He was very thoughtful of her comfort--too thoughtful, because his love made him watchful of her every look, word, and gesture. She was glad of the brief respite from this vigilance, that allowed her to bury her face in her hands and groan aloud. She had no heart to look around her cage. No doubt it was luxurious; the bars softly and richly lined; the various arrangements the best of their kind; still, it was nothing but a cage--a prison, from which death only could release her. The trim maid came for her wrappings, and directly afterwards Lewis, to take her upstairs. "Not a very elaborate toilet, dear," he said, as he left her for his dressing-room. "You will see no one this evening but our father and mother, and they will remember that you have been travelling all day." When she was ready, it lacked still a quarter of an hour of dinner-time, and she acceded to Lewis' proposal that they should go over their dwelling. By his order, there were lights in every room. The graceful furniture, the well-contrasted hues of the soft carpets, the curtains and pictures showed to fine advantage. Every thing was in place, from cellar to attic; not a symptom of parsimony or cheapness in the whole; and all betokened, besides excellent judgment, such conformity to, or unison with her taste, that Sarah, with all her heaviness of heart, was pleased. She was touched too with gratitude or remorse; for, when they were back in the cozy sitting-room, she laid her hand timidly on that of her husband, and said, falteringly: "I do not deserve that you should take so much pains to gratify me, Mr. Hammond." Over Lewis' face there flushed one of the rare smiles that made him positively handsome while they lasted. He grasped the shrinking fingers firmly, and drew his wife close to his side. "Shall I tell you how to repay me for all that I have done, or ever can do, to promote your ease and enjoyment?" "If you please." But her heart sank, as she foresaw some demands upon a love that had never existed--a treasure that, to him, was sealed and empty; yet whose poverty she dared not avow. "Call me 'Lewis,' now that we are at home, dear. I cannot realize that you are indeed all mine--that our lives are one and the same, while you continue that very proper 'Mr. Hammond.'" "It comes more naturally to my tongue, and don't you think it more respectful than--than--the other?"