“What an enchanting spot!” cried Anna, pressing the hand of her husband to her lips—“how romantic!”
“It is indeed lovely, Anna—but remember ‘’tis distance lends enchantment;’ a nearer view may destroy some of its present beauty,” said Rupert.
“Yet it will be lovely still, dear Rupert, for our home is there!” exclaimed Anna.
No wonder the heart of the happy husband bounded with delight at such words from such beautiful lips!
“Now you can discern the church through those venerable elms, which were planted by hands long since mouldering in the dust,” said Rupert. “And see, dear Anna, as we draw nearer, how one by one the cottages look out from their leafy screens, as if to welcome you.”
“O it is all perfectly charming, Rupert! Now which of these pretty dwellings is to be our abode?” inquired Anna.
“Just where the river bends around yonder beautiful green promontory; do you see two large trees whose interlacing branches form as it were an arbor for the little cottage reposing in the centre? There, my beloved Anna, there is your future home!”
“O it is a perfect beauty spot—how happy, how very happy we shall be!” exclaimed Anna with enthusiasm.
“May your bright anticipations, my dear one, be realized,” said Rupert. “Sure I am that if the tenderness and devotion of a fond heart can secure you happiness, it will be yours—yet as on the sunniest skies clouds will sometimes gather, even so may it be with us, and our brilliant horizon be darkened.”
“No, no, talk not so gravely, Rupert,” cried Anna, “depend upon it, no clouds but the most rosy shall flit o’er our horizon! But do order the coachman to drive faster—I am impatient to assume the command of yonder little paradise.”