Ah, Travilla, my old friend, I am very glad to see your pleasant face again." And he shook hands warmly.
"Many thanks to you (and to a higher power)," he added reverently, "for bringing her safely back to me.

She seems to have been well taken care of; plump and bright and rosy." "I have been, papa; even you could not be more tender and careful of me than--my husband is." Her father smiled at the shy, half-hesitating way in which the last word slipped from the rich red lips, and the tender, loving light in the soft eyes as they met the fond, admiring gaze of Travilla's.
"No repentance on either side yet, I see," he said laughingly.

"Travilla, your mother is in excellent health and spirits; but impatient to embrace both son and daughter, she bade me say.

We all take tea by invitation at Ion to-day; that is, we of the Oaks, including Aunt Wealthy and Miss King." "Oh, how nice! how kind!" cried Elsie.
"And to-morrow you are all to be at the Oaks!" added her father.

"Now shall I ride beside your carriage?
or take a seat in it with you ?" "The latter, by all means," answered Travilla, Elsie's sparkling eyes saying the same, even more emphatically.
"Take Selim home, and see that both he and the family carriage are at Ion by nine this evening," was Mr.Dinsmore's order to his servant.
"Ah, papa! so early!" Elsie interposed, in a tone that was half reproach, half entreaty.
"We must not keep you up late after your journey, my child," he answered, following her into the carriage, Mr.Travilla stepping in after.
"The seats are meant for three; let me sit between you, please," requested Elsie.
"But are you not afraid of crushing your dress ?" asked her father jocosely, making room for her by his side.
"Not I," she answered gayly, slipping into her chosen place with a light, joyous laugh, and giving a hand to each.