But Edward would do for the next."
"But he may never come to claim it," she said, laughing. "Is papa in the
house?"
"Yes, and delighted to learn that he has a grandson."
"Oh, bring him here and let me see the first meeting between them."
"Can you bear the excitement?"
"I promise not to be excited; and it _always_ does me good to see my dear
father."
Mr. Dinsmore came softly in, kissed very tenderly the pale face on the
pillow, then took a long look at the tiny pink one nestling to her side.
"Ah, isn't he a beauty? I have made you two grand-fathers now, you dear
papa!" she said, indulging in a little jest to keep down the emotions
tugging at her heart-strings. "Do you begin to feel old and decrepit, _mon
pere_?"
"Not very," he said smiling, and softly smoothing her hair; "not more so
to-day than I did yesterday. But now I must leave you to rest and sleep.
Try, my darling, for all our sakes, to be very prudent, very calm and
quiet."
"I will, papa; and don't trouble about me. You know I am in good hands.
Ah, stay a moment! here is Edward bringing wee bit Elsie to take her first
peep at her little brother."
"Mamma," cried the child; stretching out her little arms towards the bed,
"mamma, take Elsie."
"Mamma can't, darling; poor mamma is so sick," said Mr.
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