glad to get him; and really she did not think Dr. Clarke was at all justified in speaking so lightly of Mrs. Arundel - she could not bear such ill-natured insinuations."

-

Amid a shower of similar sentences, the Doctor escaped, and his lady proceeded on her way.

People in general little know how much they are indebted to those matrimonial discussions. Many a storm has fallen softly on the offender's head, from a part having been previously expended on a husband or wife, it is so convenient to have somebody at hand to be angry with; and whether it was the quarrel with her husband, or the walk, that did Mrs. Clarke good, she certainly arrived at the Hall in a better humour than could have been expected. She was met at the door by Emily, whose slight confusion at encountering her was immediately interpreted mysteriously and favourably; and when the young lady evidently hesitated as she said, "I have left my aunt and Mr. Sillery in the breakfast-room," Mrs. Clarke was very near congratulating her future sister, who, however, disappeared too rapidly.

She found Mrs. Arundel in a lace cap, and a dress black, it is true, but black silk! Had

she bade farewell to her senses, decency, and bombasin together? All those delicate inquiries were, however, postponed by the presence of her brother; but, as we say poetically, "her thoughts were too great for utterance;" conversation languished; and but for discussing the merits of some black-currant jam, which had been sent for, as Mrs. Clarke seemed hoarse, it would have sunk into silence.

The visit was short and embarrassed; and she was scarcely out of the house, before severe animadversions were poured forth, on Mrs. Arundel's most improper dress, to Mr. Boyne Sillery, her companion home.

Why, you see, my dear sister, it is quite unnecessary for a lady to lament one husband who is meditating taking another."

"Stuff!-you are just as silly as the Doctor: I should like to see who would put such nonsense into her head."

"I am glad you would like to see the individual-for, my dear Elizabeth, he is now walking with you."

Why, you have never been so silly as to advise her to marry?"

"Indeed I have most strongly advised it." "Good Lord! don't you know that her for

tune is all at her own disposal, and would certainly go to Miss Emily at her death?"

"I do not see any reason why I should be so careful of Miss Emily's interests: I freely confess I prefer my own."

"Don't you see they are all one? Mrs. Arundel's property will be a very pretty windfall when you have been married a few yearsnot but that Emily has a handsome fortune -still, I don't see any necessity for being so disinterested and pray, who has the foolish woman taken into her head?"

"Her choice will, I flatter myself, at least please you, as I myself am the fortunate man.' "I do beg you will not be so provoking-I am not in a humour for a joke."

"Joke, my dear sister?-marriage is a very serious piece of business."

"You don't mean to say that you are going to marry Mrs. Arundel?"

"Indeed I do. Now, to speak plainly—as I ought to do to a woman of sense like yourself -I am in debt over head and ears. Desperate diseases require desperate remedies. Miss Arundel has some silly fancy of her own: I remember she and Lord Merton flirted desperately. Besides, to tell you the truth, in town

-d un

I rather slighted her: women are dforgiving. I like the aunt quite as well as I.do the niece; her fortune is at her own disposal, and your brother may as well benefit by it as another I shall make her an excellent husband."

Surprise is the only power that works miracles now-a-days; it fairly silenced Mrs. Clarke for full five minutes. Vexation at what she thought her brother's throwing himself awaymortification beforehand at her husband-for Dr. Clarke had a love for ponderous and orthodox jokes, whose edge had worn off by long use anger at Emily, whom she considered the cause of all this-wonder at Mrs. Arundel— together with a gradual awakening to the pecuniary advantages of the match-all crossed and jostled her mind at once. At last she gasped out" Are you sure Mrs. Arundel will have you?"

"I suppose so. I made her an offer this morning, which she accepted."

True enough for the last fortnight he had been a constant visitor at the Hall; and Emily, who naturally supposed she was the object of his attraction, gave his visits only one thought -and that was, how to avoid them. Lady

Alicia's death had, even more than usual, thrown her among her own reflections: once or twice, to be sure, her maid had said, "Lord, miss, you see if your aunt does not run away with your beau!"

A young man, in the country, is always disposed of, whether with or without his consent; and Emily considered it quite in the common course of things that Mr. Sillery should be set down to her account; and as for the remark about her aunt, she held it to be an impertinence which it would be wrong to encourage by even listening to such an absurdity.

One morning, however, entering the breakfast-room rather suddenly, to her surprise she saw her aunt and Mr. Sillery seated, her hand in his, while he was speaking with great earnestness, Retreat she could not, without being perceived and she stood one moment in all the embarrassment of indecision; when Mr. Sillery, who had seen her enter, rose and, before she could speak, led her forward, and with the utmost coolness entreated her to plead for him. Yes, dear Miss Arundel, join your persuasions with mine-implore our kind friend to make me the happiest of men,"

66

This was really too good; and Emily hurried