They joined the group and Mildred quickly and briefly reported Annis’ decision.  All approved, saying they would be very glad to keep her to the last minute, and there was a good deal more well worth looking at in the Fair than she had already seen; also the delay would give plenty of time for the selection of a wedding dress and other needed articles of apparel.

“Now I am going to relieve the anxiety of the gentlemen, particularly the one belonging especially to me,” said Violet, in a lively tone, rising with the last word and hurrying away in their direction.  The others sat silently watching her and her auditors.

“Ah,” laughed Mildred presently, “they are all well satisfied with the arrangement except Mr. Lilburn.  He wears a dubious, disappointed look.  Ah, Annis, how can you have the heart to disappoint him so?”

“Never mind, Annis, he will prize you all the more for not being able to get possession of you too quickly and easily,” said Mrs. Dinsmore.

“So I think,” returned Annis demurely; “also that it will be quite as well for him to have a little more time to learn about all my faults and failings.”

“I do not believe he will be able to find them,” said Mrs. Dinsmore, with an admiring look into the sweet face of the speaker, “since I have not succeeded in so doing.”

Lucilla and Grace, seated a little apart from the others, had been watching with keen interest all that passed among both ladies and gentlemen.

“There, just look at Cousin Ronald!” exclaimed Lucilla.  “He isn’t smiling—­looks rather disappointed I think; so I suppose we are not to be allowed to carry out our plan.  And I think it would be just splendid to have a wedding here on board our yacht.”

“Yes; so did I,” returned Grace; “but I suppose she doesn’t like the idea of being married in a hurry.  I’m sure I shouldn’t.  I don’t believe Rosie would mind that though; and Mr. Croly seems to say by his looks that he would like to take possession of her as soon as possible.”

“Yes, no doubt he would.  He ought to wait till he can have his father and mother present, however; and besides Grandpa Dinsmore and Grandma Elsie won’t consent to let her marry for at least a year.  I shouldn’t think she would feel willing to leave her mother even then; unless as Mamma Vi did, for such a man as our father.”

“But there isn’t any other,” asserted Grace more positively than she often spoke.  “Papa is just one by himself for lovableness, goodness, kindness—­oh, everything that is admirable!”

“Indeed he is all that!” responded Lucilla heartily.  “Oh, I could never bear to leave him and cannot help wondering at Rosie—­how she can think of leaving her mother!  Her father being dead, she wouldn’t be leaving him, but Grandma Elsie is so sweet and lovable.  To be sure, just as I said, Mamma Vi did leave her, but then it seems all right since it was for love of papa.  But what are you looking so searchingly at me for, Gracie?”