Year: 1879


when he spoke Of our being married at once,
without any delay, and coming abroad to
live. I hesitated, and asked for little time;
but he was very urgent, said must not make
him wait. In fact he was unaccountably
anxious to have it over at once, and finally
got me to consent to be married the very
next morning. To this day have never
been able to discover the cause of this
haste. He said, then, that business which
called him abroad was too pressing to be
neglected an hour longer than he could
help; but I do believe his impatience just
arose from bis anxiety to have me belong to
him, and nothing else


At all events, we were married at eight
o'clock in the morning. The landlady gave
me away, and there was but one other wit
ness-a deaf old man who waited at the bar.
1t was very hasty, informal affair. The
clergyman was stranger who happened to
be in the hotel, and it seemed to me that no.
body knew our names, even. I am sure did
not sign mine, and I did not see Ralph sign
his. When I asked him about it afterwards,
he said it was all right and complete a little
informality was of no consequence.


We took the next steamer from New York,
and after landing at Liverpool, crossed over
to the Continent and came directly here.
This is wild, lonely, lovely place. The in
habitants of this little valley where we have
made our home, are of the most primitive
sort but amid their simplicity and ignorance
is degree of native refinement one would
hardly look for, and their extreme hospitality
and kindness have won our hearts. Mine,
rather; for Ralph goes nowhere, except to
hunt chamois, alone, upon the mountains, and
mixes with no one. He says am all in all
to him, and he desires no other society than
mine. I tell him that he excludes himself
thus, only because these people are unconge-
NAL to him-too rough and coarse to suit his
refined taste; but this he denies. Were they
of the most polished sort, he says, he would
not wish for their company. Its enough for
him to have me to converse with, and to feel
that am wholly his. 1 think the bracing
air of this region suits his health particularly
we'll 1 have never seen him looking strong
er, handsomer than now. What perfect
face bis is! 7 think it would be hard to find
more regular features, or a nobler and more
expressive brow.


March 10th. I made the acquaintance yes
terday of newcomer. A lady making
tour with an invalid daughter, for the benefit
of the latter's health. AS there is no hotel
here, or any suitable accommodation for an
invalid, proposed to Ralph, this morning,
that we should invite them to stay at our little
cottage as long as they should remain, so that
we might do what we could for their comfort,
and at least give them palatable fare. But
to my surprise, he refused, so decidedly and
unhesitatingly, that Immediately feared he
was displeased


81 did not know" said I, "that you would
have any objection. I believe they will only
be here short time, and their stay could not
inconvenience US much"


my dear Lucy" he replied, 81 wish you
to understand distinctly, that l want to have
as little to do with strangers as possible. We
are very happy together, you and l; but if
an outside element should come in, who knows
but that our harmony might be disturbed ?


"Oh! Ralph" I could not help saying,
chow could it he possible that the presence Of
any one in the house, for a few days, should
mar the harmony between us2 l think you
must only be jesting when yousay So"


mo, am not jesting," he answered ; and
indeed his face confirmed his word. He looked
grave, almost stern. II dare say these people,
to whom you have taken such fancy, are
good people enough in their way-but would
rather not have anything to do with them.
You know perfectly we'll, that since we have
been married, have cared for no society but
yours"


"And yet" said I, "you were formerly very
lively and fond of company, were you not p


81 may have been; but it was different
then. had not one supreme object of inter-
est to love and live for. Perhaps, however"
he continued, looking anxiously at me, "you
suffer from the loneliness of our life here ?
The want of gay society depresses your


"You know, Ralph, I have never been &C.
customed to gay society" was my answer, cor
indeed to much society of any sort. And if
you are satisfied here, I am. I never find it
lonely or dull your affection leaves me moth
to sigh for"


"That is WE'LL" he replied. Then pressing
me to his heart, he cried with sudden fervor,
"Ohl Lucy, my dearest wife if you value
you own happiness, and the peace we have
hitherto enjoyed, do not seek or strive
for change-let us continue to enjoy, our
tranquil seclusion, unrufled by intercourse
with the world. Believe me, it would only
bring US disturbance and unrest"


He left the room Immediately after, and
the subject has not been renewed by either
of US since. But I cannot help thinking
over our conversation, and wondering at the
exceeding earnestness which Ralph display
ed, in regard to what appeared to me very
simple question. Of course would not dis
please him for the world. I love him too
dearly for that, and what would life be worth
to me if he were angry with me? So shall
not say another word about Mrs. Holcombe
and her daughter staying with us; though
am really sorry for the poor girl, and would
like so much to help her if Icould. Well,
perhaps can carry her some little delicacles
from time to time 1 don't suppose Ralph