They had entered the library and drawn near the table while they talked.
A pile of letters lay upon it. He took them up and glanced at the
superscription upon each.

"Ah! here is one directed to you, daughter," he said, "and from someone
in this neighborhood; for it is without a stamp."

"Probably from Maud or Sydney," she remarked.

"No," said her father, "the handwriting is evidently that of a man.
Well, you may open it and see who the writer is," handing it to her as
he spoke.

"If you would rather I did not, papa, I do not want to," she said, not
offering to take it. "Please read it first."

"I can trust you, daughter, and you have my full permission to read
it," he said in a kindly indulgent tone.

"Thank you, papa; but I really prefer to have you read it first," she
replied.

He smiled approval, broke the seal, and glanced over the missive.

"It is from Chester Dinsmore," he said; "merely an invitation to you to
go with him to a boating party on the river, if your father gives
consent."

"Which I don't believe my father will," laughed Lucilla.