ction," he replied. "You may both serve, since Rosie
wishes it and I see you are pleased with the idea. As for the matter of
dress you may settle that for yourselves."

"Oh, thank you, sir!" both exclaimed joyously, Grace adding, "But won't
you please tell us, papa, just how much we may spend?"

"Any amount which your mamma and Grandma Elsie do not consider too
great," he replied in an indulgent tone. "However, I think I should not
hesitate to leave that matter to the judgment of my daughters
themselves; for I know that neither of you is inclined to be at all
extravagant."

"No, indeed," said Violet, "they are always very careful to make sure
that papa is able to afford them what they want."

"It would be strange if we weren't, Mamma Vi," said Lucilla with a happy
laugh, "for we know that papa loves us so dearly that he would go
without things himself any time rather than deny us anything desirable."

"And I expect to put him to the additional expense of dressing Elsie
handsomely for the occasion," laughed Rosie.

"Ah! is she also to be a bridesmaid?" asked the captain with a smiling
glance at his little girl, who was turning her bright eyes from one to
another with a surprised, pleased, yet puzzled look.

"Not just that," replied Rosie; then went on to explain her plan for
giving the two little Elsies a part in the ceremony.

"Should you like to do that, daughter?" asked the captain, taking the
hand of the little girl and drawing her to his side.

"I'm 'most afraid I would not know how to do it right, papa," she
answered with doubtful look and tone.

"You can take lessons beforehand," he said; "but you shall do just as
you please about it."

"And the question need not be decided at once," remarked Grandma Elsie.
"We will let the matter rest till we learn what your cousin Elsie
Dinsmore thinks about joining you in it."

"Yes," said Rosie, "and fortunately we do not need to settle anything
more to-day. Maud and Sydney must be consulted before we quite decide on
the colour and material of the bridesmaids' dresses."

CHAPTER V.

A pause in the conversation upon the veranda was broken by an
exclamation from little Ned. "Cousin Arthur is coming!" he cried as a
carriage turned in at the great gates and came swiftly up the driveway.

"Yes," said his father, stepping forward to meet and welcome Dr. Conly,
"always a visitor we are delighted to see, whether we are sick or well.
Good-morning, sir! We are