"But Isa wouldn't, or I greatly mistake."
"Do you mean to say you think there has been a conspiracy between them?" demanded his mother, growing very red and angry.
"No, no, mother, nothing of the kind! but Cousin Elsie is a woman of keen observation, delicate tact and great discernment; and she had Isa's happiness much at heart."
"Really," she sneered, "I have but just made the delightful discovery that I have a Solomon among my sons!"
"I think it was mean not to invite us to the wedding," said Virginia.
"No; that was right enough," corrected her mother; "being in deep mourning for her husband, she could not, of course, give Molly anything but the quietest sort of wedding."
"Well, Isa will come home to be married?"
"Of course; and I shall insist upon time to have everything done properly and without any one being hurried to death."
Immediately upon the reception of Mrs. Conly's letter giving consent to the match between her daughter and Cyril Keith, the work of adding to, repairing and improving the cottage destined to be the future home of the young couple was begun.
It was a matter of great interest, not to Cyril and Isa alone, but to the whole family of Dinsmores and Travillas; and their departure from Viamede was delayed some weeks that Elsie and her father and grandfather might oversee and direct the workmen.