Elsies Womanhood | Page 8

"will you go, daughter?"
"If you wish it, papa," she answered cheerfully; yet there was a slight
reluctance in her tone.
He gave her a kind, fond look. "You are your own mistress, and can
accept or decline as your judgment and wishes dictate."
"But you would rather have me go, papa?"
"I would, because it would seem more kind and courteous. But what is
the objection in your mind? Perhaps it could be removed."
"I wanted so much to see Lucy this morning," Elsie answered with a
blush; "but to-morrow will do."
"But both might be accomplished if mamma and Adelaide like to have
Cæsar drive them and the little ones over to Roselands. Then you and I
will mount our horses and away to Ashlands for a call, leaving there in
good time to join the dinner party at Roselands. How will that do?"
"Oh, bravely, you dear darling papa! always contriving for my
enjoyment."
Mr. Dinsmore followed his wife from the room. "'Twill be an early
return of Carrington's call," he said, "but I have a little business with
him."
"Yes, I'm very glad: it is a good plan; but don't hurry Elsie away. She
and Lucy will want a long talk."
"I promise to be careful to obey orders," he answered, sportively. "Is
that all?"
"Yes; only see that you don't stay too long, and keep the dinner waiting
at Roselands."
"Mamma," asked Elsie, bringing up the rear as they entered the
sitting-room, "can't you go, too--you and Aunt Adelaide? Four make as

nice a party as two, and the babies can be driven over quite safely, with
their mammies, to take care of them."
"No," said Rose, "I never accept such late invitations; I shall----"
"My dear," said her husband, "we would be very glad."
"No, no; the first arrangement is decidedly the best;" putting on an air
of pretended pique.
"Babies! do you call me a baby?" cried young Horace, who had sprung
to his feet with a flash of indignation in his great black eyes, "I'm nine
years old, Elsie. Rosie there's the only baby belonging to this house. Do
you think papa would let a baby have a pony like Gip? and a pistol of
his own, too?"
Elsie put her arms round his neck, and gave him a kiss, "I beg ten
thousand pardons."
"Elsie, my daughter, don't allow yourself to speak so extravagantly,"
interrupted her father.
"I will try not, papa," she answered. "I beg your pardon, Horace dear,
and assure you I think you are quite a manly young man. Now I must
prepare for my ride, papa. I shall be ready by the time the horses can be
brought to the door."
"Papa," said Horace, as the door closed upon his sister, "may I ride Gip
to-day?"
"If you promise me to keep close beside the carriage."
"Oh, papa, can't I ride on ahead a little, now and then, or fall a few
paces behind if I wish?"
"No; you may do just what I have given permission for, and nothing
else."

CHAPTER FOURTH.
"Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye, In ev'ry gesture, dignity
and love." --MILTON'S PARADISE LOST.
"But, Elsie, what of Mr. Travilla?" asked her father, as he handed her
into the saddle.
"He will not be here till evening, sir," she answered, the rose on her
cheek deepening slightly.
"Then I can have undisturbed possession for to-day at least," replied Mr.
Dinsmore, mounting. "We couldn't have a lovelier day for a ride."
"Nor better company," added Elsie, archly, keeping her horse's head on
a line with that of her father's larger Steed, as they followed the
winding carriage road at a brisk canter.
"Why, you conceited little puss?" returned Mr. Dinsmore laughing.
Elsie blushed more deeply this time. "Why, papa, you are the company
to-day, are you not? I wished to go, and you kindly arranged to
accompany me."
"Ah! and that is how you look at it? Well, I recall my rebuke, and thank
you for your--what shall I say--pretty compliment, or appreciation of
my society?"
"Both, if you like. Oh, how nice it is to be at home again in our own
dear native land."
"And what do you call your own dear native land?"
"What a strange question, papa! The great, grand old Union to be
sure--North and South, East and West--is it not all mine? Have you not
taught me so yourself?"
"Yes," he said musingly.

They rode on in silence for some minutes, and when he spoke again, it
was upon a subject entirely foreign to the last.
"The place looks natural," he remarked, as they turned into the avenue
leading to the fine old dwelling of the Carringtons.
"How kind, how very kind, to come so soon!" was