“No, daughter; though you might sometimes excuse or pardon a little forgetfulness when the order has not been of vital importance,” he answered, with a smile.

There was a moment’s silence:  then looking affectionately into her father’s face, Elsie said, “I am so glad, papa, that we have had this talk.  Edward and I have had several on the same subject (for we are very, very anxious to train our little one aright); and I find that we all agree.  But you must be tired acting the part of nurse.  Please lay her in my arms.”

“I am not tired, but I see you want her,” he answered with a smile, doing as she requested.

“Ah, you precious wee pet! you lovely, lovely little darling!” the young mother said, clasping her child to her bosom, and softly kissing the velvet cheek.  “Papa, is she really beautiful? or is it only the mother love that makes her so in my eyes?”

“No; she is really a remarkably beautiful babe.  Strangers pronounce her so as well as ourselves.  Do you feel quite strong enough to hold her?”

“Oh, yes, sir; yes, indeed!  The doctor says he thinks there would now be no danger in my lifting her, but——­” laughingly, and with a fond look up into her husband’s eyes, as at that moment he entered the room, “that old tyrant is so fearful of an injury to this piece of his personal property, that he won’t let me.”

“That old tyrant, eh?” he repeated, stooping to take a kiss from the sweet lips, and to bestow one on the wee face resting on her bosom.

“Yes, you know you are,” she answered, her eyes contradicting her words; “the idea of you forbidding me to lift my own baby!”

“My baby, my little friend,” he said gayly.

Elsie laughed a low, silvery, happy laugh, musical as a chime of bells.  “Our baby,” she corrected.  “But you have not spoken to papa.”

“Ah, we said good-morning out in the avenue.  Dinsmore, since we are all three here together now, suppose we get Elsie’s decision in regard to that matter we were consulting about.”

“Very well.”

“What matter?” she asked, looking a little curious.

“A business affair,” replied her husband, taking a seat by her side.

“I have a very good offer for your New Orleans property, daughter,” said Mr. Dinsmore; “shall I accept it?”

“Do you think it advisable, papa? and you, Edward?  I have great confidence in your judgments.”

“We do; we think the money could be better and more safely invested in foreign stock; but it is for you to decide, as the property is yours.”

“More safely invested?  I thought I had heard you both say real estate was the safest of all investments.”

“Usually,” replied her father, “but we fear property there is likely to depreciate in value.”

“Well, papa, please do just as you and my husband think best.  You both know far more about these things than I do, and so I should rather trust your judgment than my own.”