"You asked what I'd been doing. Studying hard part of the time, that I might please this old tutor of mine," giving him another tug. "Will you be pleased to hear me recite now?" "There would not be time before tea, dear," he said, consulting his watch; "so we will put it off till later in the evening. Come down to the drawing-room with me and let me introduce you to the ladies." "Very well; but first tell me if my toilet satisfies you." He gave her a scrutinizing glance. "Entirely; you are as lovely as a fairy," he said, with a proud, fond smile. "Oh, you flatterer!" she returned with a pleased laugh, and slipping her hand into his. "Your wife!" exclaimed both ladies when the introduction was over. "She looks so young!" "So _very_ young that I should have taken her for a school-girl," added Miss Deane, with a condescending smile that enraged Zoe. "And I take you for an old maid of twenty-five," was her mental retort. "I dare say you'd be glad enough to be as young as I am, and to have such a handsome husband." But she merely made a demure little courtesy and withdrew to a seat beside her mother-in-law on the farther side of the room, her heightened color and flashing eyes alone telling how indignant she felt. "Never mind, dear, you are growing older every day," Elsie said in a soothing undertone, "and are just the right age for Edward. We all think that, and I that you are a dear little daughter for me." "Thank you, dear mamma," whispered Zoe. "I think it was very rude and unkind to liken me to a school-girl. I believe it was just because she envies me my youth and my husband." "Perhaps so," Elsie said, with difficulty restraining a smile, "but we will try to be charitable and think the remark was not unkindly meant." Edward took Miss Deane in to supper, which was presently announced. Zoe did not like that, as Elsie perceived with some concern. The young lady had very fine conversational powers and was very fond of displaying them; she soon obtained and held the attention of all the older people at the table, and Zoe felt herself more and more aggrieved. Edward was positively careless of her wants, leaving her to be waited upon by the servants. When they returned to the drawing-room he seated himself beside Miss Deane again, and the flow of talk recommenced, he continuing a delighted listener. Zoe feigned not to notice or care, but it was a very transparent pretence. Edward had devoted himself so almost exclusively to her ever since their marriage, that she could scarce endure to have it otherwise. She could not refrain from watching him furtively and trying to catch his every look, word and tone. After a little she stole quietly from the room and went up to her own. "He will miss me presently," she thought, "remember about the lessons, and come up to hear them, and I'll have him all to myself for at least a little while."