husband and wife. No two persons can know each other intimately in any relation of life until they have lived together long enough to discover the sharp angles and latent virtues which elude the observation of casual observers, no matter how often they meet, if they do not come in Contact sufficiently to clash. It is only by a rough blow the steel emits its spark.
It was about six months after they were married that Mr. Livingston was invited to deliver an oration before a literary society in a neighboring city whither he was to be accompanied by two acquaintances who dined with him the same day. His wife was deeply interested in their conversation which turned mostly on literary and scientific subjects.
After dinner she left the three to themselves and withdrew to her chamber where she remained until the hour came for their departure, when Ernest repaired thither. He was surprised to find her sitting in an abstracted manner, looking thoughtfully out at the window, and" scarcely observing his entrance.
"Why Rosa," said he, "how blue you look! One might take you for the heroine of a love-tale whose honey-moon is over, and she is wishing herself back to maidenhood again."
She answered his salutation by a vacant smile, still watching the horizon. He observed her with no little curiosity for a few moments, and then sitting down beside her, took one of her hands in his, and gazed inquiringly into her face. He had seen her in many different phases before, but none resembled this.
