Mr. Dinsmore highly approved, as did Rose also on being called in to the conference. "How soon do you think of starting?" she asked, looking at Elsie, then at her husband. "Papa should decide that," Elsie answered, a slight tremble in her voice, thinking of the absent one to whom that question should have been referred were his dear presence still with them. She caught a look of tenderest love and sympathy from her father. How well he understood her! How ever thoughtful of her feelings he was! "I think the decision should rest with you, daughter," he said; "though I suppose the sooner the better." "Yes," said Arthur; "for grandpa especially." "I presume no great amount of preparation will be needful, since it is but a change from one home to another," suggested Rose. "No," said Elsie, "and I think a week will suffice for mine. Papa, can business matters be arranged in that time?" "Oh yes! so we will say this day week." The door had opened very quietly a few moments before, admitting little Rose and Walter, and stealing softly to their mother's side they were now leaning on her lap, looking from one to another of their elders and listening with some curiosity to their conversation. "What is it, mamma?" asked Rosie. "We are talking of going to Viamede, dear." "Oh that will be nice!" "But we tan't doe wis-out papa," prattled Walter; "tan we, mamma? I wish my dear papa tum back quick." Rosie saw the pain in mamma's dear face, the tears in her eyes as she pressed a silent kiss on the brow of the innocent questioner, and with ready, loving tact she seized the little fellow's hand, and, drawing him away, "Come, Walter," she said, "let us go and tell the rest about it." They ran away together, and Arthur rose to take leave. "Am I imposing upon your unselfish kindness of heart, my dear cousin?" he asked in an undertone, taking Elsie's hand in his; "is it too great a sacrifice of your own feelings and inclinations?" She answered with a text, as was not unusual with her, "'Even Christ pleased not himself.'" Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore were conversing apart at the moment. "Perhaps," returned Arthur musingly, "we might make some other arrangement; grandpa might be willing to go without--" "No, no," she interrupted, "I could not think of giving him the pain of separation from papa, nor could I bear that myself. But do not trouble about me; there will be much pleasure mingled with the pain--pleasure in ministering to the comfort and happiness of the dear old grandpa, and in seeing Viamede and the old servants. I have always loved both the place and them." Her father had caught a part of her words. "Separation from me?" he said, turning toward her, "who talks of that? It shall not be with my consent." "No, papa, nor with mine, for either grandpa or myself," she said with a look of affection and a slight smile. "Arthur, will you carry a message from me to Isa?" "With pleasure."