'Famously; I told her all about everything, and how the affair is to be
really quiet, which she had never believed. She could hardly believe my
word, when I told her there was to be absolutely no one but ourselves
and Mary Ross. She supposed it was for your sake, and I did not tell her
it was for their own. It really was providential that the Kilcoran folk
disgusted my father with grand weddings, for Philip never could endure
one.'

'Oh, Miss Mischief, there goes my hair again! You know Philip is
exceedingly worried about Mr. Fielder. Lord Kilcoran has been writing to
ask him to find him a situation.'

'That is an article they will be seeking all the rest of their lives,'
said Charles. 'A man is done for when he begins to look for a situation!
Yes, those Fielders will be a drag on Philip and Laura for ever; for
they don't quite like to cast them off, feeling as he does that he led
to her getting into the scrape, by recommending him; and poor Laura
thinking she set the example.'

'I wish Eva was away from home,' said Amy, 'for Aunt Charlotte's
accounts of her vex Laura so much.'

'Ay! trying to eat her cake and have it, expecting to be Mr. Fielder's
wife, and reign as the earl's daughter all the same. Poor thing! the day
they get the situation will be a sad one for her. She does not know what
poortith cauld will be like.'

'Poor Eva!' said Amy. 'I dare say she will shine and be all the better
for trouble. There is much that is so very nice in her.'

'Ay, if she has not spoilt it all by this time,--as that creature is
doing with your hair! You little monkey, what have you to say to me?'

'Only to wish you good night. Come, baby, we must go to Anne. Good
night, Uncle Charles.'

Just as Amabel had borne off her little girl, Mrs. Edmonstone and
Charlotte came in, after conducting Mrs. Henley to her room. Charlotte
made a face of wonder and dismay, and Mrs. Edmonstone asked where Amy
was.

'She carried the baby to the nursery just before you came. I wish you
had seen her. The little thing had pulled down her hair and made her
look so pretty and like herself.'

'How well her spirits keep up! She has been running up and down stairs
all day, helping about everything. Well! we little thought how things
would turn out.'

'And that after all Amy would be the home-bird,' said Charles. 'I don't
feel as if it was wrong to rejoice in having her in this sweet, shady
brightness, as she is now.'

'Do you know whether sh