You do not know how irritable and ill-tempered I often feel." "Because you are not very well, my love, and yet you do not feel sufficiently ill to complain.

I sometimes fancy such a state of health as yours is more difficult to bear than a severe though short illness, then, you can, at least, claim soothing consolation and sympathy.

Now my poor Ellen thinks she can demand neither," she added, smiling.
"I always receive both from you," replied Ellen, earnestly; "and not much submission is required when that is the case, and I am told my health forbids my sharing in Emmeline's pleasures." "No, love, there would not be, if you felt so ill as to have no desire for them; but that is not the case, for I know you very often feel quite well enough to go out with me, and I am quite sure that my Ellen sometimes wishes she were not so completely prohibited such amusements." "I thought I had succeeded better in concealing those wishes," replied Ellen, blushing deeply.
"So you have, my dear girl, no one but myself suspects them; and you could not expect to conceal them from me, Ellen, could you, when Emmeline says it is utterly impossible to hide her most secret thought from my mystic wand?
Do not attempt more, my love; persevere in your present conduct, and I shall be quite satisfied.

Have you an interesting book for to-night, or is there any other employment you prefer ?" "You have banished all thoughts of gloom, my dear aunt, and perhaps, instead of reading, I shall work and think on what you have said," exclaimed Ellen, her cheek becoming more crimsoned than it was before, and exciting for the moment the attention of her aunt.

She, however, soon permitted it to pass from her thoughts, for she knew the least emotion generally had that effect.