"Will they?" said Mr. Dinsmore, with a laugh in which all present joined,
Enna herself excepted; "well, if she is a fair specimen of that
much-abused class, they are far more attractive than is generally
supposed."

"You needn't laugh," said Enna; "I was four years younger than she is now,
when I married. I wasn't going to wait till they began to call me an old
maid."

"To bear that reproach is not the worst calamity that can befall a woman,"
replied Mr. Dinsmore gravely; then changed the subject by a kind inquiry
in regard to Arthur.

"Slowly and steadily improving," answered Walter. "The doctors are now
satisfied that he is not permanently crippled, though he still uses a
crutch."




CHAPTER SECOND.

"Mutual love, the crown of all our bliss."
--MILTON'S PARADISE LOST.


After a half hour of waiting for her son's return, Mrs. Travilla sat down
to her lonely cup of tea. There was no lack of delicacies on the table,
and in all Edward's taste had been consulted. To make him comfortable and
happy was, next to serving her God, the great aim and object of his