new style for to-night." + +"No, Enna, I am perfectly satisfied to wear it in this childish +fashion; and if I were not, still I could not disobey papa." + +Enna turned away with a contemptuous sniff, and Lucy proposed that +they should go down to the drawing-room, and try some new music she +had just received, until it should be time to dress for the evening. + +Herbert lay on a sofa listening to their playing. "Lucy," he said in +one of the pauses, "what amusements are we to have to-night?--anything +beside the harp, piano, and conversation?" + +"Dancing, of course. Cad's fiddle will provide as good music as any +one need care for, and this room is large enough for all who will be +here. Our party is not to be very large, you know." + +"And Elsie, for one, is too pious to dance," sneered Enna. + +Elsie colored, but remained silent. + +"Oh! I did not think of that!" cried Lucy. "Elsie, do you really think +it is a sinful amusement?" + +"I think it wrong to go to balls; at least that it would be wrong for +me, a professed Christian, Lucy." + +"But this will not be a ball, and we'll have nothing but quiet country +dances, or something of that sort, no waltzing or anything at all +objectionable. What harm can there be in jumping about in that way +more than in another?" + +"None that I know of," answered Elsie, smiling. "And I certainly shall +not object to others doing as they like, provided I am not asked to +take part in it." + +"But why not take part, if it is not wrong?" asked Harry, coming in +from the veranda. + +"Why, don't you know she never does anything without asking the +permission of papa?" queried Enna tauntingly. "But where's the use of +consulting her wishes in the matter, or urging her to take part in the +wicked amusement?--she'll have to go to bed at nine o'clock, like any +other well-trained child, and we'll have time enough for our dancing +after that." + +"Oh, Elsie, must you?--must you really leave us at that early hour? +Why, that's entirely too bad!" cried the others in excited chorus. + +"I shall stay up till ten," answered Elsie quietly, while a deep flush +suffused her cheek. + +"That is better, but we shall not know how to spare you even that +soon," said Harry. "Couldn't you make it eleven?--that would not be so +very late just for once." + +"No, for she can't break her rules, or disobey orders. If she did, +papa would be sure to find it out and punish her when she gets home." + +"For shame, Enna! that's quite too bad!" cried Carrie and Lucy in a +breath. + +Elsie's color deepened, and there was a flash of anger and scorn in +her eyes as she turned for an instant upon Enna. Then she replied +firmly, though with a slight tremble of indignation in her tones: "I +am not ashamed to own that I do find it both a duty and a pleasure to +obey my father, whether he be present or absent. I have confidence, +too, in both his wisdom and his love for me. He thinks early hours of +great importance, especially to those who are young and growing, and +therefore he made it a rule that I shall retire to my room and begin +my preparations for bed by nine o'clock. But he gave me leave to stay +up an hour later to-night, and I intend to do so." + +"I think you are a very good girl, and feel just right about it," said +Carrie. + +"I wish he had said eleven, I think he might this once," remarked +Lucy. "Why, don't you remember he let you stay up till ten Christmas +Eve that time we all spent the holidays at Roselands, which was five +years ago?" + +"Yes," said Elsie, "but this is Saturday night, and as to-morrow is +the Sabbath, I should not feel it to be right to stay up later, even +if I had permission." + +"Why not? it isn't Sunday till twelve," said Herbert. + +"No, but I should be apt to oversleep myself, and be dull and drowsy +in church next morning." + +"Quite a saint!" muttered Enna, shrugging her shoulders and marching +off to the other side of the room. + +"Suppose we go and select some flowers for our hair," said Lucy, +looking at her watch. "'Twill be tea-time presently, and we'll want to +dress directly after." + +"You always were such a dear good girl," whispered Carrie Howard, +putting her arm about Elsie's waist as they left the room. + +Enna was quite gorgeous that evening, in a bright-colored silk, +trimmed with multitudinous flounces and many yards of ribbon and gimp. +The young damsel had a decidedly gay taste, and glanced somewhat +contemptuously at Elsie's dress of simple white, albeit 'twas of the +finest India muslin and trimmed with costly lace. She wore her pearl +necklace and bracelets, a broad sash of rich white ribbon; no other +ornaments save a half-blown moss rosebud at her bosom, and another +amid the glossy ringlets of her hair, their green leaves the only bit +of color about her. + +"You look like a bride," said Herbert, gazing admiringly upon her. + +"Do I?" she answered smiling, as she turned and tripped lightly away; +for Lucy was calling to her from the next room. + +Herbert's eyes followed her with a wistful, longing look in them, and +he sighed sadly to himself as she disappeared from his view. + +Most of the guests came early; among them, Walter and Arthur Dinsmore; +Elsie had not seen the latter since his encounter with Mr. Travilla. +He gave her a sullen nod on entering the room, but took no further +notice of her. + +Chit-chat, promenading and the music of the piano and harp were +the order of the evening for a time; then games were proposed, and +"Consequences," "How do you like it?" and "Genteel lady, always +genteel," afforded much amusement. Herbert could join in these, and +did with much spirit. But dancing was a favorite pastime with the +young people of the neighborhood, and the clock had hardly struck nine +when Cadmus and his fiddle were summoned to their aid, chairs and +tables were put out of the way, and sets began to form. + +Elsie was in great request; the young gentlemen flocked about her, +with urgent entreaties that she would join in the amusement, each +claiming the honor of her hand in one or more sets, but she steadily +declined. + +A glad smile lighted up Herbert's countenance, as he saw one and +another turn and walk away with a look of chagrin and disappointment. + +"Since my misfortune compels me to act the part of a wallflower, I am +selfish enough, I own, to rejoice in your decision to be one also," he +said gleefully. "Will you take a seat with me on this sofa? I presume +your conscience does not forbid you to watch the dancers?" + +"No, not at all," she answered, accepting his invitation. + +Elsie's eyes followed with eager interest the swiftly moving forms, +but Herbert's were often turned admiringly upon her. At length he +asked if she did not find the room rather warm and close, and proposed +that they should go out upon the veranda. She gave a willing assent +and they passed quietly out and sat down side by side on a rustic +seat. + +The full moon shone upon them from a beautiful blue sky, while a +refreshing breeze, fragrant with the odor of flowers and pines, gently +fanned their cheeks and played among the rich masses of Elsie's hair. + +They found a good deal to talk about; they always did, for they were +kindred spirits. Their chat was now grave, now gay--generally the +latter; for Cad's music was inspiriting; but whatever the theme of +their discourse, Herbert's eyes were constantly seeking the face of +his companion. + +"How beautiful you are, Elsie!" he exclaimed at length, in a tone of +such earnest sincerity that it made her laugh, the words seemed to +rush spontaneously from his lips. "You are always lovely, but to-night +especially so." + +"It's the moonlight, Herbert; there's a sort of witchery about it, +that lends beauty to many an object which can boast none of itself." + +"Ah, but broad daylight never robs you of yours; you always wear it +wherever you are, and however dressed. You look like a bride to-night; +I wish you were, and that I were the groom." + +Elsie laughed again, this time more merrily than before. "Ah, what +nonsense we are talking--we two children," she said. Then starting to +her feet as the clock struck ten--"There, it is my bed-time, and I +must bid you good-night, pleasant dreams, and a happy awaking." + +"Oh, don't go yet!" he cried, but she was already gone, the skirt of +her white dress just disappearing through the open hall door. + +She encountered Mrs. Carrington at the foot of the stairs. "My dear +child, you are not leaving us already?" she cried. + +"Yes, madam; the clock has struck ten." + +"Why, you are a second Cinderella." + +"I hope not," replied Elsie, laughing. "See, my dress has not changed +in the least, but is quite as fresh and nice as ever." + +"Ah, true enough! there the resemblance fails entirely. But, my dear +child, the refreshments are just coming in, and you must have your +share. I had ordered them an hour earlier, but the servants were slow +and dilatory, and then the dancing began. Come, can you not wait long +enough to partake with us? Surely, ten o'clock is not late." + +"No, madam; not for another night of the week, but to-morrow's the +Sabbath, you know, and if I should stay up late to-night I would be +likely to find myself unfitted for its duties. Besides, papa bade me +retire at this hour; and he does not approve of my eating at night; he +thinks it is apt to cause dyspepsia." + +"Ah, that is too bad! Well, I shall see that something is set away for +you, and hope you will enjoy it to-morrow. Good-night, dear; I must +hurry away now to see the rest of my guests, and will not detain you +longer," she added, drawing the fair girl toward her and kissing her +affectionately, then hastening away to the supper-room. + +Elsie tripped up the stairs and entered her room. A lamp burned low on +the toilet table, she went to it, turned up the wick, and as she did +so a slight noise on the veranda without startled her. The windows +reached to the floor and were wide open. + +"Who's there?" she asked. + +"I," was answered, in a rough, surly tone, and Arthur stepped in. + +"Is it you?" she asked in surprise and indignation. "Why do you come +here? it is not fit you should, especially at this hour." + +"It is not fit you should set yourself up to reprove and instruct your +uncle, I've come for that money you are going to lend me." + +"I am not going to lend you any money." + +"Give it then; that will be all the better for my pocket. + +"I have none to give you either, Arthur; papa has positively forbidden +me to supply you with money." + +"How much have you here?" + +"That is a question you have no right to ask." + +"Well, I know you are never without a pretty good supply of the +needful, and I'm needy. So hand it over without any more ado; +otherwise I shall be very apt to help myself." + +"No, you will not," she said, with dignity. "If you attempt to rob me, +I shall call for assistance." + +"And disgrace the family by giving the tattlers a precious bit of +scandal to retail in regard to us." + +"If you care for the family credit you will go away at once and leave +me in peace." + +"I will, eh? I'll go when I get what I came for, and not before." + +Elsie moved toward the bell rope, but anticipating her intention, he +stepped before it, saying with a jeering laugh, "No, you don't!" + +"Arthur," she said, drawing herself up, and speaking with great +firmness and dignity, "leave this room; I wish to be alone." + +"Hoity-toity, Miss Dinsmore! do you suppose I'm to be ordered about by +you? No, indeed! And I've an old score to pay off. One of these days +I'll be revenged on you and old Travilla, too; nobody shall insult and +abuse me with impunity. Now hand over that cash!" + +"Leave this room!" she repeated. + +"None of your ---- impudence!" he cried fiercely, catching her by the +arm with a grasp that wrung from her a low, half-smothered cry of +pain. + +But footsteps and voices were heard on the stairs, and he hastily +withdrew by the window through which he had entered. + +Elsie pulled up her sleeve and looked at her arm. Each finger of +Arthur's hand had left its mark. "Oh, how angry papa would be!" she +murmured to herself, hastily drawing down her sleeve again as the door +opened and Chloe came in, followed by another servant bearing a small +silver waiter loaded with dainties. + +"Missus tole me fetch 'em up with her compliments, an' hopes de young +lady'll try to eat some," she said, setting it down on a table. + +"Mrs. Carrington is very kind. Please return her my thanks, Minerva," +said Elsie, making a strong effort to steady her voice. + +The girl, taken up with the excitement of what was going on +downstairs, failed to notice the slight tremble in its tones. But +not so with Chloe. As the other hurried from the room, she took her +nursling in her arms, and gazing into the sweet face with earnest, +loving scrutiny; asked, "What de matter, darlin'? what hab resturbed +you so, honey?" + +"You mustn't leave me alone, to-night, mammy," Elsie whispered, +clinging to her, and half hiding her face on her breast. "Don't go out +of the room at all, unless it is to step on the veranda." + +Chloe was much surprised, for Elsie had never been cowardly. + +"'Deed I won't, darling" she answered, caressing the shining hair, and +softly rounded cheek. "But what my bressed chile 'fraid of?" + +"Mr. Arthur, mammy," Elsie answered scarcely above her breath. "He was +in here a moment since, and if I were alone again he might come back." + +"An' what Marse Arthur doin' yer dis time ob night, I like ter +know?--what he want frightenin' my chile like dis?" + +"Money, mammy, and papa has forbidden me to let him have any, because +he makes a bad use of it." Elsie knew to whom she spoke. Chloe was no +ordinary servant, and could be trusted. + +"Dear, dear, it's drefful that Marse Arthur takes to dem bad ways! But +don't go for to fret, honey; we'll 'gree together to ask de Lord to +turn him to de right." + +"Yes, mammy, you must help me to pray for him. But now I must get +ready for bed; I have stayed up longer than papa said I might." + +"Won't you take some of de 'freshments fust, honey?" + +Elsie shook her head. "Eat what you want of them, mammy. I know I am +better without." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + There's not a look, a word of thine + My soul hath e'er forgot; + Thou ne'er hast bid a ringlet shine, + Nor given thy locks one graceful twine, + Which I remember not. + + --MOORE. + + +The clock on the stairway was just striking nine, as some one tapped +lightly on the door of Elsie's room, leading into the hall. Chloe rose +and opened it. "Dat you, Scip?" + +"Yes, Aunt Chloe; de missis say breakop's is ready, an' will Miss +Dinsmore please for to come if she's ready. We don't ring de bell fear +wakin' up de odder young ladies an' gemmen." + +Elsie had been up and dressed for the last hour, which she had spent +in reading her Bible; a book not less dear and beautiful in her esteem +now than it was in the days of her childhood. She rose and followed +Scip to the dining-room, where she found the older members of the +family already assembled, and about to sit down to the table. + +"Ah, my dear, good-morning," said Mrs. Carrington; "I was sure you +would be up and dressed: but the others were so late getting to bed +that I mean they shall be allowed to sleep as long as they will. Ah! +and here comes Herbert, too. We have quite a party after all." + +"I should think you would need a long nap this morning more than any +one else," Elsie said, addressing Herbert. + +"No," he answered, coloring. "I took advantage of my semi-invalidism, +and retired very shortly after you left us." + +"You must not think it is usual for us to be quite so late on Sunday +morning, Elsie," observed Mr. Carrington as he sent her her plate, +"though I'm afraid we are hardly as early risers, even on ordinary +occasions, as you are at the Oaks. I don't think it's a good plan to +have Saturday-night parties," he added, looking across the table at +his wife. + +"No," she said lightly; "but we must blame it all on the birthday, for +coming when it did. And though we are late, we shall still be in time +to get to church. Elsie, will you go with us?" + +"In the carriage with mother and me?" added Herbert. + +Elsie, had she consulted her own inclination merely, would have +greatly preferred to ride her pony, but seeing the eager look in +Herbert's eyes, she answered smilingly that she should accept the +invitation with pleasure, if there was a seat in the carriage which no +one else cared to occupy. + +"There will be plenty of room, my dear," said Mr. Carrington; "father +and mother always go by themselves, driving an ancient mare we call +old Bess, who is so very quiet and slow that no one else can bear to +ride behind her; and the boys and I either walk or ride our horses." + +It was time to set out almost immediately upon leaving the table. They +had a quiet drive through beautiful pine woods, heard an excellent +gospel sermon, and returned by another and equally beautiful route. + +Elsie's mind was full of the truth to which she had been listening, +and she had very little to say. Mrs. Carrington and Herbert, too, were +unusually silent; the latter feeling it enjoyment enough just to sit +by Elsie's side. He had known and loved her from their very early +childhood; with a love that had grown and strengthened year by year. + +"You seem much fatigued, Herbert," his mother said to him, as a +servant assisted him from the carriage, and up the steps of the +veranda. "I am almost sorry you went." + +"Oh, no, mother, I'm not at all sorry," he answered cheerfully; "I +shall have to spend the rest of the day on my couch, but that sermon +was enough to repay me for the exertion it cost me to go to hear it." +Then he added in an undertone to Elsie, who stood near, looking at him +with pitying eyes, "I shan't mind having to lie still if you will give +me your company for even a part of the time." + +"Certainly you shall have it, if it will be any comfort to you," she +answered, with her own sweet smile. + +"You must not be too exacting towards Elsie, my son," said his mother, +shaking up his pillows for him, and settling him comfortably on them; +"she is always so ready to sacrifice herself for others that she would +not, I fear, refuse such a request, however much it might cost her to +grant it. And no doubt she will want to be with the other girls." + +"Yes, it was just like my selfishness to ask it, Elsie, and never +think how distasteful it might be to you. I take it all back," he +said, blushing, but with a wistful look in his eyes that she could +never have withstood, had she wished to do so. + +"It's too late for that, since I have already accepted," she said with +an arch look as she turned away. "But don't worry yourself about me; I +shall follow my own inclination in regard to the length of my visit, +making it very short if I find your society irksome or disagreeable." + +The other girls were promenading on the upper veranda in full dinner +dress. + +Carrie hailed Elsie in a lively tone. "So you've been to church, like +a good Christian, leaving us three lazy sinners taking our ease at +home. We took our breakfasts in bed, and have only just finished our +toilets." + +"Well, and why shouldn't we?" said Enna; "we don't profess to be +saints." + +"No, I just said we were sinners. But don't think too ill of us, +Elsie, it was so late--or rather early--well on into the small +hours--when we retired, that a long morning nap became a necessity." + +"I don't pretend to judge you, Carrie," Elsie answered gently, "it +is not for me to do so; and I acknowledge that though I retired much +earlier than you, I slept a full hour past my usual time for rising." + +"You'll surely have to do penance for that," sneered Enna. + +"No, she shan't," said Lucy, putting her arm around her friend's +slender waist. "Come, promenade with me till the dinner-bell rings, +the exercise will do you good." + +The lively chat of the girls seemed to our heroine so unsuited to +the sacredness of the day that she rejoiced in the excuse Herbert's +invitation gave her for withdrawing herself from their society for the +greater part of the afternoon. She found him alone, lying on his sofa, +apparently asleep; but at the sound of her light footstep he opened +his eyes and looked up with a joyous smile. "I'm so glad to see you! +how good of you to come!" he cried delightedly. "It's abominably +selfish of me, though. Don't let me keep you from having a good time +with the rest." + +"The Sabbath is hardly the day for what people usually mean by a good +time, is it?" she said, taking possession of a low rocking-chair that +stood by the side of his couch. + +"No, but it is the day of days for real good, happy times; everything +is so quiet and still that it is easier than on other days to lift +one's thoughts to God and Heaven. Oh, Elsie, I owe you a great debt of +gratitude, that I can never repay." + +"For what, Herbert?" + +"Ah, don't you know it was you who first taught me the sweetness of +carrying all my trials and troubles to Jesus? Years ago, when we were +very little children, you told me what comfort and happiness you found +in so doing, and begged me to try it for myself." + +"And you did?" + +"Yes, and have continued to do so ever since." + +"And that is what enables you to be so patient and uncomplaining." + +"If I am. But ah! you don't know the dreadfully rebellious feelings +that sometimes will take possession of me, especially when, after +the disease has seemed almost eradicated from my system, it suddenly +returns to make me as helpless and full of pain as ever. Nobody knows +how hard it is to endure it; how weary I grow of life; how unendurably +heavy my burden seems." + +"Yes, He knows," she murmured softly. "In all their afflictions He was +afflicted; and the angel of His presence saved them." + +"Yes, He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Oh, how sweet +and comforting it is!" + +They were silent for a moment; then turning to her, he asked, "Are +you ever afraid that your troubles and cares are too trifling for +His notice? that you will weary and disgust Him with your continual +coming?" + +"I asked papa about that once, and I shall never forget the tender, +loving look he gave me as he said: 'Daughter, do I ever seem to feel +that anything which affects your comfort or happiness one way or the +other, is too trifling to interest and concern me?' 'Oh, no, no, +papa,' I said; 'you have often told me you would be glad to know that +I had not a thought or feeling concealed from you; and you always seem +to like to have me come to you with every little thing that makes me +either glad or sorry.' 'I am, my darling,' he answered, 'just because +you are so very near and dear to me; and what does the Bible tell us? +"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that +fear Him!"'" + +"Yes," said Herbert, musingly. "Then that text somewhere in Isaiah +about His love being greater than a mother's for her little helpless +babe." + +"And what Jesus said: 'Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and +not one of them shall fall to the ground without your Father. But the +very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye +are of more value than many sparrows.' And then the command: 'In +everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your +requests be made known unto God.' Papa reminded me, too, of God's +infinite wisdom and power, of the great worlds, countless in number, +that He keeps in motion--the sun and planets of many solar systems +besides our own--and then the myriads upon myriads of tiny insects +that crowd earth, air, and water; God's care and providence ever over +them all. Oh, one does not know how to take it in! one cannot realize +the half of it. God does not know the distinctions that we do between +great and small, and it costs Him no effort to attend at one and the +same time, to all His creatures and all their affairs." + +"No, that is true. Oh, how great and how good He is! and how sweet +to know of His goodness and love; to feel that he hears and answers +prayer! I would not give that up for perfect health and vigor, and all +the wealth of the world beside." + +"I think I would give up everything else first; and oh, I am so glad +for you, Herbert," she said softly. + +Then they opened their Bibles and read several chapters together, +verse about, pausing now and then to compare notes, as to their +understanding of the exact meaning of some particular passage, or to +look out a reference, or consult a commentary. + +"I'm excessively tired of the house; do let's take a walk," said Enna, +as they stood or sat about the veranda after tea. + +"Do you second the motion, Miss Howard?" asked Harry. + +"Yes," she said, rising and taking his offered arm. "Elsie, you'll go +too?" + +"Oh, there's no use in asking her!" cried Enna. "She is much too good +to do anything pleasant on Sunday." + +"Indeed! I was not aware of that." And Harry shrugged his shoulders, +and threw a comical look at Elsie. "What is your objection to pleasant +things, Miss Dinsmore? To be quite consistent you should object to +yourself." + +Elsie smiled. "Enna must excuse me for saying that she makes a slight +mistake; for while it is true my conscience would not permit me to go +pleasuring on the Sabbath, yet it does not object to many things that +I find very pleasant." + +"Such as saying your prayers, reading the Bible, and going to church?" + +"Yes. Enna; those are real pleasures to me." + +"But to come to the point, will you walk with us?" asked Lucy. + +"Thank you, no; not to-night. But please don't mind me. I have no +right, and don't presume to decide such questions for anyone but +myself." + +"Then, if you'll excuse us, we'll leave mamma and Herbert to entertain +you for a short time." + +The short time proved to be two hours or more, and long before the +return of the little party, Mrs. Carrington went into the house, +leaving the two on the veranda alone. + +They sang hymns together for a while, then fell to silent musing. +Herbert was the first to speak. He still lay upon his sofa; Elsie +sitting near, her face at that moment upturned to the sky, where the +full moon was shining, and looking wondrous sweet and fair in the +soft silvery light. Her thoughts seemed far away, and she started and +turned quickly toward him as he softly breathed her name. + +"Oh, Elsie, this has been such a happy day to me! What joy, what +bliss, if we could be always together!" + +"If you were only my brother! I wish you were, Herbert." + +"No, no, I do not; for I would be something much nearer and dearer. +Oh, Elsie, if you only would!" he went on, speaking very fast and +excitedly. "You thought I was joking last night, but I was not, I was +in earnest; never more so in my life. Oh, do you think you could like +me, Elsie?" + +"Why, yes, Herbert; I do, and always have ever since we first became +acquainted." + +"No, I didn't mean like, I meant love. Elsie, could you love me--love +me well enough to marry me?" + +"Why, Herbert; what an idea!" she stammered, her face flushing visibly +in the moonlight. "You don't know how you surprise me; surely we are +both too young to be thinking of such things. Papa says I am not even +to consider myself a young lady for three or four years yet. I'm +nothing but a child. And you, Herbert, are not much older." + +"Six months; but that's quite enough difference. And your father +needn't object on the score of our youth. You are as old now as I've +been told your mother was when he married her, and another year will +make me as old as he was. And your Aunts Louisa and Lora were both +engaged before they were sixteen. It's not at all uncommon for girls +in this part of the country to marry before they are that old. But I +know I'm not half good enough for you, Elsie. A king might be proud to +win you for his bride, and I'm only a poor, good-for-nothing cripple, +not worth anybody's acceptance." And he turned away his face, with +something that sounded very like a sob. + +Elsie's kind heart was touched. "No, Herbert, you must not talk so. +You are a dear, good, noble fellow, worthy of any lady in the land," +she said, half playfully, half tenderly and laying her little soft +white hand over his mouth. + +He caught it in his and pressed it passionately to his lips, there +holding it fast. "Oh, Elsie, if it were only mine to keep!" he cried, +"I'd be the happiest fellow in the world." + +She looked at his pale, thin face, worn with suffering, into his eyes +so full of passionate entreaty; thought what a dear lovable fellow he +had always been, and forgot herself entirely--forgot everything but +the desire to relieve and comfort him, and make him happy. + +"Only tell me that you care for me, darling, and that you are willing +some day to belong to me! only give me a little hope; I shall die if +you don't!" + +"I do care for you, Herbert; I would do anything in my power to make +you happy." + +"Then I may call you my own! Oh, darling, God bless you for your +goodness!" + +But the clock was striking nine, and with the sound, a sudden +recollection came to Elsie. "It is my bed-time, and--and, Herbert, it +will all have to be just as papa says. I belong to him, and cannot +give myself away without his permission. Good-night." She hastily +withdrew the hand he still held, and was gone ere he had time to +reply. + +"What had she done--something of which papa would highly disapprove? +Would he be very much vexed with her?" Elsie asked herself +half-tremblingly, as she sat passively under her old mammy's hands; +for her father's displeasure was the one thing she dreaded above all +others. + +She was just ready for bed when a light tap on the door was followed +by the entrance of Mrs. Carrington. + +"I wish to see your young mistress alone for a few moments, Aunt +Chloe," she said, and the faithful creature went from the room at +once. + +Mrs. Carrington threw her arms around Elsie, folded her in close, +loving embrace, and kissed her fondly again and again, "My dear child, +how happy you have made me!" she whispered at last. "Herbert has told +me all. Dear boy, he could not keep such good news from his mother. +I know of nothing that could have brought me deeper joy and +thankfulness, for I have always had a mother's love for you." + +Elsie felt bewildered, almost stunned. "I--I'm afraid you--he has +misunderstood me; it--it must be as papa says," she stammered; "I +cannot decide it for myself, I have no right." + +"Certainly, my dear, that is all very right, very proper; parents +should always be consulted in these matters. But your papa loves +you too well to raise any objection when he sees that your heart is +interested. And Herbert is worthy of you, though his mother says it; +he is a noble, true-hearted fellow, well-educated, handsome, talented, +polished in manners, indeed all that anybody could ask, if he were but +well; and we do not despair of seeing him eventually quite restored +to health. But I am keeping you up, and I know that your papa is +very strict and particular about your observance of his rules; so +good-night." And, with another caress, she left her. + +Thought was very busy in Elsie's brain as she laid her head upon her +pillow. It was delightful to have given such joy and happiness to +Herbert and his mother. Lucy, too, she felt sure would be very glad +to learn that they were to be sisters. But her own papa, how would he +feel--what would he say? Only the other day he had reminded her how +entirely she belonged to him--that no other had the slightest claim +upon her, and as he spoke, the clasp of his arms seemed to say that he +would defy the whole world to take her from him. No, he would never +give her up; and somehow she was not at all miserable at the thought; +but on the contrary it sent a thrill of joy to her heart; it was so +sweet to be so loved and cherished by him, "her own dear, dear papa!" + +But then another thing came to her remembrance; his pity for poor +suffering Herbert; his expressed willingness to do anything he could +to make him happy--and again she doubted whether he would accept or +reject the boy's suit for her hand. + +Carrie and Enna were to leave at an early hour on Monday morning. +They came into Elsie's room for a parting chat while waiting for the +ringing of the breakfast bell; so the three went down together to +answer its summons, and thus she was spared the necessity of entering +the dining room alone--an ordeal she had really dreaded; a strange and +painful shyness toward the whole family at Ashlands having suddenly +come over her. She managed to conceal it pretty well, but carefully +avoided meeting Herbert's eye, or those of his parents. + +The girls left directly on the conclusion of the meal, and having seen +them off, Elsie slipped away to her own room. But Lucy followed her +almost immediately, fairly wild with delight at the news Herbert had +just been giving her. + +"Oh, you darling!" she cried, hugging her friend with all her might. +"I never was so glad in all my life! To think that I'm to have you for +a sister! I could just eat you up!" + +"I hope you won't," said Elsie, laughing and blushing, as she returned +the embrace as heartily as it was given. "But we must not be too sure; +I'm not at all certain of papa's consent." + +"No, I just expect he'll object to Herbie on account of his lameness, +and his ill health. I don't think we ought to blame him if he does +either." And Lucy suddenly sobered down to more than her ordinary +gravity. "Ah, I forgot," she said, a moment after; "Herbert begs that +you will come down and let him talk with you a little if you are not +particularly engaged." + +Elsie answering that she had nothing to do, her time was quite at +his disposal, the two tripped downstairs, each with an arm about +the other's waist, as they had done so often in the days of their +childhood. + +They found Herbert on the veranda, not lying down, but seated on his +sofa. "You are better this morning?" Elsie said with a glad look up +into his face, as he rose, leaning on his crutch, and gave her the +other hand. + +"Yes, thank you, much better. Joy has proved so great a cordial that I +begin to hope it may work a complete cure." He drew her to a seat by +his side, and Lucy considerately went away and left them alone. + +"You have not changed your mind, Elsie?" His tone was low and half +tremulous in its eagerness. + +"No, Herbert; but it all rests with papa, you know." + +"I hardly dare ask him for you, it seems like such presumption in a--a +cripple like me." + +"Don't say that, Herbert. Would you love me less if I should become +lame or ill?" + +"No, no, never! but I couldn't bear to have any such calamity come +upon you. I can hardly bear that you should have a lame husband. The +thought of it makes my trial harder to bear than ever." + +"It is God's will, and we must not fight against it," she said softly. + +They conversed for some time longer. He was very anxious to gain Mr. +Dinsmore's consent to their engagement, yet shrank from asking it, +fearing an indignant refusal; most of all, he dreaded a personal +interview; and, but ill able to take the ride to the Oaks, it was +finally decided between them that he should make his application by +letter, doing so at once. + +A servant was summoned to bring him his writing materials, and Elsie +left him to his trying task, while she and Lucy and Harry mounted +their horses and were away for a brisk, delightful ride through the +woods and over the hills. + +"It's gone, Elsie," Herbert whispered, when she came down dressed for +dinner. "I wrote it twice; it didn't suit me then, but my strength was +quite exhausted, so it had to go. I hope the answer will come soon, +but oh, I shall be almost afraid to open it." + +"Don't feel so; papa is very good and kind. He pities you so much, +too," and she repeated what he had said about being willing to do +anything he could for him. + +Herbert's face grew bright with hope as he listened. "And do you think +he'll answer at once?" he asked. + +"Yes, papa is always very prompt and decided; never keeps one long in +suspense." + +Mr. Carrington met our heroine at the dinner-table with such a bright, +glad smile, and treated her in so kind and fatherly a manner that she +felt sure he knew all, and was much pleased with the prospect before +them. But she was afraid Harry did not like it--did not want her for a +sister. He was usually very gay and talkative, full of fun and frolic. +He had been so during their ride, but now his manner seemed strangely +altered; he was moody and taciturn, almost cross. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Keen are the pangs + Of hapless love and passion unapproved. + + --SMOLLETT'S "REGICIDE" + + +Hardly anything could have been more distasteful to Horace Dinsmore +than the state of affairs revealed to him by Herbert Carrington's +note. He was greatly vexed, not at the lad's manner of preferring his +request, but that it should have been made at all. He was not ready, +yet to listen to such a proposal coming from any person, however +eligible, much less from one so sadly afflicted as poor Herbert. He +sought his wife's presence with the missive in his hand. + +"What is the matter, my dear?" she asked; "I have seldom seen you so +disturbed." + +"The most absurd nonsense! the most ridiculously provoking affair! +Herbert Carrington asking me to give him my daughter! I don't wonder +at your astonished look, Rose; a couple of silly children. I should +have given either of them credit for more sense." + +"It has certainly taken me very much by surprise," said Rose, smiling. +"I cannot realize that Elsie is grown up enough to be beginning with +such things; yet you know she has passed her fifteenth birthday, +and that half the girls about here become engaged before they are +sixteen." + +"But Elsie shall not. I'll have no nonsense of the kind for years to +come. She shall not marry a day before she is twenty-one, I had nearly +said twenty-five; and I don't think I'll allow it before then." + +Rose laughed. "My dear, do you know what my age was when you married +me?" + +"Twenty-one, you told me." + +"Don't you think my father ought then to have kept us waiting four +years longer?" + +"No," he answered, stooping to stroke her hair, and snatch a kiss from +her rich red lips. + +She looked up smilingly into his face. "Ah, consistency is a jewel! +and pray how old were you when you married the first time? and what +was then the age of Elsie's mother?" + +"Your arguments are not unanswerable, Mrs. Dinsmore. Your father could +spare you, having several other daughters; I have but one, and can't +spare her. Elsie's mother was not older when I married her, it is +true, than Elsie is now, but was much more mature, and had neither the +happy home nor the doting father her daughter has. And as for myself, +though much too young to marry, I was a year older than this Herbert +Carrington; and I was in sound and vigorous health, while he, poor +fellow, is sadly crippled, and likely always to be an invalid, and +very unlikely to live to so much as see his majority. Do you think I +ought for a moment to contemplate allowing Elsie to sacrifice herself +to him?" + +"It would seem a terrible sacrifice; and yet after all it will depend +very much upon the state of her own feelings." + +"If she were five or six years older, I should say yes to that; but +girls of her age are not fit to choose a companion for life; taste +and judgment are not matured, and the man who pleases them now may be +utterly repugnant to them in after years. Is not that so?" + +"Yes; and I think your decision is wise and kind. Still, I am sorry +for the poor boy, and hope you will deal very gently and kindly with +him." + +"I shall certainly try to do so. I pity him, and cannot blame him for +fancying my lovely daughter--I really don't see how he or any young +fellow can help it, but he can't have her, and of course I must tell +him so. I must see Elsie first however, and have already sent her a +note ordering her home immediately." + +"Come into my room for a little, dear," Mrs. Norris whispered to +Elsie as they rose from the dinner table. "Herbert must not expect to +monopolize all your time." + +It turned out that all the old lady wanted was an opportunity to +express her delight in the prospect of some day claiming Elsie as her +granddaughter, and to pet and fondle her a little. Mr. Norris did his +share of that also, and when at length they let her go she encountered +Mr. Carrington in the hall, and had to submit to some thing more of +the same sort from him. + +"We are all heartily rejoiced, little Elsie," he said, "all of us who +know the secret; it is to be kept from the children, of course, till +your father's consent has made all certain. But there is Lucy looking +for you; Herbert has sent her, I daresay. No doubt he grudges every +moment that you are out of his sight." + +That was true, and his glad look, as she took her accustomed place by +the side of his couch, was pleasant to see. But he was not selfish in +his happiness, and seemed well satisfied to share Elsie's society with +his sister. + +The three were making very merry together, when a servant from the +Oaks was seen riding leisurely up the avenue. He had some small white +object in his hand which he began waving about his head the moment he +saw that he had attracted their attention. + +"It's a letter!" exclaimed Lucy. "Han, Scip," to the two little blacks +who, as usual, were tumbling over each other on the grass near by, +"run, one of you and get it, quick now!" + +"What--who--Miss Lucy?" they cried, jumping up. + +"Yonder; don't you see Mr. Dinsmore's man with a letter? Run and get +it, quick!" + +"Yes'm!" and both scampered off in the direction of the horseman, who, +suddenly urging on his steed, was now rapidly nearing the house. + +"Hollo! dar now, you ole Jim!" shouted Scip, making a dash at the +horse, "who dat lettah fur? You gub um to me." + +A contemptuous sniff was the only answer, and dashing by them, Jim +drew rein close to the veranda. "Massa he send dis for you, Miss +Elsie," he said, holding out the letter to her. + +She sprang forward, took it from his hand and hastily tore open the +envelope, the rich color coming and going in her cheek. A glance was +sufficient, and turning her flushed face to the anxious, expectant +Herbert: "Papa has sent for me to return home immediately," she said; +"I must go." + +"Oh, Elsie, must you indeed? and is there no word for me--none at +all?" + +"Yes, he says you shall hear from him to-day or to-morrow." + +She had gone close to him and was speaking in a low tone that the +servants might not hear. Herbert took both her hands in his. "Oh, I am +so sorry! You were to have stayed two days longer. I fear this sudden +recall does not argue well for me. Is he angry, do you think?" + +"I don't know, I can't tell. The note is simply an order for me to +come home at once and the message to you that I have given; nothing +more at all. Jim is to see me safely to the Oaks." Then turning to the +messenger, "Go and saddle Glossy, and bring her round at once, Jim," +she said. + +"Yes, Miss Elsie, hab her roun' in less dan no time." + +"Go with Jim to the stables, Han," said Herbert, sighing as he spoke. + +"Elsie, I can't bear to have you leave us so suddenly," cried Lucy; +"it does seem too bad of your father, after giving you permission to +stay a whole week, to go and dock off two days." + +"But papa has a right, and I can't complain. I've nothing to do but +obey. I'll go up and have my riding-habit put on, while Glossy is +being saddled." + +"Miss Elsie," said Jim, leisurely dismounting, "massa say de wagon be +here in 'bout an hour for de trunk, an' Aunt Chloe mus' hab 'em ready +by dat time; herself too." + +"Very well, she shall do so," and with another whispered word to +Herbert, Elsie went into the house, Lucy going with her. + +"Why, my dear, this is very sudden, is it not?" exclaimed Mrs. +Carrington, meeting her young guest as she came down dressed for her +ride. "I thought you were to stay a week, and hoped you were enjoying +your visit as much as we were." + +"Thank you, dear Mrs. Carrington; I have had a delightful time, but +papa has sent for me." + +"And like a good child, you obey at once." + +"My father's daughter would never dare to do otherwise," replied +Elsie, smiling; "though I hope I should not, if I did dare." + +"You'll come again soon--often, till I can get strength to go to you?" +Herbert said entreatingly, as he held her hand in parting. "And we'll +correspond, won't we? I should like to write and receive a note every +day when we do not meet." + +"I don't know; I can promise nothing till I have asked permission of +papa." + +"But if he allows it?" + +"If he allows it, yes; good-bye." + +Dearly as Elsie loved her father, she more than half dreaded the +meeting with him now; so entirely uncertain was she how he would feel +in regard to this matter. + +He was on the veranda, watching for her. Lifting her from her horse, +he led her into his study. Then putting an arm about her waist, his +other hand under her chin so that her blushing, downcast face was +fully exposed to his gaze, "What does all this mean?" he asked. "Look +up into my face and tell me if it is really true that you want me to +give you away? if it is possible that you love that boy better than +your father?" + +She lifted her eyes as he bade her, but dropped them again instantly; +then as he finished his sentence, "Oh, no, no, papa! not half so well; +how could you think it?" she cried, throwing her arms about his neck, +and hiding her face on his breast. + +"Ah, is that so?" he said, with a low, gleeful laugh, as he held her +close to his heart. "But he says you accepted him on condition that +papa would give consent, that you owned you cared for him." + +"And so I do, papa; I've always loved him as if he were my brother; +and I'm so sorry for all he suffers, that I would do anything I could +to make him happy." + +"Even to sacrificing yourself? It is well indeed for you that you have +a father to take care of you." + +"Are you going to say 'No' to him, papa?" she asked, looking up half +beseechingly. + +"Indeed I am." + +"Ah, papa, he said it would kill him if you did." + +"I don't believe it; people don't die so easily. And I have several +reasons for my refusal, each one of which would be quite sufficient of +itself. But you just acknowledged to me that you don't love him at all +as you ought. Why, my child, when you meet the right person you will +find that your love for him is far greater than what you feel for me." + +"Papa, I don't think that could be possible," she said, clinging +closer to him than before. + +"But you'll be convinced when the time comes, though I hope that +will not be for many a long year yet. Then Herbert's ill health and +lameness are two insuperable objections. Lastly, you are both entirely +too young to be thinking of such matters." + +"He didn't mean to ask you to give me to him now, papa; not for a year +or two at the very least." + +"But I won't have you engaging yourself while you are such a mere +child. I don't approve of long engagements, or intend to let you +marry for six or seven years to come. So you may as well dismiss all +thoughts on the subject; and if any other boy or man attempts to talk +to you as Herbert has, just tell him that your father utterly forbids +you to listen to anything of the kind. What! crying! I hope these are +not rebellious tears?" + +"No, papa; please don't be angry. It is only that I feel so sorry for +poor Herbert; he suffers so, and is so patient and good." + +"I am sorry for him too, but it cannot be helped. I must take care of +you first, and not allow anything which I think will interfere with +your happiness or well being." + +"Papa, he wants to correspond with me." + +"I shall not allow it." + +"May we see each other often?" + +"No; not at all for some time. He must get over this foolish fancy +first, it cannot be anything more; and there is great danger that he +will not unless you are kept entirely apart." + +Elsie sighed softly, but said not a word. There was no appeal from her +father's decisions, no argument or entreaty allowed after they were +once announced. + +Little feet were heard running down the hall; then there was the sound +of a tiny fist thumping on the door, and the voice of little Horace +calling, "Elsie, Elsie, tum out! me wants to see you!" + +"There, you may go now," her father said, releasing her with a kiss, +"and leave me to write that note. Well, what is it?" for she lingered, +looking up wistfully into his face. + +"Dear papa, be kind to him for my sake," she murmured softly, putting +her arm about his neck again. "He is such a sufferer, so patient and +good, and it quite makes my heart ache to think how grievously your +refusal will pain him." + +"My own sweet child! always unselfish, always concerned for the +happiness of others," thought the father as he looked down into the +pleading face; but he only stroked her hair, and kissed her more +tenderly than before, saying, "I shall try to be as kind as +circumstances will allow, daughter. You shall read the letter when it +is done, and if you think it is not kind enough it shall not be sent." + +She thanked him with a very grateful look, then hurried away, for the +tiny fists were redoubling their blows upon the door, while the baby +voice called more and more clamorously for "sister Elsie." + +She stooped to hug and kiss the little fellow, then was led off in +triumph to "mamma," whose greeting, though less noisy, was quite as +joyous and affectionate. + +"Oh, how nice it is to get home!" cried Elsie, and wondered within +herself how she had been contented to stay away so long. She had +hardly finished giving Rose an animated account of her visit, +including a minute description of the birthday party, when her +father's voice summoned her to the study again. + +"Does it satisfy you?" he asked when she had read the note. + +"Yes, papa; I think it is as kind as a refusal could possibly be +made." + +"Then I shall send it at once. And now this settles the matter, and +I bid you put the whole affair out of your mind as completely as +possible, Elsie." + +"I shall try, papa," she answered in a submissive and even cheerful +tone. + +That note, kindly worded though it was, caused great distress to +Herbert Carrington. He passed an almost sleepless night, and the next +morning, finding himself quite unable to rise from his couch, he sent +an urgent entreaty that Mr. Dinsmore would call at Ashlands at his +earliest convenience. + +His request was granted at once, and the lad pleaded with all the +eloquence of which he was master for a more favorable reception of his +suit. + +Had he been as well acquainted with Horace Dinsmore's character +as Elsie was, he would have known the utter uselessness of such a +proceeding. He received a patient hearing, then a firm, though kind +denial. Elsie was entirely too young to be allowed even to think of +love or matrimony, her father said; he was extremely sorry the subject +had been broached to her; it must not be again for years. He would not +permit any engagement, correspondence, or, for the present at least, +any exchange of visits; because he wished the matter to be dropped +entirely, and, if possible, forgotten. Nor would he hold out the +slightest hope for the future; answering Herbert's petition for that +by a gentle hint that one in his ill health should be content to +remain single. + +"Yes, you are right, Mr. Dinsmore, and I don't blame you for refusing +to give me your lovely daughter; I'm entirely unworthy of such a +treasure," said the poor boy in a broken voice. + +"Not in character, my dear boy," said Mr. Dinsmore, almost tenderly; +"in that you are all I could ask or desire, and it is all that you +are responsible for. And now while she is such a mere child, I should +reject any other suitor for her hand, quite as decidedly as I do you." + +"You don't blame me for loving her?" + +"No; oh, no!" + +"I can't help it. I've loved her ever since I first saw her, and that +was before I was five years old." + +"Well, I don't object to a brotherly affection, and when you can tone +it down to that, shall not forbid occasional intercourse. And now, +with the best wishes for your health and happiness, I must bid you +good-bye." + +"Good-bye, sir; and thank you for your kindness in coming," the boy +answered with a quivering lip. Then, turning to his mother, as Mr. +Dinsmore left the room, "I shall never get over it," he said. "I shall +not live long, and I don't want to; life without her isn't worth +having." + +Her heart ached for him, but she answered cheerily: "Why, my dear +child, don't be so despondent; I think you may take hope and courage +from some things that Mr. Dinsmore said. It is quite in your favor +that he will not allow Elsie to receive proposals from any one at +present, for who knows but, by the time he considers her old enough, +you may be well and strong." + +Mrs. Carrington's words had a very different effect from what she +intended. The next time Herbert saw his physician, he insisted so +strongly on knowing exactly what he might look forward to that there +was no evading the demand; and on learning that he was hopelessly +crippled for life, he sank into a state of utter despondency, and from +that moment grew rapidly worse, failing visibly day by day. + +Elsie, dutifully abstaining from holding any communication with +Ashlands, and giving all her thoughts as far as possible to home +duties and pleasures knew nothing of it till one day Enna came in, +asking, "Have you heard the news?" + +"No," said Elsie, pausing in a game of romps with her little brother; +"what is it?" + +"It! You should rather say they. There's more than one item of +importance." And Enna straightened herself and smoothed out her dress +with a very consequential air. "In the first place Arthur has been +found out in his evil courses; he's been betting and gambling till +he's got himself over head and ears in debt. Papa was so angry, I +almost thought he would kill him. But he seemed to cool down after +he'd paid off the debts; and Arthur is, or pretends to be, very +penitent, promises never to do the like again, and so he's got +forgiven, and he and Walter are to start for college early next week. +They've both gone to the city to-day with papa. Arthur seems to be mad +at you; he says that you could have saved him from being found out, +but didn't choose to, and some day he'll have his revenge. Now, what +was it you did, or didn't do?" + +"He wanted money, and I refused to lend it because papa had forbidden +me." + +"You're good at minding, and always were," was Enna's sneering +comment. "No, I'll take that back; I forgot that time when you nearly +died rather than mind." + +An indignant flush suffused Elsie's fair face for an instant; but +the sneer was borne in utter silence. Rose entered the room at that +moment, and, having returned her greeting, Enna proceeded to give +another important bit of news. + +"Herbert Carrington is very ill; not confined to his bed, but failing +very fast. The doctors advised them to take him from home; because +they said they thought he had something on his mind, and taking him +into new scenes might help him to forget it. They think he's not +likely to live long anyhow, but that is the last hope. His mother and +Lucy started North with him this morning." + +Elsie suddenly dropped the ball she was tossing for Horace and ran out +of the room. + +"Why, what did she do that for?" asked Enna, in a tone of surprise, +turning to Rose for an explanation. "Is she in love with him, do you +suppose?" + +"No, I know she is not; but I think she has a strong sisterly regard +for him, and I am sorry the news of his increased illness was told her +so abruptly." + +"Such a baby, as she always was," muttered Enna, "crying her eyes out +about the least little thing." + +"If she lacks sufficient control over her feelings it is almost the +only fault she has," replied Rose warmly. "And I think, Enna, you are +hardly capable of appreciating her delicately sensitive nature, and +warm, loving heart, else you would not wound her as you do. She +certainly controls her temper well, and puts up with more from you +than I should." + +"Pray, what do you mean, Mrs. Dinsmore? what have I done to your pet?" +asked the young lady angrily. + +"She is older than you, yet you treat her as if she were much younger. +Your manner toward her is often very contemptuous, and I have +frequently heard you sneer at her principles and taunt her with her +willing subjection to her father's strict rule; for which she deserves +nothing but the highest praise." + +"Nobody could ever rule me the way Horace does her!" cried Enna, with +a toss of her head. "And as to her being older than I am, I'm sure no +one would think it; she is so absurdly childish in her way; not half +so mature as I, mamma says." + +"I'm glad and thankful that she is not," answered Rose, with spirit; +"her sweet childish simplicity and perfect naturalness are very +charming in these days, when they are so rarely found in a girl who +has entered her teens." + +Little Horace, standing by the window, uttered a joyous shout, "Oh, +papa tumin'!" and rushed from the room to return the next moment +clinging to his father's hand, announcing as they came in together, +"Here papa is; me found him!" + +Mr. Dinsmore shook hands with his sister, addressed a remark to his +wife, then, glancing about the room, asked, "Where is Elsie?" + +"She left us a moment since, but did not say where she was going," +said Rose. + +"I presume you'll find her crying in her boudoir or dressing room," +added Enna. + +"Crying! Why, what is wrong with her?" + +"Nothing that I know of, except that I told her of Herbert +Carrington's being so much worse that they've taken him North as a +last hope." + +"Is that so?" and Mr. Dinsmore looked much concerned. + +"Yes, there can be no doubt about it, for I heard it from Harry +himself this morning." + +Mr. Dinsmore rose, and, putting his little son gently aside, left the +room. + +Elsie was not in her own apartments; he passed through the whole +suite, looking for her; then, going on into the grounds, found her at +last in her favorite arbor. She was crying bitterly, but at the sound +of his step checked her sobs, and hastily wiped away her tears. She +thought he would reprove her for indulging her grief, but instead he +took her in his arms and soothed her tenderly. + +"Oh, papa," she sobbed, "I feel as if I had done it--as if I had +killed him." + +"Darling, he is not past hope; he may recover, and in any event +not the slightest blame belongs to you. I have taken the whole +responsibility upon my shoulders." + +She gave him a somewhat relieved and very grateful look, and he went +on: "And even if I had allowed you to decide the matter for yourself, +you would have done what was your duty in refusing to promise to +belong to one whom you love less than you love your father." + +Some months later there came news of Herbert's death. Elsie's grief +was deep and lasting. She sorrowed as she might have done for the loss +of a very dear brother; while added to that was a half-remorseful +feeling which reason could not control or entirely relieve; and it was +long ere she was quite her own bright, gladsome sunny self again. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + The bloom of opening flowers' unsullied beauty-- + Softness and sweetest innocence she wears, + And looks like nature in the world's first spring. + + --ROWE'S "TAMERLANE." + + +"What a very peculiar hand, papa; so stiff and cramped and +old-fashioned," Elsie remarked, as her father laid down a letter he +had just been reading. + +"Yes. Did you ever hear me speak of Aunt Wealthy Stanhope?" + +His glance seemed to direct the question to Rose, who answered, with a +look of surprise and curiosity, "No, sir. Who is she?" + +"A half-sister of my own mother. She was the daughter of my maternal +grandfather by his first wife, my mother was the child of the second, +and there were some five or ten years between them. Aunt Wealthy never +married, would never live with any of her relatives, but has always +kept up a cosey little establishment of her own." + +"Do you know her, papa?" asked Elsie, who was listening with eager +interest. + +"I can hardly say that I do. I saw her once, nearly eighteen +years ago, about the time you were born--but I was not capable of +appreciating her then; indeed, was so unhappy and irritable as to be +hardly in a condition to either make or receive favorable impressions. +I now believe her to be a truly good and noble little woman, though +decidedly an oddity in some respects. Then I called her a fidgety, +fussy old maid." + +"And your letter is from her?" Rose said inquiringly. + +"Yes; she wants me to pay her a visit, taking Elsie with me, and +leaving her there for the summer." + +"There, papa! where?" + +"Lansdale, Ohio. Should you like to go?" + +"Yes, I think I should like to go, papa, if you take me; but whether I +should like to stay all summer I could hardly tell till I get there." + +"You may read the letter," he said, handing it to her. + +"It sounds as though it might be very pleasant, papa," she said, as +she laid it down after an attentive perusal. + +It spoke of Lansdale as a pretty, healthful village, surrounded by +beautiful scenery, and boasting of some excellent society: of two +lively young girls, living in the next house to her own, who would be +charming companions for Elsie, etc. + +"Your remark that your aunt was an oddity in some respects has excited +my curiosity," said Rose. + +"Ah! and I am to understand that you would like me to gratify it, eh?" +returned her husband, smiling. "Her dress and the arrangement of her +hair are in a style peculiarly her own (unless she has become more +fashionable since I saw her, which is not likely); and she has an odd +way of transposing her sentences and the names of those she addresses +or introduces, or calling them by some other name suggested by some +association with the real one. Miss Bell, for instance, she would +probably call Miss Ring; Mr. Foot, Mr. Shoe, and so on." + +"Does she do so intentionally, papa?" Elsie asked. + +"No, not at all; her mistakes are quite innocently made, and are +therefore very amusing." + +Mrs. Horace Dinsmore's parents had been urging her to visit them, and +after some further consideration it was decided that the whole family +should go North for the summer, Mr. Dinsmore see his wife and little +son safe at her father's, then take Elsie on to visit his aunt; the +length of the visit to be determined after their arrival. + + * * * * * + +It was a lovely morning early in May; the air was vocal with the songs +of birds and redolent with the breath of flowers all bathed in dew; +delicate wreaths of snowy vapor rose slowly from the rippling surface +of the river that threaded its way through the valley, and folded +themselves about the richly-wooded hill-sides, behind which bright +streaks of golden light were shooting upward, fair heralds of the +coming of the king of day. On the outskirts of the pretty village of +Lansdale, and in the midst of a well-kept garden and lawn, stood a +tasteful dwelling, of Gothic architecture. Roses, honeysuckle, and +Virginia creeper clambered over its walls, twined themselves about the +pillars of its porticos and porches, or hung in graceful festoons from +its many gables; the garden was gay with sweet spring flowers; the +trees, the grass on the lawn, and the hedge that separated it from the +road, all were liveried in that vivid green so refreshing to the eye. + +"Phillis! Simon!" called a sweet-toned voice from the foot of the back +staircase; "are you up? It's high time; nearly five o'clock now, and +the train's due at six." + +"Coming, ma'am. I'll have time to do up all my chores and git to +the depot 'fore de train; you neber fear," replied a colored lad of +fifteen or sixteen, hurrying down as he spoke. + +A matronly woman, belonging to the same race, followed close in his +rear. + +"You're smart dis mornin', missis," she said, speaking from the middle +of the stairway. "I didn't 'spect you'd git ahead o' me, and de sun +hardly showin' his face 'bove de hill-tops yit." + +"I woke early, Phillis, as I always do when something's going to +happen that I expect. Simon make haste to feed and water your horses +and be sure you have old Joan in the carriage and at the gate by a +quarter before six." + +"Am I to drive her to the depot, ma'am?" + +"No, Miss Lottie Prince will do that, and you are to take the +one-horse wagon for the trunks. Did you go to Mr. Laugh's and engage +it, as I told you yesterday?" + +"I went to Mr. Grinn's and disengaged de one-horse wagon, ma'am; +yes'm." + +"Very well. Now come into the sitting room and I'll show you the +likenesses of the lady and gentleman, and the old colored woman +they're going to bring with them," replied the mistress, leading +the way into an apartment that, spite of its plain, old-fashioned +furniture, wore a very attractive appearance, it was so exquisitely +neat; and the windows, reaching to the floor, opened upon one side +into conservatory and garden, on the other upon a porch that ran the +whole length of the front of the house. Taking a photograph album from +a side-table, she showed the three pictures to Simon, who pronounced +the gentleman very handsome, the lady the prettiest he ever saw, and +was sure he should recognise both them and their servant. + +"Now, Phillis, we'll have to bestir ourselves," said Miss Stanhope, +returning to the kitchen. "Do you think you can get breakfast in less +than an hour? such a breakfast as we should have this morning--one fit +for a king." + +"Yes, Miss Wealthy; but you don't want it that soon, do you? Folks is +apt to like to wash and dress 'fore breakfast." + +"Ah, yes! sure enough. Well, we'll give them half an hour." + +A few moments later, as Miss Stanhope was busy with broom and duster +in the front part of the house, a young girl opened the gate, tripped +gayly up the gravel walk that led from it across the lawn, and stepped +upon the porch. She was a brunette with a very rich color in her dark +cheek, raven hair, and sparkling, roguish black eyes. She wore a suit +of plain brown linen, with snowy cuffs and collar, and a little straw +hat. "Good-morning, Aunt Wealthy!" she cried, in a lively tone, "You +see I'm in good time." + +"Yes, Lottie, and looking as neat as a pin, too. It's very kind in +you, because of course I want to be here to receive them as they come, +to offer to introduce yourself and drive down to the depot for them." + +"Of course I'm wonderfully clever, considering that I don't at all +enjoy a drive in this sweet morning air, and aint in a bit of a hurry +to see your beautiful young heiress and her papa. Net wonders at my +audacity in venturing to face them alone; but I tell her I'm too +staunch a republican to quail before any amount of wealth or +consequence, and if Mr. and Miss Dinsmore see fit to turn up their +aristocratic noses at me, why--I'll just return the compliment." + +"I hope they're not of that sort, Lottie; but if they are, you will +serve them right." + +"She does not look like it," observed the young girl, taking the album +from the table and gazing earnestly upon Elsie's lovely countenance. +"What a sweet, gentle, lovable face it is! I'm sure I shall dote on +her; and if I can only persuade her to return my penchant, won't we +have grand good times while she's here? But there's Simon with old +Joan and the carriage. He'll hunt them up for me at the depot; won't +he, Aunt Wealthy?" + +"Yes, I told him to." + + * * * * * + +The shrill whistle of the locomotive echoed and re-echoed among the +hills. + +"Lansdale!" shouted the conductor, throwing open the car door. + +"So we are at our destination at last, and I am very glad for your +sake, daughter, for you are looking weary," said Mr. Dinsmore, drawing +Elsie's shawl more closely about her shoulders. + +"Oh, I'm not so very tired, papa," she answered, with a loving look +and smile, "not more so than you are, I presume. Oh, see! papa, what a +pretty girl in that carriage there!" + +"Yes, yes! Come to meet some friend, doubtless. Come, the train has +stopped; keep close to me," he said. "Aunt Chloe, see that you have +all the parcels." + +"Dis de gentleman and lady from de South, what Miss Stanhope's +'spectin'?" asked a colored lad, stepping up to our little party as +they alighted. + +"Yes." + +"Dis way den, sah, if you please, sah. Here's de carriage. De lady +will drive you up to de house, and I'll take your luggage in de little +wagon." + +"Very well; here are the checks. You will bring it up at once?" + +"Yes, sah, have it dar soon as yourself, sah. Dis cullad person better +ride wid me and de trunks." + +They were nearing the carriage and the pretty girl Elsie had noticed +from the car window. "Good-morning! Mr. and Miss Dinsmore, I presume?" +she said with a bow and smile. "Will you get in? Let me give you a +hand, Miss Dinsmore. I am Lottie King, a distant relative and near +neighbor of your aunt, Miss Stanhope." + +"And have kindly driven down for us. We are much obliged, Miss King," +Mr. Dinsmore answered, as he followed his daughter into the vehicle. +"Shall I not relieve you of the reins?" + +"Oh, no, thank you; I'm used to driving, and fond of it. And, besides, +you don't know the way." + +"True. How is my aunt?" + +"Quite well. She has been looking forward with great delight to this +visit, as have my sister Nettie and I also," Lottie answered, with a +backward glance of admiring curiosity at Elsie. "I hope you will be +pleased with Lansdale, Miss Dinsmore; sufficiently so to decide to +stay all summer." + +"Thank you; I think it is looking lovely this morning. Does my aunt +live far from the depot?" + +"Not very; about a quarter of a mile." + +"Oh, what a pretty place, and what a quaint-looking little old lady on +its porch!" Elsie presently cried out. "See, papa!" + +"Yes, that's Aunt Wealthy, and doesn't she make a picture standing +there under the vines in her odd dress?" said Miss King, driving up to +the gate. "She's the very oddest, and the very dearest and sweetest +little old lady in the world." + +Elsie listened and looked again; this time with eager interest and +curiosity. + +Certainly, Aunt Wealthy was no slave to fashion. The tyrannical dame +at that time prescribed gaiter boots, a plain pointed waist and +straight skirt, worn very long and full. Miss Stanhope wore a full +waist made with a yoke and belt, a gored skirt, extremely scant, and +so short as to afford a very distinct view of a well-turned ankle and +small, shapely foot encased in snowy stocking and low-heeled black kid +slipper. The material of her dress was chintz--white ground with a +tiny brown figure--finished at the neck with a wide white ruffle; she +had black silk mitts on her hands, and her hair, which was very gray +was worn in a little knot almost on the top of her head, and one +thick, short curl, held in place by a puff-comb, on each side of her +face. + +At sight of the carriage and its occupants, she came hurrying down +the gravel walk, meeting them as they entered the gate. She took Mr. +Dinsmore's hand, saying, "I am glad to see you, nephew Horace," and +held up her face for a kiss. Then turning to Elsie, gave her a very +warm embrace. "So, dear, you've come to see your old auntie? That's +right. Come into the house." + +Elsie was charmed with her and with all she saw; all without was so +fresh and bright, everything within so exquisitely neat and clean. The +furniture of the whole house was very plain and old-fashioned, but +Miss Stanhope never thought of apologizing for what to her wore the +double charm of ownership, and of association with the happy days of +childhood and youth, and loved ones gone. Nor did her guests deem +anything of the kind called for in the very least; house and mistress +seemed well suited the one to the other: and Elsie thought it not +unpleasant to exchange, for a time, the luxurious furnishing of her +home apartments for the simple adornments of the one assigned her +here. The snowy drapery of its bed and toilet-table, its wide-open +casements giving glimpses of garden, lawn, and shrubbery, and the +beautiful hills beyond, looked very inviting. There were vases of +fresh flowers too, on mantel and bureau, and green vines peeping in +at the windows. It seemed a haven of rest after the long, fatiguing +journey. + +"The child is sweet and fair to look upon, Horace, but I see nothing +of you or my sister in her face," observed Miss Stanhope, as her +nephew entered the breakfast-room, preceding his daughter by a moment +or two. "Whom does she resemble?" + +"Elsie is almost the exact counterpart of her own mother, Aunt +Wealthy, and looks like no one else," he answered, with a glance of +proud fatherly affection at the young creature as she entered and took +her place at the table. + +"Now my daughter," he said, at the conclusion of the meal, "you must +go and lie down until near dinner-time, if possible." + +"Yes, that is excellent advice," said Miss Stanhope. "I see, and I'm +glad, she's worth taking care of, as you are sensible, Horace. You +shall be called in season, dear. So take a good nap." + +Elsie obeyed, retired to her room, slept several hours, and woke +feeling greatly refreshed. Chloe was in waiting to dress her for +dinner. + +"Had you a nap too, my poor old mammy?" asked her young mistress. + +"Yes, darlin'. I've been lying on that coach, and feel good as ever +now. Hark! what dat?" + +"It sounds like a dog in distress," said Elsie, as they both ran to +the window and looked out. + +A fat poodle had nearly forced his plump body between the palings of +the front gate in the effort to get into the street, and sticking +fast, was yelping in distress. As they looked Miss Stanhope ran +quickly down the path, seized him by the tail, and jerked him back, he +uttering a louder yelp than before. + +"There, Albert," she said, stroking and patting him, "I don't like to +hurt you, but how was I to get you out, or in? You must be taught that +you're to stay at home, sir. Thomas! Thomas! come home, Thomas!" she +called; and a large cat came running from the opposite side of the +street. + +"So those are Aunt Wealthy's pets. What an odd name for a cat," said +Elsie, laughing. + +"Yes, Miss Elsie, dey's pets, sure nuff: Phillis says Miss Wealthy's +mighty good t'em." + +"There, she is coming in with them, and, mammy, we must make haste. +I'm afraid it's near dinner-time," said Elsie, turning away from the +window. + +Her toilet was just completed when there was a slight tap on the door, +and her father's voice asked if she was ready to go down. + +"Yes, papa," she answered, hurrying to him as Chloe opened the door. + +"Ah, you are looking something like yourself again," he said, with a +pleasant smile, as he drew her hand within his arm, and led her down +the stairs. "You have had a good sleep?" + +"A delicious rest. I must have slept at least four hours. And you, +papa?" + +"I took a nap of about the same length, and feel ready for almost +anything in the shape of dinner, etc. And there is the bell." + +Miss Stanhope cast many an admiring glance at nephew and niece during +the progress of the meal. + +"I'm thinking, Horace," she said at length, "that it's a great shame +I've been left so many years a stranger to you both." + +"I'm afraid it is, Aunt Wealthy; but the great distance that lies +between our homes must be taken as some excuse. We would have been +glad to see you at the Oaks, but you never came to visit us." + +"Ah, it was much easier for you to come here," she replied, shaking +her head. "I've been an old woman these many years. Come," she added, +rising from the table, "come into the parlor, children, and let me +show you the olden relics of time I have there--things that I value +very highly, because they've been in the family for generations." + +They followed her--Elsie unable to forbear a smile at hearing her +father and herself coupled together as "children"--and looked with +keen interest upon some half dozen old family portraits, an ancient +cabinet of curiosities, a few musty, time-worn volumes, a carpet that +had been very expensive in its day, but was now somewhat faded and +worn, and tables, sofas, and chairs of solid mahogany; each of the +last-named covered with a heavily-embroidered silken cushion. + +"That sampler," said Aunt Wealthy, pointing to a large one with a +wonderful landscape worked upon it, that, framed and glazed, +hung between two of the windows, "is a specimen of my paternal +grandmother's handiwork; these chair-cushions, too, she embroidered +and filled with her own feathers, so that I value them more than their +weight in gold." + +"My great-grandmother kept a few geese, I presume," Mr. Dinsmore +remarked aside to Elsie with a quiet smile. + +Having finished their inspection of the parlor and its curiosities, +they seated themselves upon the front porch, where trees and vines +gave a pleasant shade. Miss Stanhope had her knitting, Mr. Dinsmore +the morning paper, while Elsie sat with her pretty white hands lying +idly in her lap, doing nothing but enjoy the beautiful prospect and a +quiet chat with the sweet-voiced old lady. + +The talk between them was quite brisk for a time, but gradually it +slackened, till at length they had been silent for several minutes, +and Elsie, glancing at her aunt, saw her nodding over her work. + +"Ah, you must excuse me, dear," the old lady said apologetically, +waking with a start; "I'm not very well, and, deary, I woke unusually +early this morning, and have been stirring about ever since." + +"Can't you afford yourself a little nap, auntie?" Elsie asked in +return. "You mustn't make company of me; and, besides, I have a book +that I can amuse myself with." + +"You would be quite alone, child, for I see your father has gone in." + +"I shall not mind that at all, auntie. Do go and lie down for at least +a little while." + +"Well, then, dear, I will just lie down on the sofa in the sitting +room, and you must call me if any one comes." + +"Aunt Wealthy couldn't have meant for a child like that, unless she +comes on some important errand," thought Elsie, as, a few moments +later, a little girl came slowly across the lawn and stepped upon the +porch. + +The child looked clean and decent, in a neat calico dress and gingham +sun-bonnet. At sight of Elsie she stood still, and, gazing with +open-mouthed curiosity, asked, "Be you the rich young lady that was +coming to see Miss Wealthy from 'way down south?" + +"I have come from the South to see Miss Stanhope. What do you wish?" + +"Nothin', I just come over 'cause I wanted to." + +"Will you take a seat?" + +"Yes," taking possession of the low rocking chair Miss Stanhope had +vacated. + +"What's your name?" inquired Elsie. + +"Lenwilla Ellawea Schilling," returned the child, straightening +herself up with an air of importance; "mother made it herself." + +"I should think so," replied Elsie, with a sparkle of fun in her eye. +"And your mother is Mrs. Schilling, is she?" + +"Yes, and pap, he's dead, and my brother's named Corbinus." + +"What do they call you for short?" + +"Willy, and him Binus." + +"Where do you live?" + +"Over yonder," nodding her head towards the opposite side of the +street. "Mother's comin' over to see you some time. I guess I'll be +going now." And away she went. + +"What did that child want?" asked Miss Stanhope, coming out just in +time to see the little maiden pass through the gate. + +"Nothing but to look at and question me, I believe." Elsie answered, +with an amused smile. + +"Ah! she generally comes to borrow some little thing or other. They're +the sort of folks that always have something they're out of. Mrs. +Sixpence is a very odd sixpence indeed." + +"I think the little girl said her last name was Schilling." + +"Ah, yes, so it is: but I'm always forgetting their exact commercial +value," and Aunt Wealthy laughed softly. "In fact, I've a very good +forgetting of my own, and am more apt to get names wrong than right." + +"Mrs. Schilling must have an odd taste for names," said Elsie. + +"Yes, she's a manufacturer of them; and very proud of her success in +that line." + +Miss Stanhope was a great lover of flowers, very proud of hers, +cultivated principally by her own hands. After tea she invited her +nephew and niece to a stroll through her garden, while she exhibited +her pets with a very excusable pride in their variety, beauty, and +fragrance. + +As they passed into the house again, Phillis was feeding the chickens +in the back yard. + +"You have quite a flock of poultry, aunt," remarked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Yes, I like to see them running about, and the eggs you lay yourself +are so much better than any you can buy, and the chickens, too, have +quite another taste. Phillis, what's the matter with that speckled +hen?" + +"Dunno, mistis; she's been crippled dat way all dis week." + +"Well, well, I dare say it's the boys; one of them must have thrown a +stone and hit her between her hind legs; they're great plagues. Poor +thing! There, Albert, don't you dare to meddle with the fowls! Come +away, Thomas. That cat and dog are nearly as bad and troublesome to +the boys as the poultry." + +Puss and the poodle followed their mistress into the house, where +Albert lay down at her feet, while Thomas sprang into her lap, where +he stood purring and rubbing his head against her arm. + +"You seem to have a good many pets, auntie," Elsie remarked. + +"Yes, I am fond of them. A childless old woman must have something to +love. I've another that I'm fonder of than any of these though--my +grand-nephew, Harry Duncan. He's away at school now; but I hope to +show him to you one of these days." + +"I should like to see him. Is he a relative of ours?" Elsie asked, +turning to her father. + +"No, he belongs to the other side of the house." + +"How soft and fine this cat's fur is, aunt; he's quite handsome," +remarked Elsie, venturing to stroke Thomas very gently. + +"Yes, I raised him, and his mother before him. My sister Beulah was +first husband's child of Harry's grandmother twice married, and my +mother. Yes, I think a great deal of him, but was near losing him last +winter. A fellow in our town--he's two years old now--wanted a buffalo +robe for his sleigh, and undertook to make it out of cat-skins. He +advertised that he'd give ten cents for every cat-skin the boys would +bring him. You know the old saying that you can't have more of a cat +than its skin, and hardly anybody's was safe after that; they went +about catching all they could lay hands on, even borrowing people's +pets and killing them." + +Elsie turned to her father with a very perplexed look, puzzled to +understand who it was that had married twice, and whether her aunt had +stated Harry's age or that of the cat. + +But at that instant steps and voices were heard upon the porch, and +the door-bell rang. + +"It's Lottie and her father," said Miss Stanhope, pushing Thomas from +her lap. "Come in, friends, and don't stand for ceremony." For both +doors stood wide open. + +"Good-evening," said the young lady, coming forward, leaning upon +the arm of a middle-aged gentleman. "Mr. Dinsmore, I have brought my +father, Dr. King, to see you." + +The gentlemen shook hands, the doctor observing, "I am happy to make +your acquaintance, Mr. Dinsmore. I brought my daughter along to +introduce me, lest our good Aunt Wealthy here, in her want of +appreciation of nobility and birth, should, as she sometimes does, +give me a rank lower than my true one, making me to appear only a +Prince, while I am really a King." + +A general laugh followed this sally, Miss Stanhope insisting that that +was a mistake she did not often make now. Then Elsie was introduced, +and, all being seated again, Dr. King turned to his hostess with the +laughing remark, "Well, Aunt Wealthy, by way of amends, I'll own up +that my wife says that you're the better doctor of the two. That bran +has done her a world of good." + +"Bran?" said Mr. Dinsmore inquiringly. + +"Yes, sir; Mrs. King was suffering from indigestion; Miss Stanhope +advised her to try eating a tablespoonful or so of dry bran after her +meals, and it has had an excellent effect." + +"My father learnt it from an old sea-captain," said Miss Stanhope; +"and it has helped a great many I've recommended it to. Some prefer +to mix it with a little cream, or take a little water with it but the +best plan's to take it dry if you can." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + When to mischief mortals bend their will, + How soon they find fit instruments of ill. + + --POPE'S "RAPE OF THE LOCK." + + +"What, Art, are you going out?" + +"Yes." + +"Do you know it's after ten?" + +"Yes, you just mind your own business, Wal; learn your lessons, and +go off to bed like a good boy when you get through. I'm old enough to +take care of myself." + +"Dear me! I'm awfully afraid he's gone back to his evil courses, as +father says," muttered Walter Dinsmore to himself, as the door closed +upon his reckless elder brother. "I wonder what I ought to do about +it," he continued, leaning his head upon his hand, with a worried, +irresolute look; "ought I to report to the governor? No, I shan't, +there then; I don't know anything, and I never will be a sneak or a +tell-tale." And he drew the light nearer, returned to his book with +redoubled diligence for some ten or fifteen minutes more; then, +pushing it hastily aside, with a sigh of relief, started up, threw off +his clothes, blew out the light, and tumbled into bed. + +Meanwhile Arthur had stolen noiselessly from the college, and pursued +his way into the heart of the town. On turning a corner he came +suddenly upon another young man who seemed to have been waiting for +him; simply remarking, "You're late to-night, Dinsmore," he faced +about in the same direction, and the two walked on together. + +"Of course; but how can a fellow help it when he's obliged to watch +his opportunity till the Argus eyes are closed in sleep, or supposed +to be so?" grumbled Arthur. + +"True enough, old boy; but cheer up, your day of emancipation must +come some time or other," remarked his companion, clapping him +familiarly; on the shoulder. "Of age soon, aren't you?" + +"In about a year. But what good does that do me? I'm not so fortunate +as my older brother--shall have nothing of my own till one or other of +my respected parents sees fit to kick the bucket, and leave me a pile; +a thing which at present neither of them seems to have any notion of +doing." + +"You forget your chances at the faro-table." + +"My chances! You win everything from me, Jackson. I'm a lame duck +now, and if my luck doesn't soon begin to turn, I'll--do something +desperate, I believe." + +The lad's tone was bitter, his look reckless and half despairing. + +"Pooh, don't be a spooney! We all have our ups and downs, and you must +take your turn at both, like the rest." + +They had ascended a flight of steps, and Jackson rang the bell as he +spoke. It was answered instantly by a colored waiter, who with, a +silent bow stepped back and held the door open for their entrance. +They passed in and presently found themselves in a large, +well-lighted, and handsomely-furnished room, where tables were set out +with the choicest viands, rich wine, and trays of fine cigars. + +They seated themselves, ate and drank their fill, then, each lighting +a cigar, proceeded to a saloon, on the story above, where a number of +men were engaged in playing cards--gambling, as was evident from the +piles of gold, silver, and bank-notes lying here and there upon the +tables about which they sat. + +Here also costly furniture, bright light, and rich wines lent their +attractions to the scene. + +Arthur took possession of a velvet-cushioned chair on one side of an +elegant marble-topped table, his companion placing himself in another +directly opposite. Here, seated in the full blaze of the gas-light, +each face was brought out into strong relief. Both were young, both +handsome; Jackson, who was Arthur's senior by five or six years, +remarkably so; yet his smile was sardonic, and there was often a +sinister expression in his keen black eye as its glance fell upon his +victim, for such Arthur Dinsmore was--no match for his cunning and +unscrupulous antagonist, who was a gambler by profession. + +Arthur's pretended reformation had lasted scarcely longer than until +he was again exposed to temptation, and his face, as seen in that +brilliant light, wore unmistakable signs of indulgence in debauchery +and vice. He played in a wild, reckless way, dealing out his cards +with a trembling hand, while his cheek burned and his eye flashed. + +At first Jackson allowed him to win, and filled with a mad delight at +the idea that "his luck had turned," the boy doubled and trebled his +stakes. + +Jackson chuckled inwardly, the game went on, and at length Arthur +found all his gains suddenly swept away and himself many thousands of +dollars in debt. + +A ghastly pallor overspread his face, he threw himself back in his +chair with a groan, then starting up with a bitter laugh, "Well, I see +only one way out of this," he said. "A word in your ear, Tom; come +along with me. I've lost and you won enough for one night; haven't we, +eh?" + +"Well, yes; I'm satisfied if you are." And the two hurried into the +now dark and silent street, for it was long past midnight, and sober +and respectable people generally had retired to their beds. + +"Where are you going?" asked Jackson. + +"Anywhere you like that we can talk without danger of being +overheard." + +"This way then, down this street. You see 'tis absolutely silent and +deserted." + +They walked on, talking in an undertone. + +"You'd like your money as soon as you can get it?" said Arthur. + +"Of course; in fact I must have it before very long, for I'm hard +pushed now." + +"Suppose I could put you in the way of marrying a fortune, would you +hold me quit of all your claims against me?" + +"H'm, that would depend upon the success of the scheme." + +"And that upon your own coolness and skill. I think I've heard you +spoken of as a woman-killer?" + +"Ha, ha! Yes, I flatter myself that I have won some reputation in that +line, and that not a few of the dear creatures have been very fond of +me. It's really most too bad to break their soft little hearts; but +then a man can't marry 'em all; unless he turns Mormon." + +Arthur's lips curled with scorn and contempt, and he half turned away +in disgust and aversion; but remembering that he was in the power +of this man, whom, too late, alas! he was discovering to be an +unscrupulous villain, he checked himself, and answered in his usual +tone, "No, certainly not; and so you have never yet run your neck into +the matrimonial noose?" + +"No, not I, and don't fancy doing so either, yet I own that a fortune +would be a strong temptation. But, I say, lad, if it's a great chance, +why do you hand it over to me? Why not try for it yourself? It's not +your sister, surely?" + +"No, indeed; you're not precisely the sort of brother-in-law I should +choose," returned the boy, with a bitter, mocking laugh. "But stay, +don't be insulted"--for his companion had drawn himself up with an air +of offended pride--"the lady in question is but a step farther from +me; she is my brother's daughter." + +"Eh! you don't say? A mere child, then, I presume." + +"Eighteen, handsome as a picture, as the saying is, and only too +sweet-tempered for my taste." + +"And rich you say? that is her father's wealthy, eh?" + +"Yes, he's one of the richest men in our county, but she has a fortune +in her own right, over a million at the very lowest computation." + +"Whew! You expect me to swallow that?" + +"It's true, true as preaching. You wonder that I should be so willing +to help you to get her. Well, I owe her a grudge, I see no other way +to get out of your clutches, and I shall put you in the way of making +her acquaintance only on condition that if you succeed we share the +spoils." + +"Agreed. Now for the modus operandi. You tell me her whereabouts and +provide me with a letter of introduction, eh?" + +"No; on the contrary, you are carefully to conceal the fact that you +have the slightest knowledge of me. The introduction must come from +quite another quarter. Listen, and I'll communicate the facts and +unfold my plan. It has been running in my head for weeks, ever since I +heard that the girl was to spend the summer in the North with nobody +but an old maiden aunt, half-cracked at that, to keep guard over her; +but I couldn't quite make up my mind to it till to-night, for you must +see, Tom," he added with a forced laugh, "that it can't be exactly +delightful to my family pride to think of bringing such a dissipated +fellow as you into the connection." + +"Better look at home, lad. But you are right; one such scamp is, or +ought to be, all-sufficient for one family." + +Arthur said, "Certainly," but winced at the insinuation nevertheless. +It was not a pleasant reflection that his vices had brought him down +to a level with this man who lived by his wits--or perhaps more +correctly speaking, his rascalities--of whose antecedents he knew +nothing and whom, with his haughty Southern pride, he thoroughly +despised. + +But scorn and loathe him as he might in his secret soul, it was +necessary that he should be conciliated, because it was now in his +power to bring open disgrace and ruin upon his victim. So Arthur went +on to explain matters and, with Jackson's assistance, to concoct a +plan of getting Elsie and her fortune into their hands. + +As he had said, the idea had been in his mind for weeks, yet it was +not until that day that he could see clearly how to carry it out. +Also, his family pride had stood in the way until the excitement of +semi-intoxication and his heavy losses had enabled him to put it aside +for the time. To-morrow he would more than half regret the step he was +taking, but now he plunged recklessly into the thing with small regard +for consequences to himself or others. + +"Can you imitate the chirography of others?" he asked. + +"Perfectly, if I do say it that shouldn't." + +"Then we can manage it. My brother Walter has kept up a correspondence +with this niece ever since he left home. In a letter received +yesterday she mentions that her father was about leaving her for +the rest of the summer. Also that Miss Stanhope, the old aunt she's +staying with, was formerly very intimate with Mrs. Waters of this +city. + +"It just flashed on me at once that a letter of introduction from her +would be the very thing to put you at once on a footing of intimacy +in Miss Stanhope's house; and that if you were good at imitating +handwriting we might manage it by means of a note of invitation which +I received from Mrs. Waters some time ago, and which, as good luck +would have it, I threw into my table drawer instead of destroying." + +"But who knows that it was written by the lady herself?" + +"I do, for I heard Bob Waters say so." + +"Good! have you the note about you?" + +"Yes, here it is." And Arthur drew it from his pocket. "Let's cross +over to that lamp-post." + +They did so, and Jackson held the note up to the light for a moment, +scanning it attentively. "Ah, ha! the very thing! no trouble at all +about that," he said, pocketing it with a chuckle of delight, "But," +and a slight frown contracted his brows, "what if the old lady should +take it into her head to open a correspondence on the subject with her +old friend?" + +"I've thought of that too, but fortunately for our scheme Mrs. Waters +sails for Europe to-morrow; and by the way that should be mentioned in +the letter of introduction." + +"Yes, so it should. Come to my room at the Merchants' House to-morrow +night, and you shall find it ready for your inspection. I suppose the +sooner the ball's set in motion the better?" he added as they moved +slowly on down the street. + +"Yes, for there's no knowing how long it may take you to storm the +citadel of her ladyship's heart, or how soon her father may come to +the conclusion that he can't do without her, and go and carry her off +home. And I tell you, Tom, you'd stand no chance with him, or with her +if he were there. He'd see through you in five minutes." + +"H'm! What sort is she?" + +"The very pious!" sneered Arthur, "and you're bound to take your cue +from that or you'll make no headway with her at all." + +"A hard rôle for me, Dinsmore. I know nothing of cant." + +"You'll have to learn it then; let her once suspect your true +character--a drinking, gambling, fortune-hunting roué--and she'll turn +from you with the same fear and loathing that she would feel for a +venomous reptile." + +"Ha, ha! you're in a complimentary mood to-night, Dinsmore. Well, +well, such a fortune as you speak of is worth some sacrifice and +effort, and I think I may venture the character of a perfectly moral +and upright man with a high respect for religion. The rest I can learn +by degrees from her; and come to think of it, it mightn't be a bad +idea to let her imagine she'd converted me." + +"Capital! The very thing, Tom! But good-night. I must be off now to +the college. I'll come to your room to-morrow night and we'll finish +the arrangement of all preliminaries." + +More than a fortnight had passed since the arrival of Miss Stanhope's +guests. It had been a season of relaxation and keen enjoyment to +them, to her, and to Dr. King's family, who had joined them in many a +pleasant little excursion to points of interest in the vicinity, and +several sociable family picnics among the surrounding hills and woods. +A warm friendship had already sprung up between the three young girls, +and had done much toward reconciling Elsie to the idea of spending the +summer there away from her father. + +She had finally consented to do so, yet as the time drew near her +heart almost failed her. In all these years since they went to live +together at the Oaks, they had never been far apart--except once or +twice for a few days when he had gone to New Orleans to attend to +business connected with the care of her property; and only on a very +few occasions, when she paid a little visit in their own neighborhood, +had they been separated for more than a day. + +She could not keep back her tears as she hung about his neck on +parting. "Ah, papa, how can I do without you for weeks and months?" +she sighed. + +"Or I without you, my darling?" he responded, straining her to his +breast. "I don't know how I shall be able to stand it. You need not be +surprised to see me again at any time, returning to claim my treasure; +and in the meanwhile we will write to each other every day. I shall +want to know all you are doing, thinking, and feeling. You must tell +me of all your pursuits and pleasures; your new acquaintances, too, +if you form any. In that you must be guided by the advice of Aunt +Wealthy, together with your father's known wishes. I am sure I can +trust my daughter to obey those in my absence as carefully as in my +presence." + +"I think you may, papa. I shall try to do nothing that you would +disapprove, and to attend faithfully to all your wishes." + +Mr. Dinsmore left by the morning train, directly after breakfast. It +was a bright, clear day, and Miss Stanhope, anxious to help Elsie to +recover her spirits, proposed a little shopping expedition into the +village. + +"You have not seen our stores yet," she said, "and I think we'd better +go now before the sun gets any hotter. Should you like it, my dear?" + +"Thank you, yes, auntie. I will go and get ready at once." + +Elsie could hardly forbear smiling at the quaint little figure that +met her in the porch a few moments later, and trotted with quick, +short steps by her side across the lawn and up and down the village +streets. The white muslin dress with its short and scanty skirt, an +embroidered scarf of the same material, the close, old-fashioned +leg-horn bonnet, trimmed with one broad strip of white mantua ribbon, +put straight down over the top and tied under the chin, and the black +mitts and morocco slippers of the same hue, formed a tout ensemble +which, though odd, was not unpleasant to look upon. In one hand the +little lady carried a very large parasol, in the other a gayly-colored +silk reticule of corresponding size, this last not by a ribbon or +string, but with its hem gathered up in her hand. All in singular +contrast to Elsie with her slight, graceful form, fully a head taller, +and her simple yet elegant costume. But the niece no more thought of +feeling ashamed of her aunt, than her aunt of her. + +They entered a store, and the smiling merchant asked, "What can I do +for you to-day, ladies?" + +"I will look at shirting muslin, if you please, Mr. Under," replied +Miss Stanhope, laying parasol and reticule upon the counter. + +"Over, if you please, Miss Stanhope," he answered with an amused look. +"Just step this way, and I'll show you a piece that I think will +suit." + +"I beg your pardon, I'm always making mistakes in names," she said, +doing as requested. + +"Anything else to-day, ladies?" he asked when the muslin had been +selected. "I have quite a lot of remnants of dress goods, Miss +Stanhope. Would you like to look at them?" + +"Yes," she answered almost eagerly, and he quickly spread them on the +counter before her. She selected quite a number, Elsie wondering what +she wanted with them. + +"I'll send the package at once," said Mr. Over, as they left the +store. + +They entered another where Miss Stanhope's first inquiry was for +remnants, and the same thing was repeated till, as she assured Elsie, +they had visited every dry-goods store in the place. + +"Pretty nice ones, too, some of them are; don't you think so, dear?" + +"Yes, auntie; but do you know you have strongly excited my curiosity?" + +"Ah! how so?" + +"Why, I cannot imagine what you can want with all those remnants. I'm +sure hardly one of them could be made into a dress for yourself or for +Phillis, and you have no little folks to provide for." + +"But other folks have, child, and I shall use some of the smallest for +patchwork." + +"Dere's a lady in de parlor, Miss Stanhope," said Chloe, meeting them +at the gate; "kind of lady," she added with a very broad smile, "come +to call on you, ma'am, and Miss Elsie too." + +"We'll just go in without keeping her waiting to take off our +bonnets," said Aunt Wealthy, leading the way. + +They found a rather gaudily-dressed, and not very refined-looking +woman, who rose and came forward to meet them with a boisterous +manner, evidently assumed to cover a slight feeling of embarrassment. +"Oh, I'm quite ashamed, Aunt Wealthy, to have been so long in calling +to see your friends; you really must excuse me; it's not been for want +of a strong disinclination, I do assure you: but you see I've been +away a-nursing of a sick sister." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Sixpence." + +"Excuse me, Schilling." + +"Oh no, not at all, it's my mistake. Elsie, Mrs. Schilling. My niece, +Miss Dinsmore. Sit down, do. I'm sorry you got here before we were +through our shopping." + +"I'm afraid it's rather an early call," began Mrs. Schilling, her +rubicund countenance growing redder than ever, "but--" + +"Oh, aunt did not mean that," interposed Elsie, with gentle +kindliness. "She was only regretting that you had been kept waiting." + +"Certainly," said Miss Stanhope. "You know I'm a sad hand at talking, +always getting the horse before the cart, as they say. But tell me +about your sister. I hope she has recovered. What ailed her?" + +"She had inflammation of the tonsils; she's better now though; the +tonsils is all gone, and I think she'll get along. She's weak yet; +but that's all. There's been a good bit of sickness out there in that +neighborhood, through the winter and spring; there were several cases +of scarlet fever, and one of small-pox. That one died, and what do you +think, Aunt Wealthy; they had a reg'lar big funeral, took the corpse +into the church, and asked everybody around to come to it." + +"I think it was really wicked, and that if I'd been the congregation, +every one of me would have staid away." + +"So would I. There now, I'm bound to tell you something that happened +while I was at father's. My sister had a little girl going on two +years old, and one day the little thing took up a flat iron, and let +it fall on her toe, and mashed it so we were really afraid 'twould +have to be took off. We wrapped it up in some kind o' salve mother +keeps for hurts, and she kept crying and screamin' with pain, and we +couldn't peacify her nohow at all, till a lady that was visiting next +door come in and said we'd better give her a few drops of laud'num. So +we did, and would you believe it? it went right straight down into her +toe, and she stopped cryin', and pretty soon dropped asleep. I thought +it was the curiosest thing I ever heard of." + +"It was a wise prescription, no doubt," returned Miss Stanhope, with a +quiet smile. + +"Oh, Aunt Wealthy, won't you tell me how you make that Farmer's +fruit-cake?" asked the visitor, suddenly changing the subject. "Miss +Dinsmore, it's the nicest thing you ever eat. You'd be sure it had +raisins or currants in it." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Schilling. You must soak three cups of dried apples +in warm water over night, drain off the water through a sieve, chop +the apples slightly, them simmer them for two hours in three cups of +molasses. After that add two eggs, one cup of sugar, one cup of sweet +milk or water, three-fourths of a cup of butter or lard, one-half +teaspoonful of soda, flour to make a pretty stiff batter, cinnamon, +cloves, and other spices to suit your taste." + +"Oh, yes! but I'm afraid I'll hardly be able to remember all that." + +"I'll write the receipt and send it over to you," said Elsie. + +Mrs. Schilling returned her thanks, sat a little longer, conversing in +the same lucid style, then rose and took leave, urging the ladies to +call soon, and run in sociably as often as they could. + +She was hardly out of the door before Aunt Wealthy was beating up +her crushed chair-cushions to that state of perfect roundness and +smoothness in which her heart delighted. It amused Elsie, who had +noticed that such was her invariable custom after receiving a call in +her parlor. + +Lottie King and Mrs. Schilling passed each other on the porch, the +one coming in as the other went out. Kind Aunt Wealthy, intent on +preventing Elsie from grieving over the emptiness of her father's +accustomed seat at the table, had invited her young friend to dinner. +The hour of the meal had, however, not yet arrived, and the two girls +repaired to Elsie's room to spend the intervening time. + +Lottie, in her benevolent desire to be so entertaining to Elsie that +her absent father should not be too sorely missed, seized upon the +first topic of conversation which presented itself and rattled on in a +very lively manner. + +"So you have begun to make acquaintance with our peculiar currency, +mon ami! An odd sixpence as Aunt Wealthy calls her. Two of them I +should say, since it takes two sixpences to make a shilling." + +"I don't know; I'm inclined to think Aunt Wealthy's arithmetic has the +right of it, since she was never more than a shilling, and has lost +her better half," returned Elsie, laughing. + +"Better half, indeed! fie on you, Miss Dinsmore! have you so little +regard for the honor of your sex as to own that the man is ever that? +But I must tell you of the time when she sustained the aforesaid loss; +and let me observe, sustained is really the proper--very properest of +words to express my meaning, for it was very far from crushing her. +While her husband was lying a corpse, mother went over with a pie, +thinking it might be acceptable, as people are not apt to feel like +cooking at such a time. She did not want to disturb the new-made widow +in the midst of her grief, and did not ask for her; but Mrs. Schilling +came to the door. 'Oh, I'm so much obliged to you for bringing that +pie!' she said. 'It was so good of you. I hadn't any appetite to eat +while he was sick, but now that he's dead, I feel as if I could eat +something. You and your girls must come over and spend a day with +me some time soon. He's left me full and plenty, and you needn't be +afraid to take a meal's victuals off me'!" + +"How odd! I don't think she could be quite broken-hearted." + +"No, and she has apparently forgotten him, and bestowed her affections +upon another; a widower named Wert. Mr. Was, Aunt Wealthy usually +calls him. They both attend our church, and everybody notices how +impossible it seems to be for her to keep her eyes off him; and you +can never be five minutes in her company without hearing his name. +Didn't she talk of him to-day?" + +"Oh, yes, she spoke of Mr. Wert visiting some sick man, to talk and +pray with him, and rejoiced that the man did not die till he gave +evidence that he was repaired." + +"Yes, that sounds like her," laughed Lottie. "She's always getting the +wrong word. I told you she never could keep her eyes off Mr. Wert. +Well, the other day--three or four weeks ago--coming from church he +was behind her; she kept looking back at him, and presently came bump +up against a post. She made an outcry, of course everybody laughed, +and she hurried off with a very red face. That put an idea into my +head, and--" Lottie paused, laughing and blushing-- + +"I'm half ashamed to tell you, but I believe I will--Nettie and I +wrote a letter in a sort of manly hand, signed his initials, and put +it into an iron pot that she keeps standing near her back door. The +letter requested that she would put her answer in the same place, and +she did. Oh, it was rich! such a rapture of delight; and such spelling +and such grammar as were used to express it! It was such fun that we +went on, and there have been half a dozen letters on each side. I +daresay she is wondering why the proposal doesn't come. Ah, Elsie, I +see you don't approve; you are as grave as a judge." + +"I would prefer not to express an opinion; so please don't ask me." + +"But you don't think it was quite right, now do you?" + +"Since you have asked a direct question, Lottie, dear," Elsie +answered, with some hesitation, "I'll own that it does not seem to me +quite according to the golden rule." + +"No," Lottie said, after a moment's pause, in which she sat with +downcast eyes, and cheeks crimsoning with mortification. "I'm ashamed +of myself, and I hope I shall never again allow my love of fun to +carry me so far from what is true and kind. + +"And so Aunt Wealthy took you out shopping, and secured the benefit of +your taste and judgment in the choice of her remnants?" she exclaimed, +with a sudden change to a lively, mirthful tone. + +"How do you know that she bought remnants?" asked Elsie, in surprise. + +"Oh, she always does; that's a particular hobby of the dear old +body's; two or three times in a season she goes around to all the +stores, and buys up the most of their stock; they save the best of +them for her, and always know what she's after the moment she shows +her pleasant face. She gives them away, generally, to the minister's +wife, telling her the largest are to be made into dresses for her +little girls; and the poor lady is often in great tribulation, not +knowing how to get the dresses out of such small patterns, and afraid +to put them to any other use, lest Miss Stanhope should feel hurt or +offended. By the way, what do you think of Aunt Wealthy's own dress?" + +"That it is very quaint and odd, but suits her as no other would." + +"I'm so glad! It's just what we all think, but before you came we were +much afraid you would use your influence to induce her to adopt a more +fashionable attire." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + Bear fair presence, though your heart be tainted; + Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint. + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "COMEDY OF ERRORS." + + +"It's a very handsome present, child, very; and your old auntie will +be reminded of you every time she uses it, or looks at it." + +"Both beautiful and useful, like the giver," remarked Lottie. + +"It" was a sewing-machine, Elsie's gift to Aunt Wealthy, forwarded +from Cincinnati, by Mr. Dinsmore; the handsomest and the best to be +found in the city; so Elsie had requested that it should be, and so he +had written that it was. + +"I am glad you like it, auntie, and you too, Lottie," was all she said +in response to their praises, but her eyes sparkled with pleasure at +the old lady's evident delight. + +"It" had arrived half an hour before, on this the second morning after +Mr. Dinsmore's departure, and now stood in front of one of the windows +of Aunt Wealthy's bedroom--a delightfully shady, airy apartment on the +ground floor, back of the parlor, and with window and door opening +out upon a part of the lawn where the trees were thickest and a tiny +fountain sent up its showers of spray. + +Miss Stanhope stood at a table, cutting out shirts. Lottie was +experimenting on the machine with a bit of muslin, and Elsie sat +near by with her father's letter in her hand, her soft dark eyes now +glancing over it for perhaps the twentieth time, now at the face of +one or the other of her companions, as Lottie rattled on in her usual +gay, flighty style, and Aunt Wealthy answered her sometimes with a +straightforward sentence, and again with one so topsy-turvy that her +listeners could not forbear a smile. + +"For whom are you making shirts, aunt?" asked Elsie. + +"For my boy Harry. He writes that his last set are going wonderfully +fast; so I must send up another to make." + +"You must let us help you, Lottie and I; we have agreed that it will +be good fun for us." + +"Thank you, dearie, but I didn't suppose plain sewing was among your +accomplishments." + +"Mamma says I am quite a good needle-woman," Elsie replied with a +smile and a blush, "and if I am not it is no fault of hers. She took +great pains to teach me. I cut out a shirt for papa once, and made +every stitch of it myself." + +"And she can run the machine too," said Lottie, "though her papa won't +let her do so for more than half an hour at a time, lest she should +hurt herself." + +"He's very careful of her, and no wonder," Aunt Wealthy responded, +with a loving look at the sweet, fair face. "You may help me a little, +now and then, children, when it just suits your humor, but I want you +to have all the rides and walks, the reading and recreation of every +sort that you can enjoy." + +"Here comes Lenwilla Ellawea Schilling," said Lottie, glancing from +the window. + +"What do you want, Willy?" asked Miss Stanhope, as the child appeared +in the doorway with a teacup in her hand. + +"Mother wants a little light'ning to raise her bread." + +"Yeast? Oh, yes, just go round to Phillis, and she'll give you some." + +The door-bell rang. + +"It's a gentleman," said the child, "I seen him a-coming in at the +gate." + +Chloe answered the bell and entered the room the next moment with a +letter, which she handed to Miss Stanhope. + +The old lady adjusted her spectacles and broke the seal. "Ah, a letter +of introduction, and from my old friend and schoolmate Anna Waters; +wishes me to treat the young man with all the courtesy and kindness I +would show to her own son, for she esteems him most highly, etc., etc. +Aunt Chloe, what have you done with him?" + +"Showed him into de parlor, mistis, and leff him a-sittin' dar." + +"What's his name, auntie?" asked Lottie, as the old lady refolded the +letter and took off her glasses. + +"Bromly Egerton; quite romantic, isn't it? Excuse me for a few +minutes, dears; I must go and see what he wants." + +Aunt Wealthy found a well-dressed, handsome young man seated on one of +her softly-cushioned chairs. He rose and came forward to meet her with +courtly ease and grace. "Miss Stanhope, I presume?" + +"You are right, Mr. Ledgerfield. Pray be seated, sir." + +"Thank you, madam, but let me first help you to a seat. Excuse the +correction, but Egerton is my name." + +"Ah, yes! For the sake of my friend, Mrs. Waters, I welcome you to +Lansdale. Do you expect to make some stay in our town?" + +"Well, madam, I hardly had such expectation before arriving here, but +I find it so pretty a place that I begin to think I can scarcely do +better. My health has been somewhat impaired by very strict and close +attention to business; and my physician has ordered entire relaxation +for a time, and fresh country air. Can you recommend a boarding-place +in town? Some quiet, private hotel where drinking and things of that +kind would not be going on. I'm not used to it, and should find it +very disgusting." + +"I'm glad to hear such sentiments, young man; they do you honor. I +daresay Mrs. Sixpence,--no, Mrs. Schilling,--just opposite here, would +take you in. She told me some weeks ago that she would be glad to have +one or two gentlemen boarders." + +"Thank you, the location would suit me well; and you think she could +give me comfortable accommodations?" + +"I do; she has pleasant rooms and is a good cook." + +"A widow?" + +"Yes, not very young, and has two children. But they are old enough +not to be annoying to a boarder." + +"What sort of woman is she?" + +"A good manager, neat, industrious, honest, and obliging. Very +suitable for a landlady, if you are not looking in the person of your +hostess for an intellectual companion." + +"Oh, not at all, Miss Stanhope, unless--unless you could find it in +your benevolent heart to take me in yourself;" and his smile was very +insinuating. "In that case I should have the luxury of intellectual +companionship superadded to the other advantages of which you have +spoken." + +The old lady smiled, but shook her head quite decidedly. "I have lived +so long in the perfect house that I should not know how to give it up. +I have come to think men a care and a trouble that I cannot take upon +me in my old age." + +"Excuse me, my dear madam, for the unwarrantable liberty I took +in asking it," he said in an apologetic tone, and with a slightly +embarrassed air. "I beg ten thousand pardons." + +"That is a great many," she answered with a smile, "but you may +consider them all granted. I hope you left my friend Mrs. Waters well? +I must answer her letter directly." + +"Ah, then you are not aware that she is already on her way to Europe?" + +"No, is she indeed?" + +"Yes, she sailed the day after that letter was written; which accounts +for the date not being a very recent one. You see I did not leave +immediately on receiving it from her." + +She was beginning to wish that he would go, but he lingered for some +time, vainly hoping for a glimpse of Elsie. On finally taking his +leave, he asked her to point out Mrs. Schilling's house, and she +noticed that he went directly there. + +"Really, auntie, we began to think that your visitor must intend to +spend the day," cried Lottie, as Miss Stanhope returned to her room +and her interrupted employment. + +"Ah? Well it was not my urging that kept him; I was very near telling +him that he was making me waste a good deal of time" replied the old +lady; then seeing that Lottie was curious on the subject, she kindly +went on to tell all that she had learned in regard to the stranger and +his intentions. + +Elsie was amusing herself with Thomas, trying to cajole him to return +to the frolicsomeness of his long-forgotten kittenhood, and did not +seem to hear or heed. What interest for her had this stranger, or his +doings? + +"Young and handsome, you say, Aunt Wealthy? and going to stay in +Lansdale all summer? Would you advise me to set my cap for him?" + +"No, Lottie; not I." + +"You were not smitten with the gentleman, eh?" + +"Not enough to spare him to you anyhow, but he may improve upon +acquaintance." + +"I don't approve of marrying, though, do you, auntie? Your practice +certainly seems to speak disapproval." + +"Perhaps every one does not have the opportunity, my dear," answered +the old lady, with a quiet smile. + +"Oh, but you must have had plenty of them. Isn't that so? and why did +you never accept?" + +Elsie dropped the string she had been waving before the eyes of the +cat, and looked up with eager interest. + +"Yes, I had offers, and one of them I accepted," replied Aunt Wealthy, +with a slight sigh, while a shade of sadness stole over her usually +happy face, "but my friends interfered and the match was broken off. +Don't follow my example, children, but marry if the right one comes +along." + +"Surely you don't mean if our parents refuse their consent, auntie?" +Elsie's tone spoke both surprise and disapproval. + +"No, no, child! It is to those who keep the fifth commandment God +promises long life and prosperity." + +"And love makes it so easy and pleasant to keep it," murmured Elsie, +softly, and with a sweet, glad smile on her lips and in her eyes, +thinking of her absent father, and almost unconsciously thinking +aloud. + +"Ah, child, it can sometimes make it very hard," said Miss Stanhope, +with another little sigh, and shaking her head rather sadly. + +"Elsie, you must have had lots of lovers before this, I am sure!" +exclaimed Lottie, stopping her machine, and facing suddenly round upon +her friend. "No girl as rich and beautiful as you are could have lived +eighteen years without such an experience." + +Elsie only smiled and blushed. + +"Come now, am I not right?" persisted Lottie. + +"I do assure you that I have actually lived to this mature age quite +heart-whole," laughed Elsie. "If I have an idol, it is papa, and I +don't believe anybody can ever succeed in displacing him." + +"You have quite misunderstood me, wilfully or innocently--I asked of +your worshippers, not of your idols. Haven't you had offers?" + +"Several; money has strong attractions for most men, papa tells me." + +"May the Lord preserve you from the sad fate of a woman married for +her money, dear child!" ejaculated Aunt Wealthy, with a glance of +anxious affection at her lovely niece. "I'm sometimes tempted to think +a large amount of it altogether a curse and an affliction." + +"It is a great responsibility, auntie," replied Elsie, with a look of +gravity beyond her years. Then after a moment's pause, her expression +changing to one of gayety and joy, "Now, if you and Lottie will excuse +me for a little, I'll run up to my room, and answer papa's letter," +she said, rising to her feet. "After which I shall be ready to make +myself useful in the capacity of seamstress. Au revoir." And she +tripped away with a light, free step, every movement as graceful as +those of a young gazelle. + +Mr. Bromly Egerton, alias Tom Jackson, was fortunate enough to find +Mrs. Schilling at home. It was she who answered his knock. + +"Good-day, sir," she said. "Will you walk in? Just step into the +parlor here, and take a seat." + +He accepted the invitation and stated his business without preface, or +waiting to be questioned at all. + +She seemed to be considering for a moment. "Well, yes, I can't say as +I'd object to taking a few gentlemen boarders, but--I'd want to know +who you be, and all about you." + +"Certainly, ma'am, that's all right. I'm from the East; rather broken +down with hard work--a business man, you see--and want to spend the +summer here to recruit. Pitched upon your town because it strikes me +as an uncommonly pretty place. I brought a letter of introduction to +your neighbor, Miss Stanhope, and she recommended me to come here in +search of board, saying you'd make a capital landlady." + +"Well, if she recommends you, it's all right. Would you like to look +at the rooms?" + +She had two to dispose of--one at the back and the other in the front +of the house, both cheerful, airy, of reasonable size, and neatly +furnished. He preferred the latter, because it overlooked Miss +Stanhope's house and grounds. + +As he stood at the window, taking note of this, a young girl appeared +at the one opposite. For one minute he had a distinct view of her face +as she stood there and put out her hand to gather a blossom from the +vine that had festooned itself so gracefully over the window. + +He uttered an exclamation of delighted surprise, and turning to his +companion asked, "Who is she?" + +"Miss Dinsmore, Miss Stanhope's niece. She's here on a visit to her +aunt. She's from the South, and worth a mint of money, they say. Aint +she handsome though? handsome as a picture?" + +"Posh! handsome doesn't begin to express it! Why, she's angelic! But +there! she's gone!" And he drew a long breath as he turned away. + +"You'd better conclude to take this room if you like to look at her," +artfully suggested Mrs. Schilling. "That's her bedroom window, and +she's often at it. Besides, you can see the whole front of Miss +Stanhope's place from here, and watch all the comings and goings o' +the girls--Miss Dinsmore, and Miss Nettie and Lottie King." + +"Who are they?" + +"Kind o' fur-off cousins to Miss Stanhope. They live in that next +house to hern, and are amazin' thick with her, runnin' in and out all +times o' day. Nice, spry, likely girls they be too, not bad-lookin' +neither, but hardly fit to hold a candle to Miss Dinsmore, as fur as +beauty's concerned. Well, what do you say to the room, Mr. Egerton?" + +"That I will take it, and would like to have immediate possession." + +"All right, sir; fetch your traps whenever you've a mind; right away, +if you like." + +There was no lack of good society in Lansdale. It had even more than +the usual proportion of well-to-do, intelligent, educated, and refined +people to be found in American villages of its size. They were +hospitable folks, too, disposed to be kind to strangers tarrying in +their midst, and, Miss Stanhope being an old resident, well known and +highly esteemed, spite of her eccentricities, her friends had received +a good deal of attention. Elsie had already become slightly acquainted +with a number of pleasant families; a good many young girls, and also +several young gentlemen had called upon her, and Lottie assured her +there were many more to come. + +"Some of the very nicest are apt to be slow about calling--we're +such busy folks here," she said, laughing. "I've a notion, too, that +several of the beaux stood rather in awe of your papa." + +They were talking together over their sewing, after Elsie had come +down from finishing her letter, and sent Chloe to the post-office with +it. + +"I don't wonder," she answered, looking up with a smile; "there was a +time, a long while ago, when I was very much afraid of him myself; and +even now I have such a wholesome dread of his displeasure as would +keep me from any act of disobedience, if love was not sufficient to do +that without help from any other motive." + +"You are very fond of him, and he of you?" + +"Yes, indeed! how could it be otherwise when for so many years each +was all the other had? But I'm sure, quite sure that neither of us +loves the other less because now we have mamma and darling little +Horace." + +"I should like to know them both," said Miss Stanhope. "I hope your +father will bring them with him when he comes back for you." + +"Oh, I hope he will! I want so much to have you know them. Mamma is so +dear and sweet, almost as dear as papa himself. And Horace--well, I +can't believe there ever was quite such another darling to be found," +Elsie continued, with a light, joyous laugh. + +"Ah!" said Aunt Wealthy with a sigh and a smile, "it is a good and +pleasant thing to be young and full of life and gayety, and to have +kind, wise parents to look to for help and guidance. You will realize +that when you grow old and have to be a prop for others to lean upon +instead." + +"Yes, dear auntie," Elsie answered, giving her a look of loving +reverence, "but surely the passing years must have brought you so much +wisdom and self-reliance that that can be no such very hard task to +you." + +"Ah, child!" replied the old lady, shaking her head, "I often feel +that my stock of those is very small. But then how sweet it is to +remember that I have a Father to whom I never shall grow old; never +cease to be His little child, in constant need of His tender, watchful +care to guard and guide. Though the gray hairs are on my head, the +wrinkles of time, sorrow, and care upon my brow, He does not think me +old enough to be left to take care of myself. No; He takes my hand in +His and leads me tenderly and lovingly along, choosing each step for +me, protecting me from harm, and providing for all my needs. What does +He say? 'Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I +carry you'!" + +"Such sweet words! They almost reconcile one to growing old," murmured +Lottie, and Aunt Wealthy answered, with a subdued gladness in her +tones, "You need not dread it, child, for does not every year bring us +nearer home?" + +The needles flew briskly until the dinner-bell sounded its welcome +summons. + +"We shall finish two at least this afternoon, I think," said Lottie, +folding up her work. + +"No, we've had sewing enough for to-day," replied Miss Stanhope. "I +have ordered the carriage at two. We will have a drive this afternoon, +and music this evening; if you and Elsie do not consider it too much +of a task to play and sing for your old auntie." + +"A task, Aunt Wealthy! It would be a double delight--giving you +pleasure and ourselves enjoying the delicious tones of that splendid +piano. Its fame has already spread over the whole town," she added, +turning to Elsie, "and between its attractions and those of its owner, +I know there'll be a great influx of visitors here." + +Elsie was a very fine musician, and for her benefit during her stay in +Lansdale, Mr. Dinsmore had had a grand piano sent on from the East, +ordering it in season to have it arrive almost as soon as they +themselves. + +"Yes, Lottie is quite right about it, Aunt Wealthy, and you shall +call for all the tunes you want," Elsie said, noticing her friend's +prediction merely by a quiet smile. + +"You don't know how I enjoy that piano," Lottie rattled on as they +began their meal. "It must be vastly pleasant to have plenty of +money and such an indulgent father as yours, Elsie. Not that I would +depreciate my own at all--I wouldn't exchange him even for yours--but +he, you see, has more children and less money." + +"Yes, I think we are both blessed in our fathers," answered Elsie. "I +admire yours very much; and mine is, indeed, very indulgent, though at +the same time very strict; he never spares expense or trouble to give +me pleasure. But the most delightful thing of all is to know that he +loves me so very, very dearly;" and the soft eyes shone with the light +of love and joy. + +It was nearly tea time when they returned from their drive, some lady +callers having prevented them from setting out at the early hour +intended. + +"Now I must run right home," said Lottie, as they alighted. "Mother +complains that she gets no good of me at all of late." + +"Well, she has Nettie," returned Miss Stanhope, "and she told me Elsie +and I might have all we wanted of you till the poor child gets a +little used to her father's absence." + +"Did she, Aunt Wealthy? There, I'll remind her of that, and also of +the fact that Nettie is worth two of me any day." + +"And you'll come back to spend the evening? Indeed you must, or how is +Elsie to learn her visitors' names? You know I could never get them +straight. But there's the tea-bell, so come in with us. No need to go +home till bed-time, or till to-morrow, that I can see." + +"Thank you, but of course, auntie, I want to primp a bit, just as you +did in your young days, when the beaux were coming. So good-bye for +the present," she cried, skipping away with a merry laugh, Miss +Stanhope calling after her to bring Nettie along when she returned. + +"We have so many odd names in this town, and I such an odd sort of +memory, that I make a great many mistakes," said the old lady, leading +the way to the house. + +Elsie thought that was all very true, when in the course of the +evening she was introduced to Mr. Comings, Mr. Tizard, Mr. Stop, +Miss Lock, and Miss Over, and afterward heard her aunt address them +variously as "Mr. In-and-out," "Mr. Wizard," "Mr. Lizard," "Mr. Quit," +"Miss Under," and "Miss Key." + +But the old lady's peculiarity was so well known that no one thought +of taking offence; and her mistakes caused only mirth and amusement. + +Lottie's prediction was so fully verified that Elsie seemed to be +holding a sort of levee. + +"What faultless features, exquisitely beautiful complexion, and sweet +expression she has." "What a graceful form, what pleasant, affable +manners, so entirely free from affectation or hauteur; no patronizing +airs about her either, but perfect simplicity and kindliness." "And +such a sweet, happy, intelligent face." "Such beautiful hair too; +did you notice that? so abundant, soft and glossy, and such a +lovely color." "Yes, and what simple elegance of dress." "She's an +accomplished musician, too, and has a voice as sweet, rich, and full +as a nightingale's," remarked one and another as they went away. The +unanimous verdict seemed to be, that the young stranger was altogether +charming. + +Across the street, Mrs. Schilling's boarder paced to and fro, watching +the coming and going, listening to the merry salutations, and gay +adieux, the light laughter, and the sweet strains of music and song, +till the desire to make one of the happy throng grew so strong upon +him that it was no longer to be resisted. + +"I will go in with those," he muttered, crossing over just in time to +enter directly in the rear of a lady and gentleman, whom he saw coming +up the street. "Miss Stanhope invited me to call again, without +particularizing how soon, and I can turn my speedy acceptance into a +compliment to their music, without even a white lie, for it does sound +extremely attractive to a lonely, idle fellow like me." + +Miss Stanhope met him at the door, would scarce listen to his +apology--insisting that "none was needed; one who had come to her with +such an introduction from so valued a friend as Mrs. Waters, must +always be a welcome guest in her house"--and ushering him into the +parlor, introduced him to her niece, and all others present. + +A nearer and more critical view of Elsie only increased his +admiration; he thought her the loveliest creature he had ever seen. +But it did not suit his tactics to show immediately any strong +attraction toward her, or desire to win her regard. For this evening +he devoted himself almost exclusively to Miss Stanhope, exerting all +his powers to make a favorable impression upon her. + +In this he was entirely successful. He had, when he chose, most +agreeable and polished manners. Also he had seen much of the world, +possessed a large fund of general information, and knew exactly how to +use it to the best advantage. With these gifts, very fine, expressive +eyes, regular features, and handsome person, no wonder he could boast +himself "a woman-killer." + +Aunt Wealthy, though old enough to be invulnerable to Cupid's arrows, +showed by her warm praises, after he had left that evening, that she +was not proof against his fascinations. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Your noblest natures are most credulous. + + --CHAPMAN. + + +Bromly Egerton (we give him the name by which he had become known to +our friends in Lansdale) considered it "a very lucky chance" that +had provided him a boarding-place so near the temporary home of his +intended victim. He felicitated himself greatly upon it, and lost no +time in improving to the utmost all the advantages it conferred. +It soon came to be a customary thing for him to drop in at Miss +Stanhope's every day, or two or three times a day, and to join the +young girls in their walks and drives, for, though at first paying +court to no one but the mistress of the mansion, he gradually turned +his attention more and more to her niece and Miss King. + +As their ages were so much nearer his this seemed perfectly natural, +and excited no suspicion or remark. Aunt Wealthy was quite willing to +resign him to them; for--a very child in innocent trustfulness--she +had no thought of any evil design on the part of the handsome, +attractive young stranger so warmly recommended to her kindness and +hospitality by an old and valued friend, and only rejoiced to see the +young folks enjoying themselves so much together. + +Before leaving Lansdale Mr. Dinsmore had provided his daughter with a +gentle, but spirited and beautiful little pony, and bade her ride out +every day when the weather was favorable, as was her custom at home. +At the same time he cautioned her never to go alone; but always to +have Simon riding in her rear, and, if possible, a lady friend at her +side. + +Dr. King was not wealthy, and having a large family to provide for, +kept no horse except the one he used in his practice; but Elsie, with +her well-filled purse, was more than content to furnish ponies for +her friends Lottie and Nettie whenever they could accompany her; and +matters were so arranged by their indulgent mother that one or both +could do so every day. + +It was not long before Mr. Egerton joined them in these excursions +also, having made an arrangement with a livery-stable keeper for the +daily use of a horse. And gradually his attention, in the beginning +about equally divided between the two, or the three, were paid more +and more exclusively to Elsie. + +She was not pleased with him in their earlier interviews, she could +scarcely have told why; but there was an intuitive feeling that he was +not one to be trusted. That, however, gradually gave way under the +fascinations of his fine person, agreeable manners, and intellectual +conversation. He was very plausible and captivating, she full of +charity and ready to believe the best of everybody, and so, little by +little, he won her confidence and esteem so completely that at length +she had almost forgotten that her first impression had not been +favorable. + +He went regularly to the church she, her aunt, and the Kings attended, +appearing an interested listener, and devout worshipper; and that not +on the Sabbath only, but also at the regular weekday evening service; +he seemed also to choose his associates among good, Christian people. +The natural inference from all this was that he too was a Christian, +or at least a professor of religion; and thus all our friends soon +came to look upon him as such, and to feel the greater friendship for, +and confidence in him. + +He found that Elsie's beauty would bear the closest scrutiny, that her +graces of person and mind were the more apparent the more thoroughly +she was known; that she was highly educated and accomplished, +possessed of a keen intellect, and talents of no common order, and a +wonderful sweetness of disposition. He acknowledged to himself that, +even leaving money out of the question, she was a prize any man might +covet; yet that if she were poor, he would never try to win her. A +more voluptuous woman would have suited him better. Elsie's very +purity made her distasteful to him, his own character seeming so much +blackened by contrast that at times he could but loathe and despise +himself. + +But her fortune was an irresistible attraction, and he resolved more +firmly than ever to leave no stone unturned to make himself master of +it. + +He soon perceived that he had many rivals, but he possessed one +advantage over them all in his entire leisure from business, leaving +him at liberty to devote himself to her entertainment during the day +as well as the evening. + +For a while he greatly feared that he had a more dangerous rival at a +distance; for, watching from his windows, he saw that every morning +Simon brought one or more letters from the post, and that Elsie was +usually on the front porch awaiting his coming; that she would often +come flying across the lawn, meet her messenger at the gate, and +snatching her letter with eager, joyful haste, rush back to the house +with it, and disappear within the doorway. Then frequently he would +see her half an hour later looking so rosy and happy, that he could +hardly hope her correspondent was other than an accepted lover. + +For weeks he tormented himself with this idea; the more convinced that +he was right in his conjecture, because she almost always posted her +reply with her own hands, when going out for her daily walk, or sent +it by her faithful Chloe; but one day, venturing a jest upon the +subject, she answered him, with a merry laugh, "Ah, you are no +Yankee, Mr. Egerton, to make such a guess as that! I have a number of +correspondents, it is true; but the daily letter I am so eager for +comes from my father." + +"Is it possible, Miss Dinsmore! do you really receive and answer a +letter from your father every day?" + +"We write every day, and each receives a letter from the other every +day but Sunday; on that day we never go or send to the post-office; +and we write only on such subjects as are suited to the sacredness of +its Sabbath rest. I give papa the text and a synopsis of the sermon I +have heard, and he does the same by me." + +"You must be extremely strict Sabbath-keepers." + +"We are, but not more so than the Bible teaches that we should be." + +"But isn't it very irksome? don't you find the day very long and +tedious?" + +"Not at all; I think no other day in the week is quite so short to me, +none, I am sure, so delightful." + +"Then it isn't only because your aunt is strict too, that you go on +keeping your father's rules, while you are at a safe distance from +him?" he queried in a half jesting tone. + +Elsie turned her soft eyes full upon him, as she answered with gentle +gravity: "I feel that the commands of both my earthly and my heavenly +Father are binding upon me at all times, and in all places, and I hope +I may ever be kept from becoming an eye-servant. Love makes it easy to +obey, and God's commands are not grievous to those who love him." + +"I beg your pardon," he said; "but to go back to the letters, how +can you fill one every day to your father? I can imagine that lovers +might, in writing to each other, but fathers and daughters would not +be apt to indulge in that sort of nonsense." + +"But Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie are no common father and daughter," +remarked Lottie, who had not spoken for the last ten minutes. + +"And can find plenty to say to each other," added Elsie, with a bright +look and smile. "Papa likes to hear just how I am spending my time, +what I see in my walks, what new plants and flowers I find, etc., +etc.; what new acquaintances I make, what books I am reading, and what +I think of them." + +"The latter or the former?" he asked, resuming his jesting tone. + +"Both. And I tell him almost everything. Papa is my confidant; more so +than any other person in the world." + +They were returning from a walk over the hills, and had just reached +Miss Stanhope's gate. Mr. Egerton opened it for the ladies, closed +it after them, bowed a good-morning and retired, wondering if he was +mentioned in those letters to Mr. Dinsmore, and cautioning himself +to be exceeding careful not to say or do a single thing which, if +reported there, might be taken as a warning of danger to the heiress. + +The girls ran into Miss Wealthy's room, and found her lamenting over a +white muslin apron. + +"What is it, auntie?" Elsie asked. + +"Why, just look here, child, what a hole I have made in this! It had +got an ink-stain on it, and Phillis had put one of Harry's new shirts +into a tin basin, and iron-rusted it; so I thought I would try some +citric acid on them both; and I did; but probably made it too strong, +and this is how it served the apron." + +"And the shirt?" asked Lottie, interested for the garment she had +helped to make. + +"Well, it's a comfort I handled it very gingerly, and it seems to be +sound yet, after I saw what this has come to." + +"It is quite a pity about the apron; for it really is a very pretty +one," said Elsie, "the acid must have been very strong." + +"Yes, and I am sorry to have the apron ruined, but after all, I shall +not care so very much, if it only doesn't eat Harry's tail off, and it +will make a little one for some child." + +Both girls laughed. It was impossible to resist the inclination to do +so. + +"The shirt's tail I mean, of course, and a little apron," said Miss +Wealthy, joining in the mirth; "that's where the spots all happen to +be, which is a comfort in case a piece should have to be set in." + +"There comes Lenwilla Ellawea; for some more light'ning, I suppose, as +I see she carries a teacup in her hand," whispered Lottie, +glancing from the window, as a step sounded upon the gravel walk. +"Good-morning, little sixpence; what are you after now?" she added +aloud, as the child appeared in the open doorway. + +"Mother's out o' vinegar, and dinner's just ready, and the +gentleman'll want some for his salad, and there aint no time to send +to the grocery. And mother says, will you lend her a teacupful, Aunt +Wealthy? And she's goin' to have some folks there to-night, and she +says you're all to come over." + +"Tell her we're obliged, and she's welcome to the vinegar," said Miss +Stanhope, taking the cup and giving it to Chloe to fill. "But what +sort of company is it to be?" + +"I dunno; ladies and gentlemen, but no married folks, I heard her say. +She's goin' to have nuts, and candies, and things to hand round, and +you'd better come. I hope that pretty lady will," in a stage whisper, +bending toward Miss Stanhope, as she spoke, and nodding at Elsie. + +All three laughed. + +"Well, I'll try to coax her," said Aunt Wealthy, as Chloe re-entered +the room. "And here's your vinegar. You'd better hurry home with it." + +"Aunt Wealthy, you can't want me to go there!" cried Elsie, as the +child passed out of hearing. "Why, the woman is not a lady, and I am +sure papa would be very unwilling to have me make an associate of her. +He is very particular about such matters." + +"She is not educated or very refined, it is true, my child; and I must +acknowledge is a little silly, too; but she is a clever, kind-hearted +woman, a member of the same church with myself, and a near neighbor +whom I should feel sorry to hurt; and I am sure she would be much hurt +if you should stay away, and deeply gratified by your attendance at +her little party." + +"I wouldn't miss it for anything!" cried Lottie, pirouetting about the +room, laughing and clapping her hands; "she has such comical ways of +talking and acting. I know it will be real fun. You won't think of +staying away, Elsie?" + +"I really do not believe your father would object, if he were here, my +child," added Miss Stanhope, laying her hand on her niece's shoulder +and looking at her with a kindly persuasive smile. + +"Perhaps not, auntie; and he bade me obey you in his absence; so if +you bid me, I will go," Elsie answered, returning the smile, and +touching her ruby lips to the faded cheek. + +"That's a dear," cried Lottie. "Hold her to her word, Aunt Wealthy. +And now I must run home, and see if Nettie's had an invite, and what +she's going to wear." + +The ladies were just leaving the dinner-table, when Mrs. Schilling +came rushing in. "Oh, excuse my informality in not waiting to ring, +Miss Stanhope; but I'm in the biggest kind of a hurry. I've just put +up my mind to make some sponge-cake for to-night, and I thought I'd +best run over and get your prescription; you always have so much +better luck than me. I don't know whether it's all in the luck though, +or whether it's partly the difference in prescriptions--I know some +follows one, and some another--and so, if you'll let me have yours, +I'll be a thousand times obliged." + +"Certainly, Mrs. Sixpence, you'll be as many times welcome," returned +Aunt Wealthy, going for her receipt-book. "It's not to be a large +party, is it?" she asked, coming back. + +"No, ma'am, just a dozen or so of the young folks; such ladies and +gentlemen which I thought would be agreeable to meet Miss Dinsmore. I +hope you'll both be over and bright and early too; for I've heard say +you don't never keep very late hours, Miss Dinsmore." + +"No, papa does not approve of them; not for me at least. He is so +careful of me, so anxious that I should keep my health." + +"Well, I'm sure that's all right and kind. But you'll come, both +of you, won't you?" And receiving an assurance that such was their +intention, she hurried away as fast as she had come. + +"I wonder she cares to make a party when she must do all the work of +preparing for it herself," said Elsie, looking after her as she sped +across the lawn. + +"She is strong and healthy, and used to work; and doubtless feels +that it will be some honor and glory to be able to boast of having +entertained the Southern heiress who is visiting Lansdale," Miss +Stanhope answered in a half-jesting tone. + +Elsie looked amused, then grave, as she replied: "It is rather +humbling to one's pride to be valued merely or principally on account +of one's wealth." + +"Yes; but, dearie, those who know you don't value you for that, but +for your own dear, lovable self. My darling, your old aunt is growing +very fond of you, and can hardly bear to think how soon your father +will be coming to carry you away again," she added, twinkling away a +tear, as she took the soft, white hand, and pressed it affectionately +in both her own. + +"And I shall be so sorry to leave you, auntie. I wish we could carry +you away with us. I have so often thought how happy my friend Lucy +Carrington ought to be in having such a nice grandma. I have never +had one, you know; for papa's stepmother would never own me for her +grandchild; but you seem to be the very one I have always longed for." + +"Thank you, dear," and Miss Stanhope sighed, slightly. "Had your own +grandmother, my sweet and dear sister Eva, been spared to this time, +you would have had one to love and be proud of. Now, do you want to +take a siesta? you must feel tired after this morning's long tramp, +I should think, and I want you to be very bright and fresh to-night, +that it may not harm you if you should happen to be kept up a little +later than usual. You see I want to take such care of you, that when +your father comes he can see only improvement in you, and feel willing +to let me have you again some day." + +"Thank you, you dear old auntie!" Elsie answered, giving her a hug. +"I'm sure even he could hardly be more kindly careful of me than you +are. But I am not very tired, and sitting in an easy-chair will give +me all the rest I need. Haven't you some work for me? I've done +nothing but enjoy myself in the most idle fashion all day." + +"No, my sewing's all done now that the shirts are finished. But I must +lie down whether you will or not. I can't do without my afternoon +nap." + +"Yes, do, auntie; and I shall begin to-morrow's letter to papa; +finishing it in the morning with an account of the party." + +She was busy with her writing when Lottie burst in upon her. + +"I ran in," she said, "to propose that we all go over there together, +and to ask you to come into our house when you're dressed. Nettie and +I are going to try a new style of doing up our hair, and we want your +opinion about its becomingness." + +"I'll be happy to give it for what it is worth." + +"By the way, I admire your style extremely; but of course no one could +imitate it who was not blessed with a heavy suit of natural curls. You +always wear it one way, don't you?" + +"Yes, papa likes it so, but until within the last year, he would not +let me have it in a comb at all." + +She wore it now gathered into a loose knot behind, and falling over +a comb, in a rich mass of shining curls, while in front it waved and +rippled above her white forehead, or fell over it, in soft, tiny, +golden brown rings. + +"It is so beautiful!" continued Lottie, passing her hand caressingly +over it; "and so is its wearer. Oh, if I were only a gentleman!" + +"You don't wish it," said Elsie, laughing. "I don't believe a real, +womanly woman ever does." + +"You don't, hey? Well, I must go; for I've a lot to do to Lot King's +wearing apparel. Adieu, mon cher. Nay, don't disturb yourself to come +to the door." + +Elsie came down to tea ready dressed for the evening, in simple white, +with a white rose in her hair. + +"I like your taste in dress, child," said Aunt Wealthy, regarding her +with affectionate admiration. "The rose in your hair is lovely, and +you seem to me like a fresh, fair, sweet flower, yourself." + +"Ah, how pleasant it is to be loved, auntie, for love always sees +through rose-colored spectacles," answered the young girl gayly. + +"I promised Lottie to run in there for a moment to give my opinion +about their appearance," she said, as they rose from the table. "I'll +not be gone long; and they're to come in and go with us." + +She found her friends in the midst of their hair-dressing. + +"Isn't it a bore?" cried Lottie. "How fortunate you are in never +having to do this for yourself." + +"Why," said Elsie, "I was just admiring your independence, and feeling +ashamed of my own helplessness." + +"Did you ever try it," asked Nettie; "doing your own hair, I mean?" + +"No, never." + +"Did you ever dress yourself?" + +"No, I own that I have never so much as put on my own shoes and +stockings," Elsie answered with a blush, really mortified at the +thought. + +"Well, it is rather nice to be able to help yourself," remarked Lottie +complacently. "There! mine's done; what do you think of it, Miss +Dinsmore?" + +"That it is very pretty and extremely becoming. Girls, mammy will +dress your hair for you at any time, if you wish." + +"Oh, a thousand thanks!" exclaimed Nettie. "Do you think she would be +willing to come over and do mine now? I really can't get it to suit +me, and I know Lot wants to put on her dress." + +"Yes, I'll go back and send her." + +"Oh, no; don't go yet; can't we send for her?" + +"That would do; but I told Aunt Wealthy I wouldn't stay long; so I +think I'd better go. Perhaps I can be of use to her." + +"I don't believe she'll need any help with her toilet," said Lottie, +"she does it all her own way; but I daresay she grudges every minute +of your company. I know I should. Isn't she sweet and lovely, and good +as she can be?" she added to her sister as Elsie left the room. + +"Yes, and how tastefully she dresses; everything is rich and +beautiful, yet so simply elegant; what magnificent lace she wears, and +what jewelry; yet not a bit too much of either." + +"And she knows all about harmony of colors, and what suits her style; +though I believe she would look well in anything." + +There was a communicating gate between Dr. King's grounds and Miss +Stanhope's, and Elsie gained her aunt's house by crossing the two +gardens. As she stepped upon the porch, she saw Mr. Egerton standing +before the door. + +"Good-evening, Miss Dinsmore," he said, bowing and smiling. "I was +just about to ring; but I presume that is not necessary now." + +"No, not at all. Walk into the parlor, and help yourself to a seat. +And if you will please excuse me I shall be there in a moment." + +"I came to ask if I might have the pleasure of escorting you to the +party," he said laughingly, as she returned from giving Chloe her +directions, and asking if her aunt needed any assistance. + +"Thank you; but you are taking unnecessary trouble," she answered +gayly, "since it is only across the street, and there are four of us +to keep each other company." + +"The Misses King are going with you?" + +"Yes; they are not quite ready yet; but it is surely too early to +think of going?" + +"A little; but Mrs. Schilling is anxious to see you as soon as +possible; particularly as she understands there is no hope of keeping +you after ten o'clock. Do you really always observe such early hours?" + +"As a rule, yes. I believe the medical authorities agree that it is +the way to retain one's youth and health." + +"And beauty," he added, with an admiring glance at her blooming face. + + * * * * * + +"I do believe we shall be almost the first; very unfashionably early," +remarked Nettie King, as their little party crossed the street. + +"We are not the first, I have seen several go in," rejoined Aunt +Wealthy, as Mr. Egerton held open the gate for them to pass in. + +Mrs. Schilling in gay attire, streamers flying, cheeks glowing, and +eyes beaming with delight, met them at the door, and invited them to +enter. + +"Oh, ladies, good-evening. How do you all do? I'm powerful glad you +came so early. Walk right into the parlor." + +She ushered them in as she spoke. Four or five young misses were +standing about the centre-table, looking at prints, magazines, and +photographs, while Lenwilla Ellawea, arrayed in her Sunday best, had +ensconced herself in a large cushioned rocking-chair; she was leaning +lazily back in it, and stretching out her feet in a way to show her +shoes and stockings to full advantage. Mrs. Schilling had singular +taste in dress. The child wore a Swiss muslin over a red flannel +skirt, and her lower limbs were encased in black stockings and blue +shoes. + +"Daughter Lenwilla Ellawea, subside that chair!" exclaimed the mother, +with a wave of her hand. "You should know better than to take the best +seat, when ladies are standing. Miss Stanhope, do me the honor to take +that chair. I assure you, you will find it most commodious. Take a +seat on the sofy, Miss Dinsmore, and--ah, that is right, Mr. Egerton, +you know how to attend to the ladies." + +Greetings and introductions were exchanged; an uncomfortable pause +followed, then a young lady, with a magazine open on the table before +her, broke the silence by remarking: "What sweet verses these are!" + +"Yes," said Mrs. Schilling, looking over her shoulder, "I quite agree +in that sentiment. Indeed, she's my favorite author." + +"Who?" asked Mr. Egerton. + +"Anon." + +"Ah! does she write much for that periodical?" he asked, with assumed +gravity. + +"Oh, yes, she has a piece in nearly every number; sometimes two of +'em." + +"That's my pap, that is," said Lenwilla Ellawea, addressing a second +young lady, who was slowly turning the leaves of a photograph album. + +"Is it?" + +"Yes, and we've got two or three other picters of him." + +"Photographs, Lenwilla Ellawea," corrected her mother. "Yes, we've got +several. Miss Stanhope, do you know there's a sculpture in town? and +what do you think? He wants to make a basque relief out o' one o' them +photographs of my 'Lijah. But I don't know as I'll let him. Would +you?" + +A smile trembled about the corners of Elsie's lips, and she carefully +avoided the glance of Lottie's eyes, which she knew were dancing with +fun, while there was a half-suppressed titter from the girls at the +table. + +"I really can't say I understand exactly what it is," said Aunt +Wealthy dubiously. + +"What sort of looking creature is a sculpture, Mrs. Schilling?" asked +Mr. Egerton. + +"Excuse me; there's some more company coming," she answered, hurrying +from the room. + +"My good landlady is really quite an amusing person," he observed in +an aside to Elsie, near to whom he had seated himself. + +She made no response. The newly-arrived guests were being ushered in, +and there were fresh greetings and introductions to be gone through +with. Then conversation became quite brisk, and after a little, it +seeming to be understood that all invited, or expected, were present +some one proposed playing games. They tried several of the quieter +kind, then Lottie King proposed "Stage-coach." + +"Lot likes that because she's a regular romp," said her sister. + +"And because she tells the story so well; she's just splendid at it!" +cried two or three voices. "Will you take that part if we agree to +play it?" + +"Yes, if no one else wants it." + +"No danger of that. We'll play it. Miss Dinsmore, will you take part?" + +"Thank you; I never heard of the game before, and should not know what +to do." + +"Oh, it's easy to understand. Each player--except the +story-teller--takes the name of some part of the stage-coach, or +something connected with it;--one is the wheels, another the window, +another the whip, another the horses, driver, and so on, and so on. +After all are named and seated--leaving one of their number out, and +no vacancy in the circle--the one left out stands in the centre, and +begins a story, in which he or she introduces the names chosen by the +others as often as possible. Each must be on the qui vive, and the +instant his name is pronounced, jump up, turn round once and sit down +again. If he neglects to do so, he has to pay a forfeit. If the +word stage-coach is pronounced, all spring up and change seats; the +story-teller securing one, if he can and leaving some one else to try +his hand at that." + +Lottie acquitted herself well; Mr. Egerton followed, doing even +better; then Aunt Wealthy was the one left out, and with her crooked +sentences and backward or opposite rendering of names caused shouts +of merriment. The selling of the forfeits which followed was no less +mirth-provoking. Then the refreshments were brought in; first, several +kinds of cake--the sponge and the farmers' fruit-cake, made after Miss +Stanhope's prescription, as Mrs. Schilling informed her guests, and +one or two other sorts. Elsie declined them all, saying that she never +ate anything in the evening. + +"Oh, now that's too bad, Miss Dinsmore! do take a little bit of +something," urged her hostess; "I shall feel real hurt if you don't; +it looks just as if you didn't think my victuals good enough for you +to eat." + +"Indeed you must not think that," replied Elsie, blushing deeply. +"Your cake looks very nice, but I always decline evening refreshments; +and that solely because of the injury it would be to my health to +indulge in them." + +"Why, you aint delicate, are you? You don't look so; you've as healthy +a color as ever I see; not a bit like as though you had the dyspepsy." + +"No, I have never had a touch of dyspepsia, and I think my freedom +from it is largely owing to papa's care of me in regard to what I eat +and when. He has never allowed me to eat cake in the evening." + +"Well, I do say! you're the best girl to mind your pa that ever I see! +But you're growed up now--'most of age, I should judge--and I reckon +you've a sort o' right to decide such little matters for yourself. I +don't believe a bit o' either of these would hurt you a mite; and +if it should make you a little out o' sorts just you take a dose of +spirits of pneumonia. That's my remedy for sick stomic, and it cures +me right up, it does." + +Elsie smiled, but again gently but firmly declined. "Please don't +tempt me any more, Mrs. Schilling," she said; "for it is a temptation, +I assure you." + +"Well, p'raps you'll like the next course better," rejoined her +hostess, moving on. + +"She's a splendid cook and the cake is really nice," remarked Lottie +King in a low tone, close at her friend's side. + +"Yes, Miss Dinsmore, you'd better try a little of it; I don't believe +it would hurt you, even so much as to call for the spirits of +pneumonia," said Egerton, laughing. + +"Oh, look!" whispered Lottie, her eyes twinkling with merriment, "here +comes the second course served up in the most original style." + +Mrs. Schilling had disappeared for a moment, to return bearing a +wooden bucket filled with a mixture of candies, raisins and almonds, +and was passing it around among her guests, inviting each to take a +handful. + +"Now, Miss Dinsmore, you won't refuse to try a few of these?" she +said persuasively, as she neared their corner, "I shall be real +disappointed if you do." + +"I am very sorry to decline your kind offer, even more for my own +sake than yours," returned Elsie, laughing and blushing; "for I am +extremely fond of confectionery; but I must say no, thank you." + +"Mr. Egerton, do you think 'twas because my cakes and things wasn't +good enough for her that she wouldn't taste 'em?" asked his landlady, +in an aggrieved tone, as the last of the guests departed. + +Elsie had gone an hour before, he having had the pleasure of escorting +her and Miss Stanhope across the street, leaving them at their own +door; but he did not need to ask whom Mrs. Schilling meant. + +"Oh, no, not at all, my good woman!" he answered. "It was nothing but +filial obedience joined to the fear of losing her exuberant health. +Very wise, too, though your refreshments were remarkably nice." + +"Poor Mrs. Sixpence," Lottie King was saying to her sister at that +moment, "she whispered to me that though her party had gone off so +splendidly, she had had two great disappointments,--in Mr. Wert's +absenting himself, and the refusal of the Southern heiress to so much +as taste her carefully prepared dainties." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + A goodly apple rotten at the heart; + O what a goodly outside falsehood hath! + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "MERCHANT OF VENICE." + + +In mental power, education, good looks, courtly manners, and general +information Mr. Egerton was decidedly superior to any of the young men +resident in Lansdale; and of this fact no one was better aware than, +himself. He did not confine his attentions to Elsie, and soon found +himself a prime favorite among the ladies of the town. No female +coquette ever coveted the admiration of the other sex more than he, +or sought more assiduously to gain it. He carried on numerous small +flirtations among the belles of the place, yet paid court to Elsie +much oftener than to any one else, using every art of which he was +master in the determined effort to win her affection and to make +himself necessary to her happiness. + +He had read many books and seen much of life, having travelled all +over our own country, and visited both Europe and South America; and +possessing a retentive memory, fine descriptive powers, a fund of +humor, and a decided talent for mimicry, was able, when he chose, to +make his conversation exceedingly amusing and interesting, and very +instructive. Also, he seemed all that was good and noble, and she soon +gave him a very warm place in her regard; much warmer than she herself +at first suspected. + +According to his own account--and probably it was the truth--Bromly +Egerton had had many hair-breadth escapes from sudden and violent +death. He was telling of one of these in which he had risked and +nearly lost his life from mere love of adventure. Elsie shuddered, and +drew a long breath of relief, as the story reached its close. + +"Does it frighten you to hear of such things?" he asked, with a smile. + +"Yes, it seems to me a dreadful thing to risk the loss of one's life, +when there is no good to ourselves or others to be gained by it." + +"Ah, if you were a man or boy you would understand that more than half +the charm of such adventures lies in the risk." + +"But is it right, or wise?" + +"A mere matter of taste, or choice, I should say--a long dull life, or +a short and lively one." + +Elsie's face had grown very grave. "Are those really your sentiments, +Mr. Egerton?" she asked, in a pained, disappointed tone. "I had +thought better of you." + +"I do not understand; have I said anything very dreadful?" + +"Is it not a sin to throw away the life which God has given us to be +used in His service?" + +"Ah, perhaps that may be so; but I had not looked at it in precisely +that way. I had only thought of the fact that life in this world is +not so very delightful that one need be anxious to continue it for a +hundred years. We grow tired of it at times, and are almost ready to +throw it away; to use your expression." + +"Ah, before doing that we should be very sure of going to a better +place." + +"But how can we be sure of that, or, indeed, of anything? What is +there that we know absolutely, and beyond question? how can I be sure +of even my own existence? how do I know that I am what I believe +myself to be? There are crazy men who firmly believe themselves kings +and princes, or something else quite as far from the truth; and how do +I know that I am not as much mistaken as they?" + +She gave him a look of grieved surprise, and he laughingly asked, +"Well, now, Miss Dinsmore, is there anything of which you really are +absolutely certain? or you, Miss King?" as Lottie drew near the log on +which the two were seated. + +They had taken a long ramble through the woods that morning, and +Egerton and Elsie had some ten minutes before sat down here to rest +and wait for their companions, who had wandered a little from the path +they were pursuing. + +"Cogito, ergo sum," she answered gayly, "Also I am sure we have had a +very pleasant walk. But isn't it time we were moving toward home?" + +"Yes," Elsie answered, consulting her watch. + +"That's a pretty little thing," observed Egerton. "May I look at it?" +And he held out his hand. + +"One of papa's birthday gifts to his petted only daughter," she said, +with a smile, as she allowed him to take it. "I value it very highly +on that account even more than for its intrinsic worth; though it is +an excellent time-keeper." + +"It must have cost a pretty penny; the pearls and diamonds alone must +be worth quite a sum," he said, turning it about and examining it with +eager interest. "I would be careful, Miss Dinsmore, how I let it be +known that I carried anything so valuable about me, or wore it into +lonely places, such as these woods," he added, as he returned it to +her. + +"I never come out alone," she said, looking slightly anxious and +troubled; "papa laid his commands upon me never to do so; but I shall +leave it at home in future." + +"Riches bring cares; that's the way I comfort myself in my poverty," +remarked Lottie, lightly. "But, Elsie, my dear, don't allow anxious +fears to disturb you; we are a very moral people at Lansdale; I never +heard of a robbery there yet." + +"I believe I am naturally rather timid," said Elsie, "yet I seldom +suffer from fear. I always feel very safe when papa is near to protect +me, and our Heavenly Father's care is always about us." + +"That reminds me that you have not answered my question," remarked +Egerton, switching off the head of a clover-blossom with his cane. "Is +the care you speak of one thing of which you feel certain?" + +"Yes, and there are others." + +"May I ask what?" + +She turned her sweet, soft eyes full upon him as she answered in low, +clear tones, "'I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no +good thing.' 'I know that my Redeemer liveth.' 'I know that it shall +be well with them that fear God.'" + +"You are quoting?" + +"Yes, from a book that I know is true. Do you doubt it, Mr. Egerton?" + +"Why, Miss Dinsmore, you do not take me for an infidel, surely?" + +"No, until to-day I had hoped you were a Christian." + +Her eyes were downcast now, and there were tears in her voice as she +spoke. He saw he had made a false step and lowered himself in her +esteem, yet, remembering his talk with Arthur, he felt certain he +could more than retrieve that error. And he grew exultant in the +thought of the evident pain the discovery of his unbelief had caused +her. "She does care for me; I believe the prize is even now almost +within my reach," he said to himself, as they silently pursued their +way into the town, no one speaking again until they parted at Miss +Stanhope's gate. + +Elsie, usually full of innocent mirth and gladness, was very quiet at +dinner that day, and Aunt Wealthy, watching her furtively, thought she +noticed an unwonted shade of sadness on the fair face. + +"What is it, dear?" she asked at length; "something seems to have gone +wrong with you." + +The young girl replied by repeating the substance of the morning's +talk with Mr. Egerton, and expressing her disappointment at the +discovery that he was not the Christian man she had taken him to be. + +"Perhaps what you have taken in earnest, was but spoken in jest, my +child," said Miss Stanhope. + +"Ah, auntie, but a Christian surely could not say such things even +in jest," she answered, with a little sigh, and a look of sorrowful +concern on her face. + +Half an hour later, Elsie sat reading in the abode of the vine-covered +porch, while her aunt enjoyed her customary after-dinner nap. She +presently heard the gate swing to, and the next moment Mr. Egerton was +helping himself to a seat by her side. + +"I hope I don't intrude, Miss Dinsmore," he began, assuming a slightly +embarrassed air. + +"Oh, no, not at all," she answered, closing her book; "but aunt is +lying down, and--" + +"Ah, no matter; I wouldn't have her disturbed for the world; and in +fact I am rather glad of the opportunity of seeing you alone. I--I +have been thinking a good deal of that talk we had this morning, +and--I am really quite shocked at the sentiments I then expressed, +though they were spoken more than half in jest. Miss Dinsmore, I am +not a Christian, but--but I want to be, and would, if I only knew how; +and I've come to you to learn the way; for somehow I seem to feel that +you could make the thing plainer to me than any one else. What must I +do first?" + +Glad tears shone in the soft eyes she lifted to his face as she +answered, "'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.' +Believe, 'only believe.'" + +"But I must do something?" + +"'Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, +and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and +to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.'" + +The man was an arrant knave and hypocrite, simulating anxiety about +his soul's salvation only for the purpose of ingratiating himself +with Elsie; but "the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God," +pricked him for the moment, as she wielded it in faith and prayer. +What ways, what thoughts were his! Truly they had need to be forsaken +if he would hope ever to see that holy city of which we are told +"There shall in no wise enter it anything that defileth, neither +whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie." + +For a moment he sat silent and abashed before the gentle, earnest +young Christian, feeling her very purity a reproach, and fearing that +she must read his hypocrisy and the baseness of his motives in his +countenance. + +But hers was a most innocent and unsuspicious nature, apt to believe +others as true and honest as herself. She went on presently. "It is so +beautifully simple and easy,--God's way of saving us poor sinners: +it is its very simplicity that so stumbles wise men and women, while +little children, in their sweet trustfulness, just taking God at His +word, understand it without any difficulty." She spoke in a musing +tone, not looking at Egerton at all, but with her eyes fixed +meditatingly upon the floor. + +He perceived that she had no doubts of his sincerity, and rallying +from the thrust she had so unconsciously given him, went on with the +rôle he had laid down for himself. + +"I fear I am one of the wise ones you speak of, for I confess I do not +see the way yet. Can you not explain it more fully?" + +"I will try," she said. "You believe that you are a sinner deserving +of God's wrath?" + +"Yes." + +"You have broken His law, and His justice demands your punishment; but +Jesus has kept its requirements, and borne its penalty in your +stead, and now offers you his righteousness and salvation as a free +gift,--'without money and without price.'" + +"But what am I to do?" + +"Simply take the offered gift." + +"But how? I fear I must seem very obtuse, but I really do not +comprehend." + +"Then ask for the teachings of the Spirit; ask Jesus to give you +repentance and faith. 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye +shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one +that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that +knocketh, it shall be opened." + +Elsie's voice was low and pleading, her tones were tremulous with +earnest entreaty, the eyes she lifted to his face were half filled +with tears; for she felt that the eternal interests of her hearer were +trembling in the balance. + +He looked at her admiringly, and, lost in the contemplation of her +beauty, had almost betrayed himself by his want of interest in what +she was saying. But just then Miss Stanhope joined them, and shortly +after he took his leave. + +From this time Egerton played his part with consummate skill, +deceiving Elsie so completely that she had not the slightest doubt of +his being an humble, penitent, rejoicing believer; and great were her +joy and thankfulness when he told her that she had been the means of +leading him to Christ; that her words had made the way plain to him, +as he had never been able to see it before. It seemed to her a very +tender, strong tie between them, and he appeared to feel it to be so +also. + +She was not conscious of looking upon him in the light of a lover, but +he saw with secret exultation that he was fast winning her heart; he +read it in the flushing of her cheek and the brightening of her eye at +his approach, and in many other unmistakable signs. He wrote to Arthur +that the prize was nearly won; so nearly that he had no doubt of his +ultimate success. + +"And I'll not be long now about finishing up the job," he continued; +"it's such precious hard work to be so good and pious all the time, +that I can hardly wait till matters are fully ripe for action. I'm +in constant danger of letting the mask slip aside in some unguarded +moment, and so undoing the whole thing after the world of trouble it +has cost me. It's no joke, I can assure you, for a man of my tastes +and habits to lead the sort of life I've led for the last three +months, I believe I'd give her up this minute, fortune and all, if the +winning of them would lay me under the necessity of continuing it for +the rest of my days, or even for any length of time. But once the knot +is tied, and the property secured, there'll be an end of this farce. +I'll let her know I'm done with cant, will neither talk it nor listen +to it." + +Arthur Dinsmore's face darkened as he read, and in a sudden burst of +fury he tore the letter into fragments, then threw them into the empty +grate. He was not yet so hardened as to feel willing to see Elsie in +the power of such a heartless wretch, such a villain as he knew Tom +Jackson to be. Many times already had he bitterly repented of having +told him of her wealth, and helped him to an acquaintance with her. +His family pride revolted against the connection, and some latent +affection for his niece prompted him to save her from the life of +misery that must be hers as the wife of one so utterly devoid of honor +or integrity. + +Yet Arthur lacked the moral courage to face the disagreeable +consequences of a withdrawal from his compact with Jackson, and a +confession to his father or Horace of the wretch's designs upon Elsie +and his own disgraceful entanglement with him. He concluded to take a +middle course. He wrote immediately to Jackson, somewhat haughtily, +advising him at once to give up the whole thing. + +"You will inevitably fail to accomplish your end," he said. "Elsie +will never marry without her father's consent, and that you will find +it utterly impossible to gain. Horace is too sharp to be hoodwinked or +deceived, even by you. He will ferret out your whole past, lay bare +the whole black record of your rascalities and hypocrisies, and forbid +his daughter ever again to hold the slightest communication with you. +And she will obey if it kills her on the spot." + +"There's some comfort in that last reflection," muttered Arthur to +himself, as he folded and sealed his epistle; "no danger of the rascal +getting into the family." + +Two days later, Egerton took this letter from the post-office in +Lansdale. He read it with a scowl on his brow. "Ah! I see your game, +young man," he muttered with an oath, "but you'll find that you've got +hold of the wrong customer. My reply shall be short and sweet, and +quite to the point." + +It ran thus: "Your warning and advice come too late, my young friend; +the mischief is already wrought, and however unworthy your humble +servant may be deemed by yourself or others of its members to become +connected with the illustrious D---- family, they will find they +cannot help themselves; the girl loves me, and believes in me, and I +defy all the fathers and relations in creation to keep us apart." Then +followed some guarded allusions to various sums of borrowed money, and +so-called "debts of honor," and to some compact by which they were to +be annulled, accompanied by a threat of exposure if that agreement +were not kept to the very letter. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + Thou shall not see me blush, + Nor change my countenance for this arrest. + + --SHAKESPEARE'S "HENRY VI.," PART II. + + +It was a sultry summer night. In the grounds of one of the largest and +most beautiful of the many elegant country seats to be found in the +suburbs of Cincinnati two gentlemen were pacing leisurely to and fro. + +They were friends who had met that day for the first time in several +years; strongly attached friends, spite of a very considerable +difference in their ages. They had had much to say to each other for +the first few hours, but it was now several minutes since either had +spoken. + +The silence was broken by the younger of the two exclaiming in a tone +of hearty congratulation, "This is a magnificent place, Beresford! It +does my heart good to see you so prosperous!" + +"It is a fine place, Travilla, but," and he heaved a deep sigh, "I +sometimes fear my wealth is to prove anything but a blessing to my +children; that in fact my success in acquiring it is to be the ruin of +my first-born." + +"Ah, I hope not! Is Rudolph not doing well?" + +"Well?" groaned the father, dropping his head upon his breast, "he +seems to be rushing headlong to destruction. Have you not noticed his +poor mother's sad and careworn look? or mine? That boy is breaking +our hearts. I could not speak of it to every one, but to you, my +long-tried friend, I feel that I may unburden myself, sure of genuine +sympathy--" And he went on to tell how his son, becoming early imbued +with the idea that his father's wealth precluded all necessity of +exertion on his part, had grown up in habits of idleness that led to +dissipation, and going on from bad to worse, was now a drunkard, a +gambler, and frequenter of low haunts of vice. + +"Day and night he is a heavy burden upon our hearts," continued the +unhappy father; "when he is with us we find it most distressing to +behold the utter wreck his excesses are making of him, and when he +is out of our sight it is still worse; for we don't know what sin +or danger he may be running into. Indeed at times we are almost +distracted. Ah, Travilla, much as I love my wife and children, I +am half tempted to envy your bachelor exemption from such care and +sorrow!" + +Mr. Travilla's kind heart was deeply moved. He felt painfully +conscious of his own inability to comfort in such sorrow; but spoke +of God's power to change the heart of the most hardened sinner, his +willingness to save, and his promises to those who seek his aid in the +time of trouble. + +"Thank you. I knew you would feel for us; your sympathy does me good," +returned Mr. Beresford, grasping his friend's hand and pressing it +between his own; "your words too; for however well we know these +truths we are apt to forget them, even when they are most needed. + +"But it is growing late, and you must be weary after your journey. Let +me show you to your room." + +Three days passed in which Rudolph was not once seen in his home, and +his parents were left in ignorance of his whereabouts. They exerted +themselves for the pleasure and entertainment of their guest, but +he could see plainly that they were enduring torture of anxiety and +suspense. + +Late in the evening of the third day, Mr. Beresford said to him, "My +carriage is at the door. I must go into town and search for my boy. I +have done so vainly several times since he last left his home, but I +must try again to-night. Will you go with me?" + +Travilla consented with alacrity, and they set out at once. + +While on their way to the city Mr. Beresford explained that, for some +time past, he had had reason to fear that his son was frequenting one +of its gambling-hells; that thus far he had failed in his efforts to +gain admittance, in order to search for him; but to-day, a professed +gambler, well known in the house; had come to him and offered his +assistance. + +"As his convoy, I think we shall get in," added Mr. Beresford. "I +cannot fathom the man's motives, but suspect he owes a grudge to a +newcomer, who, he says, is winning large sums from Rudolph. I shall +drive to Smith's livery stable, leave my horse and carriage there, +then walk on to the place, which is only a few squares distant. Our +guide is to meet us at the first corner from Smith's." + +This programme was carried out, their guide was in waiting at the +appointed place, and at once conducted them to the gambling-house Mr. +Beresford had spoken of. They were admitted without question or demur, +and in another moment found themselves standing beside a table where a +number of men were at play, nearly all so absorbed in their game as to +seem entirely unconscious of the presence of spectators. + +Two of them, pitted against each other, and both young, though there +must have been several years' difference in their ages, particularly +attracted Travilla's attention; and glancing at his friend, he saw +that it was the same with him,--that his eyes were fixed upon the face +of the younger of the two, with an expression of keen distress, while +he trembled with emotion, and almost gasped for breath, as he leaned +toward him, and whispered, "It is he--my son." + +At the same instant the young man's face grew deadly pale, he started +up with a wild, ringing cry, "I am ruined!" drew a pistol from his +breast, and placed the muzzle to his mouth. + +But Mr. Travilla, springing forward, struck it from his hand ere he +could pull the trigger. + +A scene of much excitement and confusion followed, in the midst of +which young Beresford was led away by his father and Travilla. + +A week later the latter gentleman reached Lansdale, arriving there in +the early morning train. He put up at its principal hotel, and having +refreshed himself by a few hours' sleep, a bath, and breakfast, +inquired the way to Miss Stanhope's. + +Elsie was just coming down the front stairway, as he appeared before +the open door, and was about to ring for admittance. + +"Oh, Mr. Travilla, my dear old friend! who would have expected to see +you here?" she cried, in delighted surprise, as she bounded forward to +meet him, with both hands extended in joyous greeting. + +He took them in his, and kissed her first on one cheek, then on the +other. "Still fresh and blooming as a rose, and with the same happy +light in the sweet brown eyes," he said, gazing fondly into their +tender depths. + +"And you are the same old flatterer," she answered gayly, a rich color +mantling her cheek. "Come in and sit down. But oh, tell me when did +you see papa last? and mamma, and little Horace? Ah! the sight of you +makes me homesick for them." + +"I left them at Cape May, about a fortnight since, all well and happy, +but missing you very much. I think papa will hardly be able to do +without his darling much longer." + +"Nor his darling without him. Oh, dear! sometimes I get to wanting him +so badly that I feel as if I should have to write to him to come for +me at once. But excuse me while I go and call Aunt Wealthy." + +"Not yet; let us have a little chat together first." + +Of course, after so long a separation, such old and tried friends +would find a great deal to say to each other. The time slipped away +very fast, and half an hour afterward Mr. Egerton, coming in without +ringing--a liberty he sometimes took of late--found them seated close +together on the sofa, talking earnestly, Elsie with her hand in that +of her friend, and a face even brighter and happier than its wont. + +Mr. Travilla had one of those faces that often seem to come to a +stand-still as regards age, and to scarcely know any change for many +years. He was at this time thirty-four, but would have passed readily +for twenty-five. Egerton thought him no more than that, and at once +took him for a successful rival. + +"Excuse me, Miss Dinsmore," he said, bowing stiffly, "I should have +waited to ring, but--" + +"Oh, never mind, Mr. Egerton," she said; "let me introduce you to my +old friend, Mr. Travilla--" + +But she stopped in astonishment and dismay. Mr. Travilla had risen, +and the two stood confronting each other like mortal foes. + +Mr. Travilla was the first to speak. "I have met you before, sir!" he +said with stern indignation. + +"Indeed! that must be a mistake, sir, for upon my word and honor I +never set eyes on you before." + +"Your honor! the honor of a sharper, a black-leg, a ----" + +"Sir, do you mean to insult me? by what right do you apply such +epithets to me? Pray where did you ever meet me?" + +"In a gambling-hell in Cincinnati; the time, one week ago to-night; +the occasion, the playing of a game of cards between young Beresford +and yourself in which you were the winner--by what knavery you best +know--the stakes so heavy that, on perceiving that he had lost, +the young man cried out that he was ruined, and in his mad despair +attempted self-destruction. It is quite possible that you may not have +observed me in the crowd that gathered about your wretched victim; but +I can never forget the face of the man who had wrought his ruin." + +Egerton's countenance expressed the utmost astonishment and +incredulity. "I have not been in Cincinnati for two months," he +averred, "and all I know of that affair I have learned from the +daily papers. But I shall not stay here to be insulted by you, +sir. Good-afternoon, Miss Dinsmore. I hope to be allowed an early +opportunity to explain this, and to be able to do so to your entire +satisfaction." + +He bowed and withdrew, hastening from the house with the rapid step of +one who is filled with a just indignation. + +Mr. Travilla turned to Elsie. She was sitting there on the sofa, with +her hands clasped in her lap, and a look of terror and anguish on her +face, from which every trace of color had fled. + +His own grew almost as pale, and his voice shook, as again sitting +down beside her, and laying his hand on hers, he said, "My poor child! +can it be possible that you care for that wretch?" + +"Oh, don't!" she whispered hoarsely and turning away her face; "I +cannot believe it; there must be some dreadful mistake." + +Then, recovering her composure by a mighty effort, she rose and +introduced her aunt, who entered the room at that moment. + +Mr. Travilla sat for some time conversing with her, Elsie joining in +occasionally, but with a tone and manner from which all the brightness +and vivacity had fled; then he went away, declining a pressing +invitation to stay to dinner, but promising to be there to tea. + +The moment he was gone Miss Stanhope was busied in beating up her +cushions, and Elsie flew to her room, where she walked back and forth +in a state of great agitation. But the dinner-bell rang, and composing +herself as well as she could, she went down. Her cheeks were burning, +and she seemed unnaturally gay, but ate very little as her aunt +noticed with concern. + +The meal was scarcely over, when a ring at the door-bell was followed +by the sound of Mr. Egerton's voice asking for Miss Dinsmore. + +"Ah!" said Miss Stanhope with an arch smile, "he does not ask this +hour for me; knowing it's the time of my siesta." + +Elsie found Egerton pacing the parlor floor to and fro. He took her +hand, led her to the sofa, and sitting down by her side, began at once +to defend himself against Mr. Travilla's charge. He told her he had +never been guilty of gambling; he had "sowed some wild oats," years +ago--getting slightly intoxicated on two or three occasions, and +things of that sort--but it was all over and repented of; and surely +she could not think it just and right that it should be brought up +against him now. + +As to Mr. Travilla's story--the only way he could account for the +singular mistake was in the fact that he had a cousin who bore the +same name as himself, and resembled him so closely that they had +been frequently mistaken for each other. And that cousin, most +unfortunately, especially on account of the likeness, did both drink +and gamble. He was delighted by the look of relief that came over +Elsie's face, as he told her this. She cared for him, then; yet her +confidence had been shaken. + +"Ah, you doubted me, then?" he said in a tone of sorrowful reproach. + +"Oh! I could not bear to think it possible. I was sure there must be a +mistake somewhere," she said with a beautiful smile. + +"But you are quite satisfied now?" + +"Quite." + +Then he told her he loved her very dearly, better than his own soul; +that he found he could not live without her; life would not be worth +having, unless she would consent to share it with him. "Would she, oh! +would she promise some day to be his own precious little wife?" + +Elsie listened with downcast, blushing face, and soft eyes beaming +with joy; for the events of that day had revealed to her the fact that +this man had made himself master of her heart. + +"Will you not give to me a word of hope?" pleaded Egerton. + +"I--I cannot, must not, without my father's permission," she faltered, +"and oh! he forbade me to listen to anything of the kind. I am too +young he says." + +"When was that?" + +"Three years ago." + +"Ah! but you are older now; and you will let me write and ask his +consent? I may say that you are not quite indifferent to me?" + +"Yes," she murmured, turning her sweet, blushing face away from his +ardent gaze. + +"Thank you, dearest, a thousand thanks!" he cried, pressing her hand +in his. "And now may I ask who and what that Mr. Travilla is?" + +She explained, winding up by saying that he was much like a second +father to her. + +"Father!" he exclaimed, "he doesn't look a day over twenty-five." + +"He is about two years younger than papa and doesn't look any younger, +I think," she answered with a smile. "But strangers are very apt to +take papa for my brother." + +Egerton left an hour before Mr. Travilla came, and that hour Elsie +spent in her own room in a state of great excitement,--now full of the +sweet joy of loving and being loved, now trembling with apprehension +at the thought of the probable effect of Mr. Travilla's story upon her +father. She was fully convinced of Egerton's truth and innocence; yet +quite aware that his explanation might not prove so satisfactory to +Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Oh, papa, papa!" she murmured, as she paced restlessly to and fro, +"how can I obey if you bid me give him up? And yet I must. I know it +will be my duty, and that I must." + +"What a color you hab in your cheeks, darlin'! an' how your eyes +do shine. I'se 'fraid you's gettin' a fever," said Chloe, with an +anxious, troubled gaze into her young lady's face, as she came in to +dress her for the evening. + +"Oh, no, mammy, I am perfectly well," Elsie answered with a slight +laugh. Then seating herself before the glass, "Now do your best," she +said gayly, "for we are to have company to tea. I doubt if you can +guess whom?" + +"Den 'spose my pet saves her ole mammy de trouble. 'Taint massa, for +sure?" + +"No, not quite so welcome a guest; but one you'll be delighted to see. +Mr. Travilla." + +"Ki, darlin'! he not here?" + +"Yes, he came this morning. Ah! I knew you'd be delighted." + +Elsie knew that it would require the very strongest proof to convince +her father of the truth of Mr. Egerton's story, but hoped to find Mr. +Travilla much more ready to give it credence. She was proportionably +disappointed when, on hearing it from her, he scouted it as utterly +unworthy of belief, or even examination. + +"No, my child," he said, "the man's face is indelibly impressed upon +my memory, and I can not be mistaken in his identity." + +Elsie's face flushed crimson, and indignant tears sprang to her eyes +and trembled in her voice as she answered, "I never knew you so +uncharitable before, sir. I could not have believed it of my +kind-hearted, generous old friend." + +He gave her a very troubled, anxious look, as he replied, "Why should +you take it so to heart, Elsie? Surely this man is nothing to you." + +"He is to be some day, if papa will permit," she murmured, turning +away her blushing face from his gaze. + +Mr. Travilla uttered a groan, made two or three rapid turns across the +room, and coming back to her side, laid his hand in an affectionate, +fatherly manner upon her shoulder. + +"My dear," he said with emotion, "I don't know when I have heard +anything that distressed me so much; or that could give such pain and +distress to your doting father." + +"Mr. Travilla, you will not, you cannot be so unkind, so cruel, as to +try to persuade papa to think as you do of--of Mr. Egerton?" + +Her tone was half indignant, half imploring, and her eyes were lifted +pleadingly to his face. + +"My poor child," he said, "I could not be so cruel to you as to leave +him in ignorance of any of the facts; but I shall not attempt to +bias his judgment; nor would it avail if I did. Your father is an +independent thinker, and will make up his mind for himself." + +"And against poor Bromly," thought Elsie, with an emotion of anguish, +and something akin to rebellion rising in her heart. + +Mr. Travilla read it all in her speaking countenance. "Do not fear +your father's decision, my little friend." he said, sitting down +beside her again, "he is very just, and you are as the apple of his +eye. He will sift the matter thoroughly, and decide as he shall deem +best for your happiness. Can you not trust his wisdom and his love?" + +"I know he loves me very dearly, Mr. Travilla, but--he is only human, +and may make a mistake." + +"Then try to leave it all in the hands of your heavenly Father, who +cannot err, who is infinite in wisdom, power, and in His love for +you." + +"I will try," she said with a quivering lip. "Now please talk to me +of something else. Tell me of that young man. Did you say he shot +himself?" + +"Young Beresford, my friend's son? No, he was prevented." And he went +on to tell of Rudolph's horror and remorse on account of that rash +act, and of the excesses that led to it; also of the trembling hope +his parents and friends were beginning to indulge that he was now +truly penitent, and, clothed in his right mind, was sitting at the +Saviour's feet. + +Elsie listened with interest. They had had the parlor to themselves +for an hour or more, Miss Stanhope having received an unexpected +summons to the bedside of a sick neighbor. + +She was with them at tea, and during most of the evening, but left +them alone together for a moment just before Mr. Travilla took his +leave, and he seized the opportunity to say to Elsie that he thought +she ought to refrain from further intercourse with Egerton till she +should learn her father's will in regard to the matter. + +"I cannot promise--I will think of it," she said with a look of +distress. + +"You write frequently to your papa?" + +"Every day." + +"I know you would not wish to deceive him in the least. Will you tell +him what I conceive to be the facts in regard to Mr. Egerton? or shall +I?" + +"I cannot, oh, I cannot!" she murmured, turning away her face. + +"Then I shall spare you the painful task, by, doing it myself, my poor +child. I shall write to-night." + +She was silent, but he could see the tumultuous heaving of her breast, +and the tears glistening on the heavy drooping lashes that swept her +pale cheek. His heart bled for her, while his indignation waxed hot +against the hypocritical scoundrel who, he feared, had succeeded only +too well in wrecking her happiness. + +She had described to him Egerton's character as he had made it appear +to her, telling of their conversations on religious subjects, his +supposed conversion, etc., etc.; thus unintentionally enabling +Travilla to see clearly through the man's base designs. He silently +resolved to stay in Lansdale and watch over her until her father's +arrival. + +"You ride out daily?" he inquired. + +"Yes, sir." + +"May I be your escort to-morrow?" + +She cast down her eyes, which she had lifted to his face for an +instant, blushing painfully. It seemed an effort for her to reply, and +the words came slowly, and with hesitation. "I--should be glad to have +you, sir; you know I have always valued your society, but--Mr. Egerton +always goes with us--Lottie King and me--of late; and--and I can +hardly suppose either of you would now find the company of the other +agreeable." + +"No, Elsie; but what do you think your father would wish?" + +"I know he would be glad to have me under your care, and if you don't +mind the unpleasantness." + +"My dear, I would cheerfully endure far more than that, to watch over +your father's child. You will not let this unhappy circumstance turn +you against your old friend? I could hardly bear that, little Elsie." +And he drew her toward him caressingly. + +"Oh, no, no! I don't think anything could do that; you've always been +so good to me--almost a second father." + +He released her hand with a slight involuntary sigh, as at that +instant Miss Stanhope re-entered the room. The two were standing by +the piano, Mr. Travilla having risen from one of the cushioned chairs +to draw near to Elsie while talking to her. Miss Stanhope flew to the +chair, caught up the cushion, shook it, laid it down again, and with +two or three little loving pats restored it to its normal condition of +perfect roundness. Mr. Travilla watched her with a surprised, puzzled +look. + +"Have I done any mischief, Elsie?" he asked in an undertone. + +"Oh, no!" she answered with a faint smile, "it's only auntie's way." + +Their visitor had gone, and Elsie turned to her aunt to say +good-night. + +"Something is wrong with you, child; can't you tell the trouble to +your old auntie, and let her try to comfort you?" Miss Stanhope asked, +putting an arm about the slender waist, and scanning the sweet face, +usually so bright and rosy, now so pale and agitated, with a look of +keen but loving scrutiny. + +Then, in broken words, and with many a little half-sobbing sigh and +one or two scalding tears, hastily brushed away, Elsie told the whole +painful story, secure of warm sympathy from the kind heart to which +she was so tenderly folded. + +Miss Stanhope believed in Bromly Egerton almost as firmly as Elsie +herself; what comfort there was in that! She believed too in the +inspired assurances that "all things work together for good to them +that love God," and that He is the hearer and answerer of prayer. She +reminded her niece of them; bade her cast her burden on the Lord and +leave it there, and cheered her with the hope that Bromly would be +able to prove to her father that Mr. Travilla was entirely mistaken. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + My heart has been like summer skies, + When they are fair to view; + But there never yet were hearts or skies + Clouds might not wander through. + + --MRS. L.P. SMITH. + + +Walter Dinsmore was doing well at college, studying hard, and keeping +himself out of bad company. In this last he might not have been so +successful but for his brother's assistance; for, though choosing his +own associates from among the dissolute and vile, Arthur resolutely +exerted himself to preserve this young brother from such +contamination. "I've enough sins of my own to answer for, Wal," he +would say, sometimes almost fiercely, "and I won't have any of +yours added to 'em; nobody shall say I led you into bad company, or +initiated you into my own evil courses." + +For months Arthur's spirits had been very variable, his frequent fits +of gloom, alternating with unnatural gayety, exciting Walter's wonder +and sympathy. + +"I cannot imagine what ails him," he said to himself again and again; +for Arthur utterly refused to tell him the secret of his despondency. + +It had been almost constant since the receipt of Egerton's last +epistle, and Walter was debating in his own mind whether he ought not +to speak of it in his next letter to their mother, when one night he +was wakened by a sudden blow from Arthur's hand, and started up to +find him rolling and tossing, throwing his arms about, and muttering +incoherently in the delirium of fever. + +It was the beginning of a very serious illness. It was pronounced +such by the physician called in by Walter at an early hour the next +morning, and the boy sat down with a heavy heart to write the sad +tidings to his parents. + +While doing so he was startled by hearing Arthur pronounce Elsie's +name in connection with words that seemed to imply that some danger +threatened her. He rose and went to the bedside, asking, "What's wrong +with Elsie, Art?" + +"I say, Tom Jackson, she'll never take you. Horace won't consent." + +"I should think not, indeed!" muttered Walter. Then leaning over his +brother, "Art, I say, Art! what is it all about? Has Tom Jackson gone +to Lansdale?" + +No answer, save an inarticulate murmur that might be either assent or +dissent. + +The doctor had promised to send a nurse and, as Walter now glanced +about the room, the thought occurred to him that it would seem very +disorderly to the woman. Arthur's clothes lay in a heap over the back +of a chair, just as he had thrown them down on retiring. + +"I can at least hang these in the closet," thought Walter, picking up +the jacket. + +A letter fell from the pocket upon the floor. + +"Jackson's handwriting, I declare!" he exclaimed, with a start of +surprise, as he stooped to pick it up. It was without an envelope, +written in a bold, legible hand, and unintentionally he read the date, +"Lansdale, Ohio, Aug. -- 185-," and farther down the page some parts +of sentences connected with the "D---- family" ... "can't help +themselves" ... "the girl loves me and believes in me." + +He glanced at the bed. Arthur's eyes were closed. He looked down at +the letter again; there was the signature "T. J., alias B. E." + +"It's a conspiracy; there's mischief brewing, and I believe I ought to +read it," he muttered; then, turning his back toward the bed, perused +every word of it with close attention. + +It was sufficient to give him a clear insight into the whole affair. +Elsie's letters had of late spoken quite frequently of Mr. Bromly +Egerton, and so he was the "T. J., alias B. E." of this epistle, the +Tom Jackson who had been the ruin of Arthur. + +"The wretch! the sneaking, hypocritical scoundrel!" muttered Walter +between his teeth, and glancing again at the bed, though the epithet +was meant to apply to Jackson and not to Arthur. "What can I do to +circumvent him? Write to Horace, of course, and warn him of Elsie's +danger." And though usually vacillating and infirm of purpose, on this +occasion Walter showed himself both prompt and decided. The next mail +carried the news of his discovery to Elsie's natural protector,--her +father, who with Rose, the Allison family, and little Horace, was +still at Cape May. + +This letter and the three from Lansdale were handed Mr. Dinsmore +together. He opened Elsie's first. The contents puzzled, surprised, +and alarmed him. They were merely a few hastily written lines of +touching entreaty that he would not be angry, but would please forgive +her for giving her heart to one of whom he knew nothing, and daring to +let him speak to her of love; and that he would not believe anything +against him until he had heard his defence. + +With a murmured "My poor darling! you have been too long away from +your father," Mr. Dinsmore laid it down and opened the one directed in +a strange hand; rightly supposing it to come from the person to whom +she alluded. + +Egerton spoke in glowing terms of his admiration for Elsie's character +and personal charms, and the ardent love with which they had inspired +him, and modestly of his own merits. Ignoring all knowledge of her +fortune, he said that he had none, but was engaged in a flourishing +business which would enable him to support her in comfort and to +surround her with most of the elegancies and luxuries of life to which +she had been accustomed. Lastly he alluded in a very pious strain to +the deep debt of gratitude he owed her as the one who had been the +means of his hopeful conversion; said she had acknowledged that she +returned his affection, and earnestly begged for the gift of her hand. + +Mr. Dinsmore gave this missive an attentive perusal, laid it aside, +and opened Mr. Travilla's. + +Rose was in the room, putting little Horace to bed. She had heard his +little prayer, given him his good-night kiss, and now the child ran to +his father to claim the same from him. + +It was given mechanically, and Mr. Dinsmore returned to his letter. +The child lingered a moment, gazing earnestly into his father's face, +troubled by its paleness and the frown on his brow. + +"Papa," he said softly, leaning with confiding affection upon his +knee, "dear papa, are you angry with me? have I been a naughty boy, +to-day?" + +"No, son; but I am reading; don't disturb me now." + +Mr. Dinsmore's hand rested caressingly on the curly head for an +instant and the boy turned away satisfied. But Rose was not. Coming to +her husband's side the next moment, and laying her hand affectionately +on his shoulder, "What is it, dear?" she asked, "has anything gone +wrong with our darling, or at home?" + +"Trouble for her, I fear, Rose. Read these," he answered with emotion, +putting Elsie's, Egerton's, and Travilla's letters into her hands, +then opening Walter's. + +"Travilla is right! the man is an unmitigated scoundrel!" he cried, +starting up with great excitement. "Rose, I must be off by the next +train; it leaves in half an hour. I shall go alone and take only a +portmanteau with me. Can it be got ready in season?" + +"Yes, dear, I will pack it at once myself. But what is wrong? Where +are you going? and how long will you be away?" + +"To my brother's first--Arthur is seriously ill, and I must get hold +of evidence that Walter can supply--then on to Lansdale with all speed +to rescue Elsie from the wiles of a gambling, swindling, hypocritical, +fortune-hunting rascal!" + +At a very early hour of the next morning, Walter Dinsmore was roused +from his slumbers by, a knock at his door. + +"Who's there?" he asked, starting up in bed. + +"I, Walter," answered a well-known voice, and with a joyful +exclamation he sprang to the door, and opened it. + +"Horace! how glad I am to see you! I hardly dared hope you could get +here so soon." + +"Your news was of the sort to hasten a man's movements," returned Mr. +Dinsmore, holding the lad's hand in a warm brotherly grasp. "How are +you? and how's Arthur now?" + +"About the same. Hark! you may hear him moaning and muttering. This is +our study. I have had that cot-bed brought in here, and given up the +bedroom to him and the nurse; though I'm with him a good deal too." + +"You have a good nurse, and the best medical advice?" + +"Yes." + +"You must see that he has every comfort, Walter; let no expense be +spared, nothing left undone that may alleviate his sufferings or +assist his recovery. What is the physician's opinion of the case?" + +"He is not very communicative to me; may be more so to you. You'll +stay and see him when he calls, won't you?" + +"What time? I must be off again by the first train. I want to reach +Lansdale to-morrow." + +"It will give you time to do that. He calls early." + +"Now take me to Arthur; and then I must see that letter, and hear all +you have to tell me in regard to that matter." + +"What does Elsie say?" asked Walter, with intense interest; "do you +think she cares for him?" + +"I'm afraid she does," and Mr. Dinsmore shook his head sadly. + +"Oh, dear! but you won't allow--" + +"Certainly not; 'twould be to entail upon her a life of misery." + +"It's her fortune he's after, that's evident, and indeed I would hurry +to Lansdale, if I were you, lest they might take it into their heads +to elope. Such a shame as it would be for him to get her--the dear, +sweet darling!" + +"I have no fear that Elsie could ever be so lost to her sense of +filial duty; nor, I am sure, have you, Walter," answered Mr. Dinsmore +gravely. + +"No, Horace; and it's the greatest relief and comfort to me just now +to know how truly obedient and affectionate she is to you." + +Horace Dinsmore omitted nothing that he could do to add to the comfort +of his brothers, saw the physician and learned from him that he had +good hopes of a naturally vigorous constitution bringing Arthur safely +through the attack from which he was suffering, examined the evidence +Walter was able to furnish that Bromly Egerton and Tom Jackson were +one and the same--a man in whom every vice abounded--found time to +show an interest in Walter's studies and pastimes, and was ready to +leave by the train of which he had spoken. + +Jackson had not been wary enough to disguise his hand in either the +letter that had fallen from Arthur's pocket, or the one written to Mr. +Dinsmore, and a careful comparison of the two had proved conclusively +that they were the work of the same person. The broken sentences +that occasionally fell from Arthur's lips in his delirious ravings +furnished another proof not less strong. Also Walter had managed to +secure an excellent photograph of Jackson, which Mr. Dinsmore carried +with him, safely bestowed in the breast-pocket of his coat. He had +studied it attentively and felt sure he should be able instantly to +recognize the original. + +Bromly Egerton lay awake most of the night following his passage at +arms with Mr. Travilla, considering the situation, and how he would be +most likely to secure the coveted prize. He remembered perfectly well +all that Arthur Dinsmore had said about the difficulty of deceiving or +outwitting his brother, and the impossibility of persuading Elsie to +disobedience. Of the latter, he had had convincing proof that day, in +her firm refusal to engage herself to him without first obtaining her +father's consent. The conclusion he came to was, that should he remain +inactive until Mr. Dinsmore's arrival, his chances of success were +exceedingly small; in fact that his only hope lay in running away with +Elsie, and afterwards persuading her into a clandestine marriage. + +Their ride was to be taken shortly after an early breakfast, there +being a sort of tacit understanding that he was to accompany the young +ladies; but before Elsie had left her room, Chloe came up with a +message. "Marse Egerton in de parlor, darlin', axin could he see my +young missis for five minutes, just now." + +Elsie went down at once. Her visitor stood with his back toward +the door, apparently intently studying the pattern of her +great-great-grandmother's sampler, but turning instantly at the +sound of the light, quick footstep, came eagerly toward her with +outstretched hand. + +"Excuse this early call, dearest, but--ah, how lovely you are looking +this morning!" and bending his head he drew her toward him. + +But she stepped back, avoiding the intended caress, while a crimson +tide rushed over the fair face and neck, and her eyes sought the +carpet. + +"We are not engaged, Mr. Egerton; cannot be till papa has given +consent." + +"I beg ten thousand pardons," he said, coloring violently in his turn, +and feeling his hopes grow fainter. + +"Will you not take a seat?" she asked, gently withdrawing her hand +from his. + +"Thank you, no; I have but a moment to stay. My errand was to ask if +we could not so arrange it as, for once at least, to have our ride +alone together? Miss Lottie is a very nice girl, but I would give much +to have my darling all to myself to-day." + +"I would like it much too, very much, but papa bade me always have a +lady friend with me; and--and besides," she added with hesitation, and +blushing more deeply than before, "papa's friend. Mr. Travilla, is to +go with us. I--I have promised that he shall be my escort to-day." + +Egerton was furious, and had much ado to conceal the fact; indeed, +came very near uttering a horrible oath, and thus forever ruining his +hopes. He bit his lips and kept silent, but Elsie saw that he was +angry. + +"Do not be offended or hurt," she said; "do not suppose that I +followed my own inclination in consenting to such an arrangement. No, +I only acted from a sense of duty; knowing that it was what papa would +wish." + +"And you would put his wishes before mine? Love him best, I presume?" + +"He is my father, and entitled to my obedience, whether present or +absent." + +"But what very strict ideas you must have on that subject! do you +really think it your duty to obey his wishes as well as his command?" + +"I do; that is the kind of obedience he has taught me, that the Bible +teaches, and that my love for him would dictate. I love my father very +dearly, Mr. Egerton." + +"I should think so, indeed; but you must pardon me if at present I am +far more concerned about your love for me," he said, with a forced +laugh. "As for this Travilla, I can hardly be expected to feel any +great cordiality toward him after his attack upon me yesterday; and +I am free to confess that it would not cause me great grief to learn +that some sudden illness or accident had occurred to prevent his +spoiling our ride to-day." + +"Your feelings are perfectly natural; but, believe me, Mr. Travilla +has the kindest of hearts, and when he learns his mistake will be most +anxious to do all in his power to make amends for it. Will you stay +and take breakfast with us?" For at that instant the bell rang. + +"No, thank you," he said, moving toward the door. "But promise me, +Elsie, that I shall be your escort after this until your father comes. +Surely love may claim so small a concession from duty." + +She could not resist his persuasive look and tone, but with a smile +and a blush gave the promise for which he pleaded. + +Procuring as fine a horse as his landlord could furnish, Mr. Travilla +rode to Miss Stanhope's, and alighting at the gate, walked up to the +house. + +He found its mistress on the front porch, picking dead leaves from her +vines. She had mounted a step ladder to reach some that otherwise +were too high up for her small stature. Turning at the sound of +his approach, "Good-morning, sir," she said. "You see I'm like the +sycamore tree that climbed into Zaccheus. Shortness is inconvenient at +times. My, what a jar!" as she came down rather hard, missing the last +step--"I feel it from the crown of my foot to the sole of my head. +Here, Simon, take away this ladder-step; the next time I want it I +think I'll do without; I'm growing so old in my clumsy age. Walk in +and take a seat, Mr. Torville. Or shall we sit here? It's pleasanter +than indoors I think." + +"I agree with you," he said, accepting her invitation with a smile at +the oddity of her address. "You have a fine view here." + +They sat there conversing for some time before Elsie made her +appearance, Mr. Travilla both charmed and amused with his companion, +and she liking him better every moment. When Elsie did come down at +last, looking wondrous sweet and fair in a pretty, coquettish riding +hat and habit, her aunt informed her that she had been urging "Mr. +Vanilla" to come and make his home with them while in town, and that +he had consented to let her send Simon at once for his trunk. + +"If it will be agreeable to my little friend to have me here?" Mr. +Travilla said, taking her hand in his with the affectionate, fatherly +manner she had always liked so much in him. + +Her face flushed slightly, but she answered without an instant's +hesitation that she hoped he would come. + +The horses were already at the gate, Egerton was seen crossing the +street, and Lottie came tripping in at a side entrance. She had heard +a good deal of Mr. Travilla from Elsie, and seemed pleased to make his +acquaintance. + +Egerton came in, he and Mr. Travilla exchanged the coldest and most +distant of salutations, and the party set off; Mr. Travilla riding by +Elsie's side, Egerton and Lottie following a little in their rear. + +Finding it almost a necessity to devote himself to Miss King for +the time being, Egerton! took a sudden resolution to make a partial +confidante of her, hoping thus to secure a powerful ally. He told her +of the state of affairs between Elsie and himself, of Mr. Travilla's +"attack upon him;" how "utterly mistaken" it was, and how he presumed +"the mistake" had occurred; giving the story he had told Elsie of the +cousin who bore so strong a likeness to him, and so bad a character. +He professed the most ardent, devoted affection for Elsie, and the +most torturing fears lest her father, crediting him with his cousin's +vices, should forbid the match and crush all his hopes. + +The warm-hearted, innocent girl believed every word, and rushing into +her friend's room on their return, threw her arms about her, and +hugging her close, told her she knew all, was so, so sorry for her, +and for poor Egerton; and begged her not to allow anything to make her +give him up and break his heart. + +Elsie returned the embrace, shed a few tears, but answered not a word. + +"You do believe in him? and won't give him up; will you?" persisted +Lottie. + +"I do believe in him, and will not give him up unless--unless papa +commands it," Elsie answered in a choking voice. + +"I wouldn't for that!" cried Lottie. + +"'Children, obey your parents,'" repeated her friend, tears filling +the soft brown eyes, and glistening on the drooping lashes. "It is +God's command." + +"But you are not a child any longer." + +"I am papa's child; I always shall be. Oh, it would break my heart if +ever he should disown me and say, 'You are no longer my child!'" + +"How you do love him!" + +"Better than my life!" + +Mr. Travilla was already established at Miss Stanhope's, and very glad +to be there, that he might keep the more careful and constant watch +and ward over his "little friend." Thoroughly convinced of the +vileness of the wretch who had won her unsuspicious heart, he could +scarce brook the thought of leaving her alone with him, or of seeing +him draw close to her side, touch her hand, or look into the soft, +sweet eyes so full of purity and innocence. Yet these things no one +but her father might forbid, and Mr. Travilla would not force his +companionship upon Elsie when he saw or felt that it was distasteful +to her. The lovers were frequently left to themselves in the parlor or +upon the porch, though the friendly guardian, dreading he hardly knew +what, took care always to be within call. + +Elsie longed for, yet dreaded her father's coming. She knew he would +not delay one moment longer than necessary after receiving their +letters, yet he reached Lansdale almost a day sooner than she expected +him. + +Sitting alone in her room, she heard his voice and step in the hall +below. She flew down to meet him. + +"Oh, papa, dear, dear papa!" + +"My darling, precious child!" And her arms were about his neck, his +straining her to his heart. The next moment she lifted her face, and +her eyes sought his with a wistful, pleading, questioning look. He +drew her into the sitting-room, and Miss Stanhope closed the door, +leaving them alone. + +"My darling," he said, "you must give him up; he is utterly unworthy +of you." + +"Oh, papa! would you break my heart?" + +"My precious one, I would save you from a life of misery." + +"Ah, papa! you would never say that if you knew how--how I love him," +she murmured, a deep blush suffusing her face. + +"Hush! it horrifies me to hear you speak so of so vile a wretch,--a +drinking, swearing gambler, swindler, and rake; for I have learned +that he is all these." + +"Papa, it is not true! I will not hear such things said of him, even +by you!" she cried, the hot blood dyeing her face and neck, and the +soft eyes filling with indignant tears. + +He put his finger upon her lips. "My daughter forgets to whom she is +speaking," he said with something of the old sternness, though there +was tender pity also in his tones. + +"Oh, papa, I am so wretched!" she sobbed, hiding her face on his +breast. "Oh, don't believe what they say; it isn't, it can't be true." + +He caressed her silently, then taking the photograph from his pocket, +asked, "Do you know that face?" + +"Yes, it is his." + +"I knew it, and it is also the face of the man whose character I have +just described." + +"Oh, no, papa!" and with breathless eagerness she repeated the story +with which Egerton had swept away all her doubts. She read incredulity +in her father's face, "You do not believe it, papa?" + +"No, my child, no more than I do black is white. See here!" and he +produced Egerton's letter to him, and the one to Arthur, made her +read and compare them, and gave her the further proofs Walter had +furnished. + +She grew deathly pale, but was no more ready to be convinced than he. +"Oh, papa, there must be some dreadful mistake! I cannot believe he +could be guilty of such things. The cousin has been personating him, +has forged that letter, perhaps; and the photograph may be his also." + +"You are not using your good common-sense, Elsie; the proof is very +full and clear to my mind. The man is a fortune-hunter, seeking your +wealth, not you; a scoundrel whose vices should shut him out of all +decent society. I can hardly endure the thought that he has ever known +you, or dared to address a word to you, and it must never be again." + +"Must I give him up?" she asked with pale, quivering lips. + +"You must, my daughter; at once and for ever." + +A look of anguish swept over her face, then she started, flushed, and +trembled, as a voice and step were heard on the porch without. + +"It is he?" her father said inquiringly, and her look answered, "Yes." + +He rose to his feet, for they had been sitting side by side on the +sofa while they talked. She sprang up also, and clinging to his arm, +looked beseechingly into his face, pleading in a hoarse whisper, +"Papa, you will let me see him, speak to him once more?--just a few +words--in your presence--oh, papa!" + +"No, my darling, no; his touch, his breath, are contamination; his +very look is pollution, and shall never rest upon you again if I can +prevent it. Remember you are never to hold any communication with him +again--by word, letter, or in any other way; I positively forbid it; +you must never look at him, or intentionally allow him a sight of your +face. I must go now, and send him away." He held her to his heart as +he spoke; his tone was affectionate, but very firm, and decided; he +kissed her tenderly, two or three times, placed her in an easy-chair, +saying, "Stay here till I come to you," and left the room. + +For a moment she lay back against the cushions like one stunned by a +heavy blow; then, roused by the sound of the voices of the two she +loved best on earth, started and leaned forward in a listening +attitude, straining her ear to catch their words. Few of them reached +her, but her father's tones were cold and haughty, Egerton's at first +persuasive, then loud, angry, and defiant. + +He was gone, she had heard the last echo of his departing footsteps, +and again her father bent over her, his face full of tender pity. She +lifted her sad face to his, with the very look that had taunted him +for years, that he could never recall without a pang of regret and +remorse--that pleading, mournful gaze with which she had parted from +him in the time of their estrangement. + +It almost unmanned him now, almost broke his heart. "Don't, my +darling, don't look at me so," he said in low, moved tones, taking her +cold hands in his. "You don't know, precious one, how willingly your +father would bear all this pain for you if he could." + +She threw herself upon his breast, and folding her close to his heart, +he caressed her with exceeding tenderness, calling her by every fond, +endearing name. + +For many minutes she received it all passively, then suddenly raising +her head, she returned one passionate embrace, withdrew herself from +his arms, and hurried from the room. + +He let her go unquestioned; he knew she went to seek comfort and +support from One nearer and dearer, and better able to give it +than himself. He rose and walked the room with a sad and troubled +countenance, and a heart filled with grief for his child, with anger +and indignation toward the wretch who had wrecked her happiness. + +Miss Stanhope opened the door and looked in. + +"You have had no dinner, Horace. It will be ready in a few moments." + +"Thank you, aunt. I will go up to my room first and try to get rid of +some of the dust and dirt I have brought with me." + +"Stay a moment, nephew. I am sorely troubled for the child. You don't +approve of her choice?" + +"Very far from it. I have forbidden the man ever to come near her +again." + +"But you won't be hard with her, poor dear?" + +"Hard with her, Aunt Wealthy? hard and cruel to my darling whom I +love better than my life? I trust not; but it would be the height of +cruelty to allow this thing to go on. The man is a vile wretch guilty +of almost every vice, and seeking my child for her wealth, not for +herself. I have forbidden her to see or ever to hold the slightest +communication with him again." + +"Well, it is quite right if your opinion of him is correct; and I +hardly think she is likely to refuse submission." + +"I have brought up my daughter to habits of strict, unquestioning +obedience, Aunt Wealthy," he said, "and I think they will stand her in +good stead now. I have no fear that she will rebel." + +A half hour with her best Friend had done much to soothe and calm our +sweet Elsie; she had cast her burden on the Lord and He sustained her. +She knew that no trial could come to her without His will, that He +had permitted this for her good, that in His own good time and way He +would remove it, and she was willing to leave it all with Him; for was +He not all-wise, all-powerful, and full of tenderest, pitying love for +her? + +She had great faith in the wisdom and love of her earthly father also, +and doubted not that he was doing what he sincerely believed to be for +her happiness,--giving her present pain only in order to save her from +keener and more lasting distress and anguish in the future. + +It was well for her that she had such trust in him and that their +mutual love was so deep and strong; well too that she was troubled +with no doubts of the duty of implicit obedience to parental authority +when not opposed to the higher commands of God. Her heart still clung +to Egerton, refusing to credit his utter unworthiness, and she felt +it a bitter trial to be thus completely separated from him, yet hoped +that at some future, and perhaps not distant day, he might be able to +convince her father of his mistake. + +Mr. Dinsmore felt it impossible to remain long away from his suffering +child; after leaving the table, a few moments only were spent in +conversation with his aunt and Mr. Travilla, and then he sought his +darling in her room. + +"My poor little pet, you have been too long away from your father," he +said, taking her in his arms again. "I shall never forgive myself for +allowing it. But, daughter, why was this thing suffered to go on? Your +letters never spoke of this man in a way to lead me to suppose that +he was paying you serious attention; and indeed I did not intend to +permit that from any one yet." + +"Papa, I did not deceive you intentionally, I did not mean to be +disobedient," she said imploringly. "Lottie and I were almost always +together, and I did not think of him as a lover till he spoke." + +"Well, dearest, I am not chiding you; your father could never find +it in his heart to add one needless pang to what you are already +suffering." His tone was full of pitying tenderness. + +She made no answer; only hid her face on his breast and wept silently. +"Papa," she murmured at length. "I--I do so want to break one of your +rules; oh, if you would only let me, just this once!" + +"A strange request, my darling," he said, "but which of them is it?" + +"That when you have once decided a matter I must never ask you to +reconsider. Oh, papa, do, do let me entreat you just this once!" + +"I think it will be useless, daughter, only giving me the pain of +refusing, and you of being refused; but you may say on." + +"Papa, it is, that I may write a little note to--to Mr. Egerton," she +said, speaking eagerly and rapidly, yet half trembling at her own +temerity the while, "just to tell him that I cannot do anything +against your will, and that he must not come near me or try to hold +any sort of intercourse with me till you give consent; but that I +have not lost my faith in him, and if he is innocent and unjustly +suspected, we need not be wretched and despairing; for God will surely +some day cause it to be made apparent. Oh, papa, may I not? Please, +please let me! I will bring it to you when written, and there shall +not be one word in it that you do not approve." She had lifted her +face, and the soft, beseeching eyes were looking pleadingly into his. + +"My dearest child," he said, "it is hard to refuse you, but I cannot +allow it. There, there! do not cry so bitterly; every tear I see you +shed sends a pang to my heart. Listen to me, daughter. Believing what +I do of that man, I would not for a great deal have him in possession +of a single line of your writing. Have you ever given him one?" + +"No, papa, never," she sobbed. + +"Or received one from him?" + +"No, sir." + +"It is well." Then as if a sudden thought had struck him, "Elsie, have +you ever allowed him to touch your lips?" he asked almost sternly. + +"No, papa, not even my cheek. I would not while we were not engaged; +and that could not be without your consent." + +"I am truly thankful for that!" he exclaimed in a tone of relief; "to +know that he had--that these sweet lips had been polluted by contact +with his--would be worse to me than the loss of half my fortune." And +lifting her face as he spoke, he pressed his own to them again and +again. + +But for the first time in her life she turned from him as if almost +loathing his caresses, and struggled to release herself from the clasp +of his arm. + +He let her go, and hurrying to the farther side of the room, she stood +leaning against the window-frame, with her back toward him, shedding +very bitter tears of mingled grief and anger. + +But in the pauses of her sobbing a deep sigh struck upon her ear. Her +heart smote her at the sound; still more as she glanced back at her +father and noted the pained expression of his eye as it met hers. In a +moment she was at his side again, down upon the carpet, with her head +laid lovingly on his knee. + +"Papa, I am sorry." The low, street voice was tremulous with grief and +penitence. + +"My poor darling, my poor little pet!" he said, passing his hand with +soft, caressing movement over her hair and cheek, "try to keep your +love for your father and your faith in his for you, however hard this +rule may seem." + +"Ah, papa, my heart would break if I lost either," she sobbed. Then +lifting her tear-dimmed eyes with tender concern to his face, which +was very pale and sad, "Dear papa," she said, "how tired you look! you +were up all night, were you not?" + +"Last night and the one before it." + +"That you might hasten here to take care of me," she murmured in a +tone of mingled regret and gratitude. "Do lie down now and take a nap. +This couch is soft and pleasant, and I will close the blinds and sit +by your side to keep off the flies." + +He yielded to her persuasions, saying as he closed his eyes, "Don't +leave the room without waking me." + +She was still there when he woke, close at his side and ready to +greet him with an affectionate look and smile, though the latter was +touchingly sad and there were traces of tears on her cheeks. + +"How long have I slept?" he asked. + +"Two hours," she answered, holding up her watch, "and there is the +tea-bell." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + What thou bidst, + Unargued I obey; so God ordained. + + --MILTON. + + +"I hope you don't intend to hurry this child away from me, Horace?" +remarked Miss Stanhope inquiringly, glancing from him to Elsie, as she +poured out the tea. + +"I'm afraid I must, Aunt Wealthy," he answered, taking his cup from +her hand, "I can't do without her any longer, and mamma and little +brother want her almost as badly." + +"And what am I to do?" cried Miss Stanhope, setting down the teapot, +and dropping her hands into her lap. "It just makes a baby of me to +think how lonely the old house will seem when she's gone. You'd get +her back soon, for 'tisn't likely I've got long to live, if you'd only +give her to me, Horace." + +"No, indeed, Aunt Wealthy; she's a treasure I can't spare to any +one. She belongs to me, and I intend to keep her," turning upon his +daughter a proud, fond look and smile, which was answered by one of +sweet, confiding affection. + +"Good-evening!" cried a gay, girlish voice. "Mr. Dinsmore, I'd be +delighted to see you, if I didn't know you'd come to rob us of Elsie." + +"What, you too ready to abuse me on that score, Miss Lottie?" he said +laughingly, as he rose to shake hands with her. "I think I rather +deserve thanks for leaving her with you so long." + +"Well, I suppose you do. Aunt Wealthy, papa found some remarkably +fine peaches in the orchard of one of his patients, and begs you will +accept this little basketful." + +"Why, they're beautiful, Lottie!" said the old lady, rising and taking +the basket from her hand. "You must return my best thanks to your +father. I'll set them on the table just so. Take off your hat, child, +and sit down with us. There's your chair all ready to your plate, +and Phillis's farmer's fresh fruit-cake, to tempt you, and the +cream-biscuits that you are so fond of, both." + +"Thank you," said Lottie, partly in acknowledgment of the invitation, +partly of Mr. Travilla's attention, as he rose and gallantly handed +her to her seat, "I can't find it in my heart to resist so many +temptations." + +"Shall I bring a dish for de peaches, mistis?" asked Chloe, who was +waiting on the table. + +"Yes." + +"Oh, let us have them in that old-fashioned china fruit-basket I've +always admired so much, Aunt Wealthy!" cried Lottie eagerly. "I don't +believe Elsie has seen it at all." + +"No, so she hasn't; but she shall now," said the old lady, hastening +toward her china-closet. "There, Aunt Chloe, just stand on the dish, +and hand down that chair from this top shelf. Or, if you would, +Horace, you're taller, and can reach better. I'm always like the +sycamore tree that was little of stature, and couldn't see Zaccheus +till he climbed into it." + +"Rather a new and improved version of the Bible narrative, aunt, isn't +it?" asked Mr. Dinsmore, with an amused look, as he came toward her. +"And I fear I'm rather heavy to stand on a dish; but will use the +chair instead, if you like." + +"Ah! I've put the horse before the cart as usual, I see;" she said, +joining good-humoredly in the laugh the others found it impossible +to suppress. "It's an old trick of my age, that increases with my +advancing youth, till I sometimes wonder what I'm coming to; the words +will tangle themselves up in the most troublesome fashion; but if you +know what I mean, I suppose it's all the same." + +"Why, Aunt Wealthy, this is really beautiful," said Mr. Dinsmore, +stepping from the chair with the basket, in his hand. + +"Yes, it belonged to your great-grandmother, Horace, and I prize it +highly on that account. No, Aunt Chloe, I shall wipe it out and put +the peaches into it myself; it will take but a moment, and it's too +precious a relic to trust to any other hands than my own." + +Lottie was apparently in the gayest spirits, enlivening the little +party with many a merry jest and light, silvery laugh, enjoying the +good things before her, and gratifying her hostess with praises of +their excellence. Yet through it all she was furtively watching her +friends, and grieved to notice the unwonted paleness of her cheek, the +traces of tears about her eyes, that her cheerfulness was assumed, +and that if she ate anything it was only from a desire to please her +father, who seemed never to forget her for a moment, and to be a good +deal troubled at her want of appetite. In all these signs Lottie read +disappointment of Egerton's hopes, and of Elsie's, so far as he was +concerned. + +"So I suppose her father has commanded her to give him up," she said +to herself. "Poor thing! I wonder if she means to be as submissive as +she thought she would." + +The two presently slipped away together into the garden, leaving the +gentlemen conversing in the sitting-room, and Miss Stanhope busied +with some household care. + +"You poor dear, I am so sorry for you!" whispered Lottie, putting her +arm about her friend. "Must you really quite give him up?" + +"Papa says so," murmured Elsie, vainly struggling to restrain her +tears. + +"Is it that he believes Mr. Travilla was not mistaken?" + +"Yes, and--and he has heard some other things against him, and thinks +his explanation of Mr. Travilla's mistake quite absurd. Oh, Lottie, he +will not even allow us one parting interview and says I am never to +see Mr. Egerton again, or hold any communication with him in any way. +If I should meet him in the street I am not to recognize him; must +pass him by as a perfect stranger, not looking at him or permitting +him to see my face, if I can avoid doing so." + +"And will you really submit to all that? I don't believe I could be so +good." + +"I must; papa will always be obeyed." + +"But don't you feel that it's very hard? doesn't it make you feel +angry with your father and love him a little less?" + +"I was angry for a little while this afternoon," Elsie acknowledged +with a blush, "but I am sure I have no right to be; I know papa is +acting for my good,--doing just what he believes will be most likely +to secure my happiness. He says it is to save me from a life of +misery, and certainly it would be that to be united to such a man as +he believes Mr. Egerton is." + +"But you don't believe it, Elsie?" + +"No, no, indeed! I have not lost my faith in him yet, and I hope he +may some day be able to prove to papa's entire satisfaction that he is +really all that is good, noble, and honorable." + +"That is right; hope on, hope ever." + +"Ah, I don't know how we could live without hope," Elsie said, smiling +faintly through her tears. "But I ought not to be wretched--oh, very +far from it, with so many blessings, so many to love me! Papa's love +alone would brighten life very much to me. And then," she added in a +lower tone, "'that dearer Friend that sticketh closer than a brother,' +and who has promised, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'" + +"And He will keep His promise, child," said Aunt Wealthy, joining them +in the arbor where they had seated themselves. "I have proved His +faithfulness many times, and I know that it never fails. Elsie, dear, +your old auntie would save you from every trial, but He is a far wiser +and truer friend, and will cause all things to work together for your +good, and never allow you to suffer one unneeded pang." She softly +stroked her niece's sunny hair, as she spoke, and the kind old face +was full of pitying tenderness. + +"Come back to the house now, dears," she added, "I think the dew is +beginning to fall, and I heard my nephew asking for his daughter." + +"How much longer may we hope to keep you, Elsie?" Lottie asked as they +wended their way toward the house. + +"Papa has set Monday evening for the time of leaving." + +"And this is Friday; so we shall have but two more rides together. Oh, +dear! how I shall miss you when you're gone." + +"And I you. I shall never forget what pleasant times we have had +together; Aunt Wealthy and you and I. You musn't let her miss me too +much, Lottie." And Elsie turned an affectionate look upon her aged +relative. + +"As if I could prevent it! But I'll do my best; you may rest assured +of that." + +"You are dear girls, both of you," said Miss Stanhope with a very +perceptible tremble in her voice, "and you have brightened my home +wonderfully; if I could only keep you!" + +"Well, auntie, you're not likely to lose me altogether for some time +yet," returned Lottie gayly, though the tears shone in her eyes. + +Bromly Egerton went out from Mr. Dinsmore's presence with his temper +at a white heat, for he had just been treated to some plain truths +that were far from palatable; besides which it seemed evident that he +had missed the prize he so coveted and had made such strenuous efforts +to win. He had learned nothing new in regard to his own character, yet +somehow it had never looked so black as now, when seen through the +spectacles of an upright, honest, vice-detesting Christian gentleman. +He writhed at the very recollection of the disgust, loathing, and +contempt expressed in Mr. Dinsmore's voice and countenance as well as +in his words. + +He scarcely gave a thought to the loss of Elsie herself: he had no +feeling for her at all worthy of the name of love; his base, selfish +nature was, indeed, hardly capable of such a sentiment; especially +toward one so refined, so guileless in her childlike innocence and +purity that to be with her gave him an uncomfortable sense of his own +moral inferiority. + +No, the wounds under which he smarted were all stabs given to his +self-love and cupidity. He had learned how honest men looked upon him; +and he had failed in the cherished expectation of laying his +hands upon a great fortune, which he had fondly hoped to have the +opportunity of spending. + +Rushing into the street, boiling with rage and shame, he hurried +onward, scarcely knowing or caring whither he went; out into the open +country, and on through woods and over hills he tramped, nor thought +of turning back till the sun had set, and darkness began to creep +about his path. + +There was light in Miss Stanhope's parlor and strains of rich +melody greeted his ear as he passed. He turned away with a muttered +imprecation, crossed the street, and entered Mrs. Schilling's gate. +She was sitting on her doorstep, resting after her day's work, and +enjoying the cool evening air. + +"Why, la me Mr. Egerton! is that you?" she cried, starting up, and +stepping aside for him to pass in. "I'd really begun to think you was +lost. The fire's been put and everything cleaned away this two hours. +I kep' the table a-waitin' for you a right smart spell, but finally +come to the conclusion that you must 'a' stayed to Miss Stanhope's or +someone else, to tea." + +"No, I've not had supper," he answered gruffly. + +"You haint, eh? and I 'spose you're hungry, too. Well, sit down, and +I'll hunt up something or 'nother. But I'm afraid you'll get the +dyspepsy eatin' so late; why, it's nigh on to ten o'clock; and I was +just a-thinking' about shutting' up and going off to bed." + +"Well, you'll not be troubled with me long. I shall leave the place in +a few days." + +"Leave Lansdale, do you mean?" + +"Yes." + +"Why, what's up?" + +"The time I had appropriated to rest and recreation. Business men +can't play forever." + +"Well, I shouldn't wonder. And Mr. Dinsmore's come after his daughter, +too." + +"What's that got to do with it?" he muttered. But she had left the +room and was out of hearing. + +Before closing his eyes in sleep that night, Egerton resolved to make +a moving appeal to Elsie herself. He would write and find some means +by which to get the letter into her hands. Directly after breakfast +he sat down to his task, placing himself in a position to constantly +overlook Miss Stanhope's house and grounds. He was hoping to get +sight of Elsie, and anxious to watch Mr. Dinsmore's movements. Mrs. +Schilling had informed him that "Miss Stanhope's friends didn't expect +to leave till sometime a Monday; so she had learned from Phillis, +through Lenwilla Ellawea, who had been sent over for a little of +Phillis's light'ning, to raise some biscuits for breakfast," yet he +had some fear that the information might prove unreliable, and Mr. +Dinsmore slip away with his daughter that day. + +That fear was presently relieved by seeing Simon bringing out the +horses for the young ladies, and shortly after a livery-stable man +leading up two fine steeds, evidently intended for the use of the +gentlemen. He now laid down his pen, and kept close watch for a few +moments, when he was rewarded by seeing the whole party come out, +mount, and ride away; Mr. Dinsmore beside his daughter, Mr. Travilla +with Lottie. Elsie, however, was so closely veiled that he could not +so much as catch a glimpse of her face. + +With a muttered oath, he took up his pen again, feeling more desirous +than ever to outwit "that haughty Southerner," and secure the prize in +spite of him. + +Half an hour afterward Simon, who was at work gathering corn and +tomatoes for dinner in the garden behind the house, heard some one +calling softly to him from the other side of the fence. Turning his +head, he saw Mr. Egerton standing there, motioning to him to draw +near. + +"Good-mornin', sah. What you want, sah?" inquired the lad, setting +down his basket, and approaching the fence that separated them. + +"Do you know what this is?" asked Egerton, holding up a small +glittering object. + +"Yes, sah; five-dollar gold piece, sah," replied the negro, bowing and +chuckling. "What de gentleman want dis niggah do for to arn 'em?" + +"To put this into Miss Dinsmore's hands," answered Egerton, showing +a letter; "into her own hands, now, mind. If you do that, the five +dollars are yours; and if you bring me an answer, I'll make it ten. +But you are to manage it so that no one else shall see what you do. Do +you understand?" + +"Yes, sah, and I bet I do it up about right, sah." + +Very anxious to win the coveted reward, Simon was careful to be on +hand when the riding party returned. He stationed himself near Elsie's +horse. Her father assisted her to alight, and as he turned to make a +remark to Lottie, Simon, being on the alert, managed to slip the note +into Elsie's hand, unperceived by Mr. Dinsmore, or the others. + +She gave a start of surprise, turning her eyes inquiringly upon him, +the rich color rushing all over her fair face and neck; as he could +see, even through the folds of her thick veil. + +Simon grinned broadly, as, by a nod and wink toward the opposite side +of the street, he indicated whence the missive had come. + +She turned and walked quickly toward the house, her heart beating very +fast and loud, and her fingers tightly clasping the note underneath +the folds of her long riding-skirt, as she held it up. She hurried +to her room, shut and locked the door, and, throwing off her hat and +veil, dropped into a seat, trembling in every limb with the agitation +and excitement of her feelings. She longed intently to know what he +had said to her; but she had never deceived or wilfully disobeyed her +father, and should she begin now? The temptation was very great, and +perhaps she would have yielded; but Mr. Dinsmore's step came quickly +up the stairs, and the next moment he rapped lightly on the door. + +She rose and opened it, at the same time slipping the note into her +pocket. + +"Why, my darling, what is the matter?" he asked, looking much +concerned at the sight of her pale, agitated countenance. + +"Oh, papa, if you would let me! if you only would!" she cried, +bursting into tears, and putting her arms coaxingly about his neck. + +"Let you do what, my child?" he asked, stroking her hair. + +"Read this," she said, in a choking voice, taking the note from her +pocket. "Oh, if you knew how much I want to! Mayn't I, papa? do, dear +papa, say yes." + +"No, Elsie; it grieves me to deny you, but it must go back unopened. +Give it to me." + +She put it into his hand and turned away with a sob. + +"How did it come into your hands?" he inquired, going to her +writing-desk for an envelope, pen and ink. + +"Must I tell you, papa?" she asked; in a tone that spoke reluctance to +give the information he required. + +"Certainly." + +"Simon gave it to me a few moments since." + +He touched the bell, and, Chloe appearing in answer, bade her take +that note to the house on the opposite side of the street. + +"There is no message," he added; "it is directed to Mr. Egerton, and +you have nothing to do but hand it in at the door." + +"Yes, sah." And with a sorrowful, pitying glance at the wet eyes of +her young mistress, the faithful old creature left the room. + +"My poor little daughter, you feel now that your father is very +cruel," Mr. Dinsmore said tenderly, taking Elsie in his arms again, +"but some day you will thank me for all this." + +She only laid her face down on his breast and cried bitterly, while he +soothed her with caresses and words of fatherly endearment. + +"Oh, papa, don't be vexed with me," she murmured at length. "I'm +trying not to be rebellious, but it seems so like condemning him +unheard." + +"No, my child, it is not. I gave him the opportunity to refute the +charges against him, but he has no proof to bring." + +"Papa, he said it would break his heart to lose me," she cried with a +fresh burst of grief. + +"My dear child, he has no heart to break. If he could get possession +of your property, he would care very little indeed what became of +you." + +Mr. Dinsmore spoke very decidedly, but, though silenced, Elsie was not +convinced. + +Egerton, watching through the half-closed blinds of his bed-room, had +seen, with a chuckle of delight, the success of Simon's manoeuvre, +and Elsie hurrying into the house; for the purpose--he had scarcely +a doubt--of secretly reading and answering his note. He saw Chloe +crossing the street, and thought that her young mistress had sent him +a hasty line, perhaps to appoint the time and place of a clandestine +meeting; for such confidence had he in his own powers of fascination +for all the fair sex, that he could not think it possible she could +give him up without a struggle. + +Lenwilla went to the door, and in his eagerness to receive the message +he ran out and met her on the landing. What was his disappointment and +chagrin at sight of the bold, masculine characters on the outside, and +only his own handwriting within! + +"Sent back unopened! The girl must be a fool!" he cried, fairly +gnashing his teeth with rage. "She could have managed it easily +enough; she had the best chance in the world, for he didn't see her +take it, I know." + +He considered a moment, put on his hat, and, walking over to Dr. +King's, inquired for Miss Lottie. + +"Jist walk intil the parlor, sir," said Bridget, "an' I'll call the +young lady." + +Lottie came to him presently, with her kind face full of regret and +sympathy. + +He told his tale, produced his note, and begged her to be his +messenger, saying he supposed Mr. Dinsmore had come upon Elsie before +she had time to read it, and he thought it hard for both her and +himself that she should not have the chance. + +"Yes," said Lottie, "but I am very sure she would not read it without +her father's permission, and you may depend upon it, she showed it to +him of her own accord." + +He shook his head with an incredulous smile. "Do you really think she +has so little sense? Or is it that you believe she too has turned +against me?" + +"No, she has not turned against you, she believes in you still; nor is +she wanting in sense; but she is extremely conscientious about obeying +her father, and told me she meant to be entirely submissive, whatever +it cost her." + +"I can hardly think you are right," he said, with another of his +incredulous smiles, "but even supposing she was silly enough to hand +my note over to her father, I should like to give her an opportunity +to retrieve her error, so won't you undertake"-- + +"Don't ask me to carry it to her," interrupted Lottie. "It would go +against my conscience to tempt Elsie to do violence to hers, I do +assure you, though I have no idea I should be successful. So you +really must excuse me." + +He tried argument and persuasion by turns, but Lottie stood firm in +her refusal, and at length he went away, evidently very angry. + +Lottie spent the evening with her friend, and when a fitting +opportunity offered gave her an account of this interview with +Egerton, Elsie telling her in return something of what had passed +between her father and herself in regard to the note. + +That Egerton had desired to tempt her to disobedience and deception +did not tend to increase Elsie's esteem and admiration for him, but +quite the reverse. + +"I think he'll not prevent me from getting sight of her to-day," +muttered Egerton, stationing himself at the front window the next +morning, as the hour for church drew near. + +He had not been there long, when he saw Miss Stanhope and Mr. +Travilla, then Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie, come out of the house and cross +the lawn. He made a hasty exit and was in the act of opening Mrs. +Schilling's front gate as the latter couple reached the one opposite. + +"Put down your veil, Elsie; take my arm; and don't look toward that +man at all," commanded her father, and she obeyed. + +Egerton kept opposite to them all the way to the church, but without +accomplishing his object. He followed them in and placed himself in a +pew on the other side of the aisle, and a little nearer the front than +Miss Stanhope's, so that, by turning half way round, he could look +into the faces of its occupants. But Elsie kept hers partly concealed +by her veil, and never once turned her eyes in his direction. + +She was seated next her father, who seemed to watch her almost +constantly--not with the air of a jailer, but with a sort of tender, +protecting care, as one keeping guard over something belonging to him, +and which he esteemed very sweet and precious,--while now and then +her soft eyes were lifted to his for an instant with a look of loving +reverence. + +"Poor Elsie was well watched to-day," remarked Nettie King to her +sister as they walked home together; "her father scarcely took his +eyes off her for five consecutive minutes, I should think; and Mr. +Egerton stared at her from the time he came in till the benediction +was pronounced." + +"Yes, I thought he was decidedly rude." + +"Isn't Mr. Dinsmore excessively strict and exacting?" + +"Yes, I think so; yet he dotes on her, and she on him. I never saw a +father and daughter so completely wrapped up in each other." + +They were now within sight of their own home, and Miss Stanhope's. + +"Just look!" cried Nettie, "I do believe Egerton means to force +himself upon their notice and compel Elsie to speak to him." + +He was crossing the street so as to meet them face to face, just at +the gate, giving them no chance to avoid the rencontre. + +"Good-morning, Miss Dinsmore," he said in a loud, cordial tone of +greeting, as they neared each other. + +Elsie started and tightened her grasp of her father's arm, but neither +looked up nor spoke. + +"My daughter acknowledges no acquaintance with you, sir," answered Mr. +Dinsmore, haughtily, and Egerton turned and strode angrily away. + +"There, Elsie, you see what he is; his behavior is anything but +gentlemanly," remarked her father, opening the gate for her to pass +in. "But you need not tremble so, child; there is nothing to fear." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + Oh, what a feeble fort's a woman's heart, + Betrayed by nature, and besieged by art. + + --FANE'S "LOVE IN THE DARK." + + +"Dear child, what shall I do without you?" sighed Miss Stanhope, +clasping Elsie in her arms, and holding her in a long, tender embrace; +for the time of parting had come. "Horace, will you bring her to see +me again?" + +"Yes, aunt, if she wants to come. But don't ask me to leave her +again." + +"Well, if you can't stay with me, or trust her yourself, let Mr. +Vanilla come and stand guard over us both. I'd be happy, sir, at any +time when you can make it convenient for me to see you here, with +Horace and the child, or without them." + +"Thank you, Miss Stanhope; and mother and I would be delighted to see +you at Ion." + +"Come, Elsie, we must go; the carriage is waiting and the train nearly +due," said Mr. Dinsmore. "Good-bye, Aunt Wealthy. Daughter, put down +your veil." + +Egerton was at the depot, but could get neither a word with Elsie, nor +so much as a sight of her face. Her veil was not once lifted, and +her father never left her side for a moment. Mr. Travilla bought the +tickets, and Simon attended to the checking of the baggage. Then the +train came thundering up, and the fair girl was hurried into it, +Mr. Travilla, on one side, and her father on the other, effectually +preventing any near approach to her person on the part of the baffled +and disappointed fortune-hunter. + +He walked back to his boarding-house, cursing his ill luck and Messrs. +Dinsmore and Travilla, and gave notice to his landlady that his room +would become vacant the next morning. + +As the train sped onward, again Elsie laid her head down upon her +father's shoulder and wept silently behind her veil. Her feelings had +been wrought up to a high pitch of excitement in the struggle to be +perfectly submissive and obedient, and now the overstrained nerves +claimed this relief. And love's young dream, the first, and sweetest, +was over and gone. She could never hope to see again the man she still +fondly imagined to be good and noble, and with a heart full of deep, +passionate love for her. + +Her father understood and sympathized with it all. He passed his arm +about her waist, drew her closer to him, and taking her hand in his, +held it in a warm, loving clasp. + +How it soothed and comforted her. She could never be very wretched +while thus tenderly loved, and cherished. + +And, arrived at her journey's end, there were mamma and little brother +to rejoice over her return, as at the recovery of a long-lost, +precious treasure. + +"You shall never go away again," said the little fellow, hugging her +tight. "When a boy has only one sister, he can't spare her to other +folks, can he, papa?" + +"No, son," answered Mr. Dinsmore, patting his rosy cheek, and softly +stroking Elsie's hair, "and it is just the same with a man who has but +one daughter." + +"You don't look bright and merry, as you did when you went away," said +the child, bending a gaze of keen, loving scrutiny upon the sweet +face, paler, sadder, and more heavy-eyed than he had ever seen it +before. + +"Sister is tired with her journey," said mamma tenderly; "we won't +tease her to-night." + +"Yes," said her father, "she must go early to bed, and have a long +night's rest." + +"Yes, papa, and then she'll be all right to-morrow, won't she? But, +mamma, I wasn't teasing her, not a bit; was I, Elsie? And if anybody's +been making her sorry, I'll kill him. 'Cause she's my sister, and I've +got to take care of her." + +"But suppose papa was the one who had made her sorry; what then?" +asked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"But you wouldn't, papa," said the boy, shaking his head with an +incredulous smile. "You love her too much a great deal; you'd never +make her sorry unless she'd be naughty; and she's never one bit +naughty,--always minds you and mamma the minute you speak." + +"That's true, my son; I do love her far too well ever to grieve her if +it can be helped. She shall never know a pang a father's love and care +can save her from." And again his hand rested caressingly on Elsie's +head. + +She caught it in both of hers and laying her cheek lovingly against +it, looked up at him with tears trembling in her eyes. "I know it, +papa," she murmured. "I know you love your foolish little daughter +very dearly; almost as dearly as she loves you." + +"Almost, darling? If there were any gauge by which to measure love, I +know not whose would be found the greatest." + +Mr. Dinsmore and his father-in-law had taken adjoining cottages for +the summer, and though "the season" was so nearly over that the hotels +and boarding-houses were but thinly populated and would soon close, +the two families intended remaining another month. So this was in some +sort a home-coming to Elsie. + +After tea the Allisons flocked in to bid her welcome. All seemed glad +of her coming, Richard, Harold, and Sophy especially so. They were +full of plans for giving her pleasure, and crowding the greatest +possible amount of enjoyment into the four or five weeks of their +expected sojourn on the island. + +"It will be moonlight next week," said Sophy; "and we'll have some +delightful drives and walks along the beach. The sea does look so +lovely by moonlight." + +"And we'll have such fun bathing in the mornings," remarked Harold. +"You'll go in with us to-morrow, won't you, Elsie?" + +"No," said Mr. Dinsmore, speaking for his daughter; "she must be +here two or three days before she goes into the water. It will be +altogether better for her health." + +Elise looked at him inquiringly. + +"You get in the air enough of the salt water for the first few days," +he said. "Your system should become used to that before you take +more." + +"Yes, that is what some of the doctors here, and the oldest +inhabitants, tell us," remarked Mr. Allison, "and I believe it is the +better plan." + +"And in the meantime we can take some rides and drives,--down to +Diamond Beach, over to the light-house, and elsewhere," said Edward +Allison, his brother Richard adding, "and do a little fishing and +boating." + +Mr. Dinsmore was watching his daughter. She was making an effort to be +interested in the conversation, but looking worn, weary, and sad. + +"You are greatly fatigued, my child," he said. "We will excuse you and +let you retire at once." + +She was very glad to avail herself of the permission. + +Rose followed her to her room, a pleasant, breezy apartment, opening +on a veranda, and looking out upon the sea, whose dark waves, here +and there tipped with foam, could be dimly seen rolling and tossing +beneath the light of the stars and of a young moon that hung like a +golden crescent just above the horizon. + +Elsie walked to the window and looked out. "How I love the sea," she +said, sighing, "but, mamma, to-night it makes me think of a text--'All +Thy waves and Thy billows have gone over me.'" + +"It is not so bad as that, I hope, dear," said Rose, folding her +tenderly in her arms; "think how we all love you, especially your +father. I don't know how we could any of us do without you, darling. I +can't tell you how sadly we have missed you this summer." + +"Mamma, I do feel it to be very, very sweet to be so loved and cared +for. I could not tell you how dear you and my little brother are to +me, and as for papa--sometimes I am more than half afraid I make an +idol of him; and yet--oh, mamma," she murmured, hiding her face in +Rose's bosom, "why is it that I can no longer be in love with the +loves that so fully satisfied me?" + +"'Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.' It +is part of woman's curse that she must ever crave that sort of love, +often yielding to her craving, to her own terrible undoing. Be +patient, darling, and try to trust both your heavenly and your earthly +father. You know that no trial can come to you without your heavenly +Father's will, and that He means this for your good. Look to Him and +he will help you to bear it, and send relief in His own good time and +way. You know He tells us it is through much tribulation we enter +the kingdom of God; and that whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, +and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 'If ye be without +chastisements, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and no +sons!" + +"Ah, yes, mamma; better the hardest of earthly trials, than to be left +out of the number of his adopted children. And this seems to be really +my only one, while my cup of blessings is full to overflowing. I fear +I am very wicked to feel so sad." + +"Let us sit down on this couch while we talk; you are too tired +to stand," said Rose, drawing her away from the window to a +softly-cushioned lounge. "I do not think you can help grieving, +darling, though I agree with you that it is your duty to try to be +cheerful, as well as patient and submissive; and I trust you will find +it easier as the days and weeks move on. You are very young, and have +plenty of time to wait; indeed, if all had gone right, you know your +papa would not have allowed you to marry for several years yet." + +"You know all, mamma?" + +"Yes, dear; papa told me; for you know you are my darling daughter +too, and I have a very deep interest in all that concerns you." + +A tender caress accompanied the words, and was returned with equal +ardor. + +"Thank you, best and kindest of mothers; I should never want anything +kept from you." + +"Your father tells me you have behaved beautifully, though you +evidently felt it very hard to be separated so entirely and at once +fr--" + +"Yes, mamma," and Elsie's lip quivered, and her eyes filled, "and oh, +I can't believe he is the wicked man papa thinks him. From the first +he seemed to be a perfect gentleman, educated, polished, and refined; +and afterward he became--at least so I thought from the conversations +we had together--truly converted, and a very earnest, devoted +Christian. He told me he had been, at one time, a little wild, but +surely he ought not to be condemned for that, after he had repented +and reformed." + +"No, dear; and your father would agree with you in that. But he +believes you have been deceived in the man's character; and don't you +think, daughter, that he is wiser than yourself, and more capable of +finding out the truth about the matter?" + +"I know papa is far wiser than I, but, oh, my heart will not believe +what they say of--of him!" she cried with sudden, almost passionate +vehemence. + +"Well, dear, that is perfectly natural, but try to be entirely +submissive to your father, and wait patiently; and hopefully too," she +added with a smile; "for if Mr. Egerton is really good, no doubt it +will be proved in time, and then your father will at once remove his +interdict. And if you are mistaken, you will one day discover it, and +feel thankful, indeed, to your papa for taking just the course he +has." + +"There he is now!" Elsie said with a start, as Mr. Dinsmore's step was +heard without, and Chloe opened the door in answer to his rap. + +"What, Elsie disobeying orders, and mamma conniving at it!" he +exclaimed in a tone that might mean either jest or serious reproof. +"Did I not bid you go to bed at once, my daughter?" + +"I thought it was only permission, papa, not command," she answered, +lifting her eyes to his face, and moving to make room for him by her +side. "And mamma has been saying such sweet, comforting things to me." + +"Has she, darling? Bless her for it! I know you need comfort, my poor +little pet," he said, taking the offered seat, and passing his arm +round her waist. "But you need rest too, and ought not to stay up any +longer." + +"But surely papa knows I cannot go to bed without my good-night kiss +when he is in the same house with me," she said, winding her arms +about his neck. + +"And didn't like to take it before folks? Well, that was right, but +take it now. There, good-night. Now mamma and I will run away, and you +must get into bed with all speed. No mistake about the command this +time, and disobedience, if ventured on, will have to be punished," he +said with playful tenderness, as he returned her embrace, and rose to +leave the room. + +"The dear child; my heart aches for her," he remarked to his wife, +as they went out together, "and I find it almost impossible yet to +forgive either that scoundrel Jackson or my brother Arthur." + +"You have no lingering doubts as to the identity and utter +unworthiness of the man?" + +"Not one; and if I could only convince Elsie of his true character +she would detest him as thoroughly as I do. If he had his deserts, he +would be in the State's Prison; and to think of his daring to approach +my child, and even aspire to her hand!" + +Elsie lay all night in a profound slumber, and awoke at an early hour +the next morning, feeling greatly refreshed and invigorated. The +gentle murmur of old ocean came pleasantly to her ear, and sweetly +in her mind arose the thought of Him whom even the winds and the sea +obey; of His never failing love to her, and of the many great and +precious promises of His word. She remembered how He had said, "Your +Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things," and, content to +bear the cross He had sent her, and leave her future in His hands, she +rose to begin the new day more cheerful and hopeful than she had been +since learning her father's decision in regard to Egerton. + +Throwing on a dressing-gown over her night dress, she sat down before +the open window with her Bible in her hand. She still loved, as of +old, to spend the first hour of the day in the study of its pages, and +in communion with Him whose word it is. + +Chloe was just putting the finishing touches to her young lady's +toilet when little Horace came running down the hall, and rapping on +Elsie's door, called out, "Sister, papa says put on a short dress, and +your walking shoes, and come take a stroll on the beach with us before +breakfast." + +"Yes, tell papa I will. I'll be down in five minutes." + +She came down looking sweet and fresh as the morning; a smile on the +full red lips, and a faint tinge of rose color on the cheeks that had +been so pale the night before. + +"Ah, you are something like yourself again," said Rose, greeting her +with a motherly caress, as they met in the lower hall. "How nice it is +to have you at home once more." + +"Thank you, mamma, I am very glad to be here; and I had such a good +restful sleep. How well you look." + +"And feel too, I am thankful to be able to say. But there, your father +is calling to you from the sitting-room." + +Elsie hastened to obey the summons, and found him seated at his +writing desk. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, "and tell me if you obeyed orders last +night." + +"Yes, papa, I did." + +"I am writing a few lines to Aunt Wealthy, to tell her of our safe +arrival. Have you any message to send?" and laying down his pen he +drew her to his knee. + +"Only my love, papa, and--and that she must not be anxious about me, +as she said that she should. That I am very safe and happy in the +hands of my heavenly Father--and those of the kind earthly one He has +given me," she added in a whisper, putting her arms about his neck, +and looking in his face with eyes brimful of filial tenderness and +love. + +"That is right, my darling," he said, "and you shall never want for +love while your father lives. How it rejoices my heart to see you +looking so bright and well this morning." + +"I feat I have not been yielding you the cheerful obedience I ought, +papa," she murmured with tears in her eyes, "but I am resolved to try +to do so in future; and have been asking help where I know it is to be +obtained." + +"I have no fault to find with you on that score, my dear child," he +said tenderly, "but if you can be cheerful, it will be for your own +happiness, as well as ours." + +She kept her promise faithfully, and had her reward in much real +enjoyment of the many pleasures provided for her. + +Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were still youthful in their feelings, and +joined with great zest in the sports of the young people, going with +them in all their excursions, taking an active part in all their +pastimes, and contriving so many fresh entertainments, that during +those few weeks life seemed like one long gala day. + +Mr. Travilla was with them most of the time. He had tarried behind in +Philadelphia, as Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter passed through, but +followed them to Cape Island a few days later. + +The whole party left the shore about the last of September, the +Allisons returning to their city residence, Mr. Travilla to his +Southern home, and the Dinsmores travelling through Pennsylvania and +New York, from one romantic and picturesque spot to another; finishing +up with two or three weeks in Philadelphia, during which Rose and +Elsie were much occupied with their fall and winter shopping. + +Mr. Dinsmore took this opportunity to pay another flying visit to his +two young brothers. He found Arthur nearly recovered, and at once +asked a full explanation of the affair of Tom Jackson, alias Bromly +Egerton; his designs upon Elsie, and Arthur's participation in them. + +"I know nothing about it," was the sullen rejoinder. + +"You certainly were acquainted with Tom Jackson, and how, but through +you, could he have gained any knowledge of Elsie and her whereabouts?" + +"I don't deny that I've had some dealings with Jackson, but your +Egerton I know nothing of whatever." + +"You may as well speak the truth, sir; it will be much better for +you in the end," said Mr. Dinsmore, sternly, his eyes flashing with +indignant anger. + +"And you may as well remember that it isn't Elsie you are dealing +with. I'm not afraid of you." + +"Perhaps not, but you may well fear Him who has said, 'a lying tongue +is but for a moment.' How do you reconcile such an assertion as you +have just made with the fact of your having that letter in your +possession?" + +"I say it's a cowardly piece of business for you to give the lie to a +fellow that hasn't the strength to knock you down for it." + +"You would hardly attempt that if you were in perfect health, Arthur." + +"I would." + +"You have not answered my question about the letter. + +"I wrote it myself." + +"A likely story; it is in a very different hand from yours." + +"I can adopt that hand on occasion, as I'll prove to your +satisfaction." + +He opened his desk, wrote a sentence on a scrap of paper, and handed +it to Mr. Dinsmore. The chirography was precisely that of the letter. +While slowly convalescing, Arthur had prepared for this expected +interview with Horace, by spending many a solitary hour in laboriously +teaching himself to imitate Jackson's ordinary hand, in which most of +the letters he had received from him were written. The sentence he had +first penned was, "I did it merely for my own amusement, and to hoax +Wal." + +"I don't believe a word of it," said Mr. Dinsmore, looking sternly at +him. "Arthur, you had better be frank and open with me. You will gain +nothing by denying the hand you have had in this disgraceful business. +You can hardly suppose me credulous enough to believe an assertion so +perfectly absurd as this. I have no doubt that you sent that villain +to Lansdale to try his arts upon Elsie; and for that you are richly +deserving of my anger, and of any punishment it might be in my power +to deal out to you. + +"It has been no easy matter for me to forgive the suffering you have +caused my child, Arthur; but I came here to-day with kind feelings and +intentions. I hoped to find you penitent and ready to forsake your +evil courses; and in that case, intended to help you to pay off your +debts and begin anew, without paining father with the knowledge that +his confidence in you has been again so shamefully abused. But I must +say that your persistent denial of your complicity with that scoundrel +Jackson does not look much like contrition, or intended amendment." + +Arthur listened in sullen silence, though his rapidly changing color +showed that he felt the cutting rebuke keenly. At one time he had +resolved to confess everything, throw himself upon the mercy of his +father and brother, and begin to lead an honest, upright life; but a +threatening letter received that morning from Jackson had led him to +change his purpose, and determine to close his lips for a time. + +Mr. Dinsmore paused for a reply, but none came. + +Walter looked at Arthur in surprise. "Come, Art, speak, why don't +you?" he said. "Horace, don't look so stern and angry, I know he means +to turn over a new leaf; for he told me so. And you will help him, +won't you?" + +"I ask no favors from a man who throws the lie in my teeth," muttered +Arthur angrily. + +"And I can give none to one who persists in denying his guilt," +replied Mr. Dinsmore. "But, Arthur, I give you one more chance, and +for our father's sake I hope you will avail yourself of it. If you go +on as you have for the last three or four years, you will bring down +his gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. I presume you have put +yourself in Jackson's power; but if you will now make a full and free +confession to me, and promise amendment, I will help you to get rid of +the rascal's claims upon you, and start afresh. Will you do it?" + +"No, you've called me a liar, and what's the use of my telling you +anything? you wouldn't believe it if I did." + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + She is not sad, yet in her gaze appears + Something that makes the gazer think of tears. + + --MRS. EMBURY. + + +The family at Roselands were gathered about the breakfast-table. A +much smaller party than of yore, since Horace had taken Elsie and +set up an establishment of his own, and the other sons were away at +college and two daughters married; leaving only Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, +Adelaide and Enna to occupy the old home. + +"I presume you have the lion's share as usual, papa," observed the +last named, as her father opened the letter-bag which Pomp had just +brought in. + +"And who has a better right, Miss Malapert?" retorted the old +gentleman. "Yes, here are several letters for me; but as there is one +apiece for the rest of you, nobody need complain. Here, Pomp, hand +this to your mistress. From Walter, I see." + +"Yes," she answered, opening it, "and a few lines from Arthur too. I'm +glad he's able to write again, poor fellow!" + +"Yes," said Adelaide. "Rose says Horace has been up there and found +him nearly recovered. She writes that they are coming home." + +"When?" asked Enna. + +"Why, to-day! the letter has been delayed," said her sister, looking +at the date. "I shall ride over directly, to see that all is in order +for them at the Oaks." + +"There is no need," remarked her mother. "Rose will have written to +Mrs. Murray." + +"I presume so, still I shall go; it will be pleasant to be there to +welcome them when they arrive." + +"How fond you are of Rose," said Mrs. Dinsmore in a piqued tone; "you +wouldn't do more for one of your own sisters, I believe, than for +her." + +"I wouldn't do less, mamma, and I am very fond of her; we are so +perfectly congenial." + +"And Elsie's a great pet of yours, too," said Enna sneeringly. "Well, +I shall put off my call till to-morrow, when the trunks will have been +unpacked, and I shall have a chance to see the fashions. Elsie will +have loads of new things; it's perfectly absurd the way Horace heaps +presents upon her, and pocket-money too. Such loads of jewelry as she +has,--two or three gold watches, and everything else in proportion." + +"He may as well; she can never spend the half of her income," remarked +Mr. Dinsmore. "Unless she takes to gambling," he added, in a tone that +seemed to say that his purse had suffered severely from some one's +indulgence in that vice. + +Mrs. Dinsmore winced, Enna looked vexed and annoyed, and Adelaide sad +and troubled; but when she spoke it was in answer to Enna. + +"Yes, Elsie will have a great many beautiful things to show us, of +course; but, though she wears nothing outré, she has never been, and I +think never will be a mirror of fashion. It would suit neither her own +taste nor Horace's; and you know, fond of her as he is, he will never +allow her to have a will of her own in dress or anything else. So it +is well their tastes harmonize." + +"I wouldn't be his child for all her money," said Enna. + +"There would be some fighting if you were," said her father, laughing. + +"I never could tell whether he tyrannized over Rose in the same style +or not," observed Mrs. Dinsmore interrogatively. + +"All I know about it is that they seem perfectly happy in each other," +answered Adelaide; "but I don't suppose Horace considers a husband's +authority by any means equal to a father's." + +Something delayed Adelaide, and it was nearly two hours after they +rose from the table ere she was fairly on her way to the Oaks. + +"Why, they are here before me!" she exclaimed half aloud as she came +in sight of the house. + +There were piles of luggage upon the veranda, and the whole family, +including all the house servants, were gathered round a large +open trunk from which Mrs. Dinsmore and Elsie were dealing out +gifts--dresses, aprons, bonnets, hats, gay handkerchiefs, etc., etc.; +the darkies receiving them with a delight that was pleasant to see. + +Mr. Dinsmore too was taking his part in the distribution, and as +Adelaide rode up little Horace was in the act of throwing a gay shawl +about the shoulders of his nurse, who caught him in her arms and +hugged and kissed him over and over, calling him "honey," and "pet," +and "you ole mammy's darlin' ole chil'!" + +So much engaged were they all that no one perceived Adelaide's +approach till she had reined in her horse close to the veranda, and +throwing her bridle to her attendant, sprung lightly to the ground. + +But then there was a shout of welcome from little Horace, followed +instantly by joyous exclamations and embraces from the others. + +"Dear me, what a long stay you made of it!" said Adelaide. "You can +have no idea how I missed you all; even down to this little man," +patting Horace's rosy cheek. "You look remarkably well, Rose; and the +two Horaces also; but Elsie, I think, has grown a little pale, thin, +and heavy-eyed. What ails you, child? Pining for your native air--no, +home air--I presume. Is that it?" + +"Hardly pining for it, auntie, but very glad to get back, +nevertheless," Elsie answered, with a blush and a smile. + +"And you are not pale now. But don't let me interrupt your pleasant +employment. I wish I had been in time to see the whole of it." + +"You are in season for your own gifts. Will you accept a trifle from +me?" said her brother, putting a jewel-case into her hand. + +"Coral! and what a beautiful shade!" she cried. "Thank you; they are +just what I wanted." + +"I thought they would contrast prettily with this, auntie," said +Elsie, laying a dress-pattern of black silk upon her lap. + +"And these are to be worn at the same time, if it so pleases you," +added Rose, presenting her with collar and undersleeves of point lace. + +"Oh, Rose, how lovely! and even little Horace bringing auntie a gift!" +as the child slipped something into her hand. + +"It's only a card-case; but mamma said you'd like it, Aunt Adie." + +"And I do; it's very pretty. And here's a hug and a kiss for the pet +boy that remembered his old-maid auntie." + +"Old maid, indeed! Adelaide, I'll not have you talking so," said Rose. +"There's nothing old-maidish about you; not even age yet; a girl of +twenty-six to be calling herself that! it's perfectly absurd. Isn't +it, my dear?" + +"I think so, indeed," replied Mr. Dinsmore. "Here, Jim, Cato, and the +rest of you carry in these trunks and boxes, and let us have them +unpacked and put out of sight." + +"Oh, yes!" said Adelaide, "I want to see all the fine things you have +brought, Rose. Mamma, Enna, and I are depending upon you and Elsie for +the fashions." + +"Yes, we had all our fall and winter dresses made up in Philadelphia; +we prefer their styles to the New York; they don't go to such +extremes, you know; and besides--hailing from the Quaker city as I do, +it's natural I should be partial to her plainer ways--but we brought +quantities of patterns from both places; knowing that nothing was +likely to be too gay for Enna. We will let Elsie display hers first. I +feel in a special hurry, dear, to show your aunt those elegant silks +your papa and I helped you to select. I hope you will see them all on +her, one of these days, Adelaide. + +"That child's complexion is so perfect, that she can wear anything," +she added in an aside, as they followed Elsie to her apartments; +"there's a pale blue that she looks perfectly lovely in; a pearl-color +too, and a delicate pink, and I don't know how many more. One might +think we expected her to do nothing but attend parties the coming +season." + +Elsie seemed to take a lively interest in displaying her pretty things +to her aunt, and in looking on for a little, while Rose did the same +with hers; but at length, though the two older ladies were still +turning over and discussing silks, satins, velvets, laces, ribbons, +feathers, and flowers, her father noticed her sitting in the corner of +a sofa, in an attitude of weariness and dejection, with a pale cheek, +and a dreary, far-off look in her eyes that it pained him to see. + +"You are very tired, daughter," he said, going to her side, and +smoothing her glossy brown hair with tender caressing motion, as he +spoke; "go and lie down for an hour or two. A nap would do you a great +deal of good." + +"I don't like to do so while Aunt Adie is here, papa," she said, +looking up at him with a smile, and trying to seem fresh and bright. + +"Never mind that; you can see her any day now. Come, you must take a +rest." And drawing her hand within his arm, he led her to her boudoir +and left her there, comfortably established upon a sofa. + +"A hat trimmed in that style would be becoming to Elsie," remarked +Adelaide, continuing the conversation with Rose, and turning to look +at her niece as she spoke. "Why, she's not here." + +"Papa took her away to make her lie down," said little Horace. + +"Rose, does anything ail the child?" asked Adelaide, in an undertone. + +"She does not seem to be out of health; but you know we are very +careful of her; she is so dear and sweet, and has never looked very +strong." + +"But there is something wrong with her, is there not? she does not +seem to me quite the gay, careless child she was when you went away. +Horace," and she turned to him, as he re-entered the room, "may I not +know about Elsie? You can hardly love her very much better than I do, +I think." + +"If that is so, you must love her very much indeed," he answered with +a faint smile. "Yes, I will tell you." And he explained the matter; +briefly at first, then more in detail, as she drew him on by questions +and remarks. + +Her sympathy for Elsie was deep and sincere; yet she thought her +brother's course the only wise and kind one, and her indignation waxed +hot against Arthur and Egerton. + +"And Elsie still believes in the scoundrel?" she said inquiringly. + +"Yes, her loving, trustful nature refuses to credit the proofs of +his guilt, and only her sweet, conscientious submission to parental +authority has saved her from becoming his victim." + +"She is a very good, submissive, obedient child to you, Horace." + +"I could not ask a better, Adelaide. I only wish it were in my power +to make obedience always easy and pleasant to her, poor darling." + +"I hope you have something for me there, my dear," Rose remarked to +her husband at the breakfast-table the next morning, as he looked over +the mail just brought in by his man John. + +"Yes, there is one for you; from your mother, I think; and, Elsie, do +you know the handwriting of this?" + +"No, papa, it is quite strange to me," she answered, taking the letter +he held out to her, and which bore her name and address on the back, +and examining it critically. + +"And the post-mark tells you nothing either?" + +"No, sir; I cannot quite make it out, but it doesn't seem to be any +place where I have a correspondent." + +"Well, open it and see from whom it comes. But finish your breakfast +first." + +Elsie laid the letter down by her plate, and putting aside, for the +present, her curiosity in regard to it, went on with her meal. "From +whom can it have come?" she asked herself, while listening half +absently to extracts from Mr. Allison's epistle; "not from him surely, +the hand is so very unlike that of the one he sent me in Lansdale." + +"You have not looked at that yet," her father said, seeing her take it +up as they rose from the table. "You may do so now. I wish to know who +the writer is. Don't read it till you have found that out," he added, +leading her to a sofa in the next room, and making her sit down there, +while he stood by her side. + +She felt that his eye was upon her as she broke open the envelope and, +taking the letter from it, glanced down the page, then in a little +flutter of surprise and perplexity turned to the signature. Instantly +her face flushed crimson, she trembled visibly, and her eyes were +lifted pleadingly to his. + +He frowned and held out his hand. + +"Oh, papa, let me read it!" she murmured low and tremulously, her eyes +still pleading more eloquently than her tongue. + +"No," he said, and his look and gesture were imperative. + +She silently put the letter into his hand, and turned away with a low +sob. + +"It is not worth one tear, or even an emotion of regret, my child," he +said, sitting down beside her. "I shall send it back at once; unread, +unless you prefer to have me read it first." + +"No, papa." + +"Very well, then I shall not. But, Elsie, do you not see now that he +is quite capable of imitating the handwriting of another?" + +"Yes, papa; but that does not prove that he did in the case you refer +to." + +"And he has acted quite fairly and honestly in using that talent to +elude my vigilance and tempt you to deception and disobedience, eh?" + +"He is not perfect, papa, but I can't believe him as bad as you +think." + +"There are none so blind as those that won't see, Elsie; but, +remember"--and his tone changed from one of great vexation to another +sternly authoritative--"I will be obeyed in this thing." + +"Yes, papa," she said, and rising, hastily left the room. + +"Try to be very patient with her, dear," said Rose, who had been a +silent, but deeply interested spectator of the little scene; "she +suffers enough, poor child!" + +"Yes, I know it, and my heart bleeds for her; yet she seems so +wilfully blind to the strongest proofs of the fellow's abominable +rascality that at times I feel as if I could hardly put up with it +at all. The very pain of seeing her suffer so makes me out of all +patience with her folly." + +"Yes, I understand it, but do not be stern with her; she surely does +not deserve it while she is so perfectly submissive to your will." + +"No, she does not, poor darling," he said with a sigh. "But I must +make haste to write some letters that ought to go by the next mail." + +He left the room, and Mrs. Dinsmore, longing to comfort Elsie in her +trouble, was about to go in search of her, when Mrs. Murray, who was +still housekeeper at the Oaks, came to ask advice or direction about +some household matters. + +Their consultation lasted for half an hour or more, and in the +meanwhile Mr. Dinsmore finished his correspondence and went himself to +look for his daughter. She was in the act of opening her writing-desk +as he entered the room. + +"What are you doing, daughter?" he asked. + +"I was about to write a letter to Sophy, papa." + +"It would be too late for to-day's mail; so let it wait, and come with +me for a little stroll into the grounds. Aunt Chloe, bring a garden +hat and sunshade. You would like to go, daughter?" + +"Yes, sir. Papa, you are not vexed with me? You don't think I want to +be disobedient or wilful?" There were tears in her voice and traces of +them on her cheeks. + +"No, darling!" he said, drawing her to him, "and you did not in the +least deserve to be spoken to in the stern tone that I used. But--can +you understand it?--my very love for you makes me angry and impatient +at your persistent love for that scoundrel." + +"Papa, please don't!" she said in a low, pained tone, and turning away +her face. + +"Ah, you do not like to hear a word against him!" he sighed; "I can't +bear to think it, and yet I fear you care more for him than for me, +your own father, who almost idolizes you. Is it so?" + +"Papa," she murmured, winding her arms about his neck, and laying +her head on his breast, "if I may have but one of you, I could never +hesitate for a moment to choose to cling here where I have been so +long and tenderly cherished. I know what your love is,--I might be +mistaken and deceived in another. And besides, God commands me to +honor and obey you." + +He held her close to his heart for a moment, as something too dear and +precious ever to be given up to another, then drawing her hand within +his arm, while Chloe placed the hat on her head, and gave her the +parasol, he led her out into the grounds. + +It pained him to notice the sadness of her countenance, sadder than he +had seen it for many days, and he exerted himself to entertain her +and divert her thoughts, calling her attention to some new plants and +flowers, consulting her taste in regard to improvements he designed +making, and conversing with her about a book they had been reading. + +She understood his thoughtful kindness, was grateful for it, and did +her best to be interested and cheerful. + +"It is so nice to have you treat me as your companion and friend as +well as your daughter, papa," she said, looking up at him with a +smile. + +"Your companionship is very dear and sweet to me, daughter," he +answered. "But I think we had better go in now; the sun is growing +hot." + +"Oh, here you are!" cried a girlish voice as they turned into a shaded +walk leading to the house. "I've been looking everywhere and am +glad to have found you at last. Really, if a body didn't know your +relationship, he or she might almost imagine you a pair of lovers." + +"Don't be silly, Enna. How do you do?" said Mr. Dinsmore, shaking +hands with her and giving her a brotherly kiss. + +"As usual, thank you," she answered, turning from him to Elsie, whom +she embraced with tolerable warmth, saying, "I'm really glad to have +you here again. I missed you more than I would have believed. Now come +in and show me all your pretty things. I'm dying to see them. Adelaide +says you've brought home such quantities of lovely laces, silks, +velvets, ribbons, flowers, feathers and what not, that one might +imagine you'd nearly bought out the Philadelphia merchants." + +"No, they had quite a stock still left," replied Elsie, smiling; "but, +as mamma says, papa was very indulgent and liberal to us both; and I +shall take pleasure in showing you his gifts." + +"How do you like my present to Adelaide? asked Mr. Dinsmore. + +"Oh, very much; but when my turn comes please remember I want +amethysts." + +"Ah, then I have been fortunate in my selection," he said, quite +unsuspicious of the fact that Enna had instructed Elsie beforehand in +regard to her wishes, should Horace intend making her a present. Elsie +had quietly given the desired hint, but merely as though the idea had +originated with herself. + +The jewelry was highly approved, as also a rich violet silk from Rose, +and a lace set from Elsie. + +Adelaide had been intrusted with quite as rich gifts for her father +and mother; nor had Lora been forgotten; Elsie had a handsome shawl +for her, Mr. Dinsmore a beautiful pair of bracelets, and Rose a costly +volume of engravings. + +"Do you think Aunt Lora will be pleased?" asked Elsie. + +"They're splendid! It must be mighty nice to have so much money to +spend. But come now, show me what you got for yourselves." + +She spent a long while, first in Rose's apartment, then in Elsie's, +turning over and admiring the pretty things, discussing patterns, and +styles of trimming, and what colors and modes would be becoming to +her, trying on some of the dresses, laces, sacques, shawls, bonnets, +and hats--without so much as saying by your leave, when the article in +question belonged to her niece--that she might judge of the effect; +several times repeating her remark that it must be delightful to have +so much money, and that Elsie was exceedingly fortunate in being so +enormously wealthy. + +"Yes; it is something to be thankful for," Elsie said at length, "but, +Enna, it is also a great responsibility. We are only stewards, you +know, and sometimes I fear it is hardly right for me to spend so much +in personal adornment." + +"That wouldn't trouble me in the least; but why do you do it, if you +are afraid it's wrong?" + +"Papa does not think so; he says the manufacturers of these rich goods +must live as well as others, and that for one with my income, it is no +more extravagant to wear them than for one with half the means to wear +goods only half as expensive." + +"And I'm sure he's perfectly right; and of course you have no choice +but to obey. Well, I presume I've seen everything now, and I'm +actually weary with my labors," she added, throwing herself into an +easy-chair. "You've grown a little pale, I think, and your eyes look +as if you'd been crying. What ails you?" + +"I am not at all ill," returned Elsie, flushing. + +"I didn't say you were, but something's wrong with you, and you can't +deny it; you don't seem as gay as you used to before you went away." + +She paused, but receiving no reply, went on. "Come now, it isn't worth +while to be so close-mouthed with me, Miss Dinsmore; for I happen to +know pretty much all about it already. You've fallen in love with a +man that your father thinks is a scamp and though you don't believe +it, you've given him up, in obedience to orders, like the cowardly +piece that you are. Dear me, before I'd be so afraid of my father!" + +"No, you neither fear nor love your father as I do mine; but fear of +papa has very little to do with it. I love him far too well to refuse +to submit to him in this, and I fear God, who bids me obey and honor +him. But, Enna, how did you learn all this?" + +"Ah, that is my secret." + +Elsie looked disturbed. "Won't you tell me?" + +"Not I." + +"Is it generally known in the family?" + +"So far as I am aware, no one knows it but myself." + +"Ah!" thought Elsie, "I did not believe Aunt Adelaide or Walter would +tell her; but I wonder how she did find it out." + +"I wouldn't give up the man I loved for anybody," Enna went on in a +sneering tone. "I say parents have no business to interfere in such +matters; and so I told papa quite plainly when he took it upon him +to lecture me about receiving attentions from Dick Percival, and +threatened to forbid him the house." + +"Oh, Enna!" + +"You consider it wickedly disrespectful and rebellious no doubt, but +I say I'm no longer a child, and so the text, 'Children obey your +parents'--which I know is just on the end of your tongue--doesn't +apply to me." + +"The Bible doesn't say obey till you are of age, then do as you +please. You are not seventeen yet, and Isaac was twenty when he +submitted to be bound and laid upon the altar." + +"Well, when I go to the altar, it shall be leaning on Dick's arm," +said Enna, laughing. "I don't care if he is wild; I like him, and +intend to marry him too." + +"But are you not afraid?" + +"Afraid of what?" + +"That he will run through his property in a few years, and perhaps +become an habitual drunkard and abusive to his wife." + +"I mean to risk it anyhow," returned Enna sharply, "so it is not worth +while for my friends to waste their breath in lecturing me on the +subject." + +"Oh, Enna! you can't expect a blessing, if you persist in being so +undutiful; I think it would be well for you if your father were more +like mine." + +"Indeed! I wouldn't be your father's daughter for anything." + +"And I am glad and thankful that I am." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + The human heart! 'tis a thing that lives + In the light of many a shrine; + And the gem of its own pure feelings gives + Too oft on brows that are false to shine; + It has many a cloud of care and woe + To shadow o'er its springs, + And the One above alone may know + The changing tune of its thousand strings. + + --MRS. L.P. SMITH. + + +Mr. and Mrs. Horace Dinsmore were most anxious to promote Elsie's +happiness, and in order to that to win her to forgetfulness of her +unworthy suitor. Being Christians they did not take her to the +ball-room, the Opera, or the theater (nor would she have consented +to go had they proposed it), but they provided for her every sort of +suitable amusement within their reach. She was allowed to entertain as +much company and to pay as many visits to neighbors and friends as she +pleased. + +But a constant round of gayety was not to her taste; she loved quiet +home pleasures and intellectual pursuits far better. And of these also +she might take her fill, nor lack for sympathizing companionship; both +parents, but especially her father, being of like mind with herself. +They enjoyed many a book together, and she chose to pursue several +studies with him. + +And thus the weeks and months glided away not unhappily, though at +times she would be possessed with a restless longing for news from +Egerton, and for the love that was denied her; then her eyes would +occasionally meet her father's with the old wistful, pleading look +that he found so hard to resist. + +He well understood their mute petition; yet it was one he could not +grant. But he would take her in his arms, and giving her the fondest, +tenderest caresses, would say, in a moved tone, "My darling, don't +look at me in that way; it almost breaks my heart. Ah, if you could +only be satisfied with your father's love!" + +"I will try, papa," was her usual answer, "and oh, your love is very +sweet and precious!" + +Such a little scene, occurring one morning in Elsie's boudoir, was +interrupted by Chloe coming in to say that Miss Carrington had called +to see her young mistress and was waiting in the drawing-room. + +"Show her in here, mammy," Elsie said, disengaging herself from her +father's arms, and smoothing out her dress. "She used to come here in +the old times without waiting for an invitation." + +The Carringtons had not been able quite to forgive the rejection of +Herbert's suit, and since his death there had been a slight coolness +between the two families, and the girls had seen much less of each +other than in earlier days; their intercourse being confined to an +occasional exchange of formal calls, except when they met at the +house of some common acquaintance or friend. Still they were mutually +attached, and of late had resumed much of their old warmth of manner +toward each other. + +"Ah, this seems like going back to the dear old times again," Lucy +said when their greetings were over, and sending an admiring glance +about the luxuriously furnished apartment as she spoke. "I always +thought this the most charming of rooms, Elsie, but how many lovely +things,--perfect gems of art,--you have added to it since I saw it +last." + +"Papa's gifts to his spoiled darling, most of them," answered Elsie, +with a loving look and smile directed to him. + +"Petted, but not spoiled," he said, returning the smile. + +"No, indeed, I should think not," said Lucy. "Mamma says she is the +most perfectly obedient, affectionate daughter she ever saw, and I +can't tell you how often I have heard her wish I was more like her." + +"Ah," said Elsie, "I think Mrs. Carrington has always looked at me +through rose-colored spectacles." + +After a little more chat Lucy told her errand. Her parents and +herself, indeed the whole family, she said, had greatly regretted the +falling off of their former intimacy and strongly desired to renew it; +and she had come to beg Elsie to go home with her and spend a week at +Ashlands in the old familiar way. + +Elsie's eye brightened, and her cheek flushed. "Dear Lucy, how kind!" +she exclaimed; then turned inquiringly to her father. + +"Yes, it is very kind," he said. "Use your own pleasure, daughter. I +think perhaps the change might do you good." + +"Thanks, papa, then I shall go. Lucy, I accept your invitation with +pleasure." + +They were soon on their way, cantering briskly along side by side, +Lucy in gay, almost wild spirits, and Elsie's depression rapidly +vanishing beneath the combined influence of the bracing air and +exercise, the brilliant sunshine, and her friend's lively sallies. + +Arrived at Ashlands, she found herself received and welcomed with all +the old warmth of affection. Mrs. Carrington folded her to her heart +and wept over her. "My poor boy!" she whispered; "it seems almost to +bring him back again to have you with us once more. But I will not +mourn," she added, wiping her eyes; "for our loss has been his great +gain." + +Tender memories of Herbert, associated with nearly every room in the +house, saddened and subdued Elsie's spirit for a time, yet helped to +banish thoughts of Egerton from her mind. + +But Lucy had a great deal to tell her, and in listening to these +girlish confidences, Herbert was again half forgotten. Lucy too had +spent the past summer in the North, and had there "met her fate." She +was engaged, the course of true love seemed to be running smoothly, +and they expected to marry in a year. + +Elsie listened with interest, sympathizing warmly in her friend's +happiness; but Lucy, who was watching her keenly, noticed a shade of +deep sadness steal over her face. + +"Now I have told you all my secrets," she said, "won't you treat me as +generously, by trusting me with yours?" + +"If I had as happy a tale to tell," replied Elsie, the tears filling +her eyes. + +"You poor dear, what is wrong? Is it that papa refuses his consent." + +Elsie nodded; her heart was too full for speech. + +"What a shame!" cried Lucy. "Does he really mean to keep you single +all your life? is he quite determined to make an old maid of you?" + +"No, oh, no! but he does not believe my friend to be a good man. There +seems to be some sad mistake, and I cannot blame papa; because if Mr. +Egerton really was what he thinks him, it would be folly and sin for +me to have anything to do with him; and indeed I could not give either +hand or heart to one so vile,--a profane swearer, gambler, drunkard, +and rake." + +"Oh, my, no!" and Lucy looked quite horrified; "but you don't believe +him such a villain?" + +"No; on the contrary I think him a truly converted man. I believe +he was a little wild at one time; for he told me he had been; but I +believe, too, that he has truly repented, and therefore ought to be +forgiven." + +"Then I wouldn't give him up if I were you, father or no father," +remarked Lucy, with spirit. + +"But, Lucy, there is the command, 'Children, obey your parents.'" + +"But you are not a child." + +"Hardly more, not of age for more than two years." + +"Well, when you are of age, surely you will consider a lover's claims +before those of a father." + +"No," Elsie answered low and sadly. "I shall never marry without +papa's consent. I love him far too dearly to grieve him so; and it +would be running too fearful a risk." + +"Then you have resigned your lover entirely?" + +"Unless he can some day succeed in convincing papa that he is not so +unworthy." + +"Well, you are a model of filial piety! and deserve to be happy, and I +am ever so sorry for you," cried Lucy, clasping her in her arms, and +kissing her affectionately. + +"Thank you, dear," Elsie said, "but oh, I cannot bear to have my +father blamed. Believing as he does, how could he do otherwise than +forbid all intercourse between us? And he is so very, very kind, so +tenderly affectionate to me. Ah, I could never do without his dear +love!" + +After this, the two had frequent talks together on the same subject, +and though Lucy did not find any fault with Mr. Dinsmore, she yet +pleaded Egerton's cause, urging that it seemed very unfair in Elsie +to condemn him unheard, very hard not to allow him even so much as a +parting word. + +"I had no choice," Elsie said again and again, in a voice full of +tears; "it was papa's command, and I could do nothing but obey. Oh, +Lucy, it was very, very hard for me, too! and yet my father was +doing only his duty, if his judgment of Mr. Egerton's character was +correct." + +One afternoon, when Elsie had been at Ashlands four or five days, Lucy +came flying into her room; "Oh, I'm so glad to find you dressed! You +see I'm in the midst of my toilet, and Scip has just brought up word +that a gentleman is in the parlor asking for the young ladies--Miss +Dinsmore and Miss Carrington. Would you mind going down alone and +entertaining him till I come? do, there's a dear." + +"Who is he?" + +"Scip didn't seem to have quite understood the name; but it must be +some one we both know, and if you don't mind going, it would be a +relief to my nerves to know that he's not sitting there with nothing +to do but count the minutes, and think, 'What an immense time it takes +Miss Carrington to dress. She must be very anxious to make a good +impression upon me.' For you see men are so conceited, they are always +imagining we're laying ourselves out to secure their admiration." + +"I will go down then," Elsie answered, smiling, "and do what I can to +keep him from thinking any such unworthy thoughts of you. But please +follow me as soon as you can." + +The caller had the drawing-room to himself, and as Elsie entered was +standing at the centre-table with his back toward her. As she drew +near, he turned abruptly, caught her hand in his, threw his arm about +her waist, and kissed her passionately, crying in a low tone of +rapturous delight, "My darling, I have you at last! Oh, how I have +suffered from this cruel separation." + +It was Egerton, and for a few moments she forgot everything else, in +her glad surprise at the unexpected meeting. + +He drew her to a sofa, and still keeping his arm about her, poured out +a torrent of fond loverlike words, mingled with tender reproaches that +she had given him up so easily, and protestations of his innocence of +the vices and crimes laid to his charge. + +At first Elsie flushed rosy red, and a sweet light of love and joy +shone in the soft eyes, half veiled by their heavy, drooping lashes; +but as he went on her cheek grew deathly pale, and she struggled to +free herself from his embrace. + +"Let me go!" she cried, in an agitated tone of earnest entreaty, "I +must, indeed I must! I can't stay--I ought not; I should not have come +in, or allowed you to speak to, or touch me. Papa has forbidden all +intercourse between us, and he will be so angry." And she burst into +tears. + +"Then don't go back to him; stay with me, and give me a right to +protect you from his anger. I can't bear to see you weep, and if you +will be mine--my own little wife, you shall never have cause to shed +another tear," he said, drawing her closer to him and kissing them +away. + +"No, no, I cannot, I cannot! You must let me go; indeed you must!" +she cried, shrinking from the touch of his lip upon her cheek, and +averting her face, "I am doing wrong, very wrong to stay, here!" + +"No, I shall hold you fast for a few blissful moments at least;" he +answered, tightening his grasp and repeating his caresses, as she +struggled the harder to be free. "You cannot be so cruel as to refuse +to hear my defence." + +"Oh, I cannot stay another moment--I must not hear another word, for +every instant that I linger I am guilty of a fresh act of disobedience +to papa. I shall be compelled to call for help it you do not loose +your hold." + +He took his arm from her waist, but still held fast to her hand. "No, +don't do that," he said; "think what a talk it would make. I shall +detain you but a moment, and surely you may as well stay that much +longer; 'in for a penny, in for a pound,' you know. Oh, Elsie, can't +you give me a little hope." + +"If you can gain papa's approval, not otherwise." + +"But when you come of age." + +"I shall never marry without my father's consent." + +"Surely you carry your ideas of obedience too far. You owe a duty to +yourself and to me, as well as to your father. Excuse my plainness, +but in the course of nature we shall both outlive him, and is it +right to sacrifice the happiness of our two lives because he has +unfortunately imbibed a prejudice against me?" + +"I could expect no blessing upon a union entered into in direct +opposition to my father's wishes and commands," she answered with sad +and gentle firmness. + +"That's a hard kind of obedience; and I don't think it would answer to +put in practice in all cases," he said bitterly. + +"Perhaps not; I do not attempt to decide for others; but I am +convinced of my own duty; and know too that I should be wretched +indeed, if I had to live under papa's frown. And oh, how I am +disobeying him now! I must go this instant! Release my hand, Mr. +Egerton." And she tried with all her strength to wrench it free. + +"No, no, not yet," he said entreatingly. "I have not given you half +the proofs of my innocence that I can bring forward; do me the simple +justice to stay and hear them." + +She made no reply but half yielded, ceasing her struggles for a +moment. She had no strength to free her hand from his grasp, and could +not bear to call others upon the scene. Trembling with agitation and +eagerness, she waited for his promised proofs; but instead he only +poured forth a continuous stream of protestations, expostulations and +entreaties. + +"Mr. Egerton, I must, I must go," she repeated; "this is nothing to +the purpose, and I cannot stay to hear it." + +A step was heard approaching; he hastily drew her toward him, touched +his lips again to her cheek, released her, and she darted from the +room by one door, as Lucy entered by another. + +"Where is she? gone? what's the matter? wasn't she pleased to see you? +wouldn't she stay?" + +Lucy looked into the disappointed, angry, chagrined face of Egerton, +and in her surprise and vexation piled question upon question without +giving him time to answer. + +"No, the girl's a fool!" he muttered angrily, and turning hastily from +her, paced rapidly to and fro for a moment; then suddenly recollecting +himself, "I beg pardon, Miss Carrington," he said, coming back to +the sofa on which she sat regarding him with a perturbed, displeased +countenance, "I--I forgot myself; but you will perhaps, know how to +excuse an almost distracted lover." + +"Really, sir," returned Lucy coolly, "your words just now did not +sound very lover-like; and would rather lead one to suspect that +possibly Mr. Dinsmore may be in the right." + +He flushed hotly. "What can you mean, Miss Carrington?" + +"That your love is for her fortune rather than for herself." + +"Indeed you wrong me. I adore Miss Dinsmore, and would consider myself +the happiest of mortals could I but secure her hand, even though she +came to me penniless. But she has imbibed the most absurd, ridiculous +ideas of filial duty and refuses to give me the smallest encouragement +unless I can gain her father's consent and approval; which, seeing he +has conceived a violent dislike to me, is a hopeless thing. Now +can you not realize that the more ardent my love for her, the more +frantically impatient I would feel under such treatment?" + +"Perhaps so; men are so different from women; but nothing could ever +make me apply such an epithet to the man I loved." + +"Distracted with disappointed hopes, I was hardly a sane man at the +moment, Miss Carrington," he said deprecatingly. + +"The coveted interview has proved entirely unsatisfactory then?" she +said in a tone of inquiry. + +"Yes; and yet I am most thankful to have had sight and speech of her +once more; truly grateful to you for bringing it about so cleverly. +But--oh, Miss Carrington, could you be persuaded to assist me still +further, you would lay me under lasting obligations!" + +"Please explain yourself, sir," she answered coldly, moving farther +from him, as he attempted to take her hand. + +"Excuse me," he said. "I am not one inclined to take liberties with +ladies; but I am hardly myself to-day; my overpowering emotion--my +half distracted state of mind--" + +Breaking off his sentence abruptly, and putting his hand to his head, +"I believe I shall go mad if I have to resign all hope of winning the +sweet, lovely Elsie," he exclaimed excitedly, "and I see only one way +of doing it. If I could carry her off, and get her quite out of her +father's reach, so that no fear of him need deter her from following +the promptings of her own heart, I am sure I could induce her to +consent to marry me at once. Miss Carrington, will you help me?" + +"Never! If Elsie chooses to run away with you, and wants any +assistance from me, she shall have it; but I will have nothing to do +with kidnapping." + +He urged, entreated, used every argument he could think of, but with +no other effect than rousing Lucy's anger and indignation; "underhand +dealings were not in her line," she told him, and finally--upon his +intimating that what she had already done might be thought to come +under that head--almost ordered him out of the house. + +He went, and hurrying to her friend's room, she found her walking +about it in a state of great agitation, and weeping bitterly. + +"Oh, Lucy, how could you? how could you?" she cried, wringing her +hands and sobbing in pitiable distress. "I had no thought of him when +I went down; I did not know you knew him, or that he was in this part +of the country at all. I was completely taken by surprise, and have +disobeyed papa's most express commands, and he will never forgive me, +never! No, not that either, but he will be very, very angry. Oh, what +shall I do!" + +"Oh, Elsie, dear, don't be so troubled! I am as sorry as I can be," +said Lucy, with tears in her eyes. "I meant to do you a kindness; +indeed I did; I thought it would be a joyful surprise to you. + +"I met him last summer at Saratoga. He came there immediately from +Lansdale, and somehow we found out directly that we both knew you, and +that I was a near neighbor and very old friend of yours; and he told +me the whole story of your love-affair, and quite enlisted me in his +cause; he seemed so depressed and melancholy at your loss, and grieved +so over the hasty way in which your father had separated you,--not +even allowing a word of farewell. + +"He told me he hoped and believed you were still faithful to him in +your heart, but he could not get to see or speak to you, or hold any +correspondence with you. And so I arranged this way of bringing you +together." + +"It was kindly meant, I have no doubt, Lucy, but oh, you don't know +what you have done! I tremble at the very thought of papa's anger when +he hears it; for I have done and permitted things he said he would not +allow for thousands of dollars." + +"Well, dear, I don't think you could help it; and I'm so sorry for my +share in it," said Lucy, putting her arms round her, and kissing her +wet cheek. "But perhaps your father will not be so very angry with +you after all; and at any rate you are too old to be whipped, so a +scolding will be the worst you will be likely to get." + +"He never did whip me, never struck me a blow in his life; but I would +prefer the pain of a dozen whippings to what I expect," said Elsie, +with a fresh burst of tears. + +"What is that, you poor dear?" asked Lucy. "I can't imagine what he +could do worse than beat you." + +"He may put me away from his arms for weeks or months, and be cold, +and stern, and distant to me, never giving me a caress or even so much +as a kind word or look. Oh, if he should do that, how can I bear it!" + +"Well, don't tell him anything about it. I wouldn't, and I don't see +any reason why you should." + +Elsie shook her head sorrowfully. "I must; I never conceal +anything--any secret of my own--from him; and I should feel like a +guilty thing, acting a lie, and could not look him in the face; and he +would know from my very look and manner that something was wrong, and +would question me, and make me tell him all. Lucy, I must go home at +once." + +"No, indeed, you must not. Why, you were to stay a week--two days +longer than this; and if you were ready to start this minute, it would +be quite dark before you could possibly reach the Oaks." + +Elsie looked at her watch, and perceiving that her friend was right, +gave up the idea of going that day, but said she must leave the next +morning. To that Lucy again objected. "I can't bear to lose those two +days of your promised visit," she said, "for if you are determined to +tell your papa all about this, there's no knowing when he will allow +you to come here again." + +"Never, I fear," sighed Elsie. + +"I haven't been able to help feeling a little hard to him on poor +Herbert's account," Lucy went on, "and I believe that had something +to do with my readiness to help Egerton to outwit him in obtaining an +interview with you. But I'll never do anything of the kind again; so +he needn't be afraid to let you come to see us." + +She then told Elsie what had passed in the drawing-room between +Egerton and herself--his request and her indignant refusal. + +It helped to shake Elsie's confidence in the man, and made her still +more remorseful in view of that day's disobedience; for she could +not deceive herself into the belief that she had been altogether +blameless. "As I said before, I can't bear the idea of losing you so +soon," continued Lucy, "but there is still another reason why I must +beg of you to stay till the set time of your leaving. Mamma knows +nothing about this affair, and would be exceedingly displeased with +me, if she should find it out; as of course she must, if you go +to-morrow; as that would naturally call out an explanation. So, dear, +do promise me that you will give up the idea." + +Elsie hesitated, but not liking to bring Lucy into trouble, finally +yielded to her urgent entreaties, and consented to stay. + +All the enjoyment of her visit, however, was over; she felt it +impossible to rest till her father knew all, shed many tears in +secret, and had much ado to conceal the traces of them, and appear +cheerful in the presence of the family. + +But the two wretched days were over at last, and declining the urgent +invitations of her friends to linger with them a little longer, she +bade them an affectionate farewell, and set out for home. + +Jim had been sent to escort her, another servant with the wagon for +Chloe and the luggage. Struck with a sudden fear that she might meet +or be overtaken by Egerton, Elsie ordered Jim to keep up close in the +rear, then touching the whip to her horse, started off at a brisk +canter. Her thoughts were full of the coming interview with her +father, which she dreaded exceedingly, while at the same time she +longed to have it over. She drew rein at the great gates leading into +the grounds, and the servant dismounted and opened them. + +"Jim," she asked, "is your master at home?" + +"Dunno, Miss Elsie, but the missus am gone ober to Ion to spend the +day, an lef' little Marse Horace at Roselands." + +"Why, what's the matter, Jim?" + +"De missus at Ion little bit sick, I b'lieve, Miss Elsie." + +"And papa didn't go with them?" + +"Yes, miss; but he comed right back again, and I 'spect he's in de +house now." + +"Dear papa! he came back to receive me," murmured Elsie to herself, as +she rode on, and a scalding tear fell at the thought of how the loving +look and fond caress with which he was sure to greet her, would be +quickly exchanged for dark frowns, and stern, cold reproofs. + +"Oh, if I were a child again, I believe I should hope he would just +whip me at once, and then forgive me, and it would be all over; but +now--oh, dear! how long will his displeasure last?" + +It was just as she had expected; he was on the veranda, watching for +her coming--hastened forward, assisted her to alight, embraced her +tenderly, then pushing aside her veil, looked searchingly into her +face. + +"What is the matter?" he asked, as her eyes met his for an instant +with a beseeching, imploring glance, then fell beneath his gaze while +her face flushed crimson. + +She tried to answer him, but her tongue refused to do its office, +there was a choking sensation in her throat and her lips quivered. + +He led her into his private study, took off her hat and threw it +aside, and seating her on a sofa, still keeping his arm about her--for +she was trembling very much--asked again, "What is the matter? what +has gone wrong with you, my daughter?" + +His tone, his look, his manner were very gentle and tender; but that +only increased her remorse and self-reproach. + +"Papa, don't be so kind," she faltered; "I--I don't deserve it, for I +have--disobeyed you." + +"Is it possible! when? where? and how? Can it be that you have seen +and spoken with that--scoundrel, Elsie?" + +"Yes, papa." Her voice was very low and tremulous, her heart throbbed +almost to suffocation, her bosom heaved tumultuously, and her color +came and went with every breath. + +He rose and paced hurriedly across the room two or three times, +then coming back to her side, "Tell me all about it," he said +sternly--"every action, every word spoken by either, as far as you can +recall it." + +She obeyed in the same low, tremulous tones in which she had answered +him before, her voice now and then broken by a half-smothered sob, and +her eyes never once meeting his, which she felt were fixed so severely +upon her tearful, downcast face. + +He cross-questioned her till he knew all that had passed nearly as +well as if he had been present through the whole interview, his tones +growing more and more stern and angry. + +"And you dared to permit all that, Elsie?" he exclaimed when she had +finished; "to allow that vile wretch to put his arm around you, hold +your hand in his, for half an hour probably, and even to press his +lips again and again to yours or to your cheek; and that after I had +told you I would not have him take such a liberty with you for half I +am worth; and--" + +"Not to my lips, papa." + +"Then it is not quite so bad as I thought, but bad enough certainly; +and all this after I had positively forbidden you to even so much as +exchange the slightest salutation with him. What am I to think of such +high-handed rebellion?" + +"Papa," she said beseechingly, "is not that too hard a word? I did not +disobey deliberately--I don't think anything could have induced me to +go into that room knowing that he was there. I was taken by surprise, +and when he had got hold of my hand I tried in vain to get it free." + +"Don't attempt to excuse yourself, Elsie. You could have escaped from +him at once, by simply raising your voice and calling for assistance. +I do not believe it would have been impossible to avoid even that +first embrace; and it fairly makes my blood boil to think he succeeded +in giving it to you. How dared you so disobey me as to submit to it?" + +"Papa, at the moment I forgot everything but--but just that he was +there." + +The last words were spoken in a voice scarcely raised above a whisper, +while her head drooped lower and lower and her cheek grew hot with +shame. + +"Did I ever take forgetfulness of my orders as any excuse of +disobedience?" he asked in as stern a tone as he had ever used to her. + +"No, papa; but oh, don't be very angry with me!" + +"I am exceedingly displeased with you, Elsie! so much so that nothing +but your sex saves you from a severe chastisement. And I cannot allow +you to escape punishment. You must be taught that though no longer a +mere child, you are not yet old enough to disobey me with impunity. +Hush!" as she seemed about to speak, "I will not have a word of reply. +Go to your own apartments and consider yourself confined to them till +you hear further from me. Stay!" he added as she rose to obey, "when +did all this occur?" + +She told him in her low, tearful tones, her utterance half choked with +sobs. + +"Two days ago, and yet your confession has been delayed till now. Does +that look like penitence for your fault?" + +She explained why she had not returned home at once; but he refused to +accept the excuse, and ordered her away as sternly as before. + +She obeyed in silence, controlling her feelings by a great effort, +until she had gained the privacy of her own apartments, then giving +way to a fit of almost hysterical weeping. It was years since her +father had been seriously displeased with her, and loving him with +such intense affection, his anger and sternness nearly broke her +heart. + +Her tender conscience pricked her sorely too, adding greatly to her +distress by its reproaches on account of her disobedience and her +delay in confessing it. + +It came to her mind at length that her heavenly Father might be more +tender and forbearing with her, more ready to forgive and restore to +favor, than her earthly one. She remembered the sweet words, "There is +forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." "If any man sin, +we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." She +went to Him with her sin and sorrow, asking pardon for the past and +help for the future. She asked, too, that the anger of her earthly +parent might be turned away; that the Lord would dispose him to +forgive and love her as before. + +She rose from her knees with a heart, though still sad and sorrowful, +yet lightened of more than half its load. + +But the day was a very long one; with a mind so disturbed she could +not settle to any employment, or find amusement in anything. She +passed the time in wandering restlessly from room to room, starting +and trembling as now and then she thought she heard her father's step +or voice, then weeping afresh as she found that he did not come near +her. + +When the dinner-bell rang she hoped he would send, or come to her; but +instead he sent her meal to her; such an one as was usual upon their +table--both luxurious and abundant,--which comforted her with the hope +that he was less displeased with her than at other times when he had +allowed her little more than prison fare. But excitement and mental +distress had brought on a severe headache; she had no appetite, and +sent the food away almost untasted. + +It was mild, beautiful weather in the early spring; such weather as +makes one feel it a trial to be compelled to stay within doors, and +Elsie longed for her favorite retreat in the grounds. + +In the afternoon some ladies called; Mr. Dinsmore was out, and she +dared not go to the drawing room without permission; but her headache +furnished sufficient excuse for declining to see them, and they went +away. + +Shortly after, she heard her father's return. He had not been off the +estate, or out of sight of the house; he was keeping guard over her, +but still did not come near her. + +Just at tea-time she again heard the sound of wheels; then her +father's, mother's, and little brother's voices. + +"Mamma and Horace have come home," she thought with a longing desire +to run out and embrace them. + +"Oh, papa, has sister come home?" she heard the child's voice ask in +eager tones. + +"Yes." + +"Oh, then I must run into her room and kiss her!" + +"No, you must not; stay here." + +"But why mustn't I go to sister, papa?" + +"Because I forbid it." + +Every word of the short colloquy reached Elsie's ear, adding to her +grief and dismay. Was she, then, to be separated from all the rest of +the family? did her father fear that she would exert a bad influence +over Horace, teaching him to be disobedient and wilful? How deeply +humbled and ashamed she felt at the thought. + +Rose gave her husband a look of surprised, anxious inquiry. "Is Elsie +sick, dear?" she asked. + +"No, Rose, but she is in disgrace with me," he answered in an +undertone, as he led the way into the house. + +"Horace, you astonish me! what can she have done to displease you?" + +"Come in here; and I will tell you," he said, throwing open the door +of his study. + +Rose listened in silence, while he repeated to her the substance of +Elsie's confession, mingled with expressions of his own anger and +indignation. + +"Poor child!" murmured Rose, as he concluded; "Horace, don't be hard +with her; she must have suffered a great deal in these last three +days." + +"Yes," he answered in a moved tone; "when I think of that, I can +scarcely refrain from going to her, taking her in my arms, and +lavishing caresses and endearments upon her; but then comes the +thought of her allowing that scoundrel to do the same, and I am ready +almost to whip her for it." His face flushed hotly, and his dark eyes +flashed as he spoke. + +"Oh, my dear!" exclaimed Rose, half frightened at his vehemence, "you +cannot mean it?" + +"Rose," he said, pacing to and fro in increasing excitement, "the +fellow is a vile wretch, whose very touch I esteem pollution to a +sweet, fair, innocent young creature like my daughter. I told her so, +and positively forbade her to so much as look at him, or permit him +to see her face, if it could be avoided, or to recognize, or hold the +slightest communication with him in any way. Yet in defiance of all +this, she allows him to take her hand and hold it for, I don't know +how long, put his arm around her waist and kiss her a number of times. +Now what does such disobedience deserve?" + +"Had she no excuse to offer?" + +"Excuse? Yes, she did not disobey deliberately--was taken by +surprise--forgot everything but that he was there." + +"Well, my dear," and Rose's hand was laid affectionately on his arm, +while a tender smile played about her mouth, and her sweet blue eyes +looked fondly into his. "You know how it is with lovers, if you will +only look back a very few years. I think there were times when you and +I forgot that there was anybody in the wide world but just our two +selves." + +A smile, a tender caress, a few very lover-like words, and resuming +his gravity and seriousness, Mr. Dinsmore went on: "But you forget +the odious character of the man. If I had objected to him from mere +prejudice or whim, it would have been a very different thing." + +"But you know Elsie does not believe--" + +"She ought to believe what her father tells her," he interrupted +hotly; "but believe or not, she must and shall obey me; and if she +does not I shall punish her." + +"And to do that, you need only look coldly on her, and refrain from +giving her caresses and endearing words. Such treatment from her +dearly loved father would of itself be sufficient, very soon, to crush +her tender, sensitive spirit." + +His face softened, the frown left his brow, and the angry fire his +eye. "My poor darling!" he murmured, with a sigh, his thoughts going +back to a time of estrangement between them long years ago. "Yes, +Rose, you are right; she is a very tender, delicate, sensitive plant, +and it behooves her father to be exceeding gentle and forbearing with +her." + +"Then you will forgive her, and take her to your heart again?" + +"Yes--if she is penitent;--and tell her that she owes it to her +mother's intercession; for I had intended to make her feel herself in +disgrace for days or weeks." + +Chloe was at that moment carrying a large silver waiter, filled with +delicacies, into the apartments of her young mistress. "Now, darlin', +do try to eat to please your ole mammy," she said coaxingly, as she +set it down before her. "I'se taken lots ob pains to fix up dese tings +dat my pet chile so fond ob." + +Elsie's only answer was a sad sort of smile; but for the sake of the +loving heart that had prompted the careful preparation of the tempting +meal--the loving eyes that watched her as she ate, she tried to do her +best. + +Only half satisfied with the result, Chloe bore the waiter away again, +while Elsie seated herself in a large easy-chair that was drawn up +close to the glass doors opening upon the lawn and laying her head +back upon its cushions, turned her eyes toward the outer world, +looking longingly upon the shaded alleys and gay parterres, the lawn +with its velvet carpet of emerald green, where a fountain cast up +its cool showers of spray, and long shadows slept, alternating with +brilliant patches of ruddy light from the slowly sinking sun. + +She sighed deeply, and her eyes filled with tears. "How long should +she be forbidden to wander there at her own sweet will?" + +A soft, cool hand was gently laid upon her aching brow, and looking +up she saw her father standing by her side. She had not heard his +approach, for his slippered feet made no noise in passing over the +rich velvet carpet. + +His face was grave, but no longer stern or angry. "Does your head +ache, daughter?" he asked almost tenderly. + +"Yes, papa; but not half so badly as my heart does," she answered, +a tear rolling quickly down her cheek. "I am so sorry for my +disobedience. Oh, papa, will you forgive me?" And her eyes sought +his with the imploring look he ever found it well-nigh impossible to +resist. + +"Yes, I will--I do," he said, stooping to press a kiss upon the +quivering lips. "I had thought I ought to keep you in disgrace some +time longer, but your mamma has pleaded for you, and for her sake--and +for the sake of a time, long ago, when I caused my little girl much +undeserved suffering," he added, his tones growing tremulous with +emotion, "I forgive and receive you back into favor at once." + +She threw her arm about his neck, and as he drew her to his breast, +laid her head down there, weeping tears of joy and thankfulness. +"Dear, kind mamma! and you too, best and dearest of fathers! I don't +deserve it," she sobbed. "I am afraid I ought to be punished for such +disobedience." + +"I think you have been," he said pityingly, "the last three days can +hardly have been very happy ones to you." + +"No, papa; very, very wretched." + +"My poor child! Ah, I must take better care of my precious one in +future. I shall allow you to go nowhere without either your mother or +myself to guard and protect you. Also, I shall break off your intimacy +with Lucy Carrington; she is henceforth to be to you a mere speaking +acquaintance; come, now we will take a little stroll through the +grounds. The cool air will, I hope, do your head good." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + 'Twas the doubt that thou wert false, + That wrung my heart with pain; + But now I know thy perfidy, + I shall be well again. + + --BRYANT. + + +Elsie submitted without a murmur to her father's requirements and +restrictions; but though there was nothing else to remind her that she +had been for one sad day in disgrace with him--his manner toward her +having again all the old tender fondness--she did not fully recover +her spirits, but, spite of her struggles to be cheerful and hopeful, +seemed often depressed, and grew pale and thin day by day. + +Her father noticed it with deep concern and anxiety. "Something +must be done," he said one day to his wife; "the child is drooping +strangely, and I fear will lose her health. I must try what change +will do for her. What do you say to a year in Europe?" + +"For all of us?" + +"Yes, for you and me and our two children." + +"It might be very pleasant, and Elsie has never been." + +"No; I have always meant to take her, but found home so enjoyable that +I have put it off from year to year." + +Elsie entered the room as he spoke. + +"Come here, daughter," he said, making room for her on the sofa by his +side. "I was just saying to mamma that I think of taking you all to +Europe for a year. How should you like that?" + +"Oh, very much, papa!" she answered, looking up brightly; "I should so +enjoy seeing all the places you have told me of,--all the scenes of +your adventures when you travelled there before." + +"Then I think we will go. Shall we not, mamma?" + +"Yes; but I must pay a visit home first, and do some preparatory +shopping in Philadelphia. Can we go on in time to spend some weeks +there before sailing?" + +"You might, my dear; but I shall have to stay behind to arrange +matters here; which will take some time, in contemplation of so +lengthened an absence from the estate." + +"Then I suppose we must have a temporary separation," said Rose, in a +jesting tone; "I had better take the children and go home at once, so +that Elsie and I can be getting through our shopping, etc., while you +are busy here." + +"No, Rose; you may go, and take Horace with you, if you like; but +Elsie must stay with me. I cannot trust her even with you!" + +"Oh, papa!" And the sweet face flushed crimson, the soft eyes filled +with tears. + +"I think you misunderstand me, daughter," he said kindly; "I do not +mean that I fear you would fail in obedience to my commands or my +wishes; but that I must keep you under my protection. Besides, I +cannot possibly spare all my treasures--wife, son, and daughter--at +once. Would you wish to go and leave me quite alone?" + +"Oh no, no, indeed, you dear, dearest father!" she cried, putting her +arm round his neck, and gazing in his face with eyes beaming with joy +and love. + +"Yours is the better plan, I believe, my dear," said Rose. "I would +rather not have you left alone, and I think I could do what is +necessary for Elsie, in the way of shopping and ordering dresses made, +if she likes to trust me." + +So it was arranged; three days after this conversation Mrs. Dinsmore +left for Philadelphia, taking little Horace with her, and a fortnight +later Mr. Dinsmore followed with Elsie. + +Dearly as the young girl loved Rose and her little brother, it had yet +been an intense pleasure to her to have her father all to herself, and +be everything to him for those two weeks; and she was almost sorry to +have them come to an end. + +It was late at night when they reached the City of Brotherly Love. Mr. +Allison's residence was several miles distant from the depot, but his +carriage was there in waiting for them. + +"Are the family all well, Davis?" inquired Mr. Dinsmore, addressing +the coachman, as he placed Elsie in the vehicle. + +"All well, sir; Mrs. Dinsmore and the little boy too." + +"Ah, I am thankful for that. You may drive on at once. My man John +will call a hack and follow us with Aunt Chloe and the baggage." + +"Did you give John the checks, papa?" asked Elsie as he took his seat +by her side, and Davis shut the carriage door. + +"Yes. How weary you look, my poor child! There, lean on me," and he +put his arm about her and made her lay her head on his shoulder. + +They drove on rapidly, passing through several comparatively silent +and deserted streets, then suddenly the horses slackened their pace, +a bright light shone in at the carriage window and the hum of +many voices and sound of many feet attracted the attention of the +travellers. + +Elsie started and raised her head, asking, "What is it, papa?" + +"We are passing a theatre, and it seems the play is just over, judging +by the crowds that are pouring from its doors." + +Davis reined in his horses to avoid running over those who were +crossing the street, and Elsie, glancing from the window, caught sight +of a face she knew only too well. Its owner was in the act of stepping +from the door of the theatre, and staggered as he did so--would have +fallen to the ground had he not been held up by his companion, a +gaudily dressed, brazen-faced woman, whose character there was no +mistaking. + +"Ha, ha, Tom!" she cried, with a loud and boisterous laugh, "I saved +you from a downfall that time; which I'll be bound is more than that +Southern heiress of yours would have done." + +"Now don't be throwing her up to me again, Bet," he answered thickly, +reeling along so close to our travellers that they caught the scent of +his breath; "I tell you again she can't hold a candle to you, and I +never cared for her; it was the money I was after." + +Mr. Dinsmore saw a deadly pallor suddenly overspread his daughter's +face; for a single instant her eyes sought his with an expression of +mute despairing agony that wrung his heart; then all was darkness as +again the carriage rolled rapidly onward. + +"My poor, poor darling!" he murmured, drawing her close to him and +folding his arms about her as if he would shield her from every danger +and evil, while hers crept around his neck and her head dropped upon +his breast. + +The carriage rattled on over the rough stones. Elsie clung with +death-like grasp to her father, shudder after shudder shaking her +whole frame, in utter silence at first, but at length, as they came +upon a smoother road and moved with less noise and jolting, "Papa," +she whispered, "oh, what a fearful, fearful fate you have saved me +from! Thank God for a father's protecting love and care!" + +"Thank Him that I have my darling safe." he responded in a deeply +moved tone, and caressing her with exceeding tenderness. + +In another moment they had stopped before Mr. Allison's door, which +was thrown wide open almost on the instant; for Rose and Edward were +up, waiting and listening for their coming. + +"Come at last! glad to see you!" cried the latter, springing down +the steps to greet his brother-in-law as he alighted. Then, as Mr. +Dinsmore turned, lifted his daughter from the carriage, and half +carried her into the house, "But what's the matter? Elsie ill? hurt? +have you had an accident?" + +Rose stood waiting in the hall. "My dear husband!" she exclaimed in a +tone of mingled affection, surprise, and alarm. "What is it? what is +wrong with our darling? Come this way, into the sitting-room, and lay +her on the sofa." + +"She has received a heavy blow, Rose, but I think--I hope it will turn +out for her good in the end," he said low and tremulously, as he laid +her down. + +She seemed in a half-fainting condition, and Edward rushed away in +search of restoratives. + +Rose asked no more questions at the time, nor did her husband give any +further information, but in silence, broken only now and then by +a subdued whisper, they both devoted their energies to Elsie's +restoration. + +"Shall I go for a doctor?" asked Edward. + +"No, thank you. I think she will be better presently," answered Mr. +Dinsmore. + +"I am better now," murmured Elsie feebly. "Papa, if you will help me +up to bed, I shall do very well." + +"Can't you eat something first?" asked Rose, "I have a nice little +supper set out in the next room for papa and you." + +Elsie shook her head, and sighed, "I don't think I could, mamma; I am +not at all hungry." + +"I want you to try, though," said her father; "it is some hours now +since you tasted food, and I think you need it," and lifting her +tenderly in his arms he carried her into the supper-room, where he +seated her at the table in an easy-chair which Edward hastily wheeled +up for her use. + +To please her father she made a determined effort, and succeeded in +swallowing a few mouthfuls. After that he helped her to her room and +left her in the care of Rose and Chloe. + +Having seen with her own eyes, and heard with her own ears, Elsie +could no longer doubt the utter unworthiness of Egerton, or his +identity with Tom Jackson; of whose vices and crimes she had heard +from both her father and Walter, with whom she still kept up a +correspondence. She loved him no longer; nay, she had never loved him; +her affection had been bestowed upon the man she believed him to be, +not the man that he was. But now the scales had fallen from her eyes, +she saw him in all his hideous moral deformity, and shrank with horror +and loathing from the recollection that his arm had once encircled +her waist, his lip touched her cheek. She could now appreciate her +father's feelings of anger and indignation on learning that she had +permitted such liberties, and felt more deeply humbled and penitent on +account of it than ever before. + +She slept little that night, and did not leave her room for several +days. The sudden shock had quite unnerved her; but the cause of her +illness remained a secret between herself and her parents, who watched +over her with the tenderest solicitude, and spared no effort to +cheer and comfort her. She seemed at this time to shrink from all +companionship but theirs, although she and her mamma's younger +brothers and sisters had always entertained a warm friendship for each +other. + +On the fourth day after their arrival her father took her out for +a drive, and returning left her resting on the sofa in her +dressing-room, while he and Rose went for a short walk. + +The door-bell rang, and presently Chloe came up with a very smiling +face to ask if "Marse Walter" might come in. + +"Walter?" cried Elsie, starting up. "Yes, indeed!" + +She had scarcely spoken the words before he was there beside her, +shaking hands, and kissing her, saying with a gay boyish laugh, "I +suppose your uncle has a right?" + +"Yes, certainly; though I don't know when, he ever claimed it before. +But oh, how glad I am to gee you! and how you've grown and improved. +Sit down, do. There's an easy-chair. + +"Excuse my not getting up; papa bade me lie and rest for an hour." + +"Thanks, yes; and I know you always obey orders. And so you're on the +sick list? what's the matter?" + +An expression of pain crossed her features and the color faded from +her cheek. "I have been ailing a little," she said, "but am better +now. How is Arthur?" + +"H'm! well enough physically, but--in horrible disgrace with papa. +You've no idea, Elsie, to what an extent that Tom Jackson has fleeced +him. He's over head and ears in debt, and my father's furious. He has +put the whole matter into Horace's hands for settlement. Did he tell +you about it?" + +"No, he only said he expected to go to Princeton to-morrow to attend +to some business. He would have gone sooner, but didn't like to leave +me." + +"Careful of you as ever! that's right. I say, Elsie, I think Horace +has very sensible ideas about matters and things." + +"Do you? I own I think so myself," she answered with a quiet smile. + +"Yes; you see Arthur is in debt some thousands, a good share of it +what they call debts of honor. Papa had some doubt as to whether they +ought to be paid, and asked Horace what was his opinion. Adelaide +wrote me the whole story, you see. Here, I'll give it to you in his +exact words, as she reports them," he added, taking a letter from his +pocket and reading aloud, "'Father, don't think of such a thing! Why, +surely it would be encouraging gambling, which is a ruinous vice; and +paying a man for robbing and cheating. I would, if necessary, part +with the last cent to pay an honest debt; but a so-called debt of +honor (of dishonor would be more correct) I would not pay if I had +more money than I could find other uses for.' And I think he was +right. Don't you?" concluded Walter. + +"I think papa is always right." + +"Yes? Well, I was afraid you didn't think he was in regard to +that--fellow you met out in Lansdale; I've been wanting to see you to +tell you what I know of the scoundrelism of Tom Jackson, and the proof +that they are one and the same." + +"Yes, I know, I--I believe it now, Walter, and--But don't let us speak +of it again," she faltered, turning deathly pale and almost gasping +for breath. + +"I won't; I didn't know you'd mind; I--I'm very sorry," he stammered, +looking anxious, and vexed with himself. + +"Never mind; I shall soon learn not to care. Now tell me about Arthur. +Will he stay and finish his course?" + +"No; papa says his patience is worn out, and his purse can stand no +more such drains as Arthur has put upon it two or three times already. +So he is to leave and go home as soon as Horace has settled up his +affairs." + +"And you?" + +"I hope to go on and to graduate in another year." + +"Oh, Wal, I'm so glad! so thankful you have'nt followed in poor +Arthur's footsteps." + +"He wouldn't let me, Elsie; he actually wouldn't. I know I'm lacking +in self-reliance and firmness, and if Art had chosen to lead me wrong, +I'm afraid he'd have succeeded. But he says, poor fellow! that it's +enough for one to be a disgrace to the family, and has tried to keep +me out of temptation. And you can't think how much my correspondence +with you has helped to keep me straight. Your letters always did me so +much good." + +"Oh, thank you for telling me that!" she cried, with bright, glad +tears glistening in her eyes. + +"No, 'tis I that owe thanks to you," he said, looking down +meditatively at the carpet and twirling his watch-key between his +finger and thumb. + +"Poor Art! this ought to have been his last year, and doubtless would +if he had only kept out of bad company." + +"Ah, Wal, I hope that you will never forget that 'evil communications +corrupt good manners.'" + +"I hope not, Elsie. I wish you could stay and attend our commencement. +What do you say? Can't you? It comes off in about a fortnight." + +"No, Wal. I'm longing to get away, and papa has engaged our passage +in the next steamer. But perhaps we may return in time to see you +graduate next year." + +"What, in such haste to leave America! I'm afraid you're losing your +patriotism," he said playfully. + +"Ah, it is no want of love for my dear native land that makes me +impatient to be gone!" she answered half sadly. + +"And are you really to be gone a year?" + +"So papa intends, but of course everything in this world is +uncertain." + +"I shall look anxiously for my European letters, and expect them to be +very interesting." + +"I'll do my best, Wal," she said languidly, "but I don't feel, just +now, as if I could ever write anything worth reading." + +"I think I never saw you so blue," he said in a lively, jesting tone. +"I must tell you of the fun we fellows have, and if it doesn't make +you wish yourself one of us--Well," and he launched out into an +animated description of various practical jokes played off by the +students upon their professors or on each other. + +He succeeded at length in coaxing some of the old brightness into the +sweet face, and Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, mounting the stairs on their +return from their walk, exchanged glances of delighted surprise at the +sound of a silvery laugh which had not greeted their ears for days. + +Walter received a hearty welcome from both. His visit, though +necessarily short, was of real service to Elsie, doing much to rouse +her out of herself and her grief; thus beginning the cure which +time and change of scene--dulling the keen edge of sorrow and +disappointment, and giving pleasant occupation to her thoughts--would +at length carry on to completion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + "The shaken tree grows firmer at the roots; + So love grows firmer for some blasts of doubt." + + +It was two years or more since the Oaks had suffered the temporary +loss of its master and mistress, yet they had not returned; they still +lingered on foreign shores, and Mrs. Murray, who had been left at +the head of household affairs, looked in vain for news of their +home-coming. + +She now and then received a short business letter from Mr. Dinsmore +or of directions from Rose; or a longer one from the latter or Elsie, +giving entertaining bits of travel, etc.; and occasionally Adelaide +would ride over from Roselands and delight the old housekeeper's +heart by reading aloud a lively gossipy epistle one or the other had +addressed to her. + +How charmed and interested were both reader and listener; especially +when they came upon one of Rose's graphic accounts of their +presentation at court--in London, Paris, Vienna, or St. +Petersburg--wherein she gave a minute description of Elsie's dress +and appearance, and dwelt with motherly pride and delight upon the +admiration everywhere accorded to the beauty and sweetness of the +lovely American heiress. + +It was a great gratification to Adelaide's pride in her niece to learn +that more than one coronet had been laid at her feet; yet she was not +sorry to hear that they had been rejected with the gentle firmness +which she knew Elsie was capable of exercising. + +"But what more could the bairn or her father desire? would he keep the +sweet lassie single a' her days, Miss Dinsmore?" asked Mrs. Murray +when Adelaide told her this. + +"No," was the smiling rejoinder; "I know he would be very loath to +resign her; but this is Elsie's own doing. She says the man for whom +she would be willing to give up her native land must be very dear +indeed, that her hand shall never be given without her heart, and that +it still belongs more to her father than to any one else." + +"Ah, that is well, Miss Adelaide. I hae been sorely troubled aboot my +sweet bairn. I never breathed the thoct to ither mortal ear, but when +they cam hame frae that summer in the North, she was na the blythe +young thing she had been; and there was that in the wistfu' and +hungered look o' her sweet een--when she turned them whiles upon her +father--that made me think some ane he didna approve had won the +innocent young heart." + +"Ah, well, Mrs. Murray, whatever may have been amiss then, is all over +now. My sister writes me that Elsie seems very happy, and as devotedly +attached to her father as ever, insisting that no one ever can be so +dear to her as he." + +Mrs. Dinsmore's last letter was dated Naples, and there they still +lingered. + +One bright spring day they were out sight-seeing, and had wandered +into a picture-gallery which they had visited once or twice before. +Rose had her husband's arm. Elsie held her little brother's hand in +hers. + +"Sister," said the child, "look at those ladies and gentlemen. They +are English, aren't they?" + +"Yes; I think so," Elsie answered, following the direction of his +glance; "a party of English tourists. No, one of the gentlemen looks +like an American." + +"That one nearest this way? I can only see his side face, but I think +he is the handsomest. Don't you?" + +"Yes; and he has a fine form too, an easy, graceful carriage, and +polished manners," she added, as at that moment he stooped to pick +up a handkerchief, dropped by one of the ladies of his party, and +presented it to its owner. + +Elsie was partial to her own countrymen, and unaccountably to herself, +felt an unusual interest in this one. She watched him furtively, +wondering who he was, and thinking that in appearance and manners he +compared very favorably with the counts, lords, and dukes who in the +past two years had so frequently hovered about her, and hung upon her +smiles. + +But her father called her attention to something in the painting he +and Rose were examining, and when she turned to look again for the +stranger and his companions, she perceived that they were gone. + +"Papa," she asked, "did you notice that party of tourists?" + +"Not particularly. What about them?" + +"I am quite certain one of the gentlemen was an American; and I half +fancied there was something familiar in his air and manner." + +"Ah! I wish you had spoken of it while he was here, that I might have +made sure whether he were an old acquaintance. But come," he added, +taking out his watch, "it is time for us to return home." + +The Dinsmores were occupying an old palace, the property of a noble +family whose decayed fortunes compelled the renting of their +ancestral home. In the afternoon of the day of their visit to the +picture-gallery Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter were seated in its +spacious saloon, she beside a window overlooking the street, he at +a little distance from her, and near to a table covered with books, +magazines, and newspapers. That day had brought him a heavy mail from +America, and he was examining the New York and Philadelphia dailies +with keen interest. + +Elsie was evidently paying no heed to what might be passing in the +street. A bit of fancy work gave employment to her fingers, while her +thoughts were busy with the contents of a letter received from her +Aunt Adelaide that morning. + +It brought ill news. Arthur had been seriously injured by a railroad +accident and, it was feared, was crippled for life. But that was not +all. Dick Percival--whom Enna had married nearly two years before--had +now become utterly bankrupt, having wasted his patrimony in rioting +and drunkenness, losing large sums at the gaming-table; and his young +wife, left homeless and destitute, had been compelled to return to her +father's house with her infant son. + +Mr. Dinsmore uttered a slight exclamation. + +"What is it, papa?" asked Elsie, lifting her eyes to meet his fixed +upon her with an expression of mingled gratitude and tenderness. + +"Come here," he said, and as she obeyed he drew her to his knee, +passing his arm about her waist, and, holding the paper before her, +pointed to a short paragraph which had just caught his eye. + +She read it at a glance; her face flushed, then paled; she put her arm +about his neck, and laid her cheek to his, while tears trembled in the +sweet eyes, as soft and beautiful as ever. + +For a moment neither spoke; then she murmured in low, quivering tones +the same words that had fallen from her lips two years ago,--"Thank +God for a father's protecting love and care!" + +"Thank Him that I have my daughter safe in my arms," he said, +tightening his clasp about her slender waist. "Ah, my own precious +child, how could I ever have borne to see you sacrificed to that +wretch!" + +They had just learned that Tom Jackson had been tried for manslaughter +and for forgery, found guilty on both charges, and sentenced to the +State's Prison for a long term of years. + +They were quiet again for a little; then Elsie said, "Papa, I want to +ask you something." + +"Well, daughter, say on." + +"I have been thinking how sad it must be for poor Enna to find herself +so destitute, and that I should like to settle something upon her--say +ten or twenty thousand dollars, if I may--" + +"My dear child," he said with a smile, "I have no control over you +now as regards the disposal of your property. Do you forget that you +passed your majority three weeks ago?" + +"No, papa, I have not forgotten; but I don't mean ever to do anything +of importance without your approval. So please make up your mind that +I'm always to be your own little girl; never more than eighteen or +twenty to you. Now won't you answer my question about Enna?" + +"I think it would be quite as well, or better, to defer any such +action for the present. It won't hurt Enna to be made to feel poor and +dependent for a time; she needs the lesson; and her parents will not +allow her to suffer privation of any sort. Ah, here comes mamma in +walking attire. We are going out for perhaps an hour; leaving house, +servants, and the little ones in your charge. Horace, be careful to do +just as your sister tells you." + +"Yes, papa, I will," answered the child, who had come in with his +mother, and had a book in his hand. "Will you help me with my lesson, +Elsie, and hear me say it when it is learned?" + +"Yes, that I will. Here's a stool for you close by my side," she said, +going back to her seat by the window. + +"Good-bye, dears, we won't be gone long." said Rose, taking her +husband's arm. + +Elsie and Horace watched them till they had passed out of sight far +down the street, then returned to their employments; her thoughts +now going back, not to Roselands, but to Lansdale, Ashlands, and +Philadelphia; memory and imagination bringing vividly before her each +scene of her past life in which Egerton had borne a part. Did any of +the old love come back? No, for he was not the man who had won her +esteem and affection; and even while sending up a silent petition for +his final conversion, she shuddered at the thought of her past danger, +and was filled with gratitude to God and her father at the remembrance +of her narrow escape. + +Her brother's voice recalled her from her musings. "Look, sister," he +exclaimed, glancing from the window, "there is the very same gentleman +we saw this morning! and see, he's crossing the street! I do believe +he's coming here." + +Elsie looked, recognized the stranger, and perceived, with a slight +emotion of surprise and pleasure, that he was approaching their door. +That he was her countryman, and perhaps direct from her dear native +land, was sufficient to make him a welcome visitor. + +The next moment John threw open the door of the saloon and announced, +"A gentleman from America!" + +"One who brings no letter of introduction; yet hopes for an audience +of you, fair lady," he said, coming forward with smiling countenance +and outstretched hand. + +"Mr. Travilla! can it be possible!" she cried, starting up in joyful +astonishment, and hastening to bid him welcome. + +"You are not sorry to see me then, my little friend?" he said, taking +her offered hand and pressing it in both of his. + +"Sorry, my dear sir! what a question! Were you not always a most +welcome guest in my father's house? and if welcome at home, much more +so here in a foreign land." + +Mr. Travilla looked into the sweet face, more beautiful than ever, and +longed to treat her with the affectionate freedom of former days, yet +refrained; the gentle dignity of her manner seeming to forbid it, +pleased and cordial as was her greeting. + +He turned to Horace and shook hands with him, remarking that he had +grown very much. + +"I am very glad to see you, sir," said the boy. + +"You have not forgotten me then?" + +"Ah, no, indeed; and I can't think how it was that sister and I did +not know you yesterday in the picture-gallery; though we knew you were +an American!" + +"Ah, were you there? How blind I must have been!" and he turned to +Elsie again. + +"We were there for but a few minutes before your party left; and quite +at the other end of that long gallery," she said. "But I am surprised +that I failed to recognize you, even at that distance. But I had no +thought of your being in the country. How delighted papa will be +to see you. He has often spoken of the old times when you and he +travelled over Europe together, and wished that you were with him on +this trip. He and mamma have gone out, but will be in presently." + +Elsie had many inquiries to make in regard to the health and welfare +of relatives and friends, and the old family servants at the Oaks; Mr. +Travilla numerous questions to ask concerning all that she had seen +and done since leaving America. But in the midst of it all she +exclaimed, "Ah, you must see our little Frenchwoman! such a darling as +she is!" + +"I'll ring the bell, sister," said Horace, seeing her glance toward +it. + +John appeared in answer, was ordered to tell the nurse to bring the +baby, and a neatly dressed middle-aged woman presently entered the +room, carrying a lovely infant a little more than a year old. + +"See, is she not a darling?" said Elsie, taking it in her arms. "She +has mamma's own sweet pretty blue eyes, and is named for her. Our +Rosebud we call her. Papa gave her the name, and he says she is as +much like her mother as I am like mine. You don't know, Mr. Travilla, +how glad I was when she came to us; it was something so new and +delightful to have a sister of my own. Ah, I love her dearly, and she +returns my affection. There, see her lay her little head down on my +shoulder." + +Mr. Travilla admired and caressed the little creature, coaxed her to +come to him for a moment, and the nurse carried her away. + +"When do you return home, Elsie?" he asked. + +"In the fall. Mr. and Mrs. Perris, mamma's grandparents, have their +golden wedding in October. Sophy expects to be married at the same +time, and of course we wish to be present on the occasion. We have +yet to visit Turin, Venice, and Munich. After seeing these places we +intend to spend the rest of the summer in Switzerland, sailing for +America some time in September. Ah, here are papa and mamma!" she +added as the two entered the room together. + +"Travilla! what favorable wind blew you here?" cried Mr. Dinsmore, +shaking his friend's hand, in almost boyish delight. + +"A westerly one, I believe," answered Travilla, laughing and shaking +hands with Rose, who looked scarcely less pleased than her husband. +"They think at Roselands and the Oaks that your year is a very long +one, or that you have lost your reckoning, and were anxious to send +a messenger to assist you in recovering it; so I volunteered my +services." + +"Ah, that was kind! but to be able to do so to advantage you will need +to take up your abode with us for the present, and to make one of our +party when we start again upon our travels." + +"Of course you will," added Rose; "we always consider you one of the +family; a sort of brother to us and uncle to the children." + +"Thank you, you are most kind," he said, a slight flush suffusing his +cheek for an instant, while his eyes involuntarily sought Elsie's face +with a wistful, longing look. + +Her father turned laughingly to her. "Is this your stranger of the +picture-gallery? ah, are you not ashamed of failing to recognize so +old a friend?" + +"Yes, papa, but I did not catch sight of his full face, and he was +at quite a distance, and I never thinking of the possibility that he +could be anywhere out of America." + +"And time makes changes in us all--is fast turning me into a quiet +middle-aged man." + +"You are very kind to furnish another excuse for my stupidity," said +Elsie, smiling, "but I really cannot see that you have changed in the +least since I saw you last." + +"And no stranger would ever think of pronouncing you over thirty," +added Rose. + +"Ah, you flatter me, fair ladies," returned Mr. Travilla, smiling and +shaking his head. + +"No, I can vouch for the truthfulness and honesty of both," said Mr. +Dinsmore. + +Mr. Travilla did not hesitate to accept his friend's invitation, +knowing that it was honestly given, and feeling that he could not +decline it without doing violence to his own inclination. He made one +of their party during the rest of their stay in Europe and on the +voyage to America. + +His presence was most welcome to all; he saw no reason to doubt that, +and yet Elsie's manner sometimes saddened and depressed him. Not that +there was ever in it anything approaching to coolness, but it lacked +the old delightful familiarity, instead of which there was now a quiet +reserve, a gentle dignity, that kept him at a distance, and while +increasing his admiration for the fair girl, made him sigh for the old +childish days when she was scarcely under more constraint with him +than with her father. + +Our little party reached Philadelphia a fortnight before the golden +wedding. They found the handsome city residence of the Allisons +occupied by the family, and full of the pleasant stir and bustle of +preparation for the eventful day which was to witness the celebration +of the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris, and +the marriage of their granddaughter. + +Sophy, while paying a visit to Rose in her Southern home, had won the +heart of Harry Carrington, and they had been engaged a year or more. +Harry had once indulged in a secret penchant for Elsie; but now he +would not have exchanged his merry, blue-eyed Sophy for her, or for +any other lady in the land. + +The young couple were married at church, very early in the evening, +Elsie acting as first bridesmaid. Returning to the house the bridal +party were ushered into the drawing-room, which they found richly +ornamented with evergreens and flowers. In the centre rose a pyramid +of rare and beautiful blossoms, filling the air with their delicious +perfume. Above that was a wide arch of evergreens bearing the +monograms of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris, placed between the dates of their +marriage and of this anniversary. + +The old bride and groom sat together beneath the arch on one side of +the pyramid, while the newly-married pair took up a similar position, +upon the other. + +Only the family and near connections were present for the first half +hour. The eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris made a short address, +thanking his aged parents for their unselfish love and devotion to +their offspring, and exhorting the youthful bride and groom to follow +in their footsteps. Upon the conclusion of this little speech, +gifts were presented by children and grandchildren, and letters of +congratulation, in both poetry and prose, from absent friends were +read. + +After this the doors were thrown open to the invited guests, and for +the remainder of the evening the house was thronged with the elite of +the city, and with friends and acquaintances from other parts of the +country. + +Among the latter were Adelaide and Walter Dinsmore, and Mr. Travilla +and his mother. The last named was seated in the corner of a sofa, her +son standing by her side. + +He heard a low-breathed sigh, noted the quivering of her lip and +the gathering tears in the gentle eyes, as she turned them upon the +gray-haired bride and groom, and he knew that her thoughts were with +the early dead, the husband and father whose image he could scarcely +recall. His heart swelled with tender pitying, protecting love, as he +thought of her long, lonely widowhood, and of all that she had been +and still was to him. + +But her gaze wandered to the pair standing just upon the threshold of +married life; and smiling up at him, "They are a handsome couple," she +said; "how proud and happy Harry looks! Ah, Edward, when will your +turn come?" + +He shook his head with a rather melancholy smile. + +"It is your own fault, I am sure," she continued in a playful tone; +"there are plenty of pretty girls and charming young widows who would +like well to be mistress of Ion, and I am growing old, and sometimes +feel that I would be glad to resign the sceptre to younger hands." + +He gave her a glance of affectionate concern. "I shall look for a +housekeeper immediately. I ought to have thought of it before." + +"No, no, it is a daughter I want," she returned still playfully. "I +have often wondered how it has come to pass that my warm-hearted boy +seems so perfectly invulnerable to Cupid's darts." + +"All seeming, mother," he answered lightly, but with a wistful +yearning look in his eyes which were fixed upon a little group on the +farther side of the room; "to tell you a secret," and he bent down, +that the low-breathed words might catch her ear alone, "I have been +hopelessly in love for many years." + +She started with surprise,--for there was the ring of deep, earnest +feeling beneath the jesting tone--then following the direction of +his glance, and perceiving that the group upon which it rested +was composed of Adelaide and Elsie Dinsmore, with some half dozen +gentlemen who had gathered about them, she looked greatly pleased. + +"And why hopeless?" she asked. + +"Ah, the evidences of indifference are so patent that I cannot hope +she will ever learn to care for me." + +"And pray what may they be?" + +"Constraint and reserve, where formerly there was much warmth and +cordiality of manner." + +"You foolish boy! if that be all, you may take heart. I would not ask +for better symptoms. And remember the old proverb--'Faint heart never +won fair lady.' You do not fear that she still clings to the old +love?" + +"No, ah no!" + +"I never saw Adelaide look better than she does to-night," was Mrs. +Travilla's next remark; "what a queenly presence, and noble face she +has, and how very lovely our little Elsie is! She seems to have gained +every womanly grace without losing a particle of her sweet childish +simplicity and freshness." + +Her son assented with a slight sigh, and wandered off in their +direction. But before he reached the little group, Elsie had taken +Harold Allison's arm and was being led away toward the conservatory. +Harold had a rare plant to show her, and was glad of the excuse to get +her to himself for a few moments. + +For the rest of the evening Mr. Travilla devoted himself to Adelaide, +his mother looking on with beaming countenance, and thinking how +gladly she would welcome the dear girl to her heart and home. + +It was past twelve when the company dispersed. Harry and his bride +having started an hour before upon their wedding tour. + +"Get to bed as soon as you can, my dear child; you are looking sadly +fatigued," Mr. Dinsmore said, putting his arm about his daughter as +she came to him for her good-night kiss. + +"I will, papa," she answered, clinging to him with more than her usual +warmth of affection. "Dear papa, what could I ever do without you to +love me?" + +"My darling, if it please the Lord, may we be long spared to each +other," he whispered, clasping her close. "Now, good-night, and may He +bless you, and keep you, and ever cause his face to shine upon you." + +Elsie turned away with eyes full of tears, and her pillow was bedewed +with them ere she slept that night. But the morning found her +apparently her own bright, sunny self again. + +She was in her mamma's dressing-room soon after breakfast, chatting +with her and Adelaide, Mr. Dinsmore sitting by with Rosebud on his +knee. Of course they were discussing the wedding, how lovely the bride +and her attendants looked, how handsome the groom, how tasteful and +becoming was the dress of this lady and that, how attentive was Mr. +Such-an-one to Miss So-and-so, etc., etc. Rose making a little jesting +allusion to "the devotion of a certain gentleman to Adelaide;" and +saying how delighted she was; nothing could please her better than for +them to fancy each other; when in the midst of it all, a servant came +up with a message. "Mr. Travilla was in the drawing-room asking for +Miss Dinsmore,--Miss Adelaide." + +She went down at once, and as the door closed upon her, Rose turned to +her husband with the laughing remark, "It would be a splendid match! +they seem just made for each other. I wonder they didn't find it out +long ago, and I begin to quite set my heart upon it." + +"Better not, my dear, lest they disappoint you, and allow me to advise +you to let match-making alone; 'tis a dangerous business. Elsie, my +child, you are looking pale this morning; late hours do not agree +with you. I think I shall have to take to sending you to bed at nine +o'clock again, when once I get you home." + +"Won't ten be early enough, papa?" she answered with a faint smile, a +vivid color suddenly suffusing her cheek. + +"Well, we will see about it. But I can't have you looking so. Go and +put on your hat and shawl, and I will take you and mamma out for an +airing?" + +"Looking so?" said Rose, with an arch glance at the glowing cheeks, as +she stooped to take Rosebud in her arms, "she is not pale now." + +"No, certainly not," he said. "Come back, daughter," for Elsie had +risen to obey his order, and was moving toward the door, "come here +and tell me what ails you?" + +"I am quite well, papa, only a little tired from last night, I +believe," she answered, as he took her hands in his and looked +searchingly into her face. + +"I hope that is all," he said a little anxiously. "You must lie down +and try to get a nap when we return from our drive; and remember you +must be in bed by ten o'clock to-night." + +"I shall do just as my father bids me," she said, smiling up at him, +"my dear father who is so kindly careful of me." Then as he let go her +hands, she tripped lightly from the room. + +Mr. Travilla had come on an errand from his mother; she begged +Adelaide's advice and assistance in a little shopping. + +Adelaide was at leisure, and at once donned bonnet and shawl and went +with him to the Girard House, where the old lady awaited their coming, +and the three spent the remainder of the morning in attending to Mrs. +Travilla's purchases and visiting the Academy of Fine Arts. In driving +down Chestnut street, the Dinsmores passed them on their way to the +Academy. + +Adelaide did not return to Mr. Allison's to dinner, but Mr. Travilla +called presently after, to say that she had dined with his mother and +himself at the hotel, and would not return until bed-time, as they +were all going to hear Gough lecture that evening. + +He was speaking to Mrs. Allison. Several of the family were in the +room, Elsie among them. She was slipping quietly away, when he turned +toward her, saying: "Would you not like to go with us, my little +friend? I think you would find it entertaining, and we would be glad +to have you." + +"Thank you, sir, you are very kind, but a prior engagement compels me +to decline," she answered, glancing smilingly at her father. + +"She has not been looking well to-day, and I have ordered her to go +early to bed to-night," Mr. Dinsmore said. + +"Ah, that is right!" murmured Mr. Travilla, rising to take leave. + +The Travillas staid a week longer in the city. During that time +Adelaide went out with them, quite frequently, but Elsie saw scarcely +anything of her old friend; which was, however, all her own fault, +as she studiously avoided him; much to his grief and disturbance. He +could not imagine what he had done to so completely estrange her from +him. + +Mr. Dinsmore felt in some haste to be at home again, but Mrs. Allison +pleaded so hard for another week that he consented to delay. Adelaide +and Walter went with the Travillas, and wanted to take Elsie with +them, but he would not hear of such an arrangement; while she said +very decidedly that she could not think of being separated from her +father. + +She seemed gay and happy when with the family, or alone with him or +Rose; but coming upon her unexpectedly in her dressing-room, the day +after the others had left, he found her in tears. + +"Why, my darling, what can be the matter?" he asked, taking her in his +arms. + +"Nothing, papa," she said, hastily wiping away her tears and hiding +her blushing face on his breast--"I--I believe I'm a little homesick." + +"Ah, then, why did you not ask to go with the others?" + +"And leave you? Ah, do you not know that my father is more--a great +deal more than half of home to me?" she answered, hugging him close. +"And you wouldn't have let me go?" + +"No, indeed, not I; but I'm afraid I really ought to read you a +lecture. I daresay you miss Sophy very much, but still there are young +people enough left in the house to keep you from feeling very dull and +lonely, I should think; and as you have all your dear ones about you, +and expect to go home in a few days--" + +"I ought to be cheerful and happy. I know it, papa," she said, as he +paused, leaving his sentence unfinished, "and I'm afraid I'm very +wicked and ungrateful. But please don't be vexed with me, and I will +try to banish this feeling of depression." + +"I fear you are not well," he said, turning her face to the light and +examining it with keen scrutiny; "tell me, are you ill?" + +"No, papa, I think not. Don't be troubled about me." + +"I shall send for a doctor if this depression lasts," he said +decidedly, "for I shall have to conclude that it must arise from some +physical cause, since I know of no other; and it is so foreign to the +nature of my sunny-tempered little girl." + +He saw no more of it, though he watched her carefully. + +Great was the rejoicing at the Oaks when at last the family returned. +Adelaide was there to welcome them, and Elsie thought she had never +seen her look so youthful, pretty, and happy, Chloe remarked upon it +while preparing her young mistress for bed, adding that the report in +the kitchen was that Miss Adelaide and Mr. Travilla were engaged, and +would probably marry very soon. + +Elsie made no remark, but her heart seemed to sink like lead in her +bosom. "Why am I grieving so? what is there in this news to make me +sorry?" she asked herself as she wetted her pillow with her tears. +"I'm sure I'm very glad that dear Aunt Adie is so happy, and--and I +used often to wish he was my uncle." Yet the tears would not cease +their flow till she had wept herself to sleep. + +But she seemed bright and gay as usual in the morning, and meeting +her parents at the breakfast-table, thought they looked as though +something had pleased them greatly. + +It was Rose who told her the news, as an hour later they sauntered +around the garden together, noting the changes which had taken place +there in their absence. + +"I have something to tell you, dear," Rose said, and Elsie shivered +slightly, knowing what was coming; "something that pleases your father +and me very much, and I think will make you glad too. Can you guess +what it is?" + +"About Aunt Adelaide, mamma?" Elsie stooped over a plant, thus +concealing her face from view, and so controlled her voice that it +betrayed no emotion. "Yet; I know; she is engaged." + +"And you are pleased with the match, of course; I knew you would be. +You used so often to wish that he was your uncle, and now he soon will +be. Your papa and I are delighted; we think there could not have been +a more suitable match for either." + +"I am very glad for her--dear Aunt Adie--and for--for him too," Elsie +said, her voice growing a little husky at the last. + +But Rose was speaking to the gardener, and did not notice it, and +Elsie wandered on, presently turned into the path leading to her arbor +and seeking its welcome privacy, there relieved her full heart by a +flood of tears. + +Mr. Travilla called that day, but saw nothing of his "little friend," +and in consequence went away very sorrowful, and pondering deeply +the question what he could have done to alienate her affections so +entirely from him. + +The next day he came again, quite resolved to learn in what he had +offended, and was overjoyed at hearing that she was alone in her +favourite arbor. + +He sought her there and found her in tears. She hastily wiped them +away on perceiving his approach, but could not remove their traces. + +"Good-morning," she said, rising and giving him her hand; but with the +reserved manner that had now become habitual, instead of the pleasant +ease and familiarity of earlier days; "were you looking for papa? I +think he is somewhere on the plantation." + +"No, my dear child, it was you I wished to see." + +"Me, Mr. Travilla?" and she east down her eyes, while her cheek +crimsoned; for he was looking straight into them with his, so wistful +and tender, so fall of earnest, questioning, sorrowful entreaty, that +she knew not how to meet their gaze. + +"Yes, you, my little friend, for I can no longer endure this torturing +anxiety. Will you not tell me, dear child, what I have done to hurt or +grieve you so?" + +"I--I'm not hurt or gri--you have always been most kind," she +stammered, "most--But why should you think I--I was--" + +The rest of the sentence was lost in a burst of tears, and covering +her burning cheeks with her hands, she sank down upon the seat from +which she had risen to greet him. + +"My dear child, I did not mean to pain you so; do not weep, it breaks +my heart to see it. I was far from intending to blame you, or complain +of your treatment," he said in an agitated tone, and bending over her +in tender concern. "I only wanted to understand my error in order that +I might retrieve it, and be no longer deprived of your dear society. +Oh, little Elsie, if you only knew how I love you; how I have loved +you, and only you, all these years--as child and as woman--how I have +waited and longed, hoping even against hope, that some day I might be +able to win the priceless treasure of your young heart." + +Intense, glad surprise made her drop her hands and look up at him. +"But are you not--I--I thought--I understood--Aunt Adelaide--" + +"Your Aunt Adelaide!" he cried, scarcely less astonished than herself, +"can it be that you do not know--that you have not heard of her +engagement to Edward Allison?" + +A light broke upon Elsie at that question, and her face grew radiant +with happiness; there was one flash of exceeding joy in the soft eyes +that met his, and then they sought the ground. + +"Oh, my darling, could you? is it--can it be--" + +He took her in his arms, folded her close to his heart, calling her by +every tender and endearing name, and she made no effort to escape, or +to avoid his caresses; did nothing but hide her blushing face on his +breast, and weep tears of deep joy and thankfulness. + +It might have been half an hour or an hour afterward (they reckoned +nothing of the flight of time) that Mr. Dinsmore, coming in search of +his daughter, found them seated side by side, Mr. Travilla with his +arm about Elsie's waist, and her hand in his. So absorbed were they in +each other that they had not heard the approaching footsteps. + +It was a state of affairs Mr. Dinsmore was far from expecting, and +pausing upon the threshold, he stood spell-bound with astonishment. +"Elsie!" he said at length. + +Both started and looked up at the sound of his voice, and Mr. +Travilla, still holding fast to his new-found treasure, said in tones +tremulous with joy, "Will you give her to me, Dinsmore? she is willing +now." + +"Ah, is it so, Elsie, my darling?" faltered the father, opening his +arms to receive her as she flew to him. "Is it so? have I lost the +first place in my daughter's heart?" he repeated, straining her to his +breast, and pressing his lips again and again to her fair brow. + +"Dear papa, I never loved you better," she murmured, clinging more +closely to him. "I shall never cease to be your own dear daughter; can +never have any father but you--my own dear, dear papa. And you will +not be left without a little girl to pet and fondle; darling Rosebud +will fill my place." + +"She has her own; but neither she nor any one else can ever fill +yours, my darling," he answered with a quivering lip. "How can I--how +can I give you up? my first-born, my Elsie's child and mine." + +"You will give her to me, my friend?" repeated Travilla. "I will +cherish her as the apple of my eye; I shall never take her away from +you, you may see her every day. You love her tenderly, but she is +dearer to me than my own soul." + +"If you have won her heart, I cannot refuse you her hand. Say, Elsie, +my daughter, is it so?" + +"Yes, papa," she whispered, turning her blushing face away from his +keen, searching gaze. + +"I can hardly bear to do it. My precious one, I don't know how to +resign you to another," he said in a voice low and tremulous with +emotion, and holding her close to his heart; "but since it is your +wish, I must. Take her, my friend, she is yours. But God do so to you, +and more also, if ever you show her aught but love and tenderness." + +He put her hand into Travilla's, and turned to go. But she clung to +him with the other. "Yours too, papa," she said, looking up into his +sad face with eyes that were full of tears, "always your own daughter +who loves you better than life." + +"Yes, darling, and who is as dearly loved in return," he said, +stooping to press another kiss on the ruby lips. "Let us be happy, for +we are not to part." Then walking quickly away, he left them alone +together. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, ELSIE'S GIRLHOOD *** + +This file should be named 8lcgh10.txt or 8lcgh10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8lcgh11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8lcgh10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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