"I was not thinking of her just now Emmy," he answered smiling, but the smile passed away, and left his face very sad indeed.

 

"What is it Evvie," she asked in the old coaxing way, seating herself beside him on the seat round the old Elm tree.

 

"I was thinking of Grace," he replied "you can't think how her keeping away pains me."

 

"I wouldn't think of it, if I were you, it is very mean and ill-natured of her, but she will get over her huff after a while."

 

"That would be all very well, if I were going to remain here, but you know how soon I go and----"

 

"Oh Everard," (Emmy could not contemplate this event with composure) "Oh Everard, I can't bear you to go, and she threw her arms round his neck, weeping passionately.

 

His sisters were not much given to tears, this one in particular, the brightest of them all, so that this genuine bust of grief was the more perplexing.

 

He was endeavouring in vain to soothe her, when little Emmy came upon the scene, and seeing her mamma in trouble, she set up a terrific howling, and running at Everard, she seized his coat to steady herself and commenced to kick him with all the force she could muster, exclaiming "naughty, naughty, to make my mamma cry."

 

This warlike attack upon her brother set Emily laughing, while he feigned to be desperately hurt by the tiny feet at which the round blue eyes grew wonderfully well satisfied. Isabel now joined them alarmed by the cries of her little playmate. Emmy looking very brave scrambled upon mamma's knee, from whence she darted very defiant glances at her uncle.

 

"I think I will go to Ashton Park" said Everard.

 

"Do you think that it will do any good" asked Emily.

 

"I hope so, Grace is not bad hearted, only vexed, besides, I should wish to leave on good terms with the old lady."

 

"I have no doubt that she pities you immensely." Everard laughed "I will go now" he said, "and we hope you may be successful" returned both warmly.

 

"Good evening Lady Ashton" said Everard when he arrived at the Park; entering the drawing-room from the lawn.

 

"Oh is that you, you poor unfortunate boy," returned her ladyship compassionately.

 

"Pray spare your pity, for some more deserving individual," answered Everard laughing, "I think myself the most fortunate of mortals."

 

"Don't come to me with your nonsense, you are very silly, and have behaved in a most dishonorable manner towards your family."

 

"Will you be kind enough to state in what way," replied Everard colouring, "I confess I can't see it."

 

"Why, in offering to that governess girl."

 

"You are severe."

 

"Oh I haven't patience with you; my sympathy is all with poor Grace, who feels quite disgraced by it."

 

"She cannot think so, seriously, or if she does, she ought to be ashamed.

 

"Hoighty, toighty, how we are coming the parson to-night."

 

"Pshaw," exclaimed Everard impatiently.

 

"I think she is justly angry and aggrieved. Of course in receiving so young and pretty a girl, as governess for your sisters, (for I allow that she is pretty.) "Oh you do," said Everard sarcastically. "Your mother" continued Lady Ashton "relied upon your honorable feelings, and good sense, but you have abused her confidence in a most cruel manner."

 

The swelling veins, and heavy breathing showed how annoyed he was, and he answered warmly, "I deny having done anything wrong or dishonorable, I presume that I have a perfect right to choose for myself."

 

"To a certain extent I grant, but you owe something to the feelings of your family."

 

"They have no cause of complaint, Isabel is quite their equal if not superior."

 

"In your estimation," said Lady Ashton contemptuously.

 

"I don't care to discuss the subject" returned Everard haughtily.

 

"Reverse the matter, how would you like it, if Grace was going to marry a tutor."

 

"If he was a worthy person, and Grace was satisfied, I certainly should not object."

 

"I doubt it," cried Lady Ashton angrily. Then she commenced aspersing Isabel in every way, and Everard hotly defended her. "Nasty, artful, designing girl, you will live to repent your folly yet," she said. Then Everard got in a terrible passion newly ordained though he was. But Lady Ashton was a woman, and Everard Arlington never forgot when he was in the presence of ladies, so t............