"
"I ought not to find fault with his training, seeing what credit you do
it. However, you seemed to me as near perfection as possible before he
began. Ah, my little friend, for how many years I loved you with scarcely
a hope it would ever be returned in the way I wished. Indeed I can hardly
yet believe fully in my own happiness," he concluded with a joyous laugh.
The next day Elsie had the pleasure of showing her husband over the house
first, and then the estate. Their life at Viamede, for the few weeks of
their stay, seemed much like a repetition of her visit there the year
before with her father. They took the same rides, walks and drives; glided
over the clear waters of the bayou in the same boat; sought out each spot
of beauty or interest he had shown her; were, if possible, even more
constantly together, reading, writing, or engaged with music in library or
drawing-room, seated side by side on veranda or lawn enjoying
conversation, book or periodical; or, it might be, silently musing, hand
in hand, by the soft moonlight that lent such a witchery to the lovely
landscape. A pleasanter honeymoon could hardly have been devised.
In one thing, however, they were disappointed: they had hoped to be left
entirely to each other; but it was impossible to conceal their presence at
Viamede from the hospitable neighbors, and calls and invitations had to be
received and returned.
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