CHAPTER IV.
"Oh, Rosie, you here?
I'm delighted! I hope you have come to spend the day ?" exclaimed Lucilla, as on Monday she and Grace, on leaving the schoolroom where they had been reciting to their father, passed out upon the veranda in search of Evelyn and the older ladies and found Rose Travilla seated with the others.
"Thank you; but suppose I have come intending to stay longer than that?
as long as mamma does, for instance ?" laughed Rose, giving and receiving an affectionate caress; for they had seen nothing of each other for several days.
"The longer the better," was Lucilla's hearty rejoinder.

"Do you not say so too, Mamma Vi ?" turning to her.
"Indeed I do," said Violet.

"She will certainly make a most pleasant addition to our party." "I think you may as well accept the invitation, Rosie," her mother said with a pleased smile; "and as I know you do not care to keep your errand a secret from any of your friends here, we can call a family council and talk the matter over." "Yes, mamma; that sounds as though you accept Solomon's teaching that 'In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.' And since he was the wisest of men we may surely consider ourselves safe in so doing.

So, if you like, you may tell Lu and Gracie on what errand I came." "Tell it yourself, child," returned her mother with an amused look.
At that Rosie held up a letter to the view of Lucilla and Grace, saying, with a smile and blush, "It is from Will Croly.

He has grown tired of waiting and begs to have matters hurried up somewhat: proposes that I change my name next month, though the prescribed year of waiting would thereby be shortened by two months or more." "Oh, do let him have his way, then!" exclaimed Grace--"at least if he will promise not to carry you off at once after the wedding--for there could not be a lovelier month for it than beautiful June, the month of roses." "So I should say," chimed in Lucilla, then added hastily, "though I think I'd make him wait till June of next year, rather than leave such a mother as Grandma Elsie so soon." At that Rosie glanced at her mother and her eyes filled with unbidden tears.
"I can't bear to think of that," she said with a tremble in her voice, "but perhaps I can coax Will to settle down somewhere in this neighbourhood--bringing his father and mother along so that they won't be lonely." "A very nice plan, Rosie dear, if you can manage to carry it out," remarked Violet.
"And I have hope that Will, at least, will favour the plan; for he seemed much pleased with this neighbourhood when he was here," said Rosie, adding with a laugh and blush, "and I know my wishes carry great weight with him." "And we will hope that those of his parents may coincide with yours," added her mother gently; "for I am sure my Rosie would not wish to be the cause of unhappiness to them." "No, indeed, mamma; I can assure you it is my earnest desire to add to their happiness; not to take from it.