"Ah well, then I suppose she must have found her way back to Woodburn," said Mary.

"By the way, Cousin Mary, how would you like to drive over there this morning?" asked Edward. "They will hardly expect us at the Oaks before eleven o'clock, and Woodburn lies but little out of our way in going."

"But," returned Miss Keith, "we might perhaps hinder Cousin Vi in her preparations for the day's outing."

"I am going to drive you over and call for Vi and the little ones on the way," said Grandma Elsie. "I think we shall find her ready to go on with us after we have had a little call, just for you to see the place. Then the captain will come somewhat later with his children and mine."

"And how is Cousin Ronald to get there, mamma?" asked Walter.

"Probably in the captain's carriage, or on one of his horses," she replied; "the dear old gentleman can go when and how he likes. All such questions were not settled last night, but I know there will be no difficulty in his way, or that of any other invited guest, in getting there comfortably and in good season."

"I'm glad of that, mamma," returned Walter; "I'm very fond of Cousin Ronald and wouldn't have him stay away for anything."

At that remark several furtive, smiling glances were exchanged by the brothers and sisters about the table.

"He is a very pleasant old gentleman," said Mrs. Dinsmore, "and I haven't a doubt will add a great deal to the enjoyment of the company."

"Yes, madam," said Croly. "I saw comparatively little of him yesterday, but quite enough to make me desire a further acquaint

ance.

"Oh, by the way Will, shall we walk, ride, or drive over to the Oaks to-day?" asked Harold. "I am ready for any way that suits you, sir," replied Croly.

"Well," said Mr. Dinsmore, "I see every one is ready to leave the table. We will have prayers at once, and afterward settle all such questions in regard to the doings of the day."

CHAPTER X.

"MAMMA," said Rosie, following her mother out to the veranda when prayers were over, “if you approve I will go up at once and dress for the day, getting Walter to do the same. It won't take us long; then I'd like to drive over immediately to Woodburn and coax Brother Levis to let us all begin lessons at once, that we may get through and off to the Oaks sooner than we would otherwise."

"Very well, my child, I will order the carriage; for I think it would be the better plan for you to drive over, as the roads are dusty," was the indulgent reply.

"Yes," said Walter, who had followed and was now close behind them, "I like that plan, for walking one would have to take either the very dusty road or the wet grass; and I'd like to get through lessons as early as possible, too. So I'm off to dress," and away he ran, Rosie following. Just then the telephone bell rang, and Rosie hastening to the instrument found that Captain Raymond was calling from Woodburn to

say that his pupils there had requested permission to begin school duties half an hour earlier than usual, that so they might be ready the sooner to drive over to the Oaks; that he had given consent, and would grant the same privilege to Rosie and Walter, if such was their desire, and they would come immediately.

66 Thank you, sir. We will be there in a few minutes," returned Rosie, then ran away to hurry through her preparations, while her mother took her place at the telephone to send a message to Violet, to the effect that she and their Cousin Mary might be expected at Woodburn about ten o'clock to make a short call, after which they would go on to the Oaks, taking her and her little ones with them if that arrangement suited her convenience.

"Thank you, mother dear," came back in Violet's own sweet tones, "I shall be glad to see both you and Cousin Mary, and you will find me and my babies ready to accept your kind invitation."

Rosie and Walter made haste with their toilets, were presently in the carriage, and reached Woodburn just in season to take part in the opening school exercises.

All went prosperously that morning; the lessons had been thoroughly prepared, the recitations were so good that the captain felt

entitled to bestow unstinted praise, and his pupils were dismissed from the school-room in gayest spirits.

"How very quiet the house seems!" exclaimed Lulu as they passed into the hall.

"Yes," said her father; "Cousin Ronald, your mamma, and the little ones have gone on to the Oaks, and now we will follow them as soon as you are all ready. Our large family carriage is in waiting; it will hold us all nicely."

They had only to put on their hats and gather up a few little things they wanted to take with them, and they drove away, a merry, laughing, jovial little party, so full of fun and frolic that time passed very quickly, and all were surprised when they found the carriage turning in at the great gates opening upon the beautiful grounds of the place that had been Elsie's home in her girlhood's days.

The chat and laughter suddenly ceased, and all eyes turned upon the lovely scenes through which they were passing. They were not entirely new to any of them, and only comparatively so to Marian, as she had already been there several times.

They were almost the last to arrive of all the large company of invited guests, and as they neared the mansion there could be seen, here and there on the lawn and in the shaded alleys,