"I'll tell him you said that," cried Elsie; "just to see him blush."
"Oh, don't!" exclaimed the widow, clasping her hands as if she thought Elsie was about to stop the carriage and inform him then and there. "What would he think?"
The young man at whom Elsie was laughing quite unrestrainedly, rode rapidly towards them, and when he saw Elsie, his face glowed with a mingled expression of pleasure and embarrassment that made her laugh more recklessly than ever.
He made a bow almost to the saddle, nearly lost his hat, and did not recover his presence of mind until the carriage had dashed on, and he was left far behind to grumble at his own stupidity.
"It is too bad of you to laugh at him," said Elizabeth Fuller, a little reproachfully.
"Why, darling, he likes it," cried Elsie, "and it does him good."
"I am sure his devotion to you is plain enough," said Mrs. Harrington, with a sentimental shake of the head. "Hearts are too rare in this world to be treated so carelessly."
"Oh, don't!" exclaimed Elsie. "You'll be repeating poetry next! Tom is a nice man, just a great awkward lump of goodness; but I must laugh at him. Dear me, what a groomsman he will make! Bessie, I know he will step on my dress."
"I hope so," Elizabeth replied, good naturedly; "I shall consider you served right."
"Oh," cried Mrs. Harrington, roused by a fear she was fully capable of appreciating, "it would be such a pity to have all that beautiful Brussels point torn--do caution him, my dear."
"No," said Elsie, with mock resignation, "Bessie insists upon having him for groomsman, and I shall let him put his foot through my flounces with perfect equanimity, by way of showing my affection for her. Talk of giving your life for your friends, what is that in comparison to seeing your flounces torn!"
Her companions both laughed, but Elizabeth said seriously, "When you know Tom better, you cannot help respecting him; he is my one relative, and I love him dearly."
"Of course," said Elsie, "and I mean to be his cousin, too; but it is my cousinly privilege to laugh at him."
"Perhaps he will not be content with a cousinly regard," said Mrs. Harrington, mysteriously.
Elizabeth glanced quickly at Elsie, with a little trouble in her face, but the girl laughed, and replied--