"You forget," she said, half scornfully, "that it takes two to make a
bargain; three in this case; and two of us would never consent."

"Nonsense! I'd soon manage it by clever courting. A man can always get the
woman he wants if he's only sufficiently determined."

"In that you are mistaken. But why broach so disagreeable a subject, since
we are so nearly related that the very thought seems almost a sin and a
crime?"

"And so you're going to throw yourself away on old Travilla?"

Elsie faced him with flashing eyes. "No; it will be no throwing away of
myself, nor will I allow him to be spoken of in such disrespectful terms,
in my presence."

"Humph!" laughed Arthur. "Well, I've found out how to make you angry, at
all events. And I'm free to confess I don't like Travilla, or forgive him
all old scores."

Elsie scarcely seemed to hear. A horse was coming at a quiet canter up the
avenue. Both the steed and his rider wore a familiar aspect, and the young
girl's heart gave a joyous bound as the latter dismounted, throwing the
reins to a servant, and came up the steps into the veranda.

She glided towards him; there was an earnest, tender clasping of hands, a
word or two of cordial greeting, and they passed into the house and
entered the drawing room.