She looked up into his face and smiled faintly.
“And I am sure you are of the same opinion,” he added.
“It is well enough, Tom, but——”
“But what, dear?”
“Oh nothing; the time will come, let us hope, when we shall own a grand mansion and have all sorts of beautiful things.”
The young engineer looked troubled. This was not the first time by many that he had heard her express a similar wish.
“I don’t know what to make of her,” he muttered to himself. “Of late a change appears to have come over her.”
“Look here, Aveline,” he said, more solemnly, “mark what I say; I don’t think you will be ever happier than you are now. It is not the place—it is not grandeur that ensures happiness—it is a contented mind; that you have.”
“Well, I hope I have.”
“You ought. I have; your beauty makes my heart glad, your love makes earth heaven to me.”