“How nice in you to say that!” she exclaimed, laying her head on his breast and gazing fondly up into his face.  “Didn’t Captain Raymond look handsome in his uniform?”

“Yes, indeed; don’t you think I have as much reason to envy his appearance as a groom as you Vi’s as a bride?”

“No, indeed!” she cried indignantly, “he’s not half so nice as you are!  I wouldn’t exchange with her for all the world!”

“Thank you; that’s a very high compliment, I think; for I greatly admire my new brother-in-law,” Edward said, with a gleeful laugh, and repeating his caresses.

CHAPTER XVIII.

    “My cake is dough.”
        —­Shakespeare.

It was a warm afternoon late in June.

“There!  I’m done with lessons for a while anyway, and glad of it too!” exclaimed Lulu Raymond, coming into Mrs. Scrimp’s sitting-room and depositing her satchel of school-books upon the table.

“So am I, Lu, for now you’ll have time to make that new dress for my dollie, won’t you?” Gracie said languidly, from the sofa where she lay.

“Yes, little pet, and ever so many other things.  But oh dear! holidays aren’t much after all when you can’t go anywhere or have any fun.  I do wonder when we’ll see papa again.”

“Pretty soon, Lu,” cried a boyish voice in tones of delight, and turning quickly she found Max at the window, wearing a brighter face than he had shown her for many a day, and holding up a bulky letter.

“O Max!” she cried, “is it from papa?”

“Yes; and I’m coming in to read it to you if you and Gracie are alone.”

“Yes, we are; Aunt Beulah’s gone out calling and Ann’s busy in the kitchen.”

“Then here I am!” he said, vaulting lightly in through the window.

Lulu laughed admiringly.  “I’d like to try that myself,” she said.

“Oh, don’t, Lu!” said Gracie, “Aunt Beulah would scold you like anything.”

“Let her scold! who cares!” returned Lulu with a scornful toss of the head, while Max, who had gone to the side of Gracie’s sofa, stooped over her, and softly patting the thin pale cheek, asked how she felt to-day.

“’Bout the same as usual, Maxie,” she said, with a languid smile.

“O Max, hurry and tell us what papa says in the letter!” cried Lulu impatiently.  “Is it good news?”

“First-rate, girls! couldn’t be better!  He’s coming here next week and going to take us all away with him!”

“Oh! oh! oh! how delightful!” cried Lulu, clapping her hands and dancing about the room, while Grace clasped her hands in ecstasy, saying, “Oh, I am so glad!”

“Come, Lu, sit down here beside us and be quiet,” said Max, seating himself beside Grace on the sofa, and motioning toward a low rocking-chair near at hand.  “I’m going to read the letter aloud, and then I have something to show you.”

Lulu took possession of the rocking-chair, folded her hands in her lap, and Max began.