“You don’t mean it!” exclaimed Mrs. Force, between surprise, pleasure and incredulity. “Yes; I do most certainly mean it. I have never seen America, and though the state of civil war may not be the most pleasant aspect under which to view a new country, yet it is certainly the most interesting. And so, Elfrida, if you have no objection, I shall go with you to America.” “You know that I am delighted at the thought of having you,” said the lady. “Has Force written to engage passage?” inquired the earl. “He intends to write this morning to inquire about the first ship on which he can get berths for all our large party to New York.” “Then ask him to see about two additional berths for me and my valet.” Thus it was arranged that the whole family party, including the earl, should go to America together. In due time the answer from the agent of the Cunard line arrived. They could all be accommodated on the _Asia_, which would sail on the twenty-third of March. “This is the ninth. We have just two weeks to get ready in. We had best start for Liverpool as soon as possible and make our final preparations for the voyage there,” said Mr. Force, after he had read the letter to his assembled family. “And, oh, papa, let somebody go to Enderby Castle to fetch Joshua,” exclaimed Wynnette. “Why, my dear girl, the old dog may be dead,” said the earl. “Oh, no, he is not dead! I write to Mrs. Kelsey every week to ask about dear Joshua, and he is very well. And he is not at all an old dog. He is only nine years old. I remember him ever since he was a puppy.” “Well, it has been over two years since he saw you, and he has forgotten you by this time.” “Oh, no, he hasn’t. We were away from home three years and three months, and he never forgot us. You ought to have seen how he met us!” “Well, my dear, when we get to Liverpool, I will telegraph to one of my grooms to bring the dog to us.” “Dear uncle! how I love you!” A week from this time the whole party were settled at the Adelphi Hotel, in Liverpool, to await the day of their sailing for New York. Mr. Force kept his room. The Earl of Enderby spent hours in his own apartment with his family solicitor and his land steward, both of whom had been summoned by telegraph to meet him at Liverpool. The ladies of the family spent their days in final shopping, providing themselves, among other conveniences, with thick linsey-woolsey suits for sea wear, and with heavy Astrakhan wool shawls for wraps. In due time the groom from Enderby arrived with Wynnette’s dog in his charge. Space does not permit to describe the interview between the two. It is enough to hint that Joshua, in dog language, bitterly reproached his mistress for breaking faith with him, and deserting him for so long a time, and then magnanimously forgave her, while Wynnette was all apologies for the past and protestations for the future.