"Won't she though! She's very fond of beaux, and she will receive you very graciously."
"You make me feel bashful, Gilbert."
"You won't be long. Julia will chat away to you as if she'd known you for fifty years."
"I was very young fifty years ago," said Carl, smiling.
"Hi, there, Jule!" called Gilbert, waving his hand.
Julia Vance stopped the horse, and looked inquiringly and rather admiringly at Carl, who was a boy of fine appearance.
"Let me introduce you to my friend and schoolmate, Carl Crawford."
Carl took off his hat politely.
"I am very glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Crawford," said Julia, demurely; "I have often heard Gilbert speak of you."
"I hope he said nothing bad about me, Miss Vance."
"You may be sure he didn't. If he should now--I wouldn't believe him."
"You've made a favorable impression, Carl," said Gilbert, smiling.
"I am naturally prejudiced against boys--having such a brother," said Julia; "but it is not fair to judge all boys by him."
"That is outrageous injustice!" said Gilbert;
"but then, sisters seldom appreciate their brothers."
"Some other fellows' sisters may," said Carl.
"They do, they do!"
"Did you ever see such a vain, conceited boy, Mr. Crawford?"
"Of course you know him better than I do."
"Come, Carl; it's too bad for you, too, to join against me. However, I will forget and forgive. Jule, my friend, Carl, has accepted my invitation to make us a visit."
"I am very glad, I am sure," said Julia, sincerely.
"And I want you to take him in, bag and baggage, and convey him to our palace, while I speed thither on my wheel."
"To be sure I will, and with great pleasure."
"Can't you get out and assist him into the carriage, Jule?"
"Thank you," said Carl; "but though I am somewhat old and quite infirm, I think I can get in without troubling your sister. Are you sure, Miss Vance, you won't be incommoded by my gripsack?"
"Not at all."
"Then I will accept your kind offer."
In a trice Carl was seated next to Julia, with his valise at his feet.
"Won't you drive, Mr. Crawford?" said the young lady.
"Don't let me take the reins from you."
"I don't think it looks well for a lady to drive when a gentleman is sitting beside her."
Carl was glad to take the reins, for he liked driving.
"Now for a race!" said Gilbert, who was mounted on his bicycle.
"All right!" replied Carl. "Look out for us!"
They started, and the two kept neck and neck till they entered the driveway leading up to a handsome country mansion.
Carl followed them into the house, and was cordially received by Mr. and Mrs. Vance, who were very kind and hospitable, and were favorably impressed by the gentlemanly appearance of their son's friend.
Half an hour later dinner was announced, and Carl, having removed the stains of travel in his schoolmate's room, descended to the dining-room, and, it must be confessed, did ample justice to the bounteous repast spread before him.
In the afternoon Julia, Gilbert and he played tennis, and had a trial at archery. The hours glided away very rapidly, and six o'clock came before they were aware.
"Gilbert," said Carl, as they were preparing for tea, "you have a charming home."
"You have a nice house, too, Carl."
"True; but it isn't a home--to me.
There is no love there."
"That makes a great difference."
"If I had a father and mother like yours I should be happy."
"You must stay here till day after tomorrow, and I will devote to-morrow to a visit in your interest to your home. I will beard the lion in his den--that is, your stepmother.
Do you consent?"
"Yes, I consent; but it won't do any good."
"We will see."
