“He invites you to become one of his people, and then they will be for you.

“‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,’ Jesus says, ’and I will give you rest.’

“You feel yourself heavy laden with that unconquerable temper, do you not?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then, that invitation is for you; and it will not be unconquerable with the Lord to help you.

“’The God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people.’  ‘And they that stumbled are girded with strength.’  You cannot doubt that you are included in the invitation, for it is, ’Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.’  And the time to come is now:  ‘Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’”

The breakfast-bell rang at that moment; and grandma Elsie, rising, took Lulu’s hand, saying, “Come, my dear, you need not shrink from joining us at the table:  no one will be disposed to treat you unkindly.”

As she spoke, the door opened, and Capt.  Raymond and Violet came in.  They exchanged morning greetings with their mother; while Lulu, with eyes cast down, and cheeks aflame, half shrank behind her, ashamed and afraid to meet Violet’s gaze.

But Violet bent down and kissed her affectionately, saying in a kindly tone, “I hope you are feeling better than you did yesterday?”

“O mamma Vi!” Lulu cried, throwing her arm round her young step-mother’s neck, and bursting into tears, “is baby still getting better? and will you forgive me?  I am, oh, so sorry!”

“Yes, dear, baby is improving fast; and it is all forgiven, so far as I am concerned,” was the gentle reply.

Then the captain kissed his little girl good-morning, and they all went down to the breakfast-room together.

The worst was over to Lulu in having seen Violet, yet it was quite an ordeal to her to face the rest of the large family; but each one spoke pleasantly to her.  Rosie alone bestowed so much an unkind look upon her, and that was wasted; for Lulu, expecting it from that quarter more than any other, constantly averted her gaze from Rosie, keeping her eyes down, or turned in another direction.

Dr. Conly had joined them as they sat down, and presently he addressed the captain:—­

“I hear, Raymond, that you would like to buy in this neighborhood.”

“Yes, if I can find a suitable place,—­one that will satisfy my wife as well as myself,” the captain answered with a smiling glance at Violet.

“Well, Vi, how would Woodburn answer, so far as you are concerned?” queried Arthur.

“Woodburn! is it for sale?” she cried delightedly.  “O Levis!” turning to her husband, “it is a lovely old place!  A visit there was always a great treat to me as a child.”

“And it is really for sale?” exclaimed several voices in chorus, all eyes turning inquiringly upon Dr. Conly.