her sparkling face. "I
see something at this moment that to my eyes is dearer and sweeter still.
What does Vi think of it, mamma?" turning to his mother.

"She is very proud and happy," Elsie answered with a smile. "I believe Zoe
has expressed her views exactly."

"It's Vi's, is it?" said Zoe. "Come, Ned, do look at it. You ought to care
a little about your----"

She broke off with an inquiring glance up into her mother's face.

"Niece," supplied Elsie, "my first granddaughter."

"Another Elsie, I suppose," Edward remarked, bending down to examine the
little creature with an air of increasing interest.

"Her father must be heard from before the name can be decided upon," his
mother answered. "Vi wishes it named for me, but I should prefer to have
another Violet."

"I incline to think Captain Raymond will agree with her," said Edward.

"I never saw so young a baby," remarked Zoe. "How old is she, mamma?"

"A week to-day."

"I'm tempted to break the tenth commandment," said Zoe, leaning over the
babe and touching her lips to its velvet cheek. "I used to be very fond of
dolls, and a live one would be so nice. I almost wish it was mine."

"Don't forget that you would be only half owner if it was," said Edward
laughing. "But come now, my dear, it is time we were attending to the
duties of the toilet. The tea-bell will ring directly."

"Well, I'll always want to share everything I have with you," she said.
"Mamma," rising and putting her hand into her husband's, "we've had _such_
a nice time! Ned has been _so_ good and kind to me!"

"And she has been the best and dearest of little wives," he said,
returning the look of fond affection she had bent upon him, "so we could
not fail to enjoy ourselves hugely."

"I am rejoiced to hear it," Elsie said, looking after them with glad tears
in her eyes as they left the room together.

* * * * *

The children were enjoying themselves greatly at the Oaks. Horace
Dinsmore, Jr., and his young wife made a very pleasant host and hostess.
Horace's reminiscences of his own childhood and his sister Elsie's
girlhood in this, her old home, were very interesting, not to Rosie and
Walter only, but to the others.

They were shown her suite of rooms, the exact spot in the drawing-room
where she stood during the ceremony that united her to Mr. Travilla, and
the arbor--still called Elsie's arbor--where he offered himself and was
accepted.

They had an