Adeline, sweet, sensitive, and loving, was certain that she would always be happy so long as her Edouard loved her, and that her Edouard would always love her; she had no doubt of it, nor had he. It is not when a man has experienced for the first time all the joys of love in the arms of his wife, that he thinks upon the possibility of changing. Then he is sincere, he really feels all that he says, and doubtless he would keep all his promises, if the same joys could always cause the same pleasures. It seems, in those moments of expansiveness which follow the manifestations of love, that the husband and wife were really born for each other. They have the same tastes, the same thoughts, the same desires; what one does, the other approves; the husband was just about to propose what the young wife has planned, they mutually divine each other’s thoughts, and it seems to them perfectly natural that they should have but one mind and but one will. Blessed concord! you would bestow the most perfect happiness, if you might only last forever! “And so, my dear love,” said Edouard, kissing his wife’s pretty little hands, “we will pass the winter in Paris, and four months of warm weather in the country.” “Yes, my dear, that is agreed.” “But shall I keep my place in the department? That would prevent me from leaving the city.” “You must not keep it! What is the use? We have fifteen thousand francs a year; is that not enough to be happy?” “Oh! it is more than we need.” “Besides, your place would keep you away from me all day and I don’t want that!” “Dear Adeline, but your mother--what will she say if I give up my place?” “Mamma has but one desire--to make me happy; she will approve our plans, for she has no more ambition than we have.” “All right, then it is decided; I send in my resignation to-morrow.” “Yes, dear.” “And we will buy a small country house, simple, but in good taste, where we will live with your mother. Where shall we buy?” “Where you please, my dear.” “No, it is for you to decide.” “You know that I am always of your opinion.” “Very well, then we will visit the suburbs, we will read the advertisements, we will consult mamma.” “That is right, my dear.” “Shall we entertain much?” “As you please, my dear.” “My dear love, that is for you to decide.” “Very well! then we will receive very few people, for company would prevent us from being together, from going to walk and to drive alone; and I feel that that would annoy me terribly!” “How sweet you are!” “We will receive just a few friends; mamma’s, for example.” “Exactly. In the morning we will walk in the garden--for we must have a garden, mustn’t we?” “Oh! yes, my dear! A big garden, with lots of shade,--and thickets!” “Ah! you are already thinking of the thickets!” “Does that offend you, monsieur?” Edouard’s only reply was to kiss his wife, press her to his heart, receive her soft caresses, and--the conversation was interrupted for several minutes.