But if it was all rose color then, what was it that first evening they spent at home,--in their own home, in the little house which was so bright and pretty that it seemed more like a dream than a reality? What color did life look when Grif led Dolly across the threshold, half trembling himself for very joy? What color did it look when he shut the door of the little parlor, and, turning round, went to her and folded her in his arms close to his beating heart? Rose color! It was golden and more than golden! And yet, for the first minute, Dolly could not speak, and the next she laid her cheek in her favorite place, on the lapel of Grif's coat, and burst into a great gush of soft, warm tears,--tears without a touch of any other element, however, than love and happiness. “_Home_, Grif!” she said. He was quite pale and he had almost lost his voice, too, but he managed to answer her, unsteadily. “Yes, Dolly,” he said; “home!” And he stroked the bright hair upon his breast, with a world of meaning in his touch. “Do you think,” she said next, “that I am good enough and wise enough to take care of it, and to take care of _you_, Grif?” “Do you think,” he said, “that I am good enough and wise enough to take care of _you_?” She lifted up her face and kissed him. “We love each other,” she whispered, “we trust each other, and so we can help each other, and God will help us both. Ah, Grif, how bright and sweet life is!” And she scarcely knew, tender little soul, that instead of “life” she should have said “love.” There we will leave them both, merely hinting at the festivities that followed,--merely hinting at the rejoicings at Bloomsbury Place, the gatherings at Brabazon Lodge, and the grand family reception at the house of the bride,--a reception at which Dolly shone forth with renewed splendor, presiding over a gorgeous silver tea-service, which was one of Miss MacDowlas's many gifts, dispensing tea and coffee with the deportment of a housekeeper of many years' standing, and utterly distracting Grif with her matronly airs and graces.