Mr. Dinsmore's carriage was announced at the early hour he had named. The conversation in the drawing-room had been general for a time, but now the company had divided themselves into groups; the two older married ladies and Aunt Wealthy forming one, Mr. Travilla and Miss King another, while Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter had sought out the privacy of a sofa, at a distance from the others, and were in the midst of one of the long, confidential chats they always enjoyed so much. "Ah, papa, don't go yet," Elsie pleaded, "we're not half done our talk, and it's early." "But the little folks should have been in their nests long before this," he said, taking out his watch. "Then send them and their mammies home, and let the carriage return for you and the ladies; unless they wish to go now." He looked at her smilingly. "You are not feeling the need of rest and sleep?" "Not at all, papa; only the need of a longer chat with you." "Then, since you had so good a rest last night, it shall be as you wish." "Are you ready, my dear?" asked Rose, from the other side of the room. "Not yet, wife; I shall stay half an hour longer, and if you ladies like to do the same we will send the carriage home with the children and their mammies, and let it return for you." "What do you say, Aunt Wealthy and Miss Lottie?" inquired Mrs. Dinsmore. "I prefer to stay and talk out my finish with Mrs. Travilla," said Miss Stanhope. "I cast my vote on the same side," said Miss King. "But, my dear Mrs. Dinsmore, don't let us keep you." "Thanks, no; but I, too, prefer another half hour in this pleasant company." The half hour flew away on swift wings, to Elsie especially. "But why leave us at all to-night, auntie and Lottie?" she asked, as the ladies began their preparations for departure. "You are to be my guests for the rest of the winter, are you not?" Then turning, with a quick vivid blush, to Mrs. Travilla, "Mother, am I transcending my rights?" "My dearest daughter, no; did I not say you were henceforth mistress of this house?" "Yes, from its master down to the very horses in the stable and dogs in the kennel," laughed Mr. Travilla, coming softly up and stealing an arm about his wife's waist. Everybody laughed. "No, sir; I don't like to contradict you," retorted Elsie, coloring but looking lovingly into the eyes bent so fondly upon her, "but I am--nothing to you but your little wife;" and her voice sank almost to a whisper with the last word. "Ah? Well, dear child, that's enough for me," he said, in the same low tone. "But, Lottie," she remarked aloud, "you are tying on your hat. Won't you stay?" "Not to-night, thank you, Mrs. Travilla," answered the gay girl in her merry, lively tones. "You are to be at the Oaks to-morrow, and perhaps I--well, we can settle the time there." "And you, auntie?" "Why, dearie, I think you'd better get your housekeeping a little used to your ways first. And it's better for starting out that young folks should be alone."