“I hope they’ll get safely over it:  it’s a good thing to have over.  How soon can you be spared from here, Arthur?”

“Now, mother, if I am needed elsewhere, I shall not be needed here—­at least am not likely to be—­for some hours.”

“Then I wish you’d come home directly to see what you can do for your grandfather.  He doesn’t seem at all well to-day.”

“My father ill?” Mr. Dinsmore exclaimed in a tone of alarm and concern.

“It hardly amounts to that, I presume,” Mrs. Conly answered coldly; “but he is not well; didn’t eat a mouthful of breakfast.”

“Grandpa, did you find what you wanted in the morning paper?” queried Edward, joining them at this moment.  “Ah, Aunt Louise, how d’ye do?”

She nodded indifferently, listening with some curiosity for her brother’s reply.

“Yes,” he said; “and I think you should leave to-night; for by so doing you will reach New York in time to take the next steamer, if you meet with no great detention on the way.  Do you think you can both be ready?”

“I certainly can, sir, and have no doubt Elsie will also.”

“What is it? off to Europe?” asked Mrs. Conly in surprise.  “What should call you two children there at this time?”

Mr. Dinsmore briefly stated the facts, giving the news of the morning, Elsie’s wish, and Edward’s offer to be her escort to Italy.

“If she were a daughter of mine, I should consider a female companion an absolute necessity,” was Mrs. Conly’s comment.

“She will take her maid of course,” said Mr. Dinsmore and Edward, both speaking at once.

“Pooh! a maid!  I mean a lady relative or friend.  I said a companion, and that a maid could not be.”

“I should be extremely glad if such could be found in the few hours that we have for our preparations,” said her brother, “but I know of none; the Fairview family are absent, Violet is too young——­”

“Of course,” interrupted Mrs. Conly; “but there are other relatives.  I would go myself if my means would warrant the expense.”

“If you are in earnest, Louise, you need not hesitate for a moment on that score; it shall not cost you a penny,” her brother said, looking at her in pleased but half-incredulous surprise.

“I was never more in earnest,” she answered.  “I don’t think you give me much credit for affection for your grandchildren, yet I certainly care too much for the one in question to willingly see her undertake such a journey without the support of female companionship.  And I can be spared from home if you and Arthur will look after father; I have no young child now, and Aunt Maria is fully capable of taking charge of all household matters.  If you wish me to go you have only to say so and guarantee my expenses, and I shall go home, oversee the packing of my trunks, and be ready as soon as the young people are.”

“Your offer is a most kind one, Louise, and I accept it even without waiting to consult with my daughter,” Mr. Dinsmore said.