him with delight. The day was fixed for their marriage, and at Alfred's
suggestion, Mrs. Leicester consented, painful as it was, in some respects,
to her feelings, that they should be married by the dean in the parish
church.

Alfred brought his bride to town, and as soon as they were established in
their own house, or rather in that house which Mr. Gresham insisted upon
their calling their own, Lady Jane Granville was the first person to offer
her congratulations.--Alfred begged his sister Caroline from Lady Jane, as
he had already obtained his father's and mother's consent. Lady Jane was
really fond of Caroline's company, and had forgiven her, as well as she
could; yet her ladyship had no longer a hope of being _of use_ to her,
and felt that even if any other offer were to occur--and none such as
had been made could ever more be expected--it would lead only to fresh
disappointment and altercation; therefore she, with the less reluctance,
relinquished Caroline altogether.

Caroline's new sister had been, from the time they were first acquainted,
her friend, and she rejoiced in seeing all her hopes for her brother's
happiness accomplished by this marriage. His Sophia had those habits of
independent occupation which are essential to the wife of a professional
man, and which enable her to spend cheerfully many hours alone, or at least
without the company of her husband. On his return home every evening,
he was sure to find a smiling wife, a sympathizing friend, a cheerful
fireside.--She had musical talents--her husband was fond of music; and she
did not lay aside the accomplishments which had charmed the lover, but made
use of them to please him whom she had chosen as her companion for life.
Her voice, her harp, her utmost skill, were ready at any moment, and she
found far more delight in devoting her talents to him than she had ever
felt in exhibiting them to admiring auditors. This was the domestic use