"But you must be careful," returned Mellen, "dear child; I cannot reach home safely only to see your health give way." "Oh, nonsense, Grant, don't begin to fidget! I am ever so well; make him believe it, Bessie." "I think so," Bessie replied; "you are stronger than you look." "Elsie requires great care," said Mellen, decidedly. Elsie did not look displeased; she liked being considered weak and delicate; it made her more petted and at liberty to indulge her numberless caprices in the most interesting manner. The family had that evening entirely to themselves, and it passed off very pleasantly. Elizabeth and Elsie joined in the old songs Mellen loved, and they all talked and laughed gaily, forgetful of the clouds that lowered above that house. The next morning when the family met in the breakfast-room the post had arrived, and Dolf presented Elsie and Elizabeth with several letters; only the journals were left for Mellen, and he said, laughingly: "The division is not just--Bessie having two letters; you might give me one." "I'm too selfish," she answered. "Mine is from Mary Harrington," observed Elsie. "Bess, you shall not read yours till you have given us our coffee. I'll just see what the widow says." Elizabeth poured out the coffee while Elsie opened her note. "She is coming to-day," she exclaimed; "I told you so. She sends all sorts of messages to you, Grant; calls you a god-like, wonderful creature, and is dying to see you." "Oh, of course," said Mellen. "She asks after Mr. Rhodes, Bessie--poor old fellow--she has quite turned his head." "What is that?" asked Mellen. So Elsie explained how the widow delighted in worrying Miss Jemima, had made desperate love to the stout man on every occasion; and in laughing at her quaint speeches Elizabeth quite forgot her own epistles. "Why, where are your letters?" asked Elsie. "I forgot them," returned Elizabeth, drawing them from under her plate, and adding as she glanced at the superscription of the upper one, "it is only from the dressmaker." Elsie snatched the other, and cried out: "Why, this is from Tom Fuller; oh, see what it says." "From Tom? oh, I am so glad; I have been expecting a letter for a week past." Elizabeth took the letter, and her face lighted up joyously as she broke the seal and began to read. "Well," said Elsie, impatiently, "what does he say? read it out." Elizabeth uttered an exclamation of delight. "Oh, you provoking creature," cried Elsie, "do tell us what it is?" "Tom must have found a diamond mine," said Mellen. "He has," returned Elizabeth. "Bless me," said Elsie, "will he go about covered with diamonds?" "His old uncle has left him a fortune," explained Elizabeth. Elsie fairly screamed, and clapped her little hands with graceful fury. "Who would have thought it! Only fancy Tom Fuller rich! Why he'll be robbed every day of his life." "How much is it?" asked Mellen. "I am very glad. Tom is a good fellow and deserves it."