seen not very distinctly among these trees; it showed low, and
in a long extent of building. I have never seen a prettier
approach to a house than that at Magnolia. My heart was full
of the beauty, this first time.

"This is Magnolia, Daisy," said my aunt. "This is your house."

"It appears a fine place," said Miss Pinshon.

"It is one of the finest on the river. This is your property,
Daisy."

"It is papa's," I answered.

"Well, — it belongs to your mother, and so you may say it
belongs to your father; but it is yours for all that. The
arrangement was, as I know," my aunt went on, addressing Miss
Pinshon, — "the arrangement in the marriage settlements was,
that the sons should have the father's property, and the
daughters the mother's. There is one son and one daughter; so
they will each have enough."

"But it is mamma's and papa's," I pleaded.

"Oh, well — it will be yours. That is what I mean. Ransom will
have Melbourne and the Virginia estates; and Magnolia is
yours. You ought to have a pretty good education."

I was so astonished at this way of looking at things, that
again I lost part of what was before me. The carriage went