“There is a tone in her letters, mamma, that tells me she will be as pleased as ourselves to be at Oakwood again, though, she may fancy fetes, assemblies, and a long list of et ceteras, are the most delightful things in existence; and do you know, mamma, I will not permit you to say you ought not to wish for her, because she is happier where she is than she would be here; it is high treason in my presence to say or even think so.”

“I must plead guilty, then, my Emmeline, and place my case in Ellen’s hands as counsel for the defendant, or throw myself on your mercy.”

“In consideration of the peculiar happiness of this evening, I pronounce pardon,” answered Emmeline, laughing, as she kissed her mother’s hand.

“A letter we received this morning tells us of one who longs to behold us all again, spite of the many and varied pleasures of his exciting life, does it not, my dear aunt?”

“It does indeed, my love.  Our Edward’s letters have been, ever since he left us, sources of consolation and delight to me, though I do excite my Ellen’s jealousy at the greater length of his letters to me than of those to her,” she added, smiling.

“My brother knows if his letters to you impart pleasure and satisfaction, he cannot bestow greater happiness on me, however short mine may be,” answered Ellen, earnestly; “and when he writes so fully to you and so fondly to me, I have every reason to be quite contented; his time is not so much at his own disposal as mine is.”

“I wonder where he can find time to write such lengthy epistles to mamma,” observed the smiling Emmeline.  “I peeped over her shoulder this morning as she was reading, and was astounded to perceive it was written nearly as closely as mine would be.  I wonder how he manages, sailors are said to be such bad correspondents.”

“Have you forgotten what I used so repeatedly to say to you, when you were a lazy little girl, Emmeline, and were ever ready to escape disagreeable tasks, by saying you were quite sure you never could succeed—­Where there’s a will there’s a way?’”

“Indeed, I have not forgotten it, dear mamma; it often comes across me now, when I am ready to despair; and so I shall just read it to Master Ned when he returns, as a lecture for not writing to me.”

“Nay, Emmeline, that would be demanding too much from our young sailor; there is moderation in everything, you know.”

“Not in me, mamma,” answered Emmeline, laughing.  “You know I am always in extremes, up in the skies one minute, and down, down on the lowest earth the next.  I sometimes wish I was like Ellen, always unruffled, always calm and collected.  You will go through the world better than I shall, my quiet cousin.”

“Shall I?” replied Ellen, faintly smiling.  But Mrs. Hamilton could perceive that which the thoughtless Emmeline regarded not, a deep crimson staining apparently with pain the pale fair cheek of her niece, and she thought not with her daughter.