children, nourished in silence, with
beautiful shame and pride, and impassioned fear.

Yet it was necessary to her, even in all withdrawal from its object,
even though it should be denied all expression for ever--necessary to
the life that it troubled and raised, and enriched, with a vision of
withheld completeness that was dimmed by the tears of her half "divine
despair."

She rose and held out her hand, and when he smiled with a certain air of
embarrassment, she did also. She observed that he was sensitive about
the ridiculous affair which had led to his turning out his household,
besides this early call made her feel, but not in a way to discompose
her as if she were taken into the number of those ladies, among whom he
meant to make his selection. Yes, it was as she had hoped. It warmed her
to the heart to see it, but not the less was she aware of the ridiculous
side of it. A vision of long-sustained conversations, set calls, and
careful observations in various houses rose up before her; it was not in
her nature to be unamused at the peculiar position that he had confessed
to--"he had not decided on the lady." She felt that she knew more of
this than he supposed, and his embarrassment making her quite at her
ease, the smiles kept peeping out as with her natural grace she began to
talk to him.

"Emily, you are laughing at me," he presently said, and he too laughed,
felt at ease, and yielded to the charm that few men could resist, so far
as to become at home and pleased with his hostess for making him so.

"Of course I am, John," she answered. "I couldn't think of being
occupied with any one else just now!"

And then they began to talk discursively and, as it were, at large. John
seemed to be fetching a wide compass. Emily hardly knew what he was
about till suddenly she observed that he had ventured on dangerous
ground, she managed to give a little twist to the conversation, but he
soon brought it back again, and she half turned, and looked up at him
surprised.

While she occupied herself with a favourite piece of embroidery, and was
matching the silks, holding them up to the light, he had risen, and was
leaning against the side of the bay window; a frequent attitude with
him; for what are called "occasional" chairs are often rather frail and
small for accommodating a large tall man, and drawing-room sofas are
sometimes exceedingly low. In any one's eyes he would have passed for a
fine man, something more (to t