Edward suggested that it might be satisfactory for all to meet at Ion that evening and talk the matter over, an invitation which was promptly accepted by all. "Now let us finish our breakfast," Edward said, leading the way back to the table. "Yes," said Zoe, "for I am sure that I for one have no time to waste if I'm to be ready to start for the city in an hour." She was ready, however, when, in less than an hour, the Fairview carriage drove up bringing the Lelands. Elsie declined an invitation to alight. "We have none too much time now," she said, "for shopping cannot always be done in haste, and we are not making a very early start. Just get in here with us, you two, will you not? There is plenty of room, and we can talk over matters and settle plans as we drive." "A very good idea, and we are much obliged," returned Edward, handing Zoe in and taking a seat by her side. "Who is to be married, Elsie?" asked Zoe. "Surely it could not be mamma herself?" she added, with a light laugh. "I feel quite sure she would not accept the best and greatest man upon earth." "And I feel as sure of that as you do," said Mrs. Leland. "She thinks of my father not as lost to her but waiting for her to rejoin him in the better land. I have been trying to think who the coming bride is to be, and suppose it is Betty Johnson." "But it may be that the groom and not the bride belongs to our family," remarked Lester. "Who more likely than Dick Percival?" "Why, yes, to be sure!" exclaimed Edward. "It is about time Dick had a wife. And mother would of course be interested and ready to do anything in her power to make it pleasant for him and her." "Well, I should really like to know something more about it before choosing gifts for her," remarked Zoe. "I too," said Elsie. "Then suppose we let that wait for another day, and content ourselves with purchasing what is needed for the adorning of you two ladies," suggested Edward; and that was what, after a little further consultation, was decided upon. The city was reached in safety, and some hours later they returned, as Zoe said, "Laden with lovely things for their own adornment." The babies were on the veranda waiting, watching eagerly for papa and mamma, who, their nurse kept telling them, would soon be seen coming up the avenue. When they did appear, alighting from the Fairview carriage, they were recognized with a glad cry, and Zoe, forgetting her weariness, ran to the little ones, embraced first one and then the other, put a toy in the hand of each, spent another minute or two caressing them, then hurried to her own apartments to dress for tea and the family gathering expected in the evening. Elsie and her husband had driven home, but would return for the informal assembly of the members of the connection.