"Yes, yes, I know, and will trust you in His hands, my dear husband," was the low-breathed response.
Another moment and the two gentlemen were galloping rapidly down the avenue side by side. The ladies stood on the veranda, watching till they were out of sight, then went into the house.
"Now, my dear Mrs. Travilla, shall I just treat you as one of ourselves, and take you into my own breezy room?" asked Mrs. Balis, regarding Elsie with an affectionate, admiring look.
"It is just what I should like, Mrs. Balis," Elsie answered, with a smile so sweet that her hostess put her arm about her and kissed her.
"I can't help it," she said; "you take my heart by storm with your beauty, grace, and sweetness."
"Thank you, and you need not apologize," Elsie said, returning the embrace; "love is too precious a gift to be rejected."
"I think Mr. Travilla a very fortunate man, and so does my husband."
"And am not I a fortunate woman, too?"
"Ah, yes, Mr. Travilla is most agreeable and entertaining, handsome too; and indeed I should think everything one could wish in a husband; as mine is," she added laughingly. "I presume neither of us would consent to an exchange of partners. Are you fond of children, Mrs. Travilla?"
"Very."