“Don’t call me that, dear,” he said in a tone of gentle, half remorseful expostulation.

“Why not? doesn’t the Bible say Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord?”

“But it doesn’t say master, and besides, these are very different times.”

“We seem to have changed sides on that subject,” she said, with a merry little laugh, as she laid the brush away, and standing behind his chair, put her arms around his neck and laid her cheek to his.

He drew her round to a seat upon his knee.  “Darling, I don’t mean to play the tyrant, and am quite ashamed of some things I said last night.”

“Then you won’t say them any more, will you?  I was really afraid you were turning into a horrid tyrant.  Oh, you haven’t told me who the visitors are who came in the carriage with you!”

“The daughter and niece of an old friend of my father’s, Miss Fanny Deane and Miss Susie Fleming.”

“How long are they likely to stay?”

“I don’t know; probably two or three weeks.”

“You asked what I’d been doing.  Studying hard part of the time, that I might please this old tutor of mine,” giving him another tug.  “Will you be pleased to hear me recite now?”

“There would not be time before tea, dear,” he said, consulting his watch; “so we will put it off till later in the evening.  Come down to the drawing-room with me and let me introduce you to the ladies.”

“Very well; but first tell me if my toilet satisfies you.”

He gave her a scrutinizing glance.  “Entirely; you are as lovely as a fairy,” he said, with a proud, fond smile.

“Oh, you flatterer!” she returned with a pleased laugh, and slipping her hand into his.

“Your wife!” exclaimed both ladies when the introduction was over.  “She looks so young!”

“So very young that I should have taken her for a school-girl,” added Miss Deane, with a condescending smile that enraged Zoe.

“And I take you for an old maid of twenty-five,” was her mental retort.  “I dare say you’d be glad enough to be as young as I am, and to have such a handsome husband.”  But she merely made a demure little courtesy and withdrew to a seat beside her mother-in-law on the farther side of the room, her heightened color and flashing eyes alone telling how indignant she felt.

“Never mind, dear, you are growing older every day,” Elsie said in a soothing undertone, “and are just the right age for Edward.  We all think that, and I that you are a dear little daughter for me.”

“Thank you, dear mamma,” whispered Zoe.  “I think it was very rude and unkind to liken me to a school-girl.  I believe it was just because she envies me my youth and my husband.”

“Perhaps so,” Elsie said, with difficulty restraining a smile, “but we will try to be charitable and think the remark was not unkindly meant.”

Edward took Miss Deane in to supper, which was presently announced.  Zoe did not like that, as Elsie perceived with some concern.