er languor and depression.

Every one looked well and happy but Laura, and she had a worn, faded,
harassed aspect, which was not cheered even by Philip's presence;
indeed, she seemed almost to shrink from speaking to him. She was the
only silent one of the party that evening, as they gathered round the
dinner or tea-table, or sat divided into threes or pairs, talking over
the subjects that would not do to be discussed in public. Charlotte
generally niched into Amy's old corner by Charles, hearing about
Redclyffe, or telling about Ireland. Mrs. Edmonstone and Amy on the
opposite sides of the ottoman, their heads meeting over the central
cushion, talking in low, fond, inaudible tones; Mr. Edmonstone going in
and out of the room, and joining himself to one or other group, telling
and hearing news, and sometimes breaking up the pairs; and then Mrs.
Edmonstone came to congratulate Charles on Amy's improved looks, or
Charlotte pressed up close to Amy to tell her about grandmamma. For
Charlotte could not talk about Eveleen, she had been so uncomfortable at
the part she had had to act, that all the commendation she received was
only like pain and shame, and her mother was by no means dissatisfied
that it should be so, since a degree of forwardness had been her chief
cause of anxiety in Charlotte; and it now appeared that without losing
her high spirit and uncompromising sense of right, her sixteenth year
was bringing with it feminine reserve.

Laura lingered late in Amabel's room, and when her mother had wished
them good night, and left them together, she exclaimed, 'Oh, Amy! I am
so glad to be come back to you. I have been so very miserable!'

'But you see he is quite well,' said Amy. 'We think him looking better
than in the summer.'

'O yes! Oh, Amy, what have you not done? If you could guess the relief
of hearing you were with him, after that suspense!' But as if losing
that subject in one she was still more eager about, 'What did he think
of me?'

'My dear,' said Amabel, 'I don't think I am the right person to tell you
that.'

'You saw how it struck him when he heard of my share in it.'

'Yours? Mamma never mentioned you.'

'Always kind!' said Laura. 'Oh, Amy! what will you think of me when I
tell I knew poor Eva's secret all the time? What could I do, when Eva
pleaded my own case? It was very different, but she would not see it,
and I felt as if I was guilty of all. Oh, how I envied Charlotte.'

'Dear Laura, no