"In that dismal den and guarded by a dragon," cried Elsie, peeping at him through the banisters, mischievously. "Pray where did you come from, C[oe]ur de Lion?" "If you knew what I had brought for my lady-bird, you would be on your prettiest behavior and give me your best welcome," said Tom. "It's bon-bons!" cried Elsie with a shriek of delight. "The ogre means pralines and caramels and marons glacés!" "Come down and see," said Tom, mysteriously. Elsie danced downstairs and entered the room where her sister sat. "Ugh, the ugly place!" said she. "It makes me shiver!" "Better come into the den than lose the sweets," said Tom, opening the papers and pretending to eat greedily. "He won't leave a drop!" cried Elsie, darting upon him. Tom prolonged the playful struggle artfully enough; and when a truce was concluded it was only on condition that he should feed her with the sugarplums, and as he did not satisfy her greediness fast enough, there was a great deal of sport and laughter between the pair. Elizabeth sat in the window and watched them, sighing sometimes and regarding Elsie with a strange pain in her eyes, as if annoyed and troubled that the happy creature could not leave her the full affection of this one heart. "I want to go out on the water," said Elsie. "Will you take me, you ugly giant?" "Won't I!" said Tom. "I'd take you to the moon if you liked." "But I don't wish to try the moon, thank you; a nice long row will satisfy me. Come along, Bessie!" "Not to-day," answered Elizabeth coldly. "You're a hateful, poky thing!" cried Elsie. "Well, I shall go, the sun is lovely." "I'll run down to the shore and get the boat ready," said Tom, ecstatically. He darted away, and Elsie stood for a few moments crushing the candies between her white teeth and looking at Elizabeth, half frightened, half defiant. "You are very busy," said she. "One can't be idle," replied Elizabeth. "Oh, can't one? It just suits me, thank you." "Elsie," said her sister, suddenly, "I want to say something." "If it is anything unpleasant, I won't hear. I won't hear. I want to be happy. Let me alone!" "It is about yourself; don't be alarmed." "Well, say it; but you are going to scold or something else dreadful, I know by your voice." "Don't be such a baby," said Elizabeth, impatiently. "There! I knew you were cross! How can I help being a baby? I like it, and I will be one." "Do you think you are acting honestly with Tom?" said Elizabeth. "I'm not acting at all," replied Elsie fretfully. "I can't help his coming here constantly. You wouldn't have me rude to your own cousin?" "You know what I mean. He loves you, in spite of your conduct before he went abroad----" "I can't help it," Elsie broke in again. "If people will fall in love with me it's their own fault; I don't ask them." "But you can help encouraging him and leading him on to greater pain." Elsie pouted. "How do you know I shall?"