? She was glad it would be early when they
drove by the aunts, else they might be scandalized. But never mind! Trill!
She hummed a merry little tune which melted into the melody of the song
she had sung last night.

Then she smiled at herself in the glass. She was fastening the brooch in
the bit of velvet round her neck, and she thought of the day a year ago
when she had fastened that brooch. She had wondered then how she would
feel if the next day was to be her own wedding day. Now as she smiled back
at herself in the glass all at once she thought it seemed as if this was
her wedding day. Somehow last night had seemed to realize her dreams. A
wonderful joy had descended upon her heart. Maybe she was foolish, but was
she not going to ride with David? She did not long for the green fields
and a chance to run wild through the wood now. This was better than those
childish pleasures. This was real happiness. And to think it should have
come through David!

She hurried with the arrangement of her hair until her fingers trembled
with excitement. She wanted to get downstairs and see if it were all
really true or if she were dreaming it. Would David look at her as he had
done last night? Would he speak that precious word "dear" to her again
to-day? Would he take her by the hand and lead her sometimes, or was that
a special gentleness because he knew she had suffered from her sister's
words? She clasped her hands with a quick, convulsive gesture over her
heart and looking back to the sweet face in the glass, said softly, "Oh, I
love him, love him! And it cannot be wrong, for Kate is married."

But though she was up early David had been down before her. The fire was
ready lighted and the kettle singing over it on the crane. He had even
pulled out the table and put up the leaf, and made some attempt to put the
dishes upon it for breakfast. He was sitting by the hearth impatient for
her coming, with a bandbox by his side.

It was like another sunrise to watch their eyes light up as they saw one
another. Their glances rushed together as though they had been a long time
withholden from each other, and a rosy glow came over Marcia's face that
made her long to hide it for a moment from view. Then she knew in her
heart that her dream was not all a dream. David was the same. It had
lasted, whatever this wonderful thing was that bound them together. She
stood still in her happy bewilderment, looking at him, and he, enjoying
the radiant