The impromptu "rose case," upon which Emma and Laura rallied Ida, was finished before dinner; and resolving themselves into a "committee of inspection," they visited every room in a body, with Miss Betsey and Mrs. Grant as rear guard. Even the wainscotted chambers were cheerful--snow-drifts of beds--and window-hangings lined with pink--stainless toilette covers; painted bouquets upon the fire-screens, and real ones upon the dressing tables. "Sunnybank deserves its name to-day," said Emma, leading Ida to a window. The October sun was everywhere; playing with the laughing cascade which fell over the rock, at the foot of the sloping lawn; carpeting the forest with tesselated gold; and the sheen of Ida's pine-grove was as of millions of burnished needles. "It is brighter here!" said Ida, laying her friend's hand upon her breast. "You need not say so;--your smile shows it. It is like sunshine itself." "Shall I tell her?" thought Ida. "Not yet! he will be here in a few days--and _then_!"--and the heart-bound threw the blood, in a scarlet gush to her cheeks. Love like hers is never selfish. When they were separating to dress, she called Laura into her room. Two dresses--a rose-coloured challe, and a white muslin were upon the bed. "No thanks, dear!" she said, as the delighted creature clasped her arms about her neck, in speechless gratitude. "You, who do so much for me and mine, deserve some token of regard. What! tears! Dry them instantly, and try your dresses. Ah! they fit! I thought we were nearly the same size,--so had them cut by my patterns. Emma! step in here! Are we not proud of our pupil?" "She does not require fine robes to win praise from me," said Emma. "How handsome and becoming! just what one might expect from the donor." "She is the best, dearest friend I have"--began Laura, smiling through her tears. "Hush!" said Ida, threateningly. "Flatterers! both of you! be off and 'beautify' as Charley says. And Laura--do you hear? don't have eyes and dress to match! a contrast is better."