Mary ever wrote so as to satisfy the most exacting disposition; but it required all Mrs.Hamilton's eloquence to persuade Emmeline she should rather rejoice than grieve that Mary had found some one to supply her place.

But vainly Emmeline tried in playfulness to infect her brother Herbert with a portion of her jealousy, for she knew not the contents of those letters Mary ever wrote to Herbert, or she would not for one moment have imagined that either Lord Delmont or St.Eval would usurp her brother's place.
"Few things would give me greater pleasure," one of Mary's letters said, "than to see the union of Lord St.Eval and my fair friend.

It appears to me strange that each, with affections disengaged, can remain blind to the fascination of the other.

They are well suited in every respect, and I should fancy their union would certainly be a fair promise of happiness.

I live in hope, though as yet, I must confess, hope has but very little to feed on." St.Eval still lingered at Monte Rosa, and it was well for the inhabitants he did, for an event occurred which plunged that happy valley from joy and gaiety into wailing and affliction, and even for a brief interval infected the inhabitants of Oakwood with its gloom.