"Travilla,
your mother is in excellent health and spirits; but impatient to embrace
both son and daughter, she bade me say. We all take tea by invitation at
Ion to-day; that is, we of the Oaks, including Aunt Wealthy and Miss
King."
"Oh, how nice! how kind!" cried Elsie.
"And to-morrow you are all to be at the Oaks!" added her father. "Now
shall I ride beside your carriage? or take a seat in it with you?"
"The latter, by all means," answered Travilla, Elsie's sparkling eyes
saying the same, even more emphatically.
"Take Selim home, and see that both he and the family carriage are at Ion
by nine this evening," was Mr. Dinsmore's order to his servant.
"Ah, papa! so early!" Elsie interposed, in a tone that was half reproach,
half entreaty.
"We must not keep you up late after your journey, my child," he answered,
following her into the carriage, Mr. Travilla stepping in after.
"The seats are meant for three; let me sit between you, please," requested
Elsie.
"But are you not afraid of crushing your dress?" asked her father
jocosely, making room for her by his side.
"Not I," she answered gayly, slipping into her chosen place with a light,
joyous laugh, and giving a hand to each. "Now I'm the happiest woman in
the world."
"As you deserve to be," whispered her husband, clasping tight the hand he
held.
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