"Could I indeed forget those principles of integrity which, from my earliest infancy, you have so carefully instilled ?" Mrs.Hamilton clasped her to her bosom, and imprinted kisses of the fondest affection on her colourless and burning forehead.
"Well, indeed, are my cares repaid," she exclaimed.

"Oh, that my affection could soothe your sorrows as sweetly as your gentle yet unwavering adherence to filial love and duty have comforted me.

Will you, for my sake, my own love, continue these painful yet virtuous efforts at self-conquest, which you commenced merely from a sense of duty?
Will you not glad your mother's heart and let me have the comfort of beholding you once more my own cheerful, happy Emmeline ?" "I will try," murmured Emmeline, struggling to smile; but oh, it was so unlike herself, so lustreless and faint, that Mrs.Hamilton hastily turned away to hide emotion.

The dressing-bell at that instant sounded, and Emmeline looked an entreaty to which her lips appeared unwilling to give words.

Her mother understood it.
"I will not ask you to join us at dinner, love.