n the Bible, belief in the doctrine of a Saviour's
atonement, were good qualities. Even the Mahommedan's religion has
some qualities that are good."

"I would sooner be a Mahommedan than a Papist," said Aunt Letty,
somewhat thoughtlessly, but very stoutly.

"You would alter your opinion after the first week in a harem," said
Herbert. And then there was a burst of laughter, in which Aunt Letty
herself joined. "I would sooner go there than go to confession," she
whispered to Mary, as they all walked off to dinner.

"And how is the Lady Clara's arm?" asked Mary, as soon as they were
again once more round the fire.

"The Lady Clara's arm is still very blue," said Herbert.

"And I suppose it took you half an hour to weep over it?" continued
his sister.

"Exactly, by Shrewsbury clock."

"And while you were weeping over the arm, what happened to the hand?
She did not surrender it, did she, in return for so much tenderness
on your part?"

Emmeline thought that Mary was very pertinacious in her badinage, and
was going to bid her hold her tongue; but she observed that Herbert
blushed, and walked away without further answer. He went to the
further end of the long room, and there threw himself on to a sofa.
"Could it be that it was all settled?" thought Emmeline to herself.

She followed him to the sofa, and sitting beside him, took hold of
his arm. "Oh, Herbert! if there is anything to tell, do tell me."

"Anything to tell!" said he. "What do you mean?"

"Oh! you know. I do love her so dearly. I shall never be contented to
love any one else as your wife--not to love her really, really with
all my heart."

"What geese you girls are!--you are always thinking of love, and
weddings, and orange-blossoms."

"It is only for you I think about them," said Emmeline. "I know there
is something to tell. Dear Herbert, do tell me."

"There is a young bachelor duke coming here to-morrow. He has a
million a year, and three counties all his own; he has blue eyes, and
is the handsomest man that ever was seen. Is that news enough?"

"Very well, Herbert. I would tell you anything."

"Well; tell me anything."

"I'll tell you this. I know you're in love with Clara Desmond, and
I'm sure she's in love with you; and I believe you are both engaged,
and you're not nice at all to have a secret from me. I never tease
you, as Mary does, and it would make me so happy to know it."

Upon this he put his arm round her waist and whispered one