e_ was the one who desired to go, whereas in her
heart of hearts, in that innermost heart which she scarcely ventured to
probe at all just now, she would have gladly shared Aunt Marjorie's
discomforts and sat by her father's side while he composed those sermons
which were to teach his flock, with a sure note of truth running through
them, that the blessed man is the man whom the Lord God chasteneth.

The wedding-day was fixed, and notwithstanding poverty and its attendant
shadows, preparations for the great event went on merrily enough.

A check for Hilda's trousseau was sent to her by a rich aunt in India,
and the pleasant excitement which even the quietest wedding always
causes began to pervade the Rectory.

When the day was finally arranged, Aunt Marjorie ceased to murmur and
cry. She talked a great deal now of Hilda's coming responsibilities, and
spent all her leisure moments copying out receipts which she thought
might be useful to her niece in her new position as wife and
housekeeper.

"You have never yet told me where you are going to live, Hilda," she
said, on the New Year's Day which preceded the wedding.

"I am not quite sure myself," replied Hilda. "Jasper has seen a great
many suburban houses which he does not quite like, and a great many
flats which he considers absolutely perfect. He says there is no special
hurry about choosing a house, for after we have returned from our
wedding tour we are to stay with some of his relations in town, and
during that time we can make up our minds as to what kind of home we
will have."

"Very prudent of Jasper," said Aunt Marjorie. "He really is an excellent
fellow--so wonderfully thoughtful for such a young man. Of course he has
far too much sense to think of selecting a house for you himself. As to
a flat, you will of course not dream of going into one--a house is
better in all respects, more airy and more interesting."

"I should like a house best," said Hilda, "but Jasper, of course, is the
one really to decide."

"Now, there you are wrong, my love. _You_ are undoubtedly the right
person to make the final choice. I am old-fashioned in my ideas, Hilda,
and I think the wife ought to be in subjection to her husband, for we
have Scripture for it, but I don't believe St. Paul meant that rule to
extend to domestic matters. In domestic matters the wife _ought_ to have
the casting vote. Be sure, my dear Hilda, you don't yield to Jasper in
domestic affairs--you will ru