“I supposed you and Gracie would prefer to be together in a room close to your papa’s,” Elsie said; “but there are rooms enough for you to have one entirely to yourself.”

“Then she shall,” Violet said, smiling indulgently upon the little girl.  “Would you like my mother or me to help you choose what to wear to-night?  I want you to put on your best and look as pretty as ever you can.”

Lulu’s face flushed with pleasure.  “Yes, ma’am,” she said, going to her trunk, which Agnes had now opened; “but I haven’t anything half so beautiful as the dress your sister has on.”

“Haven’t you?  Well, never mind, you shall soon have dresses and other things quite as pretty as Rosie’s,” Violet said, stooping over the trunk to see what was there.

The child’s eyes danced with delight.  “Oh, shall I?  Aunt Beulah never would get me the pretty things I wanted, to look like other girls, you know, or let my dresses be trimmed with ruffles and lace like theirs.  I used to think it would be dreadful to have a step-mother, but now I’m sure it isn’t always.”

Violet smiled.  “I hope we shall love each other very much, and be very happy together, Lulu,” she said.  “Now tell me which dress you want to wear this evening.”

“This white muslin,” said the little girl, lifting it and shaking out the folds.  “I believe it’s the best I have, but you see it has only two ruffles and not a bit of lace.  And this sash she bought for me to wear with it is narrow and not at all thick and handsome.”

“No, it is not fit for Capt.  Raymond’s daughter to wear!” Vi exclaimed a little indignantly, taking the ribbon between her thumb and finger.  “But I can provide you with a better, and you may cut this up for your doll.”

“Oh, thank you!” cried Lulu, her eyes sparkling.  “Step-mothers are nice after all.”

“But Lulu, dear,” Elsie said, standing beside the little girl, and caressing her hair with her soft white hand, “that is not a pretty or pleasant name to my ear; especially when applied to so young and dear a lady as this daughter of mine,” looking tenderly into Vi’s fair face.  “Try to think of her as one who dearly loves and is dearly loved by your father, and ready to love his children for his sake.”

“Yes, and for their own too,” Violet added, “just as I love my darling little sister Rosie.  Now, Lulu, I think you have no more than time to make your toilet.  She will find everything needful in that room, will she, mamma?”

“Yes; water, soap and towels.  Can you do everything for yourself, my child?”

“Yes, ma’am, except fastening my dress and sash.”

“Then run in here or call to me when you are ready to have that done,” said Violet.

Lulu was greatly pleased with her room.  It had a set of cottage furniture, many pretty ornaments, an inviting-looking bed draped in white, and lace curtains to the windows; one of which gave her a fine view of the sea.