“Thank you.  And your husband? what is he like?”

“I was never good at description, but he is a fine specimen of a Kentucky planter, and very fond of his wife.  By the way, you must blame me that Edward and Lora were so late in welcoming you home.  I arrived only yesterday morning, quite fatigued with my journey, and begged them to wait till to-day, and bring me with them.”

“That was right.  We have not seen Enna yet, or Arthur.  Grandpa and Mrs. Dinsmore and Walter called yesterday.  But there is the dinner-bell.  Let me conduct you to the dining-room.”

They were just in time to sit down with the others.

Elsie quickly perceived by her Aunt Lora’s look and manner, that she, too, had heard the news, but no remark was make on the subject till the ladies had retired to the drawing-room, leaving the gentlemen to the enjoyment of their after-dinner cigars.

Then Mrs. Howard, facing round upon her niece as they entered the room, exclaimed, “Elsie, you naughty child! are you not ashamed of yourself?”

“On account of what, auntie?”

“Such unconscious innocence!” cried Lora, throwing up the white and jeweled hands she had rested lightly for an instant upon the young girl’s shoulder, while gazing steadily into the smiling, blushing, sparkling face.  “You haven’t been planning and promising to give Adelaide and me a nephew older than ourselves?  I tell you, miss, I refuse my consent.  Why, it’s absurd! the very idea!  I used to think him almost an elderly gentleman when you were a chit of eight or nine.”

“I remember having had some such idea myself; but he must have been growing young since then,” returned Elsie, demurely.

“He seems to have been standing still (waiting for you, I suppose); but I never was more astonished in my life!” said Lora, dropping into a chair.

“It has been a genuine surprise to us all,” remarked Rose.

“To me as much as anyone, mamma,” said Elsie.  “I—­had thought he was engaged to you, Aunt Adie.”

“To me, child!”

“Why, my dear, I surely told you about her engagement to my brother Edward?” exclaimed Adelaide and Rose simultaneously.

“You tried, mamma, and it was all my own fault that I did not hear the whole truth.  And, Aunt Adie, I cannot understand how he could ever fancy me, while he might have hoped there was a possibility of winning you.”

“’Twould have been a much more suitable match,” said Lora.  “Though I’d have preferred the one in contemplation, except that in the other case, she would not be carried quite away from us.  But suppose we proceed to business.  We should have a double wedding, I think.”

“Oh, don’t talk of it yet,” said Rose, with a slight tremble in her voice, and looking at Elsie’s flushed, conscious face with eyes full of unshed tears.  “Adelaide’s is to be within the next two months, and—­we cannot give up Elsie so suddenly.”