Part 26 (1/2)
Mr. Dinsmore had already left the room.
”But now, girls, we must bestir ourselves and make ready for the day,”
added Mrs. Dinsmore. ”You know the morning is to be spent by the whole connection at Pinegrove, and the afternoon at Roselands. It won't take you long to get ready, will it?”
”No, only a few minutes,” both answered, and she hurried away to complete her own preparations.
”Oh, Maud, dear!” said Sydney, taking up the bridal veil and gazing admiringly upon it, ”I am so glad Cousin Elsie has lent you this bit of loveliness, and that beautiful dress to be married in. You will look just bewitching; and how proud d.i.c.k will be of his bride. I wish he was here now to see these charming things. Do you mean to tell him about them and show them to him beforehand?”
”I don't know; I really haven't thought about it yet,” Maud answered.
”But we must make haste, now, and not keep Cousin Horace and Sue waiting.”
CHAPTER XVII.
At Woodburn Captain Raymond and his eldest daughter had had their usual early ramble together about the grounds; then, coming in, had found a large mail, containing a number of business letters for him, awaiting them.
”I hope they are such as I can answer for you on the typewriter, papa,”
Lucilla said cheerfully.
”Yes,” he replied; ”if you have time and inclination to do so.”
”Always time to work for my father,” she said, giving him a bright, sweet smile, as she seated herself before the machine.
”Then we will do it at once,” he said, returning the smile as he uncovered the machine and put the paper in place for her. ”'Business before pleasure' is a good rule, and my dear, helpful daughter makes it an easier one for me to follow than it would be without her a.s.sistance.”
”I am so glad it does, papa; so glad I am of some use to you,” she returned, blus.h.i.+ng with pleasure as she spoke.
”I know you are, daughter dear, else I should not call upon you for these services,” he said heartily; then, glancing over a letter he had just opened, he began dictating.
He had not said anything to her about the talk he and Donald Keith had had the night before, nor did he intend to. So sure of the result was he that it did not seem at all necessary, and he thought the knowledge of what was before her would only cause her embarra.s.sment and discomfort.
He did not know what opportunity Keith might seize, and it seemed better to leave her in ignorance of his intentions.
”Is that all, father?” she asked presently, when several letters had been written.
”Yes, daughter,” he replied; ”and now we can feel free for the day. I hope it will be a pleasant one to you.”
”I expect it to be, papa,” she returned; ”Pinegrove is a beautiful place, and the Howards are delightful people. No relation to me, but tolerably near cousins to Mamma Vi, you know.”
”Yes; Mrs. Howard being half sister to her grandfather,” he said with an amused look. ”They can hardly be called near relatives, but are very estimable people, and I think the half day may be pa.s.sed very pleasantly with them and the visiting relatives.”
”I like Flora Howard. Papa, don't you think she might make a nice wife for Captain Keith, if only they should take a fancy to each other?”
”I hadn't thought of it. She is rather young--not much older than my daughter Lulu, I judge; so had better not be thinking of marriage for years to come.”
”Yes, sir; but a good many girls do, you know; girls that haven't such a dear, good father as mine to make them feel that they never want to leave him for anybody else.”
”You are sure you don't want to leave yours?” he asked with a searching, though smiling look into her face.