Elsie was out again in a moment, just as the gentlemen had joined
Rose, who excited their surprise and disgust by a repetition of Miss
Stevens' speech to her.

Mr. Dinsmore looked excessively annoyed, and Edward "pshawed, and
wished her at the bottom of the sea."

"No, brother," said Rose, smiling, "you don't wish any such thing; on
the contrary, you would be the very first to fly to the rescue if you
saw her in danger of drowning."

But before there was time for anything more to be said Miss Stevens
had returned, and walking straight up to Mr. Dinsmore, she put her arm
through his, saying with a little laugh, and what was meant for a
very arch expression, "You see I don't stand upon ceremony with old
friends, Mr. Dinsmore. It isn't my way."

"No, Miss Stevens, I think it never was," he replied, offering the
other arm to Rose.

She was going to decline it on the plea that the path was too narrow
for three, but something in his look made her change her mind and
accept; and they moved on, while Elsie, almost ready to cry with
vexation, fell behind with Edward Allison for an escort.

Edward tried to entertain his young companion, but was too much
provoked at the turn things had taken to make himself very agreeable
to any one; and altogether it was quite an uncomfortable walk: no
one seeming to enjoy it but Miss Stevens, who laughed and talked
incessantly; addressing nearly all her conversation to Mr. Dinsmore,