Mr. Dinsmore was as good as his word; their chat had lasted more than an
hour when his summons came, yet Lucy declared it had not been half long
enough, and would not be satisfied to let Elsie go without a promise to
come again very soon.

* * * * *

"Roselands, too, looks very natural, and very homelike," remarked Mr.
Dinsmore, as they rode up its avenue.

"Yes, papa; and yet, do you know, it seems to me it has grown smaller and
less grand since I lived here as a child."

"Ah! did you think it very grand then, daughter?" he asked, turning to her
with a smile.

"I believe so, papa; but it is beautiful yet, even after all the fine
places we have seen in our own country and Europe."

Adelaide met them at the door. "Just in time," she said, "for there is the
dressing-bell. Your own old room, Elsie dear: you know the way and will
find Aunt Chloe in waiting. Horace, you will make yourself at home of
course."

It was strictly a family party, sociable and informal. Elsie had not met
Arthur since their return, and at the first moment scarcely recognized him
in the moustached and bewhiskered young man who rose and came forward,
with a slight limp, to meet her as she entered the drawing-room.