Living in its purest luxuries--in the perpetual communion of the only one necessary object--having no desire and as little prospect of change--ignorant of and altogether untutored by the vicissitudes of life--enjoying the sweet association which had been the parent of that passion, dependent now entirely upon its continuance--they had been content, and had never given themselves any concern to analyze its origin, or to find for it a name.

A momentary doubt--the presages of a dim perspective--would have taught them better.

Had there been a single moment of discontent in their lives at this period, they had not remained so long in such ignorance.

The fear of its loss can alone teach us the true value of our treasure.

But the discovery was at hand.
A pleasant spring afternoon in April found the two young people, Ralph and Edith--the former now twenty years of age, and the latter in the same neighborhood, half busied, half idle, in the long and spacious piazza of the family mansion.