Child she was still in looks, in playfulness, in glee; a child she still believed herself, but she was no child--that age of buoyancy had fled, and Emmeline was, indeed, a woman, a thinking, feeling, ay, and loving woman.
It might have been nearly a week after Edward's return, when, on entering the library one morning, Mrs.Hamilton observed her husband, Mr.Howard, and Edward in earnest conference, the latter appearing somewhat agitated.

She would have retreated, imagining her presence mistimed, but Edward, the instant he perceived her, sprung forward, and seizing both her hands, exclaimed, in a voice of entreaty-- "Dearest aunt, will not you use your influence with my uncle, and prevail on him to take the sum I have saved at different times, from my prize-money and other things, to replace that which--which was lost three years ago.

To obtain sufficient, I have denied myself all unnecessary indulgence; it has checked my natural extravagance; prevented me, when sometimes I have been strongly tempted to play, or join my messmates in questionable amusements.

In saving that, I have cured myself of many faults; it has taught me economy and control, for by the time the whole amount was saved, my wishes and evil inclinations were conquered.

I look on it as a debt which I had bound myself to pay.
I anticipated the pleasure of telling my dear sister, she might banish the past entirely from her mind, for I would not write a word of my intentions, lest I should fail in them ere I returned.