painfully. She would fain have made up for it by any
means in her power, and thus the demeanor of Lady Hastings had an effect
the direct reverse of that which she intended. Nor did her innuendos
produce any better results, for she soon saw that they grieved and
offended her husband, while her daughter showed marvellous stupidity, as
she thought, in not comprehending them.

Full of love, and now full of hope likewise, Marlow, it must be
confessed, thought very little of Lady Hastings at all. He was one of
those men upon whom love sits well--they are but few in the world--and
whatever agitation he might feel at heart, there was none apparent in
his manner. His attention to Emily was decided, pointed, not to be
mistaken by any one well acquainted with such matters; but he was quite
calm and quiet about it; there was no flutter about it--no forgetfulness
of proprieties; and his conversation had never seemed to Emily so
agreeable as that night, although the poor girl knew not what was the
additional charm. Delightful to her, however, it was; and in enjoying it
she forgot altogether that she had been sent for about business--nay,
even forgot to wonder what that business could be.

Thus passed the evening; and when the usual time for retiring came,
Emily was a little surprised that there was no announcement of Mr.
Marlow's horse, or Mr. Marlow's carriage, as had ever been the case
before, but that Mr. Marlow was going to spend some days at the hall.

When Lady Hastings rose to go to rest, and her daughter rose to go with
her, another thing struck Emily as strange. Sir Philip, as his wife
passed him, addressed to her the single word "Beware!" with a very
marked emphasis. Lady Hastings merely bowed her head, in reply; but when
she and Emily arrived at her dressing-room, where the daughter had
generally stayed to spend a few minutes with her mother alone, Lady
Hastings kissed her, and wished her good night, declaring that she felt
much fatigue, and would ring for her maid at once.

Lady Hastings was a very good woman, and wished to obey her husband's
injunctions to the letter, but she felt afraid of herself, and would not
trust herself with Emily alone.

Dear Emily lay awake for half an hour after she had sought her pillow,
but not more, and then she fell into a sleep as soft and calm as that of
childhood, and the next morning rose as blooming as the flower of June.
Sir Philip was up when she went down stairs, and walking on