With a loud cry of joy, _Bill_, who was waiting for us, welcomed back his master, and then almost crushing my fingers in his big black hand, said, with a sly wink, which he meant should be very expressive, “I know, now what mass’r kill dem hosses for!” at the same time making some apology for the really sorry looking animals he was compelled to drive in the place of the deceased Ferdinand and Frederic. As we drove through the town I could not help contrasting my present feelings with those of the year before, when I thought I was leaving it forever. Then, weary, sick and wretched, I had looked through blinding tears towards Sunny Bank, which was now my home, while at my side, with his arm around me, was its owner—my husband. “You tremble, Rose,” said he, as we drew near the house, and he bade me be calmer, saying the meeting between myself and his sister would soon be over. But it was not that which I dreaded. It was the presentation to his servants, to whom I bore the formidable relation of mistress, and for whose good opinion I cared far more than I did for that of the haughty Mrs. Lansing. Something like this I said to Richard, who assured me that his household would love me because I was _his_ wife, if for no other reason, and thus I found it to be. As we drove into the yard, we were surprised at seeing the house brilliantly lighted, while through the open windows forms of many persons were seen moving to and fro. In a displeased tone of voice Richard, said, “It is Angeline’s work, and I do not like it, for you need rest, and are too much fatigued to see any one to-night, but I suppose it cannot be avoided. Ho, Bill,” he called to the driver, “who is here?” “Some de quality,” answered Bill, adding that “Miss Angeline done ’vite ’em to see de bride.” “She might at least have consulted my wishes,” said Richard, while my heart sank within me at being obliged to meet strangers in my jaded condition. Mrs. Lansing, it seems, had in her mind a new piano for Lina, their present one being rather old-fashioned, and as the surest means of procuring one she thought to please her brother by noticing his bride. So, in her zeal, she rather overdid the matter, inviting to Sunny Bank many of the villagers, some of whom were friendly to me and some were not, though all, I believe, felt curious to see how the “Plebeian Yankee” (thus Ada termed me) would demean herself as the wife a southern planter. Dusky faces, with white shining eyes, peered round the corner of the building as the carriage stopped before the door, and more than one whisper reached me. “Dat’s she—de new Miss, dat mars’r’s liftin’ so keerfully.”