im?"

"He has all my heart, all the love I could give to any one, and I respect,
honor, and trust him as I do no one else but my father."

"And that reminds me; I was so afraid your father would not let you come
to see me. But--you are your own mistress now, of course."

"Papa tells me so sometimes," laughed Elsie, "and yet I know he would be
greatly surprised should I take the liberty of doing anything he would not
approve. I asked his permission to come, and he not only gave consent but
brought me himself."

"That was good in him; but I hope he won't hurry you away. I want to hear
about your European conquests, and have ever so much to say besides."

"No, he has kindly promised me time for a long talk. Besides, I can ride
over any day and supplement it with another."

Mr. Dinsmore was as good as his word; their chat had lasted more than an
hour when his summons came, yet Lucy declared it had not been half long
enough, and would not be satisfied to let Elsie go without a promise to
come again very soon.

* * * * *

"Roselands, too, looks very natural, and very homelike," remarked Mr.
Dinsmore, as they rode up its avenue.

"Yes, papa; and yet, do you know, it seems to me it has grown smaller and
less grand since I lived here as a child."

"Ah! did you think it very grand then, daughter?" he asked, turning to her
with a smile.

"I believe so, papa; but it is beautiful yet, even after all the fine
places we have seen in our own country and Europe."

Adelaide met them at the door. "Just in time," she said, "for there is the
dressing-bell. Your own old room, Elsie dear: you know the way and will
find Aunt Chloe in waiting. Horace, you will make yourself at home of
course."

It was strictly a family party, sociable and informal. Elsie had not met
Arthur since their return, and at the first moment scarcely recognized him
in the moustached and bewhiskered young man who rose and came forward,
with a slight limp, to meet her as she entered the drawing-room.

"How do you do?" he said, holding out his right hand, while steadying
himself with a cane held in the left. "I hope you're glad to get back to
America?"

"Arthur, is it? Yes; thank you: and I'm very glad your injuries have
proved less serious than was at first feared," she said, kindly meeting
his advances half-way.

"Oh yes," he replied, with attempted nonchalance, "I shall be all right by
and by."

Then retreating to the