Marian lavished on him all the rich , womanly love of her heart . On her twenty-first birthday they were formally betrothed . They were to be married in the following autumn . No shadow had drifted across the heaven of her happiness . She believed herself secure in her lover 's unfaltering devotion . True , at times she thought his manner lacked a lover 's passionate ardour . He was always attentive and courteous . She had only to utter a wish to find that it had been anticipated ; he spent every spare minute at her side . Yet sometimes she half wished he would betray more lover-like impatience and intensity . Were all lovers as calm and undemonstrative ? She reproached herself for this incipient disloyalty as often as it vexingly intruded its unwelcome presence across her inner consciousness . Surely Esterbrook was fond and devoted enough to satisfy the most exacting demands of affection . Marian herself was somewhat undemonstrative and reserved . Passing acquaintances called her cold and proud . Only the privileged few knew the rich depths of womanly tenderness in her nature . Esterbrook thought that he fully appreciated her . As he had walked homeward the night of their betrothal , he had reviewed with unconscious criticism his mental catalogue of Marian 's graces and good qualities , admitting , with supreme satisfaction , that there was not one thing about her that he could wish changed . This afternoon , under the acacias , they had been planning about their wedding . There was no one to consult but themselves . They were to be married early in September and then go abroad .
Esterbrook mapped out the details of their bridal tour XXXXX careful thoughtfulness .
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