Yet the first object that met his eye on turning about from assisting Zoe to alight from the train, was the Ion family carriage, with Solon standing at the horses' heads.
"Ki! Marse Ed'ard, you's here sho nuff!" cried the man, grinning with satisfaction.
"Yes, Solon," Edward said, shaking hands with him. "Who came in with you?"
"Nobody, sah. You wasn't spected particular, kase you didn't send no word. But Miss Elsie tole me fotch de kerridge anyhow, an' mebbe you mout be here."
"So I am, Solon, and my wife with me," presenting Zoe, who timidly held out her little gloved hand.
Solon took it respectfully, gazing at her in wide-eyed and open-mouthed wonder. "Ki! Marse Ed'ard, you don' say you's ben an' gwine an' got married! Why dere's weddin's an' weddin's in de family!"
"So it seems, Solon," laughed Edward, putting Zoe into the carriage and taking his place beside her, "but as I am older than Miss Vi, my turn should come before hers. All well at Ion?"
"Yes, sah, an' mighty busy wid de necessary preparations for Miss Wilet's weddin'."
"What an elegant, comfortable, easy-rolling carriage!" remarked Zoe, leaning back against the cushions, "it's a pleasant change from the cars."
"I am glad you find it so, dear," Edward responded, gazing upon her with fond, admiring eyes.