He was first on this side--now on that--as the highway afforded him room; but Ida could not get a view of his face. His figure was good, and he sat his horse well;--upon these facts, and such impressions as were made by a pleasant voice and gentlemanly address, she was obliged to form her opinion of his personal appearance, until more light should be shed upon the subject. The house appeared, approached by a shady lane, and so embowered in trees, that only the chimneys were visible from the main road. Carry's tongue was unloosed as she bounded into the midst of the sable throng that swarmed about the carriage. Arthur exclaimed merrily at the clamor of blessings and inquiries. "Will you accept me as your attendant, Miss Ross? The ceremony of reception will last some time." But Carry was in the piazza as soon as they were. "Thank you, Arthur, for taking charge of her. Welcome to Poplar-grove, dear Ida! May you be as happy here as I have been!" "Amen!" said Dr. Carleton and Arthur, heartily. Carry acted like a wild creature all the evening. She half-carried Ida to her chamber, and kissed her over and over. "Now, darling!" she ran on, strewing their shawls and bonnets in all directions. "You see I have no idea of putting you off, company style, in another room. You will be with me morning, noon, and night. My dear, dear room! how natural it looks! and to think I am never to leave it again!" "Bless your heart!" said a middle-aged mulatto woman, whose mild and pleasing face struck Ida as much as her motherly kindness to her young mistress, "You are not half so glad to get back as we are to have you here." "Hush, Mammy! you will make me cry. Comb my hair--will you? Not that I do not believe you could do it, Sally; but it used to be Mammy's work." "Thoughtful of others still," reflected Ida, as the girl Sally displayed a double row of ivories, at Carry's apology. "Can nothing make her selfish?" "We won't waste time by an elaborate toilet, dear," said Carry, seeing Ida deliberating upon two dresses. "Father will be too much engaged with his supper to notice our dress. Wear the plain white one; it is very becoming; and remember, you are in the back-woods." Arthur was in the parlor when they descended. He looked as happy as Carry, and "almost as good," thought Ida. She was not _de trop_; it might have been a brother and sister who strove to convince her that this, their home, was hers for the time-being. The supper-table was set with taste and profusion. Ida wondered whether the menage were entirely controlled by coloured servants. She learned afterwards that "Mammy," trained by Mrs. Carleton, and until that lady's death, her constant attendant, was housekeeper. "You have not much affection for a city life, Miss Ida," said Arthur, continuing a conversation commenced in the parlor.