“Thank you, my friend,” Elsie replied to her husband, the tone and the look saying far more than the words.  Then turning to her father, “And to-morrow, papa, you will welcome me to the other of my two dear homes.”

“I hope so, daughter; sunlight is not more welcome than you will always be.”

What joyous greetings now awaited our travelers.  Elsie had hardly stepped from the carriage ere she found herself in Mrs. Travilla’s arms, the old lady rejoicing over her as the most precious treasure Providence could have sent her.

Then came Rose, with her tender, motherly embrace, and joyous “Elsie, dearest, how glad I am to have you with us again.”

“Oh, but you’ve missed us sadly!” said Aunt Wealthy, taking her turn; “the house seemed half gone at the Oaks.  Didn’t it, Horace?”

“Yes; the absence of our eldest daughter made a very wide gap in the family circle,” answered Mr. Dinsmore.

And “Yes, indeed!” cried Horace junior, thinking himself addressed.  “I don’t believe I could have done without her at all if she hadn’t written me those nice little letters.”

“Don’t you thank me for bringing her back then, my little brother?” asked Mr. Travilla, holding out his hand to the child.

“Yes, indeed, Brother Edward.  Papa says I may call you that, as you asked me to; and I’ll give you another hug as I did that night, if you’ll let me.”

“That I will, my boy!” And opening wide his arms he took the lad into a warm embrace, which was returned as heartily as given.

“Now, Elsie, it’s my turn to have a hug and kiss from you,” Horace said, as Mr. Travilla released him; “everybody’s had a turn but me.  Miss King and Rosebud and all.”

Elsie had the little one in her arms, caressing it fondly.

“Yes, my dear little brother,” she said, giving Rosebud to her mammy, “you shall have as hard a hug as I can give, and as many kisses as you want.  I love you dearly, dearly, and am as glad to see you as you could wish me to be.”

“Are you much fatigued, Elsie dear?” asked Rose, when the greetings were over, even to the kindly shake of the hand and pleasant word to each of the assembled servants.

“Oh, no, mamma, we have traveled but little at night, and last night I had nine hours of sound, refreshing sleep.”

“That was right,” her father said, with an approving glance at Travilla.

Mrs. Travilla led the way to a suite of beautiful apartments prepared for the bride.

Elsie’s taste had been consulted in all the refitting and refurnishing, and the whole effect was charming.  This was, however, her first sight of the rooms since the changes had been begun.

The communicating doors were thrown wide, giving a view of the whole suite at once, from the spot where Elsie stood between Mr. Travilla and his mother.  She gazed for a moment, then turned to her husband a face sparkling with delight.