et had the pleasure of seeing my little favorites, Rosie and
Walter, Cousin Elsie," remarked Donald.

"No," she said, "and they are very eager for an interview with you. They
are in bed now, but I hope they will be well enough to join us at
breakfast to-morrow."

"They have been quite sick?"

"Yes, were dangerously ill for a time, and though about again, still need
constant care lest they should take cold."

The guests given adjoining rooms, opened the door of communication between
and had a little private chat together before seeking their pillows.

"These relatives of yours, Keith, are extremely nice people," remarked the
captain.

"Of course they are," returned Donald, "relatives to be proud of."

"I never saw a more beautiful woman than Mrs. Travilla," pursued the
captain. "I think I may say never one so beautiful; and the most charming
part of it is beauty that will last; beauty of heart and intellect. Can
she be Miss Violet's own mother? There is a resemblance, though their
styles of beauty are quite different, but there does not seem to be
sufficient difference in age."

"She _is_ own mother, though, and not only to Violet, but to two older
ones--a son and daughter."

The captain expressed great surprise. "But youthful looks must be a family
characteristic," he added meditatively. "Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore look
extremely young to be the grandparents of the family."

Donald explained that Mr. Dinsmore was really only eighteen years older
than his daughter, and Rose, a second wife, but half as many.

"And what think you of Violet's beauty?" he asked.

"Absolutely faultless! She has an angelic face! If I were a young fellow
like you, Keith, I'd certainly not look elsewhere while I could see a ray
of hope in that direction. But there's the relationship in the way."

"It's too distant to stand in the way," returned Donald a trifle shortly,
"I look upon her prospective wealth as a far greater obstacle, having no
fancy for playing the role of fortune-hunter, or laying myself open to the
suspicion of being such."

"Then you've no intention of trying for her?"

"I haven't said so, have I? Well, good-night, it's getting late."

"What do you think of Captain Raymond?" Rose was asking her husband. "You
have had by far the best opportunity to cultivate his acquaintance."

"He impresses me very favorably as both a man and a Christian," was the
emphatic reply.

"Ah! I am glad Donald has so nice a friend," was