together; Aunt Wealthy and you and I. You musn't let her miss me too
much, Lottie." And Elsie turned an affectionate look upon her aged
relative.

"As if I could prevent it! But I'll do my best; you may rest assured
of that."

"You are dear girls, both of you," said Miss Stanhope with a very
perceptible tremble in her voice, "and you have brightened my home
wonderfully; if I could only keep you!"

"Well, auntie, you're not likely to lose me altogether for some time
yet," returned Lottie gayly, though the tears shone in her eyes.

Bromly Egerton went out from Mr. Dinsmore's presence with his temper
at a white heat, for he had just been treated to some plain truths
that were far from palatable; besides which it seemed evident that he
had missed the prize he so coveted and had made such strenuous efforts
to win. He had learned nothing new in regard to his own character, yet
somehow it had never looked so black as now, when seen through the
spectacles of an upright, honest, vice-detesting Christian gentleman.
He writhed at the very recollection of the disgust, loathing, and
contempt expressed in Mr. Dinsmore's voice and countenance as well as
in his words.

He scarcely gave a thought to the loss of Elsie herself: he had no
feeling for her at all worthy of the name of love; his base, selfish
nature was, indeed, hardly capable of such a sentiment; especially
toward one so refined, so guileless in her childlike innocence and
purity that to be with her gave him an uncomfortable sense of his own