“Mother, I did not come here to turn you out of your rightful place,” objected Elsie, blushing painfully.

“My dear child, it is your own place; as the wife of the master of the house, you are its mistress.  And if you knew how I long to see you actually filling that position; how glad I am to resign the reigns to such hands as yours, you need not hesitate or hold back.”

“Yes; take it, wife,” said Mr. Travilla, in tender, reassuring tones, as he led her to the seat of honor; “I know my mother is sincere (she is never anything else), and she told me long ago, even before she knew who was to be her daughter, how glad she would be to resign the cares of mistress of the household.”  Elsie yielded, making no further objection, and presided with the same modest ease, dignity, and grace with which she had filled the like position at Viamede.  The experience there had accustomed her to the duties of the place, and after the first moment she felt quite at home in it.

Mr. Dinsmore’s carriage was announced at the early hour he had named.  The conversation in the drawing-room had been general for a time, but now the company had divided themselves into groups; the two older married ladies and Aunt Wealthy forming one, Mr. Travilla and Miss King another, while Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter had sought out the privacy of a sofa, at a distance from the others, and were in the midst of one of the long, confidential chats they always enjoyed so much.

“Ah, papa, don’t go yet,” Elsie pleaded, “we’re not half done our talk, and it’s early.”

“But the little folks should have been in their nests long before this,” he said, taking out his watch.

“Then send them and their mammies home, and let the carriage return for you and the ladies; unless they wish to go now.”

He looked at her smilingly.  “You are not feeling the need of rest and sleep?”

“Not at all, papa; only the need of a longer chat with you.”

“Then, since you had so good a rest last night, it shall be as you wish.”

“Are you ready, my dear?” asked Rose, from the other side of the room.

“Not yet, wife; I shall stay half an hour longer, and if you ladies like to do the same we will send the carriage home with the children and their mammies, and let it return for you.”

“What do you say, Aunt Wealthy and Miss Lottie?” inquired Mrs. Dinsmore.

“I prefer to stay and talk out my finish with Mrs. Travilla,” said Miss Stanhope.

“I cast my vote on the same side,” said Miss King.  “But, my dear Mrs. Dinsmore, don’t let us keep you.”

“Thanks, no; but I, too, prefer another half hour in this pleasant company.”

The half hour flew away on swift wings, to Elsie especially.

“But why leave us at all to-night, auntie and Lottie?” she asked, as the ladies began their preparations for departure.  “You are to be my guests for the rest of the winter, are you not?” Then turning, with a quick vivid blush, to Mrs. Travilla, “Mother, am I transcending my rights?”