"Wouldn't you be willing to make haste quickly in this instance, dearest?" queried Chester in a low aside to Lucilla; for as usual they sat near together. "No," she returned with a saucy smile, "I find courting times too pleasant to be willing to cut them short; even if father would let me; and I know he would not." "And he won't let the other couple; which is good, since misery loves company." "Ah, is courting me such hard work?" she asked, knitting her brows in pretended anger and disgust. "Delightful work, but taking you for my very own would be still better." "Ah, but you see that Captain Raymond considers me one of the little girls who are still too young to leave their fathers." "Well, you know I am pledged never to take you away from him." "Yes, I am too happy in the knowledge of that ever to forget it. But do you know I for one should not fancy being married along with other couples--one ceremony serving for all. I should hardly feel sure the thing had been thoroughly and rightly done." "Shouldn't you?" laughed Chester. "Well, then, we will have the minister and ceremony all to ourselves whenever we do have it." Just then the lady visitors rose to take leave, and Chester, who had promised to return with Dr. and Mrs. Percival to Torriswood for the night, had time for but a few words with Lucilla. "I hope to be here again to-morrow pretty soon after breakfast," he said. "I grudge every hour spent away from your side." "Really, you flatter me," she laughed. "I doubt if anybody else appreciates my society so highly." "You are probably mistaken as to that," he said. "I am quite aware that I am not your only admirer, and I feel highly flattered by your preference for me." "Do you?" she laughed. "Well, I think it would not be prudent to tell you how great it is--if I could. Good-night," giving him her hand, which he lifted to his lips. As usual she had a bit of chat with her father before retiring to her sleeping apartment for the night, and in that she repeated something of this little talk with Chester. "Yes, he is very much in love, and finds it hard to wait," said the captain; "but I am no more ready to give up my daughter than he is to wait for her." "I am in no hurry, papa," said Lucilla, "I do so love to be with you and under your care--and authority," she added with a mirthful, loving look up into his eyes. "Yes, daughter dear, but do you expect to escape entirely from that last when you marry?" "No, sir; and I don't want to. I really do love to be directed and controlled by you--my own dear father." "I think no man ever had a dearer child than this one of mine," he said with emotion, drawing her into his arms and caressing her with great tenderness. He held her close for a moment, then releasing her bade her go and prepare for her night's rest. Max and Evelyn were again sauntering along near the bayou, enjoying a bit of private chat before separating for the night.