" the little one repeated in her sweet baby voice; and Lulu
hugged her close, kissing her again and again, and saying softly, "You
dear, sweet darling; sister loves you, indeed, indeed she does!"

The captain looked on, his heart swelling with joy and thankfulness over
the evident mutual affection of the two; for there had been a time when
he feared Lulu would never love the child of her step-mother as she did
Max and Grace.

Violet entered the room at that moment, and the little scene caused her
eyes to fill with tears of gladness.

She was ready for the shopping expedition the next day: the children
were allowed to go too, and again had a most enjoyable time.

After that they were told lessons must be taken up again: and Lulu
passed most of her time in her own room, generally engaged in preparing
her tasks for her father to hear in the evening; for he was now so busy
with the improvements being carried forward at Woodburn, that very often
he could not attend to her recitations till after tea.

She continued to think him the kindest and most interesting teacher she
had ever had; while he found, to his surprise, that he had a liking for
the occupation, aside from his fatherly interest in his pupil: and Max
and Grace, listening to Lulu's report, grew anxious for the time when
they could share her privileges.

But their waiting-time would not be very long. As soon as Miss Elliott's
stipulated two weeks had expired, she would leave Woodburn, and they
would take possession immediately. Their father and his young wife were
quite as eager as they to begin the new order of things.

CHAPTER XX.

IN THE NEW HOME.

The moving to Woodburn was not a formidable affair, there being little
to carry from Ion besides the personal belongings of parents and
children; and, indeed, nearly every thing, even of that kind, had been
sent over beforehand.

Miss Elliott went one morning; and the Raymonds drove over scarcely an
hour later, to find the greater part of the house in perfect order, a
full staff of competent servants, and an excellent dinner in course of
preparation.

Max and his sisters had been directed to stay away from the place ever
since the day when their rooms were assigned them, and now a glad
surprise awaited them.

"Come up-stairs," their father said, when they had made the circuit of
the lower rooms. "My dear," to Violet, "will you please come too?"

"With all my heart," she returned gayly, and tripp