“I am glad, very glad to hear it,” Elsie said, “and I hope and expect that you will make a very happy couple—­sharing each other’s cares, toils, and troubles, as well as the joys and blessings of life.”

“Yes, cousin dear; if we don’t it shall not be my fault,” Maud returned with emotion.  “I do really want to be everything to Dick and make his life as bright and as happy as I can; and I know that is just how he feels toward me, dear fellow!”

“That’s right, Maud,” said Mr. Dinsmore heartily, “and I think you and Dick have every prospect of making a happy couple.  Well,” rising as he spoke, “I am going down to have a little chat with father and mother, then must hasten home to attend to some matters about work to be done on the plantation.  I suppose you and your package will be ready to be taken along, Maud?”

“Yes; if Cousin Elsie is willing to trust the handsome thing in my care now,” Maud replied, looking inquiringly at Mrs. Travilla.

“Quite willing; for I know you will be careful of them,” Mrs. Travilla replied with her own sweet smile.  “I will fold them up and get the package ready while you resume the dress in which you came,” she added as her brother left the room.

“Maud,” said Mrs. Embury, “if I were you I should keep this thing a secret from everybody but your sister and Cousin Sue, until your appearance in all the glory of this satin and lace at the time of the marriage ceremony.  Think of the surprise and pleasure your unexpected grandeur in it will cause.”

“But what if the stunning surprise should have a bad effect upon somebody,” laughed Maud.  “I think I’ll risk it, however.  Oh, Cousin Elsie!  I do not know how to thank you for this great kindness!” she added with tears of joy and gratitude in her eyes.

“Then don’t try, Maud, dear,” Mrs. Travilla returned with a bright, sweet look into the young girl’s face.  “The happiness I can see that it gives you is even a greater reward than the trifling kindness deserves.  And how fortunate it is that the dress fits so perfectly—­as if it had just been made for you.”

A few moments later Maud and Mr. Dinsmore were on their way back to The Oaks.  They found Mrs. Sue Dinsmore and Sydney on the veranda, waiting in eager curiosity to learn on what business Maud had been wanted at Ion.

“To receive and bring home this package,” returned Maud gaily to their excited questioning.  “Come with me up to my room, and I will display to you its contents.  You come, too, Cousin Horace, that you may witness their surprise and dismay.  There, don’t say you haven’t time, for it needn’t take you five minutes.”

“Well, perhaps I can spare that many,” he returned laughingly, following the three as they tripped up the stairway.

Maud made quick work of opening the package and displaying its contents to their view.

“Oh, oh, how beautiful! how lovely! perfectly exquisite!” were the excited exclamations of Mrs. Dinsmore and Sydney.  “Whose are they? where did they come from?”