“Thanks, dear, thanks to your papa and mamma too,” said the old lady, clasping the little girl close, while tears filled her aged eyes, “yes, yes, I’ll go; we will all go; how could I reject such kindness!”

The children, from Rosie Dinsmore—­who would hardly have consented to be put into that list—­down to Harold Travilla, were wild with delight, and for the rest of the evening could scarce speak or think of anything else than Viamede and the pleasures they hoped to enjoy there.

“Now all have spoken but you, brother mine,” Elsie said, turning to Horace Jr.  “You surely do not intend to reject our invitation?”

“Not entirely, sister, but papa seems to have left the considering for me, and I’ve been at it.  There should be some one to look after the plantations here, and upon whom but myself should that duty devolve?”

“We all have good overseers.”

“Yes, but there should be some one to take a general supervision over them.  I think I will go with you, make a short visit and return; if you all like to trust me with the care of your property.”

“You’re welcome to take care of Ashlands, Cousin Horace, and I’ll be obliged to you too,” spoke up young Herbert Carrington “and so will mother and grandma, I know.”

“Indeed we will,” said the old lady.

“And it will leave us quite free from care, you good boy,” added the younger.

Mr. Travilla expressed similar sentiments in regard to Horace’s offer as it concerned Ion, and Mr. Dinsmore was quite as willing to leave the Oaks in his son’s care.

As it was now late in the fall and no very extensive preparations were needed, it was agreed that they would start in a few days.

“We shall make a large party,” remarked Sophie, “Are you sure, Elsie, that you will have room for so many?”

“Abundance; the house is very large; and the more the merrier.  I wish I could persuade Aunt Wealthy, May and Harry to come, with their babies too, of course.  I shall write to Lansdale to-night.”

“That would be a delightful addition to the party,” remarked Mr. Dinsmore; “but aunt is now in her eightieth year, and I fear will think herself much too old for so long a journey.”

“Ah, yes, papa, but she is more active than most women of seventy and can go nearly all the way by water;—­down the Ohio and the Mississippi and along the Gulf.  At all events I shall do my best to persuade her.”

“And you are so great a favorite that your eloquence will not be wasted, I think,” said Mr. Travilla.

He was right; the old lady could not resist the urgent entreaties of her dearly loved grand-niece, joined to the pleasant prospect of spending some months with her and the other relatives and friends, each of whom held a place in her warm, loving heart.

An answering letter was sent from Lansdale by return of mail, promising that their party would follow the other to Viamede at an early day.