Elsies Womanhood | Page 4

of it yet," said Rose, with a slight tremble in her voice,
and looking at Elsie's flushed, conscious face with eyes full of unshed
tears. "Adelaide's is to be within the next two months, and--we cannot
give up Elsie so suddenly."
"Of course not," said Adelaide; "and I should have serious objections to
being used as a foil to Elsie's youth and beauty."
The Howards and Mr. Travilla stayed to tea, and shortly before that
meal the party was increased by the arrival of Walter Dinsmore and
Mrs. Dick Percival.
Enna had lost flesh and color; and long indulgence of a fretful, peevish
temper had drawn down the corners of her mouth, lined her forehead,
and left its ugly pencilings here and there over the once pretty face, so
that it already began to look old and care-worn. She was very gayly
dressed, in the height of the fashion, and rather overloaded with jewelry;
but powder and rouge could not altogether conceal the ravages of
discontent and passion. She was conscious of the fact, and inwardly
dwelt with mortification and chagrin upon the contrast presented by her
own faded face to that of Elsie, so fair and blooming, so almost childish
in its sweet purity and innocence of expression.
"So you are single yet," Enna said, with a covert sneer; "and not likely
to marry either, so far as I've been able to learn. They'll soon begin to
call you an old maid."
"Will they?" said Mr. Dinsmore, with a laugh in which all present

joined, Enna herself excepted; "well, if she is a fair specimen of that
much-abused class, they are far more attractive than is generally
supposed."
"You needn't laugh," said Enna; "I was four years younger than she is
now, when I married. I wasn't going to wait till they began to call me
an old maid."
"To bear that reproach is not the worst calamity that can befall a
woman," replied Mr. Dinsmore gravely; then changed the subject by a
kind inquiry in regard to Arthur.
"Slowly and steadily improving," answered Walter. "The doctors are
now satisfied that he is not permanently crippled, though he still uses a
crutch."
CHAPTER SECOND.
"Mutual love, the crown of all our bliss." --MILTON'S PARADISE
LOST.
After a half hour of waiting for her son's return, Mrs. Travilla sat down
to her lonely cup of tea. There was no lack of delicacies on the table,
and in all Edward's taste had been consulted. To make him comfortable
and happy was, next to serving her God, the great aim and object of his
mother's life; and, in a less degree, of that of every servant in the house.
They had all been born and brought up at Ion, and had all these years
known him as the kindest, most reasonable and considerate of masters.
"Wish Massa Edard come. Dese waffles jes' prime to-night, an' he so
fond ob dem," remarked a pretty mulatto girl, handing a plate of them
to her mistress.
"Yes, Prilla, he expected to be at home, but is probably taking tea at the
Oaks or Roselands." And the old lady supped her tea and ate her
waffles with a serene, happy face, now and then lighted up by a pleased
smile which her attendant handmaiden was at a loss to interpret.

Having finished her meal, Mrs. Travilla threw a shawl about her
shoulders and stepped out upon the veranda; then, tempted by the
beauty of the night, walked down the avenue to meet her son or see if
there were any signs of his approach.
She had not gone half the distance ere the sound of horses' hoofs
reached her ear--distant at first but coming rapidly nearer, till a lady
and gentleman drew rein at the gate, while the servant who had been
riding in the rear dismounted and threw it open.
They came dashing up, but paused and drew rein again at sight of the
old lady standing there under the trees.
"Mother," cried her son, springing from the saddle, "you were not
alarmed? anxious? surely."
"No, no, Edward, but glad to see you and Elsie! my dear child, this is
very kind."
"Not at all, dear Mrs. Travilla; it is so lovely an evening for a ride; or
walk either," she added, giving her hand to her escort and springing
lightly to the ground.
Mr. Travilla put the hand into that of his mother. "Take her to your
heart, mother; she is mine--ours!" he said, in low tones tremulous with
joy.
The old lady folded the slight girlish form to her breast for a moment,
with a silence more eloquent than words.
"Thank God! thank God!" she murmured at length. "He has given me
my heart's desire;" and mingled caresses and tears fell upon Elsie's face.
"For