accomplished if mamma and Adelaide like to have Caesar
drive them and the little ones over to Roselands. Then you and I will
mount our horses and away to Ashlands for a call, leaving there in good
time to join the dinner party at Roselands. How will that do?"

"Oh, bravely, you dear darling papa! always contriving for my enjoyment."

Mr. Dinsmore followed his wife from the room. "'Twill be an early return
of Carrington's call," he said, "but I have a little business with him."

"Yes, I'm very glad: it is a good plan; but don't hurry Elsie away. She
and Lucy will want a long talk."

"I promise to be careful to obey orders," he answered, sportively. "Is
that all?"

"Yes; only see that you don't stay too long, and keep the dinner waiting
at Roselands."

"Mamma," asked Elsie, bringing up the rear as they entered the
sitting-room, "can't you go, too--you and Aunt Adelaide? Four make as nice
a party as two, and the babies can be driven over quite safely, with their
mammies, to take care of them."

"No," said Rose, "I never accept such late invitations; I shall----"

"My dear," said her husband, "we would be very glad."

"No, no; the first arrangement is decidedly the best;" putting on an air
of pretended pique.

"Babies! do you call me a baby?" cried young Horace, who had sprung to his
feet with a flash of indignation in his great black eyes, "I'm nine years
old, Elsie. Rosie there's the only baby belonging to this house. Do you
think papa would let a baby have a pony like Gip? and a pistol of his own,
too?"

Elsie put her arms round his neck, and gave him a kiss, "I beg ten
thousand pardons."

"Elsie, my daughter, don't allow yourself to speak so extravagantly,"
interrupted her father.

"I will try not, papa," she answered. "I beg your pardon, Horace dear, and
assure you I think you are quite a manly young man. Now I must prepare for
my ride, papa. I shall be ready by the time the horses can be brought to
the door."

"Papa," said Horace, as the door closed upon his sister, "may I ride Gip
to-day?"

"If you promise me to keep close beside the carriage."

"Oh, papa, can't I ride on ahead a little, now and then, or fall a few
paces behind if I wish?"

"No; you may do just what I have given permission for, and nothing else."

CHAPTER FOURTH.

"Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye,
In ev'ry gesture, dignity and love."
--MILTON'S PARADISE LOST.

"But,