Miss Priscilla, who had been left in charge of the Manor during their absence, had welcomed them back with much joy, as she looked upon the match as one of her own making.

Now she had gone inside, on the understanding that two are company and three are none, and the young couple were left alone.

Hand in hand, after the foolish fashion of lovers, they sat under a leafy oak tree, and the sunlight glowed redly on their happy faces.

After a short silence Lucian looked at the face of his wife and laughed.
"What is amusing you, dear ?" said Mrs.Denzil, with a sympathetic smile.
"My thoughts were rather pleasant than amusing," replied Lucian, giving the hand that lay in his a squeeze, "but I was thinking of Hans Andersen's tale of the Elder Mother Tree, and of the old couple who sat enjoying their golden wedding under the linden, with the red sunlight shining on their silver crowns." "We are under an oak and wear no crowns," replied Diana in her turn, "but we are quite as happy, I think, although it is not our golden wedding." "Perhaps that will come some day, Diana." "Fifty years, my dear; it's a long way off yet," said Mrs.Denzil dubiously.
"I am glad it is, for I shall have (D.V.,) fifty years of happiness with you to look forward to.

Upon my word, Diana, I think you deserve happiness, after all the trouble you have had." "With you I am sure to be happy, Lucian, but other people, poor souls, are not so well off." "What other people ?" "Jabez Clyne, for one." "My dear," said Lucian, seriously, "I hope I am not a hard man, but I really cannot find it in my heart to pity Clyne.