Mildred was filled with delight at the beauty surrounding her, yet more attracted by the child than by all else. She turned toward her with an affectionate smile, and the little one, now walking by her nurse's side, returning it with one of rare sweetness, ran to her and slipped a tiny, soft, white hand into hers.
"Is she not beautiful, uncle?" Mildred asked with enthusiasm, at the first opportunity for doing so without being overheard.
"She's no Dinsmore," he said coldly; "not a trace of Horace's looks about her; must be all Grayson, I presume."
"Oh, how can he!" thought Mildred, "how can he harden his heart so against anything so gentle and beautiful!"
They were standing on the veranda for a moment, admiring the view and watching the departure of the boat which had brought them; while Mrs. Murray was busied in giving directions in regard to the disposal of their luggage.
A suit of delightful apartments had been appropriated to Mildred's use during her stay. Conducted thither by Aunt Chloe and her nursling, she took possession with great content, and with the assistance of a skilled waiting maid, also placed at her service, soon arrayed her neat figure in a becoming dinner dress, little Elsie and her mammy looking on admiringly the while.
"Isn't my cousin so pretty, mammy?" whispered the little one.
Mildred heard, and turning with a pleased smile, held out her hand to the child. "Won't you come and sit on cousin's lap a little while? I can tell you about your dear papa; for I know him."
The child's face grew radiant, and she hastened to accept the invitation.
"Oh," she said, "please do! Will he come here soon? I want to see my papa! I want to kiss him and love him."