the least possible delay."

"What time is it? Have you been to breakfast?"

"It's about nine, and I have taken breakfast. I think you must have some
before exerting yourself to dress."

"Just as you say; it's nice to have you tell me what to do," she said,
nestling closer in his arms. "I can't think why I should ever have
disliked it."

"I presume it was all the fault of my tone and manner, sometimes of my
words, too," he said, passing his hand caressingly over her hair and
cheek. "I'm afraid I've been decidedly bearish on several occasions; but I
trust I shall have the grace to treat my wife with politeness and
consideration after this."

Elsie, who had left the room on Zoe's awaking, now came in and bidding her
an affectionate good-morning, said she had ordered her breakfast to be
brought up at once, adding, "I hope you will do it justice, my dear."

"I'll see that she does, mamma," Edward answered for her, in sportive
tone; "she has made such fair promises of submission, obedience, and all
that, that she'll hardly dare refuse to do anything I bid her."

"I haven't been very good about it lately, mamma," Zoe said, looking half
tearfully, half smilingly from one to the other, "but Ned's forgiven me,
and now I feel as you say you did--that it's a real pleasure to give up my
wishes to one I love so very dearly, and who is, I know, very much wiser
than I."

"That is right, dear," Elsie said tenderly, "and I trust he will show
himself worthy of all your love and confidence."

The two now comported themselves like a pair of lovers, as indeed they had
done through all their brief married life, except the last few days.

Edward exerted himself for the entertainment of his little wife during
their drive, and was very tender and careful of her.

On their return, he bade her lie down on the sofa in her boudoir and rest,
averring that she looked languid and unlike herself.

"To please you," she said, obeying the mandate with a smiling glance up
into his face.

"That's a good child!" he responded, sitting down beside her and smoothing
her hair with fond, caressing hand. "Now, what shall I do to please you?"

"Stay here, close beside me, and hold my hand, and talk to me."

"Very well," he answered, closing his fingers over the hand she put into
his, then lifting it to his lips. "How your face has changed, love, since
that frightened look you gave me when I came in with the lamp last night."

"How frightened and a