"Now, mamma," she said, "I think we may go on and discuss minor details, such as dresses and ornaments for bride and attendants." "Very well, daughter; you may give us your views on the subject. You will want your own dress of some rich white material, I suppose?" "Yes, mamma; of Bengaline silk, richly trimmed with lace; and I must have a veil and orange blossoms; also a bouquet of bride roses and smilax. Lu and Grace, you will want white silk dresses, won't you?" "Yes," they replied. "And bouquets of white flowers," added Lucilla. "Oh, papa, you will let me act as one of the bridesmaids, will you not?" asked Grace, turning to him. "I have no objection," he replied. "You may both serve, since Rosie wishes it and I see you are pleased with the idea. As for the matter of dress you may settle that for yourselves." "Oh, thank you, sir!" both exclaimed joyously, Grace adding, "But won't you please tell us, papa, just how much we may spend?" "Any amount which your mamma and Grandma Elsie do not consider too great," he replied in an indulgent tone. "However, I think I should not hesitate to leave that matter to the judgment of my daughters themselves; for I know that neither of you is inclined to be at all extravagant." "No, indeed," said Violet, "they are always very careful to make sure that papa is able to afford them what they want." "It would be strange if we weren't, Mamma Vi," said Lucilla with a happy laugh, "for we know that papa loves us so dearly that he would go without things himself any time rather than deny us anything desirable." "And I expect to put him to the additional expense of dressing Elsie handsomely for the occasion," laughed Rosie. "Ah! is she also to be a bridesmaid?" asked the captain with a smiling glance at his little girl, who was turning her bright eyes from one to another with a surprised, pleased, yet puzzled look. "Not just that," replied Rosie; then went on to explain her plan for giving the two little Elsies a part in the ceremony. "Should you like to do that, daughter?" asked the captain, taking the hand of the little girl and drawing her to his side. "I'm 'most afraid I would not know how to do it right, papa," she answered with doubtful look and tone. "You can take lessons beforehand," he said; "but you shall do just as you please about it." "And the question need not be decided at once," remarked Grandma Elsie. "We will let the matter rest till we learn what your cousin Elsie Dinsmore thinks about joining you in it." "Yes," said Rosie, "and fortunately we do not need to settle anything more to-day. Maud and Sydney must be consulted before we quite decide on the colour and material of the bridesmaids' dresses." CHAPTER V. A pause in the conversation upon the veranda was broken by an exclamation from little Ned. "Cousin Arthur is coming!" he cried as a carriage turned in at the great gates and came swiftly up the driveway.