A bright, beautiful day succeeded that on which the Ion family had arrived at Viamede.

The younger members of their party woke early, and the sun was hardly more than an hour high when Evelyn and Rosie passed down the broad stairway into the lower hall, moving with cautious tread lest they might disturb the still sleeping older members of the household.
But on reaching the veranda they were surprised to see the captain and Lulu already taking a morning promenade along the bank of the bayou.
"Ah, I see there is no getting ahead of Brother Levis," laughed Rosie.
"Let us run down there and join them, Eva." "With all my heart," returned Evelyn gayly, and away they went, racing down the broad gravelled walk in merry girlish fashion.
"Good-morning, little ladies, I see that you are early birds as well as Lulu and myself," the captain said, with his genial smile, as they drew near.
"Yes, sir," returned Rosie, catching hold of Lulu and giving her a hearty embrace; "on such a morning as this, and in such a lovely place, bed has no attractions to compare with those of out of doors." "That's exactly what papa and I think," said Lulu; "and, oh girls, I'm so glad you have come to share this lovely, lovely place with us.

Eva, I haven't yet got over the glad surprise of your coming.

I was just saying to papa how very kind it was in Grandma Elsie and the rest of them to prepare such an unexpected pleasure for me.

Wasn't it good in them ?" "Yes, indeed, good to us both!" Evelyn said, squeezing affectionately the hand Lulu had slipped into hers.
"Captain," looking up smilingly into his face, "are you intending to be so very, very kind as to take me for one of your pupils ?" "Most assuredly, my dear, if you wish it," he replied.
"Oh, thank you, sir! thank you very much indeed, and I promise to give you as little trouble as I possibly can." "I shall consider it no trouble at all, my dear child," he returned, giving her a fatherly smile.