Violet looked after her with a slight sigh, but at that moment her own little brother and sister created a diversion by running in with a glad greeting for her and the new baby.
Their delight was rather noisily expressed, and no one of the little group either heard or saw a carriage drive up the avenue to the main entrance.
But Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie were on the watch for it (they had been exchanging meaning, happy glances all the morning), and ready with the warmest of greetings for the tall, handsome, noble looking man who hastily alighted from it and ran up the veranda steps.
"Dear mother!" he said, grasping Mrs. Travilla's hand, then giving her a filial kiss.
"We are very glad to see you, captain," she said. "Your telegram this morning was a delightful surprise."
"Yes, it was, indeed, to all of us who knew of its coming," said Mr. Dinsmore, shaking hands in his turn.
"My wife! how is she? and the children? are they all well?" asked the gentleman half breathlessly.
"All well," was the answer. "We told Violet you had reported yourself in Washington, and she will not be overcome at sight of you. You will find her in her own rooms."
He hurried thither, met Gracie at the head of the stairs, and caught her in his arms with an exclamation of astonishment and delight.
"Can this be my baby girl? this plump, rosy little darling?"