"No, no, Edward, but glad to see you and Elsie! my dear child, this is
very kind."

"Not at all, dear Mrs. Travilla; it is so lovely an evening for a ride; or
walk either," she added, giving her hand to her escort and springing
lightly to the ground.

Mr. Travilla put the hand into that of his mother. "Take her to your
heart, mother; she is mine--ours!" he said, in low tones tremulous with
joy.

The old lady folded the slight girlish form to her breast for a moment,
with a silence more eloquent than words.

"Thank God! thank God!" she murmured at length. "He has given me my
heart's desire;" and mingled caresses and tears fell upon Elsie's face.
"For many years I have loved you as my own child, and now I am to have
you. How bright our home will be, Edward. But we are darkening another.
Her father; can he--has he----"

"He has given her to me," answered the son quickly, "and she has--we have
given ourselves to each other. Let me give an arm to each of you and we
will go into the house."

* * * * *

The veranda at the Oaks was deserted, and the house very quiet, though
lights still shone here and there, as Mr. Travilla and Elsie rode up and
dismounted on their return from Ion.