Do not look so beseechingly, you will recover this agitation sooner and better alone; and so much confidence have you compelled me to feel in you," she added, trying to smile and speak playfully, "that I will not ask you to make an exertion to which you do not feel equal, even if you wish to be alone the whole evening.

I know my Emmeline's solitary moments will not be spent in vain repinings." "You taught me whom to seek for comfort and relief in my childish sorrows, and I will not, I do not forget that lesson now, mother," answered Emmeline, faintly yet expressively.

"Let me be alone, indeed, a few hours, and if I can but conquer this feeling of exhaustion, I will join you at tea." Mrs.Hamilton silently embraced and left her, with a heart swelling with fond emotion, as she thought on the gentle yet decided character of her child, who from her infancy had scarcely ever caused her pain, still less anxiety.

Now indeed solicitude was hers, for it was evident, alas! too evident, that Emmeline's affections were unalterably engaged; that this was not the mere fervour of the moment, a passion that would pass away with the object, but one that Mrs.Hamilton felt forebodingly would still continue to exist.

Emmeline's was not a disposition to throw off feelings such as these lightly and easily.