Elsie, that I shall be your escort after this until your father comes.
Surely love may claim so small a concession from duty."

She could not resist his persuasive look and tone, but with a smile
and a blush gave the promise for which he pleaded.

Procuring as fine a horse as his landlord could furnish, Mr. Travilla
rode to Miss Stanhope's, and alighting at the gate, walked up to the
house.

He found its mistress on the front porch, picking dead leaves from her
vines. She had mounted a step ladder to reach some that otherwise
were too high up for her small stature. Turning at the sound of
his approach, "Good-morning, sir," she said. "You see I'm like the
sycamore tree that climbed into Zaccheus. Shortness is inconvenient at
times. My, what a jar!" as she came down rather hard, missing the last
step--"I feel it from the crown of my foot to the sole of my head.
Here, Simon, take away this ladder-step; the next time I want it I
think I'll do without; I'm growing so old in my clumsy age. Walk in
and take a seat, Mr. Torville. Or shall we sit here? It's pleasanter
than indoors I think."

"I agree with you," he said, accepting her invitation with a smile at
the oddity of her address. "You have a fine view here."

They sat there conversing for some time before Elsie made her
appearance, Mr. Travilla both charmed and amused with his companion,
and she liking him better every moment. When Elsie did come down at
last, looking wondrous sweet and fair in a pretty, coquettish riding
hat and habit, her aunt informed her that she had been urging "Mr.