"Thank you, no; I shall find it quite warm enough on the sofa beside you. I am glad to have found you alone, for I want to have a little semi-confidential chat." She gave him an inquiring look. "I am a little uneasy about grandpa," he went on: "he seems feeble and has a troublesome cough, and I think should have a warmer climate through the coming winter. I think too, cousin, that such a change would be by no means hurtful to you or your children," he continued, regarding her with a grave, professional air: "you are a trifle thin and pale, and need something to rouse and stimulate you." "What is it you wish, Arthur?" she asked, with a slight tremble in her voice. "I should be glad if you would go to Viamede for the winter and take our grandfather with you." He paused for an answer. Her face was turned toward a window looking out upon the grounds; her eyes rested with mournful gaze upon a low mound of earth within a little enclosure not many rods away. Arthur read her thoughts, and laying a gentle hand on hers, said in low compassionate tones: "He is not there, cousin, and his spirit will be as near you in your Lily's birthplace, and your own, as here. Is not that home also full of pleasant memories of him?" She gave a silent assent. "And you can take all your other dear ones with you." "Except Edward." "Yes, but in his case it will only involve a little delay in receiving letters. Your father and Aunt Rose I am certain will go with you. And our old grandpa--" "Is a dear old grandpa, and must not suffer anything I can save him from," she interrupted. "Yes, Arthur, I will go, if--if my father approves and will accompany us, of which I have no doubt." He thanked her warmly. "It may be the saving of grandpa's life," he said. "He is getting very old, Arthur." "Yes, past eighty, but with care he may live to be a hundred; he has a naturally vigorous constitution. And how he mellows with age, Elsie! He has become a very lovely Christian, as humble and simple-hearted as a little child." "Yes," she said turning toward him eyes filled with glad tears, "and he has become very dear to me. I think he loves us all--especially papa--and that we shall have a happy winter together." "I don't doubt it; in fact, I quite envy you the prospect." "Oh could you not go with us to stay at least a few weeks? We should all be so very glad to have you." "Quite impossible," he said, shaking his head rather ruefully. "I'm greatly obliged, and should be delighted to accept your invitation, but it isn't often a busy doctor can venture to take such a holiday." "I'm very sorry. But you think there is no doubt that grandpa will be willing to go?" "He'll not hesitate a moment if he hears Uncle Horace is to go. He clings to him now more than to any other earthly creature." "Papa is in the library; shall we join him and hear what he thinks of your plan?" said Elsie, rising. "By all means," returned Arthur, and they did so.