But, I verily believe, the young married couple were served all the better for their kindness and sympathy to the humble pair of sweethearts in the rank below them.
John walked home with me--a pleasure I had hardly expected, but which was insisted upon both by him and Ursula.

For from the very first of her betrothal there had been a thorough brother-and-sisterly bond established between her and me.

Her womanly, generous nature would have scorned to do what, as I have heard, many young wives do--seek to make coldness between her husband and his old friends.

No; secure in her riches, in her rightful possession of his whole heart, she took into hers everything that belonged to John, every one he cared for; to be for ever held sacred and beloved, being his, and therefore her own.
Thus we were the very best of friends, my sister Ursula and me.
John and I talked a little about her--of her rosy looks, which he hoped would not fade in their town dwelling--and of good Mrs.Tod's wonderful delight at seeing her, when last week they had stayed two days in the dear old cottage at Enderley.

But he seemed slow to speak about his wife, or to dilate on a joy so new that it was hardly to be breathed on, lest it might melt into air.
Only when, as we were crossing the street, a fine equipage passed, he looked after it with a smile.
"Grey ponies! she is so fond of long-tailed grey ponies.