She gladly assented, and a few affectionate words soon restored her confidence in his love.

When the carriage was brought to the entrance of the wood the next day, she went to meet it with a smiling face and a springing step.  As he was about to hand her in, he said abruptly, “You have forgotten your veil.”

Tulee was summoned to bring it.  As Rosa arranged it round her head, she remarked, “One would think you were ashamed of me, Gerald.”

The words were almost whispered, but the tone sounded more like a reproach than anything she had ever uttered.  With ready gallantry he responded aloud, “I think so much of my treasure that I want to keep it all to myself.”

He was very affectionate during their drive; and this, combined with the genial air, the lovely scenery, and the exhilaration of swift motion, restored her to a greater sense of happiness than she had felt since her darling sister vanished so suddenly.

The plantation was in gala dress.  The veranda was almost covered with the large, white, golden-eyed stars of the Cherokee rose, gleaming out from its dark, lustrous foliage.  The lawn was a sheet of green velvet embroidered with flowers.  Magnolias and oaks of magnificent growth ornamented the extensive grounds.  In the rear was a cluster of negro huts.  Black picaninnies were rolling about in the grass, mingling their laughter with the songs of the birds.  The winding paths of the garden were lined with flowering shrubs, and the sea sparkled in the distance.  Wherever the eye glanced, all was sunshine, bloom, and verdure.

For the first time, he invited her to enter the mansion.  Her first movement was toward the piano.  As she opened it, and swept her hand across the keys, he said:  “It is sadly out of tune.  It has been neglected because its owner had pleasanter music elsewhere.”

“But the tones are very fine,” rejoined she.  “What a pity it shouldn’t be used!” As she glanced out of the window on the blooming garden and spacious lawn, she said:  “How pleasant it would be if we could live here!  It is so delightful to look out on such an extensive open space.”

“Perhaps we will some time or other, my love,” responded he.

She smiled, and touched the keys, while she sang snatches of familiar songs.  The servants who brought in refreshments wondered at her beauty, and clear, ringing voice.  Many dark faces clustered round the crack of the door to obtain a peep; and as they went away they exchanged nudges and winks with each other.  Tom and Chloe had confidentially whispered to some of them the existence of such a lady, and that Tulee said Massa married her in the West Indies; and they predicted that she would be the future mistress of Magnolia Lawn.  Others gave it as their opinion, that Massa would never hide her as he did if she was to be the Missis.  But all agreed that she was a beautiful, grand lady, and they paid her homage accordingly.  Her cheeks would have burned to scarlet flame if she had heard all their comments and conjectures; but unconscious of blame or shame, she gave herself up to the enjoyment of those bright hours.