brighten and make
cheery that lonely home. Can you find it in your heart to refuse me the
favour I ask, sweet one?"

"I do not like to refuse you anything, dear Dick," she returned; "but it
is all so sudden and unexpected; do let me have a little time to think
it over and--and consult my friends and yours."

"Ah, well! I will try to wait patiently," he sighed; "wait, hoping you
will grant my request."

"Oh, Dick, dear Dick! I really do feel like doing anything in the world
that I can to make you happy. I will do whatever you wish, no matter
what other people may say. Only," she added, as if with sudden
recollection, "I suppose we must ask Uncle Dinsmore's consent."

"Yes; but I have no fear that it will be withheld. He and I are no
strangers to each other; he is my uncle, too, you know, and was my
guardian while I was young enough to need one. I think he will be
pleased that we are going into partnership,--you and I,--and will agree
with me that the sooner we begin the better."

"Provided that allows me time to get properly ready," she supplemented
with an arch look and smile.

"What preparation do you need?" he asked. "I am more than willing to
take you just as you are. You look perfectly charming in that dress,
and, for a wedding dress, the one you wore as bridesmaid to Cousin Rosie
seems to me entirely suitable. Indeed, my darling, you look bewitchingly
pretty in any and every thing you put on."

"Oh, you flatterer!" she laughed. "I can't expect other people to see
with your eyes; but, after all, the principal thing is to please you.
That will be my business for the rest of my life, I suppose," she added,
giving him a look of ardent affection.

"And mine to please you, dearest. Shall we not follow Rosie's good
example in making no secret of our engagement; at least so far as our
own people here assembled are concerned? Will you let me take you back
to the house now and introduce you there as my promised wife?"

"Do just as you please about it, Cousin Dick," she said. "You are older
and wiser than I."

"I certainly am older," he said laughingly as they rose, and he gave her
his arm; "but if I am wiser in some respects, you doubtless are in some
others. Perhaps we will find out all about that when we get to
housekeeping together."

Mr. Dinsmore had joined the group on the veranda. Mr. Lilburn and Annis,
Captain Raymond and Violet were there, too, and some others of the
married people, among them Mr. Horac