pitality. "I must meet a gentleman on business,
half an hour from now."

Vi expressed her regrets, and ran after the girls, who had already left
the room to prepare for their drive.

They seemed in haste to get away.

"We've had enough of Mr. Daly's prosing about religion," said Virginia.

"I'm sick of it," chimed in Miss Reed, "what difference does it make what
you believe, if you're only sincere and live right?"

"'With the heart man believeth unto righteousness,'" said Violet; "and
'the just shall live by faith.'"

"You're an apt pupil," sneered Virginia.

"It is mamma's doing that my memory is stored with texts," returned the
child, reddening.

Isadore was silent and gloomy, and took leave of her young cousin so
coldly, as to quite sadden her sensitive spirit.

Violet had enjoyed being made much of by Isa, who was a beautiful and
brilliant young lady, and this sudden change in her manner was far from
pleasant. Still the pain it gave her was greatly overbalanced by the
relief of having her perplexities removed, her doubts set at rest.

Standing on the veranda, she watched the carriage as it rolled away down
the avenue, then hailed with delight a horseman who came galloping up,
alighted and giving the bridle to Solon, turned to her with open arms, and
a smile that proclaimed him the bearer of good tidings, before he uttered
a word.

"Grandpa," she cried, springing to his embrace, "Oh, is Lily better?"

"Yes," he said, caressing her, then turning to greet Rosie and the boys,
who had come running at the sound of his voice. "I have had a letter from
your mother, in which she says the dear invalid seems decidedly better."

"Oh, joy! joy!" cried the children, Rosie hugging and kissing her
grandfather, the boys capering about in a transport of gladness.

"And will they come home soon, grandpa?" asked Eddie.

"Nothing is said about that, I presume they will linger at the North till
the weather begins to grow too cool for Lily," Mr. Dinsmore answered,
shaking hands with Mr. Daly, who, hearing his voice on the veranda,
stepped out to inquire for news of the absent ones.

While they talked together, Vi ran away in search of Aunt Chloe.

She found her on the back veranda, enjoying a chat with Aunt Dicey and
Uncle Joe.

"Oh, mammy, good news! good news!" Vi cried, half breathless with haste
and happiness; "grandpa had a letter from mamma, and our darling Lily is
better, much better."

"Bress de Lord!" ejacu