“No, indeed, mother dear, we must have Cousin Hugh here with his father, at least for the first few days,” Violet hastened to say; and so it was settled after a little more discussion, and a servant was dispatched to the village for Hugh’s baggage.
Just as that matter was fairly arranged, Dr. Conly, Herbert, and Walter returned to the house.
When they and Hugh had been introduced and had exchanged greetings, Croly inquired if they had succeeded in catching the bugler.
“No, we didn’t get so much as a glimpse of him,” returned Walter. “But then you see it was growing quite dark in the wood, so that it wasn’t so very difficult for a nimble-footed fellow to make his escape.”
CHAPTER XII.
The Conlys claimed it as their privilege to entertain the connection on the following day, and before leaving Woodburn that evening gave Mr. Hugh Lilburn a cordial invitation to make one of the company, which he accepted with evident pleasure.
Again the weather was delightful, every one in good health and spirits, and the host and hostess were most kind and attentive, making each guest feel welcome and at home.
Roselands was again a beautiful place; its fields in a higher state of cultivation than ever before, yielding excellent crops, Calhoun having proved himself a wise, industrious, scientific planter and manager, while Arthur assisted with his advice and professional gains; so that they had at length succeeded in paying off all indebtedness and could feel that the estate was now really their own.