s eye. She wandered about the house to see once more that all
was in its right place, and every arrangement in due order. She watched
the bright drawing-room fire nervously, and made herself anxious about
the tea-table, and sat upright on the sofa, listening for the sound of
horses' feet in the snowy street, as if it had been a solemn stranger
that she was expecting, instead of her own sister Hester, with whom she
had shared all her heart, and spent all her days. But a small part of
this anxiety was given to Mr Hope: she retained her image of him
unperplexed, as a treasure of a brother, and a man with a mind so
healthy that he was sure to receive all things rightly, and be pleased
and satisfied, happen what might.

They came; and Hester's spring from the carriage, and her husband's way
of rubbing his hands over the fire, put all Margaret's anxieties to
flight. How sweet was the welcome! How delicious the contest about
which was to give the welcome to this, the lasting home of the three--
whether she who had put all in order for them, or they who claimed to
have the charge of her! Margaret's eyes overflowed when Hester led her
to Edward for his brotherly kiss. Mr Hope's mind was disturbed for one
single moment that he had not given this kiss with all the heartiness
and simplicity of a brother; but the feeling was gone almost before he
was conscious of it.

The fire crackled, the kettle sang, Hester took her own place at once at
the tea-board, and her husband threw himself on the sofa, after
ascertaining that there were no family letters for him. He knew that it
was impossible that there should be any in answer to the announcement of
his marriage. Even Anne's could not arrive these four or five days yet.
He desired Margaret not to tell him at present if there were any
messages for him; for, if all Deerbrook had colds, he had no inclination
to go out to-night to cure them. There was a long list of messages,
Margaret said, but they were in the surgery; and the pupil there might
bring them in, if he thought proper: they should not be sent for. This
one evening might be stolen for home and comfort. Their journey had
been delightful. Oxford was more splendid than Hester had had an idea
of. Every facility had been afforded them for seeing it, and Mr Hope's
acquaintances there had been as kind as possible. The fall of snow had
not put them in any danger, and the inconveniences it had caused were
rather stimulatin