“A gentleman and his wife are the principals, two daughters assist, and there are French and music masters, etc.  You will hear all about it when you come; but I am pretty certain you will find it a suitable school for all your numerous flock of children; and so uncle may take a rest from his labor of love, for such I know it has been.”

The remainder of the letter was occupied with other matters not important to our story.

The greater part of the missive Elsie read aloud to the assembled family in the parlor, where they had gathered on leaving the breakfast-table; then turning to her father,

“Well, papa, what do you think of it?” she asked.  “I am rejoiced at the prospect of seeing you left to take your ease, as you surely have a right to at your age.”

“Am I actually growing so extremely old?” he asked with a comically rueful look.  “Really, I had flattered myself that I was still a vigorous man, capable of a great deal of exertion.”

“So you seem to be, Cousin Horace,” said Mr. Keith, “and certainly you are quite youthful compared to Marcia and myself.”

“Oh fie, Uncle Keith,” laughed Zoe, “to insinuate that a lady is so very ancient!”

“But, my dear child, people often come, toward the close of life, to be proud of their age, and perhaps sometimes are tempted to make it appear greater than it is.”

“When they get up in the hundreds, for instance?” Edward said half inquiringly.

“Yes,” said Mr. Keith, with an amused smile; “though I must not be understood as acknowledging that either my wife or myself has yet arrived at that stage.”

“But we hope you will live to reach it,” Elsie said, with an affectionate glance from one to the other.

“Would you keep us so long from home, my sweet cousin?” Mrs. Keith asked, something in her placid face seeming to tell of longing desire to be near and like her Lord.”

“Only for the sake of those to whom you are so dear, Aunt Marcia,” Elsie answered, her eyes glistening.

“I shall keep them as long as ever I can,” said Annis.

There was a moment’s silence; then Edward asked, “Now what about Isa’s request?”

“What do you say, Elsie?” Mr. Dinsmore queried, looking at his daughter.

“That I am quite satisfied to go at whatever time will best suit the others; particularly our guests and yourself, papa.”

“What do you say, Marcia?” he inquired of his cousin.

“That I find it delightful here, and feel assured it will not be less so at Viamede; so am ready to go at once, or to stay longer, as you please.”

Mrs. Dinsmore, Mr. Keith, and Annis expressed themselves in like manner.

“I think you would probably have pleasanter weather for travelling now than some weeks later in the season,” remarked Edward; “and whatever else may be said of my opinion, it is at least disinterested, as I shall be the loser if you are influenced by it.”