f 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 aggrie