“What do you say, Elsie?” asked Mr. Travilla.

“That I will go or stay as you think best.”

“We must ride very fast; I think it would fatigue you too much; so advise you to stay with Mrs. Balis, and I will call for you on my return.”

“Do, Mrs. Travilla!  I should be delighted to have you,” urged Mrs. Balis; “and you can tell me all about last night.  What a trial to your nerves!  I don’t wonder you are looking a little pale this morning.”

“Thank you, I will stay,” said Elsie; and instantly her husband, giving his horse into Nap’s charge for a moment, sprang to the ground and lifted her from the saddle.  “Don’t be anxious, little wife,” he whispered, as the soft eyes met his with a fond wistful look, “I am not likely to be in danger, and you know the sweet words, ’Not a hair of your head shall fall to the ground without your Father.’”

“Yes, yes, I know, and will trust you in His hands, my dear husband,” was the low-breathed response.

Another moment and the two gentlemen were galloping rapidly down the avenue side by side.  The ladies stood on the veranda, watching till they were out of sight, then went into the house.

“Now, my dear Mrs. Travilla, shall I just treat you as one of ourselves, and take you into my own breezy room?” asked Mrs. Balis, regarding Elsie with an affectionate, admiring look.

“It is just what I should like, Mrs. Balis,” Elsie answered, with a smile so sweet that her hostess put her arm about her and kissed her.

“I can’t help it,” she said; “you take my heart by storm with your beauty, grace, and sweetness.”

“Thank you, and you need not apologize,” Elsie said, returning the embrace; “love is too precious a gift to be rejected.”

“I think Mr. Travilla a very fortunate man, and so does my husband.”

“And am not I a fortunate woman, too?”

“Ah, yes, Mr. Travilla is most agreeable and entertaining, handsome too; and indeed I should think everything one could wish in a husband; as mine is,” she added laughingly.  “I presume neither of us would consent to an exchange of partners.  Are you fond of children, Mrs. Travilla?”

“Very.”

“Shall I show you mine?”

“I should like to see them, if you please.”

Mrs. Balis at once led the way to the nursery, where she exhibited, with much motherly pride and delight, her three darlings, the eldest five, the second three years of age, the third a babe in the arms.  They were bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked children, full of life and health, but to Elsie’s taste not half so sweet and pretty as Rosebud.