jealous of having any hands but her own busied about the person of her
idolized young mistress.

A glad welcome awaited them at home, where they arrived in due season for
Adelaide's wedding.

Sophie and Harry Carrington had returned from their wedding trip, and were
making their home with his parents, at Ashlands; Richard, Fred, and May
Allison, came with their brother Edward; but Harold, who was to meet them
at Roselands, was not there. He had engaged to act as second groomsman,
Richard being first, and there was much wondering over his absence; many
regrets were expressed, and some anxiety was felt.

But Elsie and her father kept their own counsel, and breathed no word of
the episode at Viamede, which would have explained all.

Harold's coming was still hoped for by the others until the last moment,
when Fred took his place, and the ceremony passed off as satisfactorily as
if there had been no failure on the part of any expected, to participate
in it.

It took place in the drawing-room at Roselands, in presence of a crowd of
aristocratic guests, and was considered a very grand affair. A round of
parties followed for the next two weeks, and then the happy pair set sail
for Europe.




CHAPTER NINTH.