The carriage soon drew up within the shadow of those beautiful trees which Rupert had already pointed out to his fair young bride, and in a few moments Anna found herself within the walls of her new home, and clasped to the heart of her happy husband, as he fondly impressed upon her brow the kiss of welcome. Like a bird, from room to room flitted the gay young wife, so happy that tears of tenderness and joy trembled on her beautiful eyelids. True, here were no costly mirrors to throw back the form of beauty—no rich couches of velvet inviting repose—the foot pressed no luxurious carpet, nor did hangings of silken damask enshroud the windows; yet the cool India matting, the little sofa covered with snowy dimity, the light pretty chairs, and thin muslin curtains looped gracefully over windows looking out upon a charming shrubbery, were all infinitely more agreeable to Anna. No doubt, accustomed as she had ever been to all the elegancies of life, the very novelty of _simplicity_ exerted a pleasing influence—still affection must claim its due share in her gratification. When at length every nook and corner had felt her light footstep, and echoed with her cheerful tones, they returned to the little sitting-room, and while the soft evening wind stole through the honeysuckles, and twilight deepened into darkness, the happy pair traced many golden-hued visions, stretching far into the dim future. Professional duties summoned Rupert from home early the following morning, and Anna was left to her own disposition of time. While the dew-drops yet quivered on the fresh, green grass, she had tripped through the orchard, the meadow, and garden, inhaling the pure morning air, and listening with unspeakable delight to the music of the birds. To her uninitiated view the scene was perfectly Arcadian, where all her visions of rural felicity were to be more than realized. Anna was, perhaps, “born to love pigs and chickens,” for each in turn received a share of attention worthy even the heroine of Willis, and neither did the faithful dog, or more wheedling grimalkin escape her notice.