And I hope you are better? A great deal better?" returned Lulu, with an
inquiring look into the sweet face.

"Very much better, thank you, dear child. Almost my old self again," was
the sweet-toned reply.

Some few moments more were spent in the exchange of glad, affectionate
greetings and inquiries after each other's health and welfare, then all
took their way to the house; even Grandma Elsie claiming that her
strength was quite equal to so short a walk, the journey on the boat
having been restful rather than fatiguing. Yet it was evident to all
that she was far from strong, and they joined Mr. Dinsmore in an urgent
entreaty that she would retire at an early hour to her own room and bed;
which she did, her daughters accompanying her to see that nothing was
lacking that could in any way add to her comfort.

CHAPTER XIX.

A bright, beautiful day succeeded that on which the Ion family had
arrived at Viamede. The younger members of their party woke early, and
the sun was hardly more than an hour high when Evelyn and Rosie passed
down the broad stairway into the lower hall, moving with cautious tread
lest they might disturb the still sleeping older members of the
household.

But on reaching the veranda they were surprised to see the captain and
Lulu already taking a morning promenade along the bank of the bayou.

"Ah, I see there is no getting ahead of Brother Levis," laughed Rosie.
"Let us run down there and join them, Eva."

"With all my heart," returned Evelyn gayly, and away they went, racing
down the broad gravelled walk in merry girlish fashion.

"Good-morning, little ladies, I see that you are early birds as well as
Lulu and myself," the captain said, with his genial smile, as they drew
near.

"Yes, sir," returned Rosie, catching hold of Lulu and giving her a
hearty embrace; "on such a morning as this, and in such a lovely place,
bed has no attractions to compare with those of out of doors."

"That's exactly what papa and I think," said Lulu; "and, oh girls, I'm
so glad you have come to share this lovely, lovely place with us. Eva, I
haven't yet got over the glad surprise of your coming. I was just saying
to papa how very kind it was in Grandma Elsie and the rest of them to
prepare such an unexpected pleasure for me. Wasn't it good in them?"

"Yes, indeed, good to us both!" Evelyn said, squeezing affectionately
the hand Lulu had slipped into hers.

"Captain," looking up smilingly into his face,