"Cousin Ronald! what a joyful surprise! Welcome, welcome to Ion!" "Thanks, a thousand thanks, my fair kinswoman, my bonny leddy, my sweet Cousin Elsie," returned the old gentleman, taking the offered hands in his and imprinting a kiss upon the still round and blooming cheek.

"I have ventured to come without previous announcement o' my intention, or query about the inconvenience I might cause in your household arrangements, or--" "No fear of that, sir," Mr.Dinsmore interrupted, offering his hand in return.

"I know that you are, and always will be, a most welcome guest in my daughter's house.

You have given us a very pleasant surprise, and the fault will not be ours if we do not keep you all winter." The others, from Mrs.Dinsmore down to Walter, followed suit with greetings no less joyous and cordial, for the old gentleman was a great favorite at Ion, and with the whole connection.
He was presently installed in the easiest chair, in the warmest corner, and hospitably urged to take some refreshment.
But he declined, saying he had had his supper in the village, before driving over, and wanted nothing more till morning.
Then he went on to account for his sudden appearance.

He had been sojourning some hundreds of miles farther north, had not been well, and his physician advising an immediate change to a more southerly climate, he had set out at once for Ion, without waiting to let them know of his intentions; feeling sure of just such a welcome as he had received.
"And a month's warning could not have made you more welcome than you are, cousin," said his hostess.
The conversation broken in upon by Mr.Lilburn's arrival, was not renewed that evening, but the subject was introduced again the next morning at the breakfast table, and some questions in regard to it were decided.