"I hope you will be happy with us here, my dear," she said in her sweet, gentle old voice, "for we will do everything to serve you. I have been here for many years and have witnessed the home-coming of many of the brides of the Mallards. There was never one that I took to more than I did to you, my dear child. I felt like taking you in my arms and pressing you to my heart. But you seem lonely. Tell me, is there anything I can do for you?"
"You are very, very kind," she said, gratefully, "and I thank you with all my heart."
She looked as if she were about to add something, but quickly checked herself.
"Perhaps you would like to see the grounds, my dear," said Mrs. Rice. "Will you come out into the garden?"
The young woman acquiesced readily enough.
"Your trunks have not come yet, my dear," said Mrs. Rice, as they walked along. "The railway service in this part of the country is abominable. It looks strange to have you come down to breakfast in your traveling-dress, but--"
"I have no trunks coming. This is the only dress I have to wear at present," returned the girl, quietly.
It was as much as the old housekeeper could do to restrain herself from an exclamation of astonishment at this announcement.
What could it mean? Why had Eugene Mallard's bride no _trousseau_, as he had been preparing for this event for months, as eager in his anticipation of it as a school-boy for a holiday! She could not understand it; she felt mystified. But with the quick wit habitual to her, Mrs. Rice replied almost instantly:
"A wardrobe can be easily supplied by our Virginia _modistes_. Indeed, they are world-famous, I may add. They make dresses for many of the ladies of Washington on the shortest notice. Mr. Mallard pressed a roll of bills into my hand when he arrived, and said: 'See that my wife has everything needful, Mrs. Rice.' I could not think what he meant at the time. Now I see it was your wardrobe he referred to. You and I will set about getting the things at once. Or if it will fatigue you too much after your journey, you leave it to me, and I will see that you have a complete wardrobe in a short time. You must not say no, my dear; for remember, it is your husband's wish, and you surely wish to please him."