it about; therefore, when Edward, more seriously than
the first time, asked for my opinion, I made an effort, and
constrained myself to say, that he could not do better.

"You must start for Elmsley to-morrow, and take up your
quarters there," said my uncle. "I do not feel a doubt of your
success, but there must be no remissness on our parts to
secure it."

At that moment the servant came up to Mr. Middleton, and told
him, that Mr.--, and Sir--, were in the carriage at the door,
and wished to speak to him upon business. One was a cabinet
minister, and die other one of the most influential
land-owners in our part of the country.

"They are come about this very affair," said my uncle, "and
just at the right moment; show them into my room down-stairs.
Just give orders, Edward, that Lawson may be sent for; he is
personally acquainted with every voter on your estates, as
well as on mine, and had better go with you to Elmsley
to-morrow; and then be so kind as to join us in the library."

Edward went up to Henry, and said something to him in a low
voice, on which Henry followed him out of the room; and Mrs.
Middleton, Alice, and I, were left alone together. I had
leisure then to look at Alice, and to observe that her
situation had become very evident, and that her face, though
as beautiful as ever, was paler and thinner than usual. Mrs.
Middleton remarked it too; and Alice told her that she
expected to be confined in four or five months. The quiet tone
of voice, and the gentle smile with which this was said,
seemed in strange contrast with the stormy scene in which that
fact had been disclosed to Henry.

Mrs. Middleton seemed delighted at finding that this was the
case; and asked her several questions, and gave much advice
about her health. I fixed my eyes upon them both, and a train
of thought was started in my mind, which engrossed me
completely, while they went on conversing in a low tone. There
we were, sitting quietly together, with smiles on our lips,
and the whole appearance of peace, harmony, and comfort,
around us. If any one could have looked upon us, themselves
unseen, could they ever have imagined on what frail foundation
that peace and that comfort rested?

Alice's little hand (which she had just held out to me, as I
seated myself at the back of the sofa where she was placed)
was looked in mine; Mrs. Middleton, who had shaken off the
depression which had weighed upon her in the morning, now
talked gai