CHAPTER XXXI.

The early portion of my married life was more like a dream of heaven
than a reality of earth. All, and _more_ than I had ever imagined of
wedded happiness, I realized. The intimate and constant companionship of
such a being as Ernest, so intellectual, so refined, so highly gifted,
so loving and impassioned, was a privilege beyond the common destiny of
women. A hundred times I said to myself in the exultant consciousness of
joy,--

"How little his mother knows him! The jealousy of the lover has yielded
to the perfect confidence of the husband. Our hearts are now too closely
entwined for the shadow of a cloud to pass between them. He says
himself, that it would be impossible ever to doubt a love so pure and so
entire as mine."

Our home was as retired as it was possible to be in the heart of a great
metropolis. It was near one of those beautiful parks which in summer
give such an aspect of life and purity to surrounding objects, with
their grassy lawns, graceful shade trees, and fountains of silvery
brightness playing in the sunshine, and diffusing such a cool, delicious
atmosphere, in the midst of heat, dust, and confusion. In winter, even,
these parks give inexpressible relief to the eye, and freedom to the
mind, that shrinks from the compression of high brick walls, and longs
for a more expanded view of the heavens than can be obtained through
turreted roofs, that seem to meet as they tower.

It made but little difference to me now, for my heaven was within. The
external world, of which I believed myself wholly independent, seemed
but a shell enclosing the richness and fragrance of our love. The
luxuries and elegancies of my own home were prized chiefly as proofs of
Ernest's watchful and generous love.

The friend to whom he had written to prepare a residence, was fortunate
in securing one which he believed exactly suited to his fastidious and
classic taste. A gentleman of fortune had just completed and furnished
an elegant establishment, when unexpected circumstances compelled him to
leave his country to be absent several years.

I do not think Ernest would have fitted up our bridal home in so showy
and magnificent a style; but his love for the beautiful and graceful was
gratified, and he was pleased with my enthusiastic admiration and
delight.

I sometimes imagined myself in an enchanted palace, when wandering
through the splendid suite of apartments adorned with such oriental
luxury. T