“Mamma!” cried Elsie, starting to her feet, “I must go to him! go at once.  O dearest mother, do not hinder me!” and she clasped her hands in piteous entreaty, the big tears rapidly chasing each other down her pale cheeks.

“If I could go with you,” faltered the mother, “or your grandfather; but I can neither leave nor take my little ones, and he would never consent to leave me, or his poor old father, who seems just tottering on the verge of the grave.”

“I know!  I see! but, O mother, mother! how can I let him die all alone in a stranger land?  Think if it had been you and my father!”

“What is your entreaty, daughter?” Mr. Dinsmore asked, coming up and laying his hand affectionately upon his grandchild’s shoulder.

“To go to him—­to Lester, grandpa.  Oh, how can I stay away and leave him to die alone? to die for lack of the good nursing I could give him, perhaps to the saving of his life!”

“My poor child! my poor dear child!” he said, caressing her; “we will see what can be done in the way of finding a suitable escort, and if that can be obtained your mother will not, I think, withhold her consent.”

He had been telling the news to the others, and Edward had followed him, anxious to express the sympathy for his sister with which his heart was full.

“An escort, grandpa?” he said.  “Would mine be sufficient?  Mamma, if you will permit me, I shall gladly go to Lester, either with or without Elsie.”

“My dear boy!” was all his mother said, her tones tremulous with emotion, while his grandfather turned and regarded him with doubtful scrutiny.

“Oh, thank you, brother!” cried Elsie.  “Mamma, surely you can trust me to him!  Who loves me better? except yourself—­and who would take such tender care of me?”

“Mamma, I would guard her with my life!” exclaimed Edward earnestly.

“My dear son, I do not doubt it,” Mrs. Travilla answered, turning upon her father a half-inquiring, half-entreating look.

“If no older or more experienced person can be found.”

He paused, and Elsie burst out:  “O grandpa, dear grandpa, don’t say that!  There is no time to lose! no time to look for other escort!”

“That is true, my child; and we will not waste any time.  Make your preparations as rapidly as you can, and if nothing better offers in the mean while, and your mother consents to Edward’s proposition, you shall go with him—­and Ben who travelled all over Europe with your father and myself—­as your protectors.”

She thanked him fervently through her tears, while her mother said, “Ah yes, that is a good thought, papa!  Ben shall go with them.”

“Better go now and at once select whatever you wish to take with you, and set some one to packing your trunks,” he said.  “Edward, do you do likewise, and I will examine the morning papers for information in regard to trains and the sailing of the next steamer.  Daughter dear,” to Mrs. Travilla, “you need give yourself no concern about any of these matters.”