Her tears were falling fast.  He put his arm about her waist, her head dropped upon his shoulder and he smoothed her hair with caressing hand.

“It is hard for you,” he said tenderly; “so different from what you and all of us have looked forward to.  But you have been very brave, dear; and what a blessing that your coming is working such a cure for Lester!”

“Yes, oh yes!  God is very good to me, His blessings are unnumbered!”

“It seems a sad sort of bridal for you,” he said, “but I shall telegraph the hour to mamma immediately, and they will all be thinking of and praying for you.”

“Oh, that is a comfort I had not thought of!” she exclaimed, with glad tears shining in her eyes.  “What a blessing you are to me, brother dear!”

Lester was not able to leave his bed or likely to be for weeks, but that she might devote herself the more entirely to him Elsie had consented to be married at once.

She laid aside her mourning for the occasion, and Dinah helped her to array herself for her bridal in a very beautiful evening dress of some white material which had been worn but once before.

“Pity dars no time to get a new dress, Miss Elsie,” remarked the handmaiden half regretfully.  “Doe sho’ nuff you couldn’t look no sweeter and beautifuller dan you does in dis.”

“I prefer this, Dinah, because they all—­even dear, dear papa—­have seen me in it,” Elsie said, hastily wiping away a tear; “and I remember he said it became me well.  Oh, I can see his proud, fond smile as he said it, and almost feel the touch of his lips; for he bent down and kissed me so tenderly.”

“Miss Elsie, I jes b’lieves he’s a lookin’ at you now dis bressed minute, and ef de res’ of dose dat lubs you is far away he’ll be sho to stan’ close side o’ you when de ministah’s a saying de words dat’ll make you Massa Leland’s wife.”

“Ah, Dinah, what a sweet thought! and who shall say it may not be so!”

“Dar’s Massa Edward!” exclaimed Dinah, as a quick, manly step was heard, followed by a light rap upon the door.

She hastened to open it “We’s ready, Marse Ed’ard.”

He did not seem to hear or heed her; his eyes were fastened upon his beautiful sister, more beautiful at this moment, he thought, than ever before.

“Elsie!” he cried.  “Oh that mamma could see you! she herself could hardly have been a lovelier bride! yet these are wanted to complete your attire,” opening a box he had brought, and taking therefrom a veil of exquisite texture and design and a wreath of orange blossoms.

“How kind and thoughtful, Edward!” she said, thanking him with a sweet though tearful smile; “but are they suitable for such a bridal as this?”

“Surely,” he said.  “Come, Dinah, and help me to arrange them.”

Their labors finished, he stepped back a little to note the effect.

“O darling sister,” he exclaimed, “never, I am sure, was there a lovelier bride!  I wish the whole world could see you!”