Are not you, Christian ?" "Oh, so glad! I hope it is not wicked in me, but I am so glad!" "Why--to have me all to yourself ?" said he, smiling at her energy.
A strange, unwonted thrill ran through Christian's heart as she recognized, beyond possibility of doubt, that this was the secret source of her delight--of the feeling as if a new existence were opening before her--as if the heavy weight which had oppressed her were taken off, and she could move through those old gloomy rooms, which had once struck a chill through her whole being, with a sense as if she were as light as air, and as merry as a bird in the spring.
To have the Lodge made into a real home--a home altogether her own-- and emptied of all but those who were really her own, with a glad welcome for any visitors, but still only as visitors, coming and going, and never permanently interfering with the sweet, narrow circle of the family fireside; to be really mistress in her own house; to have her time to herself; to spend long mornings with the children; long evenings alone with her husband, even if he sat for hours poring over his big books and did not speak a word--oh, how delicious it would be! "Yes, all to myself--I'll have you all to myself," she murmured, as she put her arms round his neck, and looked right up into his eyes.

For the first time she was sure--quite sure that she loved him.

And as she stood embraced, encircled and protected by his love, and thought of her peaceful life now and to come, full of duties, blessings, and delights, ay, though it had also no lack of cares.

Christian felt sorry--oh, so infinitely sorry for poor Aunt Henrietta..