"Yes, sir, I know; and my dear, kind father is always so tenderly careful of me," she said, giving and receiving a close, loving embrace.
It had been a sultry day, followed by a delightful evening, a cool, refreshing breeze coming from the river, and a full moon in a clear sky making it almost as light as day in the grounds, about which the elder members of the party were scattered. The captain left the porch where he and his daughter Grace had had their little chat, and joined a group under the trees on the lawn. It consisted of Mrs. Travilla—or Grandma Elsie, as his first set of children had been accustomed to call her—her daughters, Mrs. Leland and Mrs. Raymond, and her sons Harold, Herbert, and Walter. There was a slight flutter of excitement among them as he joined them and took possession of a vacant seat.
"I am glad you have come, captain," said Mrs. Travilla. "Harold has just been telling us of your great kindness to him, and I want to thank you for it."
"Ah! what was that?" he asked in a tone that seemed to express surprise. "There are few things I would not do for you or yours, mother."
"I believe that, and you have given him the right to win, if he can, a precious treasure; and to give to me the dearest of little daughters."
"Ah, yes!" he said, as if just comprehending her meaning, "and to her father she is such a treasure as any man might covet and be rejoiced to win."
"An opinion in which I am sure we will all agree," said Violet. "I, who certainly know her well, think she is an inestimable treasure."
"An opinion in which we can all join you, I am sure," added Herbert, "and I think my brother a most fortunate man."
"That is exactly what he thinks of himself," said Harold, with a happy laugh. "Though there has to be a long, long waiting spell before the full extent of that happiness can be realized."