eranda to take a general
survey, "it is just too lovely for anything! It really exceeds my
expectations, though they were raised very high by all I have heard of
the beauties of Viamede. I wonder you can ever resign yourself to
leaving it for a longer time than the hot season, when it is not so
healthy as your more northern home."

"Yes, I sometimes wonder at myself," Elsie said with a smile; "and yet
both Ion and the Oaks are very dear to me--so many happy years of my
life have been passed in them. Ah, no, I could not give up those dear
homes entirely any more than I could this."

"Ah, you are a most fortunate woman, cousin mine," remarked Mr. Lilburn,
standing by, "and worthy of it all; no one more so."

"Ah, Cousin Ronald, you, like all the rest of my friends, are only too
ready to pass my imperfections by and see only virtues; some of them
altogether imaginary, I fear," she returned with a smile. "I cannot tell
you how glad I am to see you here again, and I hope you may so greatly
enjoy your sojourn among us that you will be pleased to repeat your
visit whenever opportunity offers."

"Ah, many thanks, cousin, but have a care lest you should be in danger
of seeing me here oftener than will be found agreeable," was his
laughing reply.

At that Elsie only shook her head with a playful smile, then turned to
baby Lilly, who was reaching out her little arms to grandma, crying,
"Take! take, gamma!"

"No, no, mother dear," Edward said, coming up to them and taking his
little daughter from the nurse's arms, "I can't have you wearying
yourself with her." Then to the child, "Papa is going to carry you
upstairs, little pet. Dear grandma has been sick and is not strong
enough to carry you about. The friends and relatives will all be here
for some time, mother?" turning to her again.

"Yes," she replied; "they will all stay to tea."

"And Zoe and I will join you and them again in a few minutes," he said,
moving on through the hall, in the direction of the stairway.

All scattered to their rooms then, but reassembled on the veranda some
few minutes before the call to the tea-table. It was a large, merry,
informal tea-party, Grandma Elsie having been most hospitably urgent
that everyone should stay, partake with her and the others who had been
making Viamede their home for months past, and spend the evening.

The approaching wedding and matters connected with it were naturally the
principal themes of discourse, and Bett