“No,” he responded; “and it is quite delightful to look forward to having her there again in a week or two.”

They had turned in at the great gates leading into the avenue, and presently Elsie, glancing eagerly toward the house, exclaimed with delight, “Ah, there is mammy on the veranda! watching for our coming, no doubt.  She knew we were expected at Fairview yesterday, and that I would not be long in finding my way to Ion.”

Evelyn, looking out also, perceived a bent and shriveled form, seated in an arm-chair, leaning forward, its two dusky hands clasping a stout cane, and its chin resting on the top.

As the carriage drew up before the entrance, the figure rose slowly and stiffly, and with the aid of the cane hobbled across the veranda to meet them.

“Bress de Lawd!” it cried, in accents tremulous with age and excitement, “it’s one ob my chillens, sho’ nuff; it’s Miss Elsie!”

“Yes, mammy, it is I; and very glad I am to see you,” responded Mrs. Leland, hurrying up the veranda steps and throwing Her arms about the feeble, trembling form.

“Poor old mammy,” she said, tenderly; “you are not so strong as you used to be.”

“No, darlin’, yo’ ole mammy’s mos’ at de brink ob de riber; de cold watahs ob Jordan soon be creepin’ up roun’ her ole feet.”

“But you are not afraid, mammy?” Elsie said, tears trembling in her sweet, soft eyes, so like her mother’s.

“No, chile, no; for Ise got fas’ hold ob de Master’s hand, and He holds me tight; de waves can’t go ober my head, kase He bought me wid his own precious blood and I b’longs to Him; and He always takes care ob his own chillens.”

“Yes, Aunt Chloe,” Lester said, taking one withered hand in his, as Elsie withdrew herself from her embrace, and turned aside to wipe away a tear, “His purchased ones are safe for time and for eternity.

“‘The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory.’”

“Dat’s so, sah; grace to lib by, an’ grace to die by, den glory wid Him in heaben!  Ole Uncle Joe done ‘speriencin’ dat now; an’ byme-by dis chile be wid him dar.”

“Who dis?” she asked, catching sight of Evelyn standing by her side and regarding her with tearful eyes.

“My niece, Evelyn Leland, Aunt Chloe,” answered Lester.  “She has heard of you, and wanted to see you.”

“God bless you, honey,” Chloe said, taking the little girl’s hand in her’s, and regarding her with a look of kindly interest.

But the other servants had come flocking to the veranda as the news of the arrival passed from lip to lip; and now they crowded about Lester and Elsie eager to shake their hands and bid them welcome home again, mingling with their rejoicings and congratulations many inquiries about their loved mistress—­her mother—­and the other absent members of the family.

And here, as at Fairview, Evelyn received her full share of pleased attention.