l be here
by the next train!"

"Half a day sooner than they or we expected," cried Zoe, half joyfully,
half in dismay, struck with a momentary fear that her preparations could
not be quite complete in season.

Edward hastened to re-assure her. "Altogether, good news, isn't it?" he
said. "We can be quite ready, I am sure, and will escape some hours of
waiting; while they will gain time for rest and refreshment before the
arrival of the family party who are to gather here from the Oaks,
Roselands, the Laurels, and the Pines."

"Oh, yes, yes! it is ever so nice! and I'm as glad as I can be," she
cried rapturously. "Now let us make haste to get our breakfast, and then
attend to the finishing touches needed by the house and our own
persons."

"Stay," said Edward, detaining her as she was starting up the steps into
the veranda. "We should send word to Fairview, but it will be time
enough after breakfast. Suppose we ride over there immediately upon
leaving the table, and carry the news ourselves? The air and exercise
will do you good."

"It would be very nice," she returned meditatively; "but I'm afraid I
shall hardly have time."

"Yes, you will," he said. "You can give your orders, and let Christine
and Aunt Dicey see them carried out."

"But I want my taste consulted in the arrangement of the flowers," she
objected.

"Plenty of time for that after we get back," he said. "And I want your
help in deciding whether every thing is exactly as it should be in the
grounds at Fairview. Shall I order the horses?"

"Yes. I'll go, of course, if you wish it, and enjoy it greatly, I know."

They were very gay over their breakfast and during their ride; for they
were young, healthy, happy in each other; the morning air was delicious,
and not a cloud was to be perceived in either the natural sky above
their heads, or in that of their future; all was bright and joyous, and
they seemed to have naught to do with sorrow or care, or any of the
evils that oppressed the hearts and darkened the lives of many of their
fellow-creatures.

Their tidings were received with joy by the retainers at Fairview,
nearly every thing being in readiness for the reception of its master
and mistress.

Edward and Zoe had agreed that it was not at all necessary to inform the
expected guests of the evening of the change in the hour for the arrival
of the home-coming party they intended to welcome.

"The meeting will be quite as early as anticipated,"