If scorn, or anger, or incredulity had confronted her, she would have held to her intentions; but this alarm and grief at least had the merit of allowing all importance to the affair, and consequently to her.
Her imagination conjured up visions of her sister-in-law's future years.
She saw her always wringing her hands, and she was touched for her.

"And then so happy as we meant to be, having a foreign tour, and seeing Paris, and so as we had talked it over together.

And such friends as we always are." This was perfectly true; Mrs.Melcombe and Laura were not of the nagging order of women, they never said sarcastic or ill-natured things to one another, the foibles of the one suited the other; and if they had a few uncomfortable words now and then between themselves, they had enough _esprit de corps_ to hide this from all outsiders.
An affecting scene took place, Laura rose and threw herself into Amelia's arms weeping passionately.
"You'll give it up, Laura dear, for my sake, and for our poor dear Peter's sake, who's gone." No; Laura could not go quite so far in heroic self-sacrifice as that; but she did promise solemnly, that however many times Joseph might say he was dying for her, she would--what?
She would promise to decide nothing till she had been to Paris.
She was very happy that morning; Amelia had not made game of her, and there had been such a scene.

Laura enjoyed a scene; and Amelia had pleaded so hard and so long with her for that promise.

At last she had given it.