Elsie repeated the conversation to her husband as they rode homeward, and consulted him in regard to a plan which had occurred to her. He approved, and instead of stopping at Ion they rode on to Roselands. Arrived there, Mr. Travilla joined the gentlemen in the library, while Elsie sought her aunts in the pretty parlor usually occupied by them when not entertaining company. After a little desultory chat on ordinary topics, she spoke of the Fosters, their indigent circumstances, and her desire to find employment for the girls in teaching. "Always concerning yourself in other people's business;" remarked Enna. "Why don't you do like the rest of us, and leave them to mind their own affairs?" "Because I see that they need help, and we are told, 'Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others.' And again, 'As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.' "I heard you, not long since, Aunt Louise, wishing you could afford a day governess and knew of a suitable person. Would you--would you be willing to employ one at my expense, and give the situation to Lucinda Foster?" "And let her give it out among our acquaintance that you were paying for the education of my children!" exclaimed Louise, coloring angrily. "No, I thank you." "Not at all; she need know nothing of the arrangement except that you employ her to instruct your children, and pay her for it. You and Enna, if she will accept the same from me, for herself." "Dear me," exclaimed Enna, "how you're always spending money on strangers, when your own relations could find plenty of use for it!" Elsie smiled slightly at this peculiar view taken of her generous offer, but only added, "I would, if you would accept--" "I'm no object of charity," interrupted Louise, coldly. "Certainly not," Elsie said, coloring, "yet why should you object to giving so near a relative the pleasure of--But in this instance 'tis I who am asking a favor of you. I want to help the Fosters and cannot do so directly, without wounding their honest pride of independence." "You will of course employ Lucinda to teach your own?" "No, I am not in want of a governess. Would you like to have Anna give lessons to your girls in music and drawing?" "Is she to teach yours?" asked Enna. "No; M. Reboul has them under his instruction, and as he gives entire satisfaction, I could not feel it right to turn him away." "H'm! teachers that are not good enough for your children, are not good enough for ours." "If I were in want of teachers, I should employ the Misses Foster," was Elsie's quiet reply. Nothing more was said for a moment, then rising to go, "I am then to consider my proposition declined?" she remarked, inquiringly. "Well no, since you put it on the ground of a favor to yourself, I should be sorry to refuse to gratify you," said Louise. "Thank you. And you, Enna?"