. "You are rich indeed, with this
treasure added to all your others. And you and your Phil don't quarrel
yet?"

"No indeed! not the first cross word yet. Mamma calls us her turtle-doves:
says we're always billing and cooing. Ah, Elsie, how beautiful you are!
I've always thought you just as lovely as possible, yet there's an added
something--I can't divine what--that increases even your peerless
attractions."

"O Lucy, Lucy, still a flatterer!" laughed her friend.

"Yet you've come back to us single," Lucy went on, ignoring the
interruption, "though we all know you had ever so many good offers. Pray,
do you intend to remain single all your days?"

At that, Elsie's face dimpled all over with blushes and smiles.

Lucy signed to the nurse to take the babe, and as the woman walked away
with it in her arms, turned eagerly to her friend.

"Now do tell me; for I'm sure you are not going to live single. Shall we
have the pleasure of hailing you as duchess yet?"

"No, Lucy; I intend to marry; am actually engaged, but not to a
foreigner."

"Dear me! I don't believe I could have resisted the title. That is," she
added, hastily, "if I'd been heart-whole like you: but after seeing my
Phil, of course I wouldn't give him up for all the nobles in Europe, Asia,
and Africa. But do tell me who is the fortunate man?"

"Suppose you try your skill at guessing."

"Perfectly useless, never had any. It must be somebody I don't know."

"My good little woman, you know him well."

"Either of Harry's brothers-in-law? Richard? Harold?"

"No, no, no; you are wide of the mark! Could you suppose papa would ever
consent to such a mixture of relationships? Why, it would make papa my
brother and mamma's brother her son-in-law."

"So it would. Well, I give it up and beg of you to put a speedy end to my
suspense."

Lucy bent her head to listen, and Elsie murmured the name low and softly,
the rose deepening on her cheek as she spoke. For a moment Lucy seemed
struck dumb with astonishment. Then, "Elsie!" she exclaimed, "I can't
believe it; you are only jesting."

Elsie shook her head with a low, musical, happy laugh.

"He's splendid, I don't deny that; but then--only think--your father's
most intimate friend from boyhood up; and almost as old."

"Some people seem like wine--to improve with age. But Mr. Travilla is not
old to me now. He has been standing still, I believe, while I have grown
up to him."

"And you really are in love with h