There was no shadow of doubt upon her face when he spoke of the serene happiness which they two were to find in an existence spent together.

He was the first who had ever spoken to her of these things, and she listened to him with an utter simplicity and freshness of mind.
Time had reconciled Isabella Lister to her brother's choice, and she now deigned to smile upon the lovers, very much to Gilbert's satisfaction.

He had been too proud to supplicate her good graces; but he was pleased that his only sister should show herself gracious and affectionate to the girl he loved so fondly.

During this second visit of his, therefore, Marian came very often to Lidford House; sometimes accompanied by her uncle, sometimes alone; and there was perfect harmony between the elder and younger lady.
The partridges upon Martin Lister's estate did not suffer much damage from his brother-in-law's gun that autumn.

Gilbert found it a great deal pleasanter to spend his mornings dawdling in the little cottage drawing-room or under the walnut-trees with Marian, than to waste his noontide hours in the endeavour to fill a creditable game-bag.