"I haven't been very good about it lately, mamma," Zoe said, looking half tearfully, half smilingly from one to the other, "but Ned's forgiven me, and now I feel as you say you did—that it's a real pleasure to give up my wishes to one I love so very dearly, and who is, I know, very much wiser than I."
"That is right, dear," Elsie said tenderly, "and I trust he will show himself worthy of all your love and confidence."
The two now comported themselves like a pair of lovers, as indeed they had done through all their brief married life, except the last few days.
Edward exerted himself for the entertainment of his little wife during their drive, and was very tender and careful of her.
On their return, he bade her lie down on the sofa in her boudoir and rest, averring that she looked languid and unlike herself.
"To please you," she said, obeying the mandate with a smiling glance up into his face.
"That's a good child!" he responded, sitting down beside her and smoothing her hair with fond, caressing hand. "Now, what shall I do to please you?"
"Stay here, close beside me, and hold my hand, and talk to me."
"Very well," he answered, closing his fingers over the hand she put into his, then lifting it to his lips. "How your face has changed, love, since that frightened look you gave me when I came in with the lamp last night."
"How frightened and ashamed I was, Ned!" she exclaimed, tears springing to her eyes; "I felt that you had a right to beat me if you wanted to, and I shouldn't have said a word if you'd done it."