and an immense orange orchard, whose golden fruit and glossy leaves shone
brightly in the slanting rays of the nearly setting sun, to a lawn as
large, as thickly carpeted with smoothly shaven grass and many-hued
flowers, and as finely shaded with giant oaks, graceful magnolias, and
groves of orange trees, as any they had passed. The house--a grand old
mansion with spacious rooms, wide cool halls and corridors--was now in
full view, now half concealed by the trees and shrubbery.

The boat rounded to at a little pier opposite the dwelling, and in another
moment our friends had landed, and leaving the servants to attend to the
baggage were walking on towards the house.




CHAPTER SIXTH.

"Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods?
Draw near them then in being merciful,
Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge."
--SHAKESPEARE.


"Papa, it seems an earthly paradise," said Elsie, "and like a dream that I
have seen all before."

"A dream that was a reality. And it is all your own, my darling," he
answered with a proud, fond look into the bright animated face, keenly
enjoying her pleasure.