No, that won't do," as she seated herself with the desk on her lap: "put it on the table.

I can't have you bending over to write on your lap, and so growing round-shouldered, especially in my service." "Any thing to please you," she returned gayly, doing as he directed.

"I suppose my right hand is not all of me that you lay claim to ?" "No, indeed! I claim you altogether, as my better and dearer half," he said, his tone changing from jest to earnest, and the light of love shining in his eyes.
She ran to him at that, put her arms round his neck, and laid her cheek to his.

"No, Ned, I can't have you say that," she murmured, "you who are so good and wise, while I am such a silly and faulty thing, not at all worthy to be your wife.

Whatever made you marry me ?" "Love," he answered, drawing her closer, and fondly caressing her hair and cheek,--"love that grows stronger and deeper with every day we live together, dearest." "Dear Ned, my own dear husband!" she said, hugging him tighter.