extreme disparity exists, more particularly when, as in this case, the superiority is on the side of the wife.  I know this sounds like cold and worldly reasoning, my Emmeline; I know that this warm, fond heart revolts in agony from every word, but do not, do not think me cruel, love, and shrink from my embrace.  How can I implore you, for my sake, still to struggle with these sad feelings, to put every effort into force to conquer this unhappy love? and yet my duty bids me do so; for, oh, I cannot part with you for certain poverty and endless care.  Speak to me, my own; promise me that you will try and be contented with your father’s exertions to clear Arthur’s character from all aspersions.  You will not ask for more?”

There was a moment’s pause.  Mrs. Hamilton had betrayed in every word the real distress she suffered in thus speaking, when the gentle pleading of her woman’s heart would have bade her soothe by any and every means her afflicted child; Emmeline knew this, and even in that moment she could not bear to feel her mother grieved, and she had been the cause.  Filial devotion, filial duty, for a few minutes struggled painfully with the fervid passion which shook her inmost soul; but they conquered, and when she looked up, her tears were checked, and only the deadly paleness of the cheek, the quivering of the lip and eye, betrayed the deep emotion that still prevailed within.

“Be not thus distressed for me, my dear, my too indulgent mother,” replied Emmeline, in a voice that struggled to be composed and firm, though bodily weakness defied her efforts.  “I meant not to have grieved you, and yet I have done so.  Oh, let not my foolish words give you pain, you whose love would, I know, seek to spare me every suffering.  My brain feels confused and burning now, and I know not what I say; but it will pass away soon, and then I will try to be all you can wish.  You will not, I know you will not be so cruel as to bid me wed another, and that knowledge is enough.  Let but his character be cleared, and I promise you I will use every effort to be content.  I knew that it was hopeless.  Why, oh, why did I bid your lips confirm it!” and again were those aching eyes and brow concealed on Mrs. Hamilton’s shoulder, while the despairing calmness of her voice sounded even more acutely painful to her mother than the extreme suffering it had expressed before.

“May God in His mercy bless you for this, my darling girl!” escaped almost involuntarily from Mrs. Hamilton’s lips, as the sweet disposition of her child appeared to shine forth brighter than ever in this complete surrender of her dearest hopes to the will of her parents.  “And oh, that He may soothe and comfort you will mingle in your mother’s prayers.  Tell me but one thing more, my own.  Have you never heard from this young man since you parted?”

“He wrote to me, imploring me to use my influence with St. Eval, to aid his obtaining the situation of tutor to Lord Louis,” answered Emmeline.  “He did not allude to what had passed between us; his letter merely contained this entreaty, as if he would thus prove to me that his intention to quit England, and seek for calmness in the steady performance of active duties, was not mere profession.”