Before noon that day, Walter had walked up with John and Grace to take a survey of the cottage, and had given John indefinite power to engage workmen and artificers to rearrange and enlarge and beautify it for their return after the wedding journey.

For the rest of the visit, all the three were busy with pencil and paper, projecting balconies, bow-windows, pantries, library, and dining-room, till the old cottage so blossomed out in imagination as to leave only a germ of its former self.
Walter's visit brought back to John a deal of the warmth and freedom which he had not known since he married.

We often live under an insensible pressure of which we are made aware only by its removal.
John had been so much in the habit lately of watching to please Lillie, of measuring and checking his words or actions, that he now bubbled over with a wild, free delight in finding himself alone with Grace and Walter.

He laughed, sang, whistled, skipped upstairs two at a time, and scarcely dared to say even to himself why he was so happy.
He did not face himself with that question, and went dutifully to the library at stated times to write to Lillie, and made much of her little letters..