up the broad stairway, the children following.

He led them first to her apartments, and on through them into those of
the little girls, greatly enjoying the exclamations of wonder and
delight from her and the children.

They had all supposed the work of renovation and improvement was not to
be begun till after the departure of Miss Elliott; but they found it not
only begun, but finished; the new papers they had chosen were already on
the walls, the carpets down, the curtains up, mirrors and pictures hung,
and furniture in place.

Max's rooms, visited last, were found to be in like condition,--not at
all inferior to those of his sisters in any respect.

Violet was greatly pleased; the children were wild with delight; every
thing was so dainty and fresh, there was such an air of elegance and
refinement about the appointments of each room, that all were charmed
with the effect.

They were hardly yet satisfied with gazing and commenting, when the
summons to dinner came.

They trooped down to the dining-room, the captain and Violet leading the
way, and seated themselves at the table.

Here, too, all was new and handsome; the napery, china, glass and silver
ware, such as would not have suffered by comparison with what they had
been accustomed to at Ion and Viamede.