Page:The Semi-attached Couple.djvu/291

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THE SEMI-ATTACHED COUPLE
287

to calculate the amount of happiness married people will enjoy from their conduct when they are lovers. There were Walden and I, who both fell in love at first sight, we are happy. Beaufort and Mary began by hating each other; they are happy. In Ernest's case, the love was all on the lady's side; and now, did anybody ever see a man in such a state of felicity as he is? and as to you and Teviot, dear Nell, the love was all on the gentleman's side, and yet——"

"We are decidedly the happiest couple of the four, only that poor Teviot is a little henpecked; are not you, darling?"

"Not a little," he said, smiling; "but I like it. All men do. But the truth is, Amelia, that all you Beauforts have been brought up in a domestic atmosphere. Lord and Lady Eskdale are a model couple, and you have all been so accustomed to happy homes that when you are taken from one, you immediately set about making another. And I must own you succeed."

THE END.