Cora smiled approval, but did not explain that she herself had gone all through the establishment several times, in the course of its fitting up, to see that all things were arranged properly before the arrival of the married pair.

And when, a little later, the trio went through the rooms, she expressed as much pleasure in their appearance as if she had never seen them before.

The brother and sister spent a very pleasant day at Violet Banks, and when in the cool of the evening they would have taken leave, the young wife pleaded with them to stay all night.

In the midst of this discussion Mr. Fabian Rockharrt came home from North End.

As he entered the parlor he heard his Wood Violet at her petition.  He greeted them all, kissed his wife, kissed Cora, and shook hands with Sylvan.

“Now let me settle this matter,” he said, good humoredly, as he threw himself into a large arm chair.

“First tell me, Cora, what is the obstacle to your spending the night with us?”

“Only that I did not announce even this visit to the family at Rockhold.”

“Do you owe any special obligation to do so?”

“It is not a question of obligation, but of courtesy.  I should certainly be remiss in politeness to leave the house for a two days’ visit without giving notice of my intention,” she answered.

“Oh!  I see.  Well, I can fix all that.  You will both remain to dinner.  After dinner it will not be too late for Sylvan to take my sure-footed cob and ride back to Rockhold and explain to the family that Cora is to remain here overnight, and that I will myself take her home to-morrow evening if she should wish to go.”

“What do you say, Cora,” inquired the young man.

“I accept Uncle Fabian’s offer and will remain here for the present,” said the young lady.

“Like the sensible woman that you are!” exclaimed Mr. Fabian.

Half an hour later the four sat down to dinner in one of the prettiest little dining rooms that ever was seen.

Soon after the pleasant meal was over, Sylvan took leave of his friends, mounted the white cob that stood saddled at the door, and rode down the wooded hill to the river road leading to Rockhold.

The three left behind spent the remainder of the evening on the front porch, watching the deep river, the hoary mountains, the starry sky, and listening to the hum of insects, the whirl of waters and the singing of the summer breeze through the pines that clothed the precipice, and talking very little.

They retired to rest at a late hour.

Yet on the next morning they met at an early breakfast, for Mr. Fabian had to go to the works to make up for much lost time while affairs were left under the sole management of Mr. Clarence.

Cora remained with Violet, who took her into a more interior confidence, and exhibited with equal pride and delight sundry dainty little garments of fine cambric and linen richly trimmed with lace or embroidery, all the work of her own delicate fingers.