“Oh, how lovely!” murmured the little girl, dropping the reins on her horse’s neck and gazing about her with eyes now sparkling with pleasure, now dimmed with tears; for, alas! these lovely scenes were not for her; at least not now, and it might be, never; and her heart was very sad.

At length she reached the house.  Chloe met her at the door, and clasped her to her bosom with tears of joy and thankfulness.

“Bless de Lord for his goodness in sendin’ my chile back to her ole mammy again,” she said; “I’se so glad, darlin’, so berry glad!”

And as she spoke she drew the little girl into a pleasant room, fitted up with books and pictures, couches and easy-chairs and tables, with every convenience for writing, drawing, etc.

“Dis am Massa Horace’s study,” she said, in answer to the eager, inquiring glance Elsie sent round the room, while she removed her hat and habit, and seated her in one of the softly-cushioned chairs; “an’ de next room is your own little sittin’ room, an’ jes de prettiest ever was seen, your ole mammy tinks; and now dat she’s got her chile back again she’ll be as happy as de day am long.”

“Oh, mammy,” sobbed the child, “I am not to stay.”

Chloe’s look of delight changed to one of blank dismay.

“But you are comin’ soon, darlin’?” she said inquiringly.  “I tink Massa Horace ’tends to be here ’fore long, sartain, kase he’s had de whole house fixed up so fine; an’ I’se sure he never take so much trouble, an’ spend such loads ob money fixin’ up such pretty rooms for you, ef he didn’t love you dearly, an’ ’tend to have you here ’long with himself.”

Elsie shook her head sorrowfully.  “No, mammy, he says not unless I give up my wilfulness, and promise to do exactly as he bids me; and if I will not do that, I am to be sent away to boarding-school.”

The last words came with a great sob, as she flung herself into Chloe’s outstretched arms, and hid her face on her bosom.

“Poor darlin’! poor little pet!” murmured the nurse, hugging her tight, while her own tears fell in great drops on the golden curls.  “I thought your troubles were all over.  I s’posed Massa Horace had found out you wasn’t bad after all, an’ was comin’ right home to live with you in dis beautiful place.  But dere, don’t, don’t you go for to break your little heart ’bout it, dear; I’se sure de good Lord make um all come right in de end.”

Elsie made no reply, and for a little while they mingled their tears in silence.  Then she raised her head, and gently releasing herself from Chloe’s embrace, said, “Now, mammy, I must go all about and see everything, for that was papa’s command.”

Chloe silently led the way through halls, parlors, drawing-room, library, dining, sitting and bed-rooms, servants’ apartments, kitchen, pantry, and all; then out into the grounds, visiting in turn vegetable and flower gardens, lawn, hot-houses and grapery; and finally, bringing the little girl back to her papa’s study, she led her from there into his bed-room and dressing-room, and then to her own apartments, which she had reserved to the last.  These were three—­bed-room, sitting-room, and dressing-room—­all beautifully furnished with every comfort and convenience.