"I am sorry you have to hurry so," Lucilla said, as she filled her husband's cup for the second time. "I really think you ought to have at least a little longer holiday."
"I expect to take it piecemeal, nights and mornings, in the society of my wife," returned Chester, with affectionate look and smile. "I was very glad to get this case," he added, "for if I succeed with it it will bring me in some thousands."
"I shall be glad of that for your sake," said Lucilla; "but don't work too hard. You know you are not very strong; therefore you need to take good care of yourself."
"Ah, my dear, be careful how you encourage me in self-indulgence," laughed Chester. "I am too much inclined that way as it is."
"Are you?" she exclaimed with mirthful look and tone. "I really had not found it out, but thought you one of the foolishly industrious people who will even throw away health in order to get on rapidly with their work."
"And I," laughed Chester, "took you for a woman of such discernment that you must have found out before this what a lazy, incompetent fellow you have thrown yourself away upon."
"No; with all my discernment I have yet to make that discovery. I did not marry the fellow yon describe—but a bright, talented, industrious young man. And I wont have him slandered."
At that moment a servant came in with the announcement that the carriage was at the door.
"Ah! Jack is quite punctual, and I am just ready," said Chester, pushing back his chair, getting up and going round to his wife's side of the table. "I will now take away the slanderer of your bright, talented, industrious young man," he remarked in sportive tone; "you shall be relieved of his presence until perhaps five o'clock this afternoon."
Before he had finished, Lucilla was standing by his side, her hand in his.