' She read no more, but
folded it up, saying, 'I had rather no one saw the rest. He makes
himself so unhappy about that unfortunate going to Sondrio, that he says
what is only painful to hear. I am glad he is able to join his regiment,
for a change will be the best thing for him.'

She laid her head on the pillow as if she had done with the subject, and
Laura did not venture to pursue it, but went down to hear her mother's
account of her.

Mrs. Edmonstone was feeling it a great comfort to have her son to talk
to again, and availed herself of it to tell him of Philip, while Laura
was absent, and then to return to speak of Amy on Laura's re-entrance.
She said, all through the journey, Amy had been as passive and tranquil
as possible, chiefly leaning back in the carriage in silence, excepting
that when they finally left the view of the snowy mountains, she gazed
after them as long as the least faint cloud-like summit was visible.
Still she could not sleep, except that now and then she dozed a little
in the carriage, but at night she heard every hour strike in turn, and
lay awake through all, nor had she shed one tear since her mother had
joined her. Mrs. Edmonstone's anxiety was very great, for she said she
knew Amy must pay for that unnatural calmness, and the longer it was
before it broke down, the worse it would be for her. However, she was at
home, that was one thing to be thankful for, and happen what might, it
could not be as distressing as if it had been abroad.

Another night of 'calm unrest,' and Amabel rose in the morning, at her
usual hour, to put on the garments of her widowhood, where she had last
stood as a bride. Charles was actually startled by her entering the
dressing-room, just as she used to do, before breakfast, to read with
him, and her voice was as steady as ever. She breakfasted with the
family, and came up afterwards with Laura, to unpack her dressing-case,
and take out the little treasures that she and her husband had enjoyed
buying in the continental towns, as presents for the home party.

All this, for which she had previously prepared herself, she underwent
as quietly as possible; but something unexpected came on her. Charlotte,
trying to pet and comfort her in every possible way, brought in all
the best flowers still lingering in the garden, and among them a last
blossom of the Noisette rose, the same of which Guy had been twisting a
spray, while he first told her of his love.

It was too