“I do not like to refuse you anything, dear Dick,” she returned; “but it is all so sudden and unexpected; do let me have a little time to think it over and—­and consult my friends and yours.”

“Ah, well!  I will try to wait patiently,” he sighed; “wait, hoping you will grant my request.”

“Oh, Dick, dear Dick!  I really do feel like doing anything in the world that I can to make you happy.  I will do whatever you wish, no matter what other people may say.  Only,” she added, as if with sudden recollection, “I suppose we must ask Uncle Dinsmore’s consent.”

“Yes; but I have no fear that it will be withheld.  He and I are no strangers to each other; he is my uncle, too, you know, and was my guardian while I was young enough to need one.  I think he will be pleased that we are going into partnership,—­you and I,—­and will agree with me that the sooner we begin the better.”

“Provided that allows me time to get properly ready,” she supplemented with an arch look and smile.

“What preparation do you need?” he asked.  “I am more than willing to take you just as you are.  You look perfectly charming in that dress, and, for a wedding dress, the one you wore as bridesmaid to Cousin Rosie seems to me entirely suitable.  Indeed, my darling, you look bewitchingly pretty in any and every thing you put on.”

“Oh, you flatterer!” she laughed.  “I can’t expect other people to see with your eyes; but, after all, the principal thing is to please you.  That will be my business for the rest of my life, I suppose,” she added, giving him a look of ardent affection.

“And mine to please you, dearest.  Shall we not follow Rosie’s good example in making no secret of our engagement; at least so far as our own people here assembled are concerned?  Will you let me take you back to the house now and introduce you there as my promised wife?”

“Do just as you please about it, Cousin Dick,” she said.  “You are older and wiser than I.”

“I certainly am older,” he said laughingly as they rose, and he gave her his arm; “but if I am wiser in some respects, you doubtless are in some others.  Perhaps we will find out all about that when we get to housekeeping together.”

Mr. Dinsmore had joined the group on the veranda.  Mr. Lilburn and Annis, Captain Raymond and Violet were there, too, and some others of the married people, among them Mr. Horace Dinsmore, Jr., of The Oaks, and his wife, as Dick and Maud came up the steps together.  He led her directly to his uncle.

“We have come for your blessing, sir, Cousin Maud and I,” he said in clear, distinct tones.  “Will you give her to me?  She is willing that you should, and I promise to do all in my power to provide for her and make her happy.”

“Why, children, this is a surprise—­but a pleasant one,” exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore.  “Yes, I give you my blessing and wish you many happy years together.”

Then the others crowded about with exclamations of surprise and pleasure, congratulations, good wishes, and questions.  “How long had they been lovers?” “Did they expect to marry very soon?”