The Advocate looked up at this, and regarded his wife with fond admiration. In his private life two influences were dominant--love for his wife, and friendship for Christian Almer. He had love for no other woman, and friendship for no other man, and his trust in both was a perfect trust.
"I do not wonder that the children stare at you," he said; "you must be a new and pleasant experience to them."
"I believe they take me for a saint," she said, laughing gaily; "and I need not tell you that I am very far from being one."
"You are, as we all are, human; and very beautiful, Adelaide."
She gazed at him in surprise.
"It is not often you pay me compliments."
"Do you need them from me? To be sure of my affection--is not that sufficient?"
"But I am fond of compliments."
"I must commence a new study, then," he said gravely; it was difficult for him to indulge in light themes for many minutes together. "So you are making yourself acquainted with the neighbours. I hope you will not soon tire of them."
"When I do I must seek out some other amusement. You have also discovered something since you came here in which you appear to be wonderfully interested."