CHAPTER XVII.
Never was house so admired and praised as Louisa's, and never husband so lauded as hers, when her emotion had passed by, and her tongue resumed its function; and if she could have given just such a partner, such a house, and such prospects as her own to each sister, she would have been satisfied that the world contained no other being so happy, save Isabella, who, in helping all, had a right to be happier than any. Charles said that letters might now be every day expected, and her anxiety to hear of the safety of the travellers was become her only one: hitherto, she had been, of course, uneasy under mamma's displeasure.
Alas! how seldom are any of us quite happy at the passing moment.
Two golden hours, in which the astonishing news of the intended party was revealed to Louisa, with all of its contrivances, expenses, and mitigations, so far as they were elucidated, were given and said to be "done in her honour;" but of this the young wife doubted; nor could she help shaking her head, in a prognosticating manner. She said, "she knew what housekeeping cost, for she had a book, in which she put down
