Poor Emmeline struggled to banish thought, that she might repay by cheerfulness the tenderness of her parents and cousins, but she was new to sorrow; her first was indeed a bitter trial, the more so because even from her mother it was as yet concealed.

She succeeded for a time in her wishes, so far as to gratify her mother by an appearance of her usual enthusiastic pleasure in the anticipation of a grand ball, given by Admiral Lord N----, at Plymouth, which it was expected the Duke and Duchess of Clarence would honour with their presence.

Ellen anxiously hoped her brother would return to Oakwood in time to accompany them.

He had passed his examination with the best success, but on the advice of Sir Edward Manly, they both lingered in town, in the hope that being on the spot the young officer would not be forgotten in the list of promotions.

He might, Edward gaily wrote, chance to return to Oakwood a grade higher than he left it..