LITMIR.BIZ

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as you could wish me to be."

      "Are you much fatigued, Elsie dear?" asked Rose, when the greetings were over, even to the kindly shake of the hand and pleasant word to each of the assembled servants.

      "Oh, no, mamma, we have traveled but little at night, and last night I had nine hours of sound, refreshing sleep."

      "That was right," her father said, with an approving glance at Travilla.

      Mrs. Travilla led the way to a suite of beautiful apartments prepared for the bride.

      Elsie's taste had been consulted in all the refitting and refurnishing, and the whole effect was charming. This was, however, her first sight of the rooms since the changes had been begun.

      The communicating doors were thrown wide, giving a view of the whole suite at once, from the spot where Elsie stood between Mr. Travilla and his mother. She gazed for a moment, then turned to her husband a face sparkling with delight.

      "Does it satisfy you, my little wife?" he asked, in tones that spoke intense enjoyment of her pleasure.

      "Fully, in every way; but especially as an evidence of my husband's love," she answered, suffering him to throw an arm about her and fold her to his heart.

      There had been words of welcome and a recognition of the younger lady as now mistress of the mansion, trembling on the mother's tongue, but she now stole quietly away and left them to each other.

      In half an hour the two rejoined their guests, "somewhat improved in appearance," as Mr. Travilla laughingly said he hoped they would be found.

      "You are indeed," said Aunt Wealthy, "a lily or a rose couldn't look lovelier than Elsie does in that pure white, and with the beautiful flowers in her hair. I like her habit of wearing natural flowers in her hair."

      "And I," said her husband, "they seem to me to have been made for her adornment."

      "And your money-hoon's over, Elsie; how odd it seems to think you've been so long married. And did you get through the money-hoon without a quarrel? But of course you did."

      Elsie, who had for a moment looked slightly puzzled by the new word, now answered with a smile of comprehension, "Oh, yes, auntie; surely we should be a sad couple if even the honeymoon were disturbed by a disagreement. But Edward and I never mean to quarrel."

      Mr. Dinsmore turned in his chair, and gave his daughter a glance of mingled surprise and disapprobation.

      "There, papa, I knew you would think me disrespectful," she exclaimed with a deep blush; "but he insisted, indeed ordered me, and you know I have promised to obey."

      "It is quite true," assented Mr. Travilla, coloring in his turn; "but I told her it was the only order I ever meant to give her."

      "Better not make rash promises," said Mr. Dinsmore, laughing; "these wives are sometimes inclined to take advantage of them."

      "Treason! treason!" cried Rose, lifting her hands; "to think you'd say that before me!

      "'Husband, husband, cease your strife

       No longer idly rove, sir;

       Tho' I am your wedded wife,

       Yet I am not your slave, sir.'"

      There was a general laugh, in the midst of which the tea-bell rang.

      "Come," said the elder Mrs. Travilla good-humoredly, "don't be setting a bad example to my children, Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, but let us all adjourn amicably to the tea-room, and try the beneficial effect of meat and drink upon our tempers."

      "That's a very severe reproof, coming from so mild a person as yourself, Mrs. Travilla," said Rose. "My dear, give your arm to Aunt Wealthy, or our hostess. The ladies being so largely in the majority, the younger ones should be left to take care of themselves; of course excepting our bride. Miss King, will you take my arm?"

      "Sit here, my daughter," said Mrs. Travilla, indicating the seat before the tea-urn.

      "Mother, I did not come here to turn you out of your rightful place," objected Elsie, blushing painfully.

      "My dear child, it is your own place; as the wife of the master of the house, you are its mistress. And if you knew how I long to see you actually filling that position; how glad I am to resign the reigns to such hands as yours, you need not hesitate or hold back."

      "Yes; take it, wife," said Mr. Travilla, in tender, reassuring tones, as he led her to the seat of honor; "I know my mother is sincere (she is never anything else), and she told me long ago, even before she knew who was to be her daughter, how glad she would be to resign the cares of mistress of the household." Elsie yielded, making no further objection, and presided with the same modest ease, dignity, and grace with which she had filled the like position at Viamede. The experience there had accustomed her to the duties of the place, and after the first moment she felt quite at home in it.

      Mr. Dinsmore's carriage was announced at the early hour he had named. The conversation in the drawing-room had been general for a time, but now the company had divided themselves into groups; the two older married ladies and Aunt Wealthy forming one, Mr. Travilla and Miss King another, while Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter had sought out the privacy of a sofa, at a distance from the others, and were in the midst of one of the long, confidential chats they always enjoyed so much.

      "Ah, papa, don't go yet," Elsie pleaded, "we're not half done our talk, and it's early."

      "But the little folks should have been in their nests long before this," he said, taking out his watch.

      "Then send them and their mammies home, and let the carriage return for you and the ladies; unless they wish to go now."

      He looked at her smilingly. "You are not feeling the need of rest and sleep?"

      "Not at all, papa; only the need of a longer chat with you."

      "Then, since you had so good a rest last night, it shall be as you wish."

      "Are you ready, my dear?" asked Rose, from the other side of the room.

      "Not yet, wife; I shall stay half an hour longer, and if you ladies like to do the same we will send the carriage home with the children and their mammies, and let it return for you."

      "What do you say, Aunt Wealthy and Miss Lottie?" inquired Mrs. Dinsmore.

      "I prefer to stay and talk out my finish with Mrs. Travilla," said Miss Stanhope.

      "I cast my vote on the same side," said Miss King. "But, my dear Mrs. Dinsmore, don't let us keep you."

      "Thanks, no; but I, too, prefer another half hour in this pleasant company."

      The half hour flew away on swift wings, to Elsie especially.

      "But why leave us at all to-night, auntie and Lottie?" she asked, as the ladies began their preparations for departure. "You are to be my guests for the rest of the winter, are you not?" Then turning, with a quick vivid blush, to Mrs. Travilla, "Mother, am I transcending my rights?"

      "My dearest daughter, no; did I not say you were henceforth mistress of this house?"

      "Yes, from its master down to the very horses in the stable and dogs in the kennel," laughed Mr. Travilla, coming softly up and stealing an arm about his wife's waist.

      Everybody laughed.

      "No, sir; I don't like to contradict you," retorted Elsie, coloring but looking lovingly into the eyes bent so fondly upon her, "but I am—nothing to you but your little wife;" and her voice sank almost to a whisper with the last word.

      "Ah? Well, dear child, that's enough for me," he said, in the same low tone.

      "But, Lottie," she remarked aloud, "you are tying on your hat. Won't you stay?"

      "Not to-night, thank you, Mrs. Travilla," answered the gay girl in her merry, lively tones.

      "You are to be at the Oaks to-morrow, and perhaps I—well, we can settle the time there."

      "And you, auntie?"

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