"And I want your help in deciding whether every thing is exactly as it should be in the grounds at Fairview.

Shall I order the horses ?" "Yes.

I'll go, of course, if you wish it, and enjoy it greatly, I know." They were very gay over their breakfast and during their ride; for they were young, healthy, happy in each other; the morning air was delicious, and not a cloud was to be perceived in either the natural sky above their heads, or in that of their future; all was bright and joyous, and they seemed to have naught to do with sorrow or care, or any of the evils that oppressed the hearts and darkened the lives of many of their fellow-creatures.
Their tidings were received with joy by the retainers at Fairview, nearly every thing being in readiness for the reception of its master and mistress.
Edward and Zoe had agreed that it was not at all necessary to inform the expected guests of the evening of the change in the hour for the arrival of the home-coming party they intended to welcome.
"The meeting will be quite as early as anticipated," remarked Edward; "and it will do no harm for mamma and the others to have a chance to rest a little before seeing so many." "They will enjoy themselves all the better, I'm sure," said Zoe.
They were cantering homeward as they talked.

Arrived there, Zoe set to work at the pleasant task of adorning the house--"mamma's" boudoir in particular--with beautiful and sweet-scented flowers, and contrived to be delightfully busy in their arrangement till some little time after Edward had gone with the carriages to meet and bring home the travellers.
All came directly to Ion, except the Fairview family, who sought their own home first, but promised to be present at the evening festivities.
The journey had been taken leisurely; and no one seemed fatigued but the little convalescents, who were glad to be put immediately to bed.
"Mamma, dear, dearest mamma!" cried Zoe, as the two clasped each other in a close embrace.

"I am so, so glad to see you!" "Tired of housekeeping, little woman ?" Elsie asked, with an arch look and smile.
"No, mamma, not that, though willing enough to resign my position to you," was the gay rejoinder.