"Then, since you had so good a rest last night, it shall be as you wish."
"Are you ready, my dear?" asked Rose, from the other side of the room.
"Not yet, wife; I shall stay half an hour longer, and if you ladies like to do the same we will send the carriage home with the children and their mammies, and let it return for you."
"What do you say, Aunt Wealthy and Miss Lottie?" inquired Mrs. Dinsmore.
"I prefer to stay and talk out my finish with Mrs. Travilla," said Miss Stanhope.
"I cast my vote on the same side," said Miss King. "But, my dear Mrs. Dinsmore, don't let us keep you."
"Thanks, no; but I, too, prefer another half hour in this pleasant company."
The half hour flew away on swift wings, to Elsie especially.
"But why leave us at all to-night, auntie and Lottie?" she asked, as the ladies began their preparations for departure. "You are to be my guests for the rest of the winter, are you not?" Then turning, with a quick vivid blush, to Mrs. Travilla, "Mother, am I transcending my rights?"
"My dearest daughter, no; did I not say you were henceforth mistress of this house?"