Violet was beside them in an instant, exclaiming in joyous tones, "Oh, Eva and Max! how glad I am! for I am sure you were made for each other, and will be very happy together." "And are you willing now to let me be the captain's daughter?" asked Eva, with a charming blush, accompanied by a slightly roguish laugh. "Yes; seeing that Max calls me Mamma Vi, and you are really younger than he," was Violet's laughing reply. But Grace, little Elsie, and the others were crowding around with expressions of surprise and pleasure and many congratulations and good wishes. For everybody who knew them loved both Max and Eva. But now came the call to breakfast and they repaired to the dining room and gathered about the table, as cheerful and gay a party as could be found in the whole length and breadth of the land. "You seem likely to have a rapid increase in your family, captain," said Dr. Harold Travilla, with a smiling glance directed toward Lucilla, Max, and Eva, seated near together. "Some time hence," returned the captain pleasantly. "I consider them all young enough to wait a little, and they are dutifully willing to do as I desire." "As they certainly should be, considering what a good and kind father you are, sir, and how young they are." "And how pleasant are the days of courtship," added Mr. Lilburn; "as no doubt they will prove with them." "And how wise as well as kind our father is," said Max, giving the captain an ardently appreciative look and smile; "how patiently and earnestly he has striven to bring his children up for usefulness and happiness in this world and the next." "That is true," said Violet. "I think no one ever had a better father than yours, Max." "And certainly no one had a more appreciative wife or children than I," remarked Captain Raymond, with a smile. "We seem to have formed a mutual admiration society this morning." "Surely the very best kind of society for families to form among themselves," laughed Herbert. "And I like the way our young people are pairing off," remarked Mr. Dinsmore; "the matches arranged for among them seem to be very suitable. By the way, Elsie, we must be planning for some wedding gifts for Bob and Sidney." "Yes, sir," replied Mrs. Travilla, "I have been thinking of that, but have not decided upon any particular article yet. I suppose our better plan will be to buy in New Orleans." "Yes, I think so. And it will be well for us to have a consultation on the subject, in order to avoid giving duplicates." "A very good idea, grandpa," said Violet, "and as there are so many of us--counting the Magnolia and Parsonage people, as well as those of Torriswood--might it not be well to have that consultation soon, to determine what each will give, and then set about securing the articles in good season for the wedding, which will probably take place in about three weeks?" There was a general approval of that idea and it was decided to take prompt measures for carrying it out.