Her grandfather had grown very fond of her and her children, was often at Ion, and for his sake she occasionally visited Roselands.  Adelaide’s presence had drawn her there more frequently of late.  The invitation Mr. Travilla carried was to the grandfather, three aunts and all their children.

Adelaide and Enna were in the drawing-room when the Ion carriage drew up at the door.

“There’s Travilla, the old scalawag:  how I hate him!  Elsie too, I presume,” exclaimed the latter, glancing from the window; “I’ll leave you to entertain them,” and she hastily left the room.

Adelaide flashed an indignant look after her, and hurried out to meet and welcome the callers.  Mr. Travilla had alighted and was coming up the steps of the veranda.

“How d’ye do.  I’m very glad to see you,” cried Adelaide, extending her hand, “but where is Elsie?”

“Left at home for once,” he answered gayly, “but I come this morning merely as her ladyship’s messenger.”

“But won’t you come in; you and the children?”

“Thanks, no, if you will permit me just to deliver my message and go; for I am in haste.”

Mrs. Allison accepted the invitation for herself and children with evident pleasure, engaged that her sisters would do the same; then went to the carriage window for a moment’s chat with the little ones, each of whom held a large place in her warm heart.  “Aunt Addie,” said Elsie in an undertone, “mamma’s going to wear her wedding dress to-night, veil and all.”

“Is she? why that’s an excellent idea.  But don’t tell it anywhere else that you go; it will be such a nice surprise to the rest if we can keep it a secret.”

“That was a good suggestion of Aunt Addie’s,” Mr. Travilla remarked as they drove down the avenue.  “Suppose we carry it out.  How many of you can refrain from telling what mamma is to wear to-night? how many can I trust to keep a secret?”

“All of us, papa!” “Me, papa, me, I won’t tell,” cried the little voices in chorus.

“Yes, I believe I can trust you all,” he answered in his bright cheery way.  “Now on to the Oaks, Solon, then to Pinegrove, Springbrook, and Ashlands.  That will be the last place, children, and as our hurry will then be over, you shall get out of the carriage and have a little time to rest before we start for home.”

Re-entering the house Mrs. Allison went to the family sitting-room where she found both her sisters and several of the younger members of the household.  “So they have asked for us?” exclaimed Louise in a tone of vexation, “at such an unreasonable hour too.  Well,” with a sigh of resignation, “I suppose we must show ourselves or papa will be displeased:  so wonderfully fond of Elsie as he has grown of late.”

“As well he may,” returned Adelaide pointedly; “but Elsie is not here nor has any one inquired for you.”

“No, I presume not,” interrupted Enna with a sneer, “we are not worth inquiring for.”