“And I think no one could reasonably blame you if you were; especially if, as in Marian’s case, it was to escape being forced into a marriage with one who was far from agreeable to you and had already several wives—which is a very wicked thing, forbidden by the law of both God and man. But, situated as you are, it would, I think, be a very silly thing for you to do as Marian has done, even were you of her age, and you are really some three or four years younger.”
“And that’s a very great difference,” remarked Lulu soberly, “and I’m glad of it, because I do so like to be my father’s own little girl. And you won’t ever make me get married if I don’t want to, will you, papa?”
“No, daughter, certainly not. I shall be only too glad to keep you—have you always and altogether my own.”
“It’s so good of you, you dear papa,” she said, nestling closer to him. “I feel almost sure I shall never love any other man half so well as I do you.”
“That is pleasant news to me,” he said, with a smile down into the large, dark eyes lifted to his.
CHAPTER XIX.
The next morning after the sailing of the Dolphin brought to Mrs. Travilla the news that her son Edward and his family, accompanied by Ella Conly, were on their way north, intending first to visit the Lelands at Evelyn’s cottage on the Hudson, then to come on to spend a few weeks with her at the sea-shore.
Everybody was glad, for the departure of so large a number of those who had made up their family for weeks past had left them all feeling somewhat lonely.