in a morning dress of white muslin,
with blue ribbons at her throat and in her pale gold hair.

She came down to meet her visitors.

"Oh, I am so glad you have come, Cora and Sylvan!" she said, throwing
her arms around the young lady and kissing her heartily, and then giving
her hand and offering her cheek for a greeting from the young man.

"I fear you must be lonely here, Violet," said Cora.

"Awfully lonesome after Fabian has gone away in the morning, Cora. It
would be such a charity in you to come and stay with me for a little
while! Come in now and we will talk about it," said the little lady, as
she led the way back to the house.

"Sylvan," she continued, as they paused for a moment on the porch, "send
your coachman around to the stable to put up your carriage. You and Cora
will spend the day with me at the very least."

"Just as Cora pleases; ask her," said the young man with a glance toward
his sister.

"Yes," she answered.

"You are a love!" exclaimed Violet as she led the way into the hall and
thence into a pleasant morning room.

Cora laid off her bonnet and sank into an easy chair by the front
window.

"Now, as soon as you are well rested, I wish to show you both over the
house and grounds. Such a charming house, Cora! Such beautiful grounds,
Sylvan!" exclaimed the proud little mistress.

Cora smiled approval, but did not explain that she herself had gone all
through the establishment several times, in the course of its fitting
up, to see that all things were arranged properly before the arrival of
the married pair.

And when, a little later, the trio went through the rooms, she expressed
as much pleasure in their appearance as if she had never seen them
before.

The brother and sister spent a very pleasant day at Violet Banks, and
when in the cool of the evening they would have taken leave, the young
wife pleaded with them to stay all night.

In the midst of this discussion Mr. Fabian Rockharrt came home from
North End.

As he entered the parlor he heard his Wood Violet at her petition. He
greeted them all, kissed his wife, kissed Cora, and shook hands with
Sylvan.

"Now let me settle this matter," he said, good humoredly, as he threw
himself into a large arm chair.

"First tell me, Cora, what is the obstacle to your spending the night
with us?"

"Only that I did not announce even this visit to the family at
Rockhold."

"Do you owe any special obligation to do so?"

"It is not