elia?" said I, kissing her rosy cheek. "There
will be room enough in the curricle."

"Oh, I should like to go," said she, "if Lucilla may go with us. Do,
dear Charles, do let Lucilla go to the Priory. She will be very good:
won't you, Lucilla?"

I ventured to look at Miss Stanley, who tried to laugh without
succeeding, and blushed without trying at it. On my making no reply, for
fear of adding to her confusion, Celia looked up piteously in my face
and cried:

"And so you won't let Lucilla go home with you? I am sure the curricle
will hold us all nicely; for I am very little, and Lucilla is not very
big."

"Will _you_ persuade her, Celia?" said I.

"O," said she, "she does not want persuading; she is willing enough, and
I will run to papa and mamma and ask their leave, and then Lucilla will
go and glad: won't you, Lucilla?"

So saying, she sprang out of my arms, and ran out of the room; Lucilla
would have followed and prevented her. I respectfully detained her. How
could I neglect such an opportunity? Such an opening as the sweet
prattler had given me it was impossible to overlook. The impulse was too
powerful to be resisted; I gently replaced her on her seat, and in
language, which, if it did any justice to my feelings, was the most
ardent, tender, and respectful, poured out my whole heart. I believe my
words were incoherent; I am sure they were sincere.

She was evidently distressed. Her emotion prevented her replying. But it
was the emotion of surprise, not of resentment. Her confusion bore no
symptoms of displeasure. Blushing and hesitating, she at last said: "My
father, sir--my mother." Here her voice failed her. I recollected with
joy that on the application of Lord Staunton she had allowed of no such
reference, nay, she had forbidden it.

"I take your reference joyfully," said I, "only tell me that if I am so
happy as to obtain their consent, you will not withhold yours." She
ventured to raise her timid eyes to mine, and her modest but expressive
look encouraged me almost as much as any words could have done.

At that moment the door opened, and in came Sir John with the other
drawing of the conservatory in his hand. After having examined us both
with his keen, critical eye; "Well, Miss Stanley," said he, with a look
and tone which had more meaning than she could well stand, "here is the
other drawing. As you look as if you had been _calmly_ examining the
first, you will now give me your _cool, delibera