At that Rosie held up a letter to the view of Lucilla and Grace, saying, with a smile and blush, “It is from Will Croly.  He has grown tired of waiting and begs to have matters hurried up somewhat:  proposes that I change my name next month, though the prescribed year of waiting would thereby be shortened by two months or more.”

“Oh, do let him have his way, then!” exclaimed Grace—­“at least if he will promise not to carry you off at once after the wedding—­for there could not be a lovelier month for it than beautiful June, the month of roses.”

“So I should say,” chimed in Lucilla, then added hastily, “though I think I’d make him wait till June of next year, rather than leave such a mother as Grandma Elsie so soon.”

At that Rosie glanced at her mother and her eyes filled with unbidden tears.

“I can’t bear to think of that,” she said with a tremble in her voice, “but perhaps I can coax Will to settle down somewhere in this neighbourhood—­bringing his father and mother along so that they won’t be lonely.”

“A very nice plan, Rosie dear, if you can manage to carry it out,” remarked Violet.

“And I have hope that Will, at least, will favour the plan; for he seemed much pleased with this neighbourhood when he was here,” said Rosie, adding with a laugh and blush, “and I know my wishes carry great weight with him.”

“And we will hope that those of his parents may coincide with yours,” added her mother gently; “for I am sure my Rosie would not wish to be the cause of unhappiness to them.”

“No, indeed, mamma; I can assure you it is my earnest desire to add to their happiness; not to take from it.  I am strongly in hopes, however, that when they come to know you and all the rest of my dear relatives here, they will esteem it a delight to live in your midst.”

“And I don’t believe they can help it,” said Grace.  “I am sure everybody who knows Grandma Elsie, mamma, and papa—­not to mention all the other dear people—­loves them and their pleasant society.”

“In all of which I am sure you are quite right, Gracie,” said Evelyn.

“I, too,” said Lulu.  “But now let us hear the plans for the wedding.”

“They are yet to be made,” laughed Rosie.

“You will want a grand one?” Lulu said in a tone of mingled assertion and inquiry.

“Not so very,” Rosie answered with a slight shake of her pretty head.  “I think only the relatives and most intimate friends.  They alone will make quite a party, you know.  I’ll want some bridesmaids.  You’ll be one, Lu, won’t you?  Unless you fear the truth of the old saying, ’Twice a bridesmaid never a bride.’”

“Pooh! what difference need that make?” returned Lulu; “since I don’t intend ever to marry.”

“You don’t?” exclaimed Rosie.

“No; for there is not another man in the world whom I could love half so dearly as I love my father.”

“Oh, well! that is only because you and the right one haven’t happened to meet yet.”