related to their present favorites the situation they had stood in as regarded Emily?  It was odd, to say no more; and the widow dwelt on the innocent countenance of the bride with pity and admiration.  Emily herself was not a little abashed at the notice of her new acquaintances, especially Lady Laura’s; but as their admiration appeared sincere, as well as their desire to be on terms of intimacy with the Moseleys, they parted, on the whole, mutually pleased.

The conversation several times was embarrassing to the baronet’s family, and at moments distressingly so to their daughters.

At the close of the evening they all formed one group at a little distance from the rest of the company, and in a situation to command a view of it.

“Who is that vulgar-looking woman,” said Lady Sarah Stapleton, “seated next to Sir Henry Egerton, brother?”

“No less a personage than my Lady Jarvis,” replied the marquess, gravely, “and the mother-in-law of Sir Harry, and the wife to Sir Timo—­;” this was said, with a look of drollery that showed the marquess was a bit of a quiz.

“Married!” cried Lord William, “mercy on the woman who is Egerton’s wife.  He is the greatest latitudinarian amongst the ladies, of any man in England—­nothing—­no, nothing would tempt me to let such a man marry a sister of mine!”

Ah, thought Mrs. Wilson, how we may be deceived in character, with the best intentions, after all!  In what are the open vices of Egerton worse than the more hidden ones of Denbigh?

These freely expressed opinions on the character of Sir Henry were excessively awkward to some of the listeners, to whom they were connected with unpleasant recollections of duties neglected, and affections thrown away.

Sir Edward Moseley was not disposed to judge his fellow-creatures harshly; and it was as much owing to his philanthropy as to his indolence, that he had been so remiss in his attention to the associates of his daughters.  But the veil once removed, and the consequences brought home to him through his child, no man was more alive to the necessity of caution on this important particular; and Sir Edward formed many salutary resolutions for the government of his future conduct in relation to those whom an experience nearly fatal in its results had now greatly qualified to take care of themselves But to resume our narrative—­Lady Laura had maintained with Emily a conversation, which was enlivened by occasional remarks from the rest of the party, in the course of which the nerves as well as the principles of Emily were put to a severe trial.

“My brother Henry,” said Lady Laura, “who is a captain in the navy, once had the pleasure of seeing you, Miss Moseley, and in some measure made me acquainted with you before we met.”

“I dined with Lord Henry at L——­, and was much indebted to his polite attentions in an excursion on the water,” replied Emily, simply.

“Oh, I am sure his attentions were exclusive,” cried the sister; “indeed, he told us that nothing but want of time prevented his being deeply in love—­he had even the audacity to tell Denbigh it was fortunate for me he had never seen you, or I should have been left to lead apes.”