to make you angry, at
all events. And I'm free to confess I don't like Travilla, or forgive him
all old scores."

Elsie scarcely seemed to hear. A horse was coming at a quiet canter up the
avenue. Both the steed and his rider wore a familiar aspect, and the young
girl's heart gave a joyous bound as the latter dismounted, throwing the
reins to a servant, and came up the steps into the veranda.

She glided towards him; there was an earnest, tender clasping of hands, a
word or two of cordial greeting, and they passed into the house and
entered the drawing room.

"Humph! not much sentiment there; act towards each other pretty much as
they always have," said Arthur to himself, taking a cigar from his pocket
and lighting it with a match. "I wonder now what's the attraction to her
for an old codger like that," he added watching the smoke as it curled
lazily up from the end of his Havana.

There was indeed nothing sentimental in the conduct of Mr. Travilla or
Elsie: deep, true, heartfelt happiness there was on both sides, but calm
and quiet, indulging in little demonstration, except when they were quite
alone with each other. There was no secret made of the engagement, and it
was soon known to all their friends and acquaintance. Mr. Travilla had
always been in the habit of visiting the Oaks daily, and finding himself
very much at home there; and he continued to come and go as formerly, all
welcoming him with great cordiality, making him, if possible, more one of
themselves than ever, while there was little change in Elsie's manner,
except that all her late reserve had fled, and given place to the old ease
and freedom, the sweet, affectionate confidences of earlier days.

Mr. Dinsmore's determination to delay the marriage for a year was
decidedly a keen disappointment to the middle-aged lover, who had already
endured so long and patient a waiting for his prize; yet so thankful and
joyous was he that he had at last won her for his own, that, finding
remonstrance and entreaties alike unavailing, he presently accepted the
conditions with a very good grace, comforting himself with the certainty
of the permanence of her love. Elsie had no coquettish arts, was
simple-hearted, straightforward, and true, as in her childhood, and their
confidence in each other was unbounded.

CHAPTER FIFTH.

"Joy never feasts so high
As when the first course is of misery."
--SUCKLING.

Adelai