a serious penalty to a
lover."

"Yes," said the other; "I am afraid his punishment was not confined to
himself alone: he has made others suffer from his misconduct. I will rate
him famously, depend upon it I will."

If anything, the interest felt by Lady Chatterton for her friend was
increased by this discovery of the affections of Pendennyss, and a few
hours were passed by the three, in we will not say sober delight, for
transport would be a better word. Lady Chatterton frankly declared that
she would rather see Emily the wife of the earl than of her brother, for
_he_ alone was good enough for her; and Mrs. Wilson felt an exhilaration
of spirits, in the completion of her most sanguine wishes, that neither
her years, her philosophy, nor even her religion, could entirely restrain.
The face of Emily was a continued blush, her eye sparkled with the lustre
of renewed hope, and her bosom was heaving with the purest emotions of
happiness.

At the appointed hour the rattling of wheels announced the approach of the
earl and his sister.

Pendennyss came into the room with a young woman of great personal beauty
and extremely feminine manners, leaning on his arm. He first announced her
to Mrs. Wilson as his sister, Lady Marian Denbigh, who received her with a
frank cordiality that made them instantly acquainted. Emily, although
confiding in the fullest manner in the truth and worth of her lover, had
felt an inexplicable sensation of pleasure, as she heard the earl speak of
his sister by the name of Marian; love is such an unquiet, and generally
such an engrossing passion, that few avoid unnecessary uneasiness while
under its influence, unless so situated as to enjoy a mutual confidence.

As this once so formidable Marian approached to salute her with an
extended hand, Emily rose, with a face illumined with pleasure, to receive
her. Marian viewed her for a moment intently, and folding her arms around
her, whispered softly as she pressed her to her heart,

"My sister, my only sister."

Our heroine was affected to tears, and Pendennyss gently separating the
two he loved best in the world, they soon became calm.

Lady Marian was extremely like her brother, and had a family resemblance
to her cousin Harriet; but her manners were softer and more retiring, and
she had a slight tinge of a settled melancholy. When her brother spoke she
was generally silent, not in fear, but in love. She evidently regarded him
amongst the first of