CHAPTER XIV.
"Nor less was she in heart affected, But that she masked it with modesty, For fear she should of lightness be detected." -- _Spenser's "Fairy Queen."_ Violet had lingered at the Laurels, with her Aunt Rose, for some hours after her mother returned to Ion with the children, and in the meanwhile there had been a long talk between Mrs.Travilla and Capt.

Raymond, in which he had pleaded his cause with all the eloquence an ardent passion could inspire.
Elsie's answer was, "If you have won my daughter's heart, her hand shall not be refused you.

But she is yet too young for the grave responsibilities of married life.

Nor can I reconcile myself to the thought of parting with her so soon; therefore I should greatly prefer to have the matter dropped, at least for the present." The captain repeated what he had said to Mr.Dinsmore in regard to his willingness to leave Violet with her mother if only he might have her for his wife.
"That would be very pleasant," Elsie said her eyes shining; "and so far you have the decided advantage of a suitor who would carry her away from us; but, Captain, you are a father, and the woman whom you marry should be not only a wife to you, but also a mother to your children; but for that care and responsibility my little Vi is, I fear, far too young.

Indeed, my mother heart can ill brook the thought of her being so burdened in the very morning of her life." "Nor should I be willing to burden her, my dear Mrs.Travilla," he said with feeling; "she should never bear the lightest burden that I could save her from.