"As no doubt you will," her mother said. "It will be a pleasure to me to help you care for her, and the others also. Now, good-night, daughter; we both ought to be in bed." Violet presently stretched herself beside the sleeping Gracie with a murmured word of endearment drew the child closer to her, and in another moment was sharing her slumbers. When she awoke the sun was shining, and the first object her eyes rested upon was the little face by her side. The pallor and look of exhaustion it had worn the night before were quite gone, a faint tinge of pink had even stolen into the cheeks. Violet noted the change with a feeling of relief and thankfulness, and raising herself upon her elbow, touched her lips lightly to the white forehead. The child's eyes flew open and with a sweet engaging smile, she asked, "Have you been lying beside me all night, mamma?" "Yes, Gracie. You have had a long sleep, dear; do you feel quite rested?" "Yes, mamma, I feel very well. This is such a nice soft bed, and I like to sleep with you. May I always?" "For all winter, I think, dear. I like to have your papa's baby girl by my side." "I'm very much obliged to him for finding me such a sweet, pretty new mamma. I told him so one day," remarked the child innocently, putting an arm about Vi's neck. "Did you?" Violet asked with an amused smile; "and what did he say?" "Nothing; he just smiled and hugged me tight and kissed me ever so many times. Do you know what made him do that, mamma?" "Because he likes to have us love one another. And so we will, won't we, dear?" "Yes, indeed! Mamma, I feel a little hungry." "I'm glad to hear it, for here comes Agnes with a glass of nice rich milk for you. And when you have drunk it she will wash and dress you. We will all have to hurry a little to be ready in good time for breakfast," she added, springing from the bed and beginning her toilet. "Grandpa Dinsmore never likes to have us late." "Miss Rosie and Miss Lulu's up and dressed and gone into Miss Elsie's room, Miss Wilet," remarked Agnes, holding the tumbler she had brought to Gracie's lips. "Ah, that is well," said Violet, with a pleased look. "Lulu has stolen a march on us, Gracie." The week that followed their arrival at Ion was a delightful one to all, especially the children, who had scarce anything to do but enjoy themselves. The weather was all that could be desired, and they walked, rode, drove, boated, fished, and went nutting. Mr. Dinsmore and Edward were every day more or less busied with the affairs of the plantation, but some one of the older people could always find time to be with the children, while Zoe never failed to make one of the party, and seemed almost as much a child as any of the younger ones. Every nook on the plantation and in its neighborhood was explored, and visits were paid to Fairview, the Laurels, the Pines, the Oaks, Roselands and Ashlands; the dwellers at each place having first called upon the family at Ion.