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Updated: May 3, 2025
Elsie gazed earnestly in his face for an instant, saying in a half-frightened tone, "You are only joking, Mr. Travilla." "Not a bit of it," said he; "can't you see that I'm in earnest?"
"But you are not a child any longer." "I am papa's child; I always shall be. Oh, it would break my heart if ever he should disown me and say, 'You are no longer my child!" "How you do love him!" "Better than my life!" Mr. Travilla was already established at Miss Stanhope's, and very glad to be there, that he might keep the more careful and constant watch and ward over his "little friend."
He was at this time thirty-four, but would have passed readily for twenty-five. Egerton thought him no more than that, and at once took him for a successful rival. "Excuse me, Miss Dinsmore," he said, bowing stiffly, "I should have waited to ring, but " "Oh, never mind, Mr. Egerton," she said; "let me introduce you to my old friend, Mr. Travilla " But she stopped in astonishment and dismay. Mr.
"O grandpa, can't you see?" asked Rosie Travilla, and they all hurried from the room, to return presently in a procession, each carrying something in his or her hand. Harold had a log of wood, Herbert a post, Max a block, Frank the wooden part of an old musket, while Chester, though empty-handed, wore an old fashioned stock or cravat and held his head very stiffly.
Edward had spread a rug on the sand just high enough on the beach to be out of reach of the incoming waves, and Zoe, with a book in her hand, was half reclining upon it, resting on her elbow and gazing far out over the waters. "Well, Mrs. Travilla, for once I find you alone. What has become of your other half?" said a lively voice at her side. "Oh, is it you, Betty?"
Adelaide was there to welcome them, and Elsie thought she had never seen her look so youthful, pretty, and happy, Chloe remarked upon it while preparing her young mistress for bed, adding that the report in the kitchen was that Miss Adelaide and Mr. Travilla were engaged, and would probably marry very soon. Elsie made no remark, but her heart seemed to sink like lead in her bosom.
"No, sir; and if my little wife approves of that plan, we will adopt it," He turned inquiringly to her. "I should like it very much," she said. "If you are quite sure it will not delay us too long," she added as an after-thought. "No, scarcely at all, I think," returned Lester; "so we will consider that settled." "Ah, I am glad that we shall not lose your company altogether," Mrs. Travilla said.
Elsie had many inquiries to make in regard to the health and welfare of relatives and friends, and the old family servants at the Oaks; Mr. Travilla numerous questions to ask concerning all that she had seen and done since leaving America. But in the midst of it all she exclaimed, "Ah, you must see our little Frenchwoman! such a darling as she is!"
After dinner, her Aunt Adelaide, Lora, and Walter called to see them and the house; but both they and Mr. Travilla went away early he promising to bring his mother to see her very soon and then she was left alone with her father again. "Would you like now to hear the remainder of the story we were reading yesterday, daughter?" he asked. "Very much, papa; I have been wanting it all day."
Travilla, disengaging himself from a group of ladies and gentlemen on the opposite side of the room, came up to her, and taking her by the hand, led her to a pleasant-looking elderly lady, who sat at a centre-table examining some choice engravings which Mr. Dinsmore had brought with him from Europe. "Mother," said Mr. Travilla, "This is my little friend Elsie."
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