Their life was apparently such that nothing better could be desired.

They had the fullest abundance of everything; they had a child, and both had occupation.

Anna devoted just as much care to her appearance when they had no visitors, and she did a great deal of reading, both of novels and of what serious literature was in fashion.

She ordered all the books that were praised in the foreign papers and reviews she received, and read them with that concentrated attention which is only given to what is read in seclusion.