“Well, however kind Mrs. Douglas may be, I should not like to be in Lilla’s place,” observed Emmeline, and then added, with her usual animation, “Ah, mamma, how can we ever be sufficiently grateful to you for never sending us from you?  I might have loved you very dearly, but I could not have looked upon you as my best and dearest friend, as I do now.”

“It is sufficient recompense for all my care that you do look on me thus, my sweet child,” exclaimed Mrs. Hamilton, with involuntary emotion, and she bent down to impress a kiss on Emmeline’s forehead as she spoke, that she might conceal an unusual tear which had started to her eye, for the unrestrained confidence and unabated affection of her younger daughter, while it soothed, yet rendered the conduct of Caroline by its contrast more painful; and, almost unconsciously, she added—­

“Oh, that this confidence and affection may never change, never be withdrawn.”

“Change!” repeated Emmeline and Ellen at the same moment; but they checked themselves, for they knew where the thoughts of their much-loved relative had wandered, and they felt she had indeed sufficient cause for all her solicitude.  Recovering herself almost instantly, Mrs. Hamilton resumed the conversation in a more cheerful tone, by demanding of Emmeline if her busy fancy had pictured how Oakwood was to look, on their return to it in a fortnight’s time.

“She certainly must have done so,” answered Ellen, laughing; “for she has had so many reveries over her drawing and work this week, that nothing less important could have occasioned them.”

Emmeline shook her head archly, and answered gaily; and her dear old venerable home was the engrossing theme of conversation till the return of Mr. Hamilton, a short time afterwards.

“Congratulate me, all of you,” he said, in a joyous tone; “my business is proceeding most favourably.  Mr. Myrvin need know nothing about it till all is settled; the dishonourable conduct of his enemies brought to light, and himself reinstated in his little domain, once more the minister of Llangwillan.  Thanks to the able conduct of Mr. Allan, all will soon be made clear.  As soon as we are at Oakwood, Ellen, you shall write to Mr. Myrvin, and invite him to spend some little time with us; and when he leaves us, I trust it will be once more for Llangwillan and its own pretty vicarage.”

“Dear, dear uncle!” exclaimed Ellen, starting up and clinging to his arm, “oh, how can I thank you for your interference in behalf of him who was the first friend I knew in England? the consoler of my mother—­the”—­

“The good man who first told us what a troublesome charge I should find in my niece,” interrupted Mrs. Hamilton, playfully.

“I have indeed been a trouble to you,” replied Ellen, with a suppressed yet heavy sigh, and her uncle’s hand dropped from her grasp.

“Ellen!” said Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton at the same instant, in an accent of reproach.