Miss Emmeline, she fancied, would be very much happier in a more humble sphere, and settled down quietly near Oakwood, than were she to marry some great lord, who would compel her to live amidst the wear and tear of a gay and fashionable life.

Arthur Myrvin chanced to be a very great favourite of the widow's, and if he could but get a richer living, and become rather more steady in his character, and if Miss Emmeline really loved him, as somehow she fancied she did, why it would not only be a very pretty, but a very happy match, she was quite sure.
The good widow was, however, very careful not in the least to betray to her young lady that she had been a witness of their parting; for, after an expression of pleasure at seeing her there, an exclamation of surprise and regret at her pale cheeks, she at once branched off into a variety of indifferent subjects concerning the village, topics in which she knew Emmeline was interested, and concluded with-- "And so our young curate is, indeed, going to start for Exeter to-night, in the Totness mail.

I am so very sorry, though I do not dare say so to any of my uncharitable neighbours.

I did not think he would go so soon, poor dear Mr.Myrvin." "It is not too soon, nurse, when every tongue has learned to speak against him," replied Emmeline, calmly, though a sudden flush rose to her cheek.

"He must be glad to feel Mr.Howard no longer requires his services." "But dear Miss Emmeline, you surely do not believe one word of all the scandalous reports about him ?" said the widow, earnestly.
"I do not wish to do so, nor will I, without more convincing proofs," replied Emmeline, steadily.