stable and dogs in
the kennel," laughed Mr. Travilla, coming softly up and stealing an arm
about his wife's waist.

Everybody laughed.

"No, sir; I don't like to contradict you," retorted Elsie, coloring but
looking lovingly into the eyes bent so fondly upon her, "but I am--nothing
to you but your little wife;" and her voice sank almost to a whisper with
the last word.

"Ah? Well, dear child, that's enough for me," he said, in the same low
tone.

"But, Lottie," she remarked aloud, "you are tying on your hat. Won't you
stay?"

"Not to-night, thank you, Mrs. Travilla," answered the gay girl in her
merry, lively tones.

"You are to be at the Oaks to-morrow, and perhaps I--well, we can settle
the time there."

"And you, auntie?"

"Why, dearie, I think you'd better get your housekeeping a little used to
your ways first. And it's better for starting out that young folks should
be alone."

Mr. Dinsmore had stepped into the hall for his hat, and while the other
ladies were making their adieus to her new mother, Elsie stole softly
after him.

"My good-night kiss, papa," she whispered, putting her arms about his
neck.

"My dear darling! my precious, precious child! how glad I am to be able to
give it to you once more, and to take my own from your own sweet lips," he
said, clasping her closer. "God bless you and keep you, and ever cause His
face to shine upon you."

CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH.

"O what passions then
What melting sentiments of kindly care,
On the new parents seize."
--THOMPSON'S AGAMEMNON.

"There is none
In all this cold and hollow world, no fount
Of deep, strong, deathless love, save that within
A mother's heart!"
--MRS. HEMANS.

Finding it so evidently the wish of both her husband and his mother, Elsie
quietly and at once assumed the reins of government.

But with that mother to go to for advice in every doubt and perplexity,
and with a dozen or more of well-trained servants at her command, her
post, though no sinecure, did not burden her with its duties; she still
could find time for the cultivation of mind and heart, for daily walks and
rides, and the enjoyment of society both at home and abroad.

Shortly after the return of the newly married pair, there was a grand
party given in their honor at Roselands; another at Ashlands, one at
Pinegrove, at t