"
"Are you ready, my dear?" asked Rose, from the other side of the room.
"Not yet, wife; I shall stay half an hour longer, and if you ladies like
to do the same we will send the carriage home with the children and their
mammies, and let it return for you."
"What do you say, Aunt Wealthy and Miss Lottie?" inquired Mrs. Dinsmore.
"I prefer to stay and talk out my finish with Mrs. Travilla," said Miss
Stanhope.
"I cast my vote on the same side," said Miss King. "But, my dear Mrs.
Dinsmore, don't let us keep you."
"Thanks, no; but I, too, prefer another half hour in this pleasant
company."
The half hour flew away on swift wings, to Elsie especially.
"But why leave us at all to-night, auntie and Lottie?" she asked, as the
ladies began their preparations for departure. "You are to be my guests
for the rest of the winter, are you not?" Then turning, with a quick vivid
blush, to Mrs. Travilla, "Mother, am I transcending my rights?"
"My dearest daughter, no; did I not say you were henceforth mistress of
this house?"
"Yes, from its master down to the very horses in the stable and dogs in
the kennel," laughed Mr. Travilla, coming softly up and stealing an arm
about his wife's waist.
Everybody laughed.
"No, sir; I don't like to contradict you," retorted Elsie, coloring but
looking lovingly into the eyes bent so fondly upon her, "but I am--nothing
to you but your little wife;" and her voice sank almost to a whisper with
the last word.
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