"Would it not? Just you and I alone; it would be like having a little world all to ourselves. _Allons_, Bessie; here is a nice level place for a gallop; wake Gipsy up." They rode on swiftly, growing so light-hearted and joyous that they were laughing and talking like a pair of happy children, seeming quite out of reach of all the shadows which had darkened their hearts during the past days. CHAPTER XXXIX. TRIFLES LIGHT AS AIR. While Mellen and Elizabeth rode off through the golden afternoon, Elsie and Tom Fuller came in from a stroll about the grounds. They had seen the husband and wife galloping down the avenue, and as they entered the hall, Elsie said: "They have left us to amuse ourselves the best way we can; what shall we do, Tom Fuller?" "I'm ready for anything." "We might go out rowing." "Oh, Elsie!" "Only Grant would be angry, and you have grown afraid of the water." "No wonder, where you are concerned," cried Tom. "I can't think of that dreadful day without a shudder." "I don't allow myself to think of it at all," said Elsie. She led the way into the library and sat down in a low chair, throwing off her garden-hat, and beginning to arrange the wild flowers which she held in her hands around the crown. "What color is this, Tom?" she asked, holding up a delicate purple blossom that drooped its head, as if faint with its own perfume. Tom's ignorance of color was a never-failing source of amusement to her. He looked at the flower very seriously; then after reflection said, in the tone of a man who was certain of being perfectly correct for once: "That's blue, of course; I am not quite blind, whatever you may think." Elsie screamed with delight. "Oh, you delicious old goose! I suppose you call this one pink?" "Yes," said Tom, confident that he must be right this time; "I suppose the most prejudiced person would have to call that pink." "It's the most delicate lavender," cried Elsie, in fresh shrieks of ecstasy at Tom's blindness. "Oh, I never saw such a stupid in all my life." Tom rubbed his forehead for an instant, then Elsie's laughter proved so contagious that he burst into merriment as hearty as her own. "I don't suppose," said Tom, "there's such an idiot on the face of the earth as I am." "I really don't suppose there is," replied Elsie, candidly. "It is absolutely beyond belief," said Tom. "It is," answered Elsie. "And I shall never be any better," cried Tom. "I have told you so a thousand times," rejoined Elsie, humming a tune, inclined to perfect truthfulness for once. Tom's face lengthened for an instant, he gave his hair another unmerciful combing with his fingers. "And you think there's not the least help for it?" "Not the very least in the world, Tom, not a gleam of hope! But don't feel bad about it; I am tired of brilliant men; everybody is something wonderful now-a-days; it's really fatiguing." "Do you think so?" demanded he; "do you really?" "Upon my honor."