The first who claimed her attention, introduced herself as “Aunt Phillis de housekeepah.  An’ I’se got eberyting ready for you, honey; de beds is aired, de fires laid in de drawin’-room, an’ library, an’ sleepin’ rooms, an’ de pantry full ob the nicest tings dis chile an’ ole Aunt Sally know how to cook; an’ I sent Jack right to de house to start de fires de fust minute dese ole eyes catch sight ob massa an’ young missus, an’ knows dey heyah.”

“My dear child, all this is quite too much for you,” said Mr. Dinsmore, attempting to draw his daughter away.

“Just a moment, papa, please,” she answered in a slightly unsteady voice; “let me speak to them all.”  He yielded, but cut short the garrulity of some who would have liked to mingle reminiscences of her baby-hood with their rejoicing over her return, telling them they must reserve such communication for a more suitable time, as their young mistress was faint and weary, and must have rest.

The appearance of Chloe and her recovered husband upon the scene, now created a diversion in their favor, and he presently succeeded in leading Elsie to the house.

A young mulatto girl followed them into the drawing-room, where a bright wood-fire was blazing on the hearth, asking if she should take Miss Elsie’s things.

“Yes,” Mr. Dinsmore said, removing his daughter’s hat and shawl, and handing them to her.

She left the room; and taking Elsie in his arms, and gently laying her head upon his breast, “Let the tears have their way, darling,” he said, “it will do you good.”

For several minutes the tears came in floods.  “Oh, papa,” she sobbed, “to think that my people, my poor people, should be so served.  It must never, never be again!”

“No,” he said, “we will find means to prevent it.  There, you feel better now, do you not?”

“Yes, sir.  Papa dear, welcome, welcome to my house; the dearest guest that could come to it.”  And wiping away her tears, she lifted her loving eyes to his, a tender smile playing about the sweet lips.

“Save one,” he answered half-playfully, passing his hand caressingly over her hair, and bending down to press his lips on brow, and cheeks, and mouth.  “Is not that so?”

“No, my own dear father, save none,” with a charming blush, but eyes looking steadily into his; “when he comes, it shall be as master, not guest.  But now tell me, please, what can I do with this Spriggs?  I should like to pay him a month’s wages in advance, and start him off early to-morrow morning.”

Mr. Dinsmore shook his head gravely.  “It would not do, my child.  The sugar-making season will shortly begin; he understands the business thoroughly; we could not supply his place at a moment’s notice, or probably in a number of months, and the whole crop would be lost.  We must not be hasty or rash, but remember the Bible command, ’Let your moderation be known unto all men.’  Nor should we allow ourselves to judge the man too hardly.”