dryly. "Cousin Elsie has
all the consolation she needs. She came to me for a few moments the very
day Lily died, and though I could see plainly that she had been weeping,
her face was perfectly calm and peaceful; and she told me that her heart
sang for joy when she thought of her darling's blessedness."

Isa looked very thoughtful.

"I wish I were sure of it," she said half unconsciously; "she was such a
dear little thing."

"Sure of what?" cried Molly indignantly; "can you doubt for a moment that
that child is in heaven?"

"If she had only been baptized into the true church. But there, don't look
so angry! how can I help wishing it when I know it's the only way to be
saved?"

"But you don't know it! you can't know it, because it isn't so. O Isadore,
how could you turn Papist and then try to turn Violet?"

"So you've heard about it? I supposed you had," said Isadore coloring. "I
suppose too, that Cousin Elsie is very angry with me, and that was why I
thought it so unkind in mamma to send me in her place, making an excuse of
a headache; not a bad enough one to prevent her coming, I'm sure."

"I don't know how Cousin Elsie feels about it, or even whether she has
heard it," said Molly; "though I presume she has, as Vi never conceals
anything from her."

"Well I've only done my duty and can't feel that I'm deserving of blame,"
said Isadore. "But such a time as I've had of it since my conversion
became known in the family!"

"Your perversion, you should say," interrupted Molly. "Was Aunt Louise
angry?"

"Very; but principally, I could see, because she knew grandpa and Uncle
Horace would reproach her for sending me to the convent."

"And did they?"

"Yes, grandpa was furious, and of course uncle said, 'I told you so.' He
has only reasoned with me, though he let me know he was very much
displeased about Vi. Cal and Art, too, have undertaken to convince me of
my errors, while Virginia sneers and asks why I could not be content to
remain a Protestant; and altogether I've had a sweet time of it for the
last two weeks."

"There's a tap at the door; will you please open it?" said Molly.

It was Mrs. Travilla, Elsie and Violet whom Isadore admitted. She
recognized them with a deep blush and an embarrassed, deprecating air; for
the thought instantly struck her that Vi had probably just been telling
her mother what had occurred during her absence.

"Ah, Isa, I did not know you were here," her cousin said taking her