Zoe had already begun to repent of her open disregard of his wishes, for during the silent ride memory had been busy with the many expressions of love and tenderness he had lavished upon her in their short married life, and if there had been the least bit of either in his tones now, she would have whispered in his ear that she was sorry and would not so offend again; but the cold, stern accents made the request sound like a command, and roused again the spirit of opposition that had almost died out. She shook off his detaining hand, and walked away in silence, with head erect and cheeks burning with indignation. Ralph had not heard Edward's low-spoken words, but looking after Zoe, as she disappeared within the doorway, "Seems to me you're a bit of a tyrant, Ned," he remarked with a coarse, disagreeable laugh. "I am not aware of having shown any evidence of being such," Edward returned rather haughtily, as he remounted. Then, turning his horse's head, he rode rapidly away. Zoe went to her boudoir, gave vent to her anger in a hearty fit of crying, then set to work at the lessons with a sincere desire to please the husband she really loved with all her heart. "I've been forgetting the two bears," she said to herself, "but I'll try again, and when that hateful Miss Deane goes away, everything will be right again. I know Ned has to be polite to her; and it's very silly in me to get vexed when he talks to her; but I can't help it, because he's my all." She finished her tasks, dressed herself for dinner with care and taste, and when she heard his step on the stairs ran to the door to meet him. Her face was bright and eager, but changed at sight of his cold, forbidding looks. "I am ready for you," she said timidly, shrinking away from him. "Very well, bring your books," he said with, she thought, the air of a schoolmaster toward a pupil in disgrace, and seating himself as he spoke. She brought them, keeping her eyes cast down to hide the tell-tale tears. She controlled her emotion in another moment, and went through the recitations very creditably to herself. He made no comment upon that, though usually he would have bestowed warm praise, but simply appointed the tasks for the next day, rose and left the room. Zoe looked after him with a swelling heart, wiped away a tear or two, and assuming an air of indifference, went down to the parlor to join the rest of the family. "Where's Ned?" asked Rosie. "You two used never to be seen apart; but of late----" The sentence was suddenly broken off because of a warning look from her mamma. "Don't you know, little girl," said Miss Deane in a soft, purring tone, "that nobody expects married people to remain lovers always?" "It is what they should do," Elsie said with gentle decision. "It was so with my husband and myself, and I trust will be with all my children." "Allow me to advise you to deliver Ned a lecture on the subject, cousin," laughed Ralph.