“So it would,” she said, with a sigh of pretended relief; “and we, your pupils that are to be will venture to hope that you will see best to devote it to that use.”

“A hope in which you will not be disappointed, I trust,” he replied, in a kindly tone, and laying a hand lightly upon her shoulder.

“There girls!” she exclaimed, “you may thank me for extracting such a promise beforehand.  I do really believe his honor intends to treat us well if we are reasonably well behaved.”

“And the rest of us are quite sure of it,” added Evelyn, with a bright look up into the captain’s face.

“Thank you for your confidence, my dear,” he returned.  “I have little doubt that we will have pleasant times together in this very pleasant room.”

A little more time was spent in examining the room and commenting upon its beauties and conveniences; then they went back to the veranda to find that the sun had begun to peep through the clouds.

So carriages were ordered and all took a drive through the beautiful woods.

The afternoon was spent in boating and fishing, the evening in the veranda, where they were joined by their relatives from Magnolia Hall and the parsonage.

The manner in which they would spend the approaching Christmas and New Year’s Day was the principal subject of conversation, and the young folks were particularly interested in listening to the plans made or suggested, and well satisfied with the proposed arrangement that the cousins should spend the first at Viamede, all gather at Magnolia Hall for their New Year’s dinner, and pass the evening of that day at the parsonage.

Lulu had a talk with her father in her own room at bedtime, that made her feel very happy and entirely content with his prohibition of the making of gifts.

He told her that she and Grace might each make out a list of the articles they would like to buy to present to others, and that some one, probably Mr. Embury—­Cousin Millie’s husband—­who was intending to pay a visit of a few days to New Orleans, would kindly make the purchases for them.

“Oh, that will do nicely, papa!” she exclaimed delightedly, “and Gracie and I might make out our lists to-morrow with a little help from our dear father,” smiling up into his eyes.

“Yes, dear child, I will gladly give you both all the assistance in my power,” he replied, softly smoothing her hair, for she was—­as usual at such times—­sitting upon his knee; “and not with advice only,” he continued, “but also by adding something to your means for carrying out your wishes.”

“Oh, you dear papa, you are just the kindest father that ever was made!” she cried, in an ecstasy of delight, and hugging him with all her strength.

“Ah, but if you choke me to death,” he said laughingly, “I can do nothing for you.”

“Oh, papa, please excuse me!” she exclaimed, relaxing her hold.  “Did I hurt you? oh, I am very, very sorry!”