"I--I'm afraid I oughtn't to ask it," he stammered, blushing vividly, "I've no right, and--and it might be disagreeable, but--oh, I should like to kiss you good-night!" "You may, Max," she said, laughing, then put her arms round his neck and gave the kiss very heartily. "Thank you," he cried in blushing delight; then hurried away, calling back, "Ah, good-night, Lu!" "Good-night," she answered, looking wistfully at Violet. "Shall I have a good-night kiss from you too, dear?" Violet asked, offering her lips. Lulu accepted the invitation in an eager, joyous way, then asked, "May I see Gracie before I go to bed?" "Yes, dear; we will go in very quietly lest we should wake her if she is asleep." They found Gracie awake, Aunt Chloe shaking up her pillow and smoothing the cover over her. "O mamma!" she cried in her little weak voice, "how beautiful you are! And, Lulu, where did you get those pretty things?" "Mamma Vi gave them to me," Lulu said. "O Gracie dear, are you better?" "Yes, I don't feel sick now, only weak. She's very good to me, she and everybody," with a grateful look at her sable nurse. "Yes," Violet said, "mammy is always good and kind, especially to a sick person. Now Lulu and I will kiss you good-night and leave you to go to sleep again." "You are nice and kind to come, both of you," Gracie said, receiving and returning their caresses. "Mammy," Violet said as she turned to leave the room, "I'm afraid you are not able to take the care of her through the night." "Yes, I is, honey darlin'," responded the old woman with warmth. "I'll hab a quilt spread down dar on de flo', and I'll lie dar an' sleep, an' ef de chile stirs I'll wake right up and gib her eberyting she wants." "Mamma Vi, don't you want to see my room?" Lulu asked as they neared its door. "I think it is ever so pretty." "So it is," Violet said, stepping inside with her, "and I am very glad you like it. If you think of anything else you want in it, don't hesitate to ask for it; both your papa and I wish to do all in our power to make his children happy." "Thank you. Oh, it is so nice to have a new mamma! such a sweet, kind one," Lulu exclaimed with impulsive warmth, setting down her candle and throwing her arms about Violet's neck. "Dear child!" Violet said, returning the embrace, "I am very glad you are beginning to love me. I hope we shall all love each other better every day and be very happy together. You won't forget to ask God's protection before you sleep, and thank him for his love and care? What a mercy that we met with no accident on our journey!" "Yes, indeed! and I won't forget to say my prayers, Mamma Vi." They exchanged an affectionate good-night, and Violet went to her own room. Agnes was there, waiting to assist her in disrobing, to take down her hair, and put things in place. As the maid withdrew, her duty finished, Elsie came softly in. "Dearest mamma!" cried Vi joyously, "I am so glad you have come! I thought you would."