" Elsie yielded, making no further objection,
and presided with the same modest ease, dignity, and grace with which she
had filled the like position at Viamede. The experience there had
accustomed her to the duties of the place, and after the first moment she
felt quite at home in it.
Mr. Dinsmore's carriage was announced at the early hour he had named. The
conversation in the drawing-room had been general for a time, but now the
company had divided themselves into groups; the two older married ladies
and Aunt Wealthy forming one, Mr. Travilla and Miss King another, while
Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter had sought out the privacy of a sofa, at a
distance from the others, and were in the midst of one of the long,
confidential chats they always enjoyed so much.
"Ah, papa, don't go yet," Elsie pleaded, "we're not half done our talk,
and it's early."
"But the little folks should have been in their nests long before this,"
he said, taking out his watch.
"Then send them and their mammies home, and let the carriage return for
you and the ladies; unless they wish to go now."
He looked at her smilingly. "You are not feeling the need of rest and
sleep?"
"Not at all, papa; only the need of a longer chat with you."
"Then, since you had so good a rest last night, it shall be as you wish.
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