An unusual assemblage honoured the breakfast that morning.  The news of Mrs. Bonner’s health was more favourable.  How delighted was the Countess to hear that!  Mrs. Bonner was the only firm ground she stood on there, and after receiving and giving gentle salutes, she talked of Mrs. Bonner, and her night-watch by the sick bed, in a spirit of doleful hope.  This passed off the moments till she could settle herself to study faces.  Decidedly, every lady present looked glum, with the single exception of Miss Current.  Evan was by Lady Jocelyn’s side.  Her ladyship spoke to him; but the Countess observed that no one else did.  To herself, however, the gentlemen were as attentive as ever.  Evan sat three chairs distant from her.

If the traitor expected his sister to share in his disgrace, by noticing him, he was in error.  On the contrary, the Countess joined the conspiracy to exclude him, and would stop a mild laugh if perchance he looked up.  Presently Rose entered.  She said ‘Good morning’ to one or two, and glided into a seat.

That Evan was under Lady Jocelyn’s protection soon became generally apparent, and also that her ladyship was angry:  an exhibition so rare with her that it was the more remarked.  Rose could see that she was a culprit in her mother’s eyes.  She glanced from Evan to her.  Lady Jocelyn’s mouth shut hard.  The girl’s senses then perceived the something that was afloat at the table; she thought with a pang of horror:  ’Has Juliana told?’ Juliana smiled on her; but the aspect of Mrs. Shorne, and of Miss Carrington, spoke for their knowledge of that which must henceforth be the perpetual reproof to her headstrong youth.

‘At what hour do you leave us?’ said Lady Jocelyn to Evan.

’When I leave the table, my lady.  The fly will call for my sisters at half-past eleven.’

‘There is no necessity for you to start in advance?’

‘I am going over to see my mother.’

Rose burned to speak to him now.  Oh! why had she delayed!  Why had she swerved from her good rule of open, instant explanations?  But Evan’s heart was stern to his love.  Not only had she, by not coming, shown her doubt of him,—­she had betrayed him!

Between the Countess, Melville, Sir John, and the Duke, an animated dialogue was going on, over which Miss Current played like a lively iris.  They could not part with the Countess.  Melville said he should be left stranded, and numerous pretty things were uttered by other gentlemen:  by the women not a word.  Glancing from certain of them lingeringly to her admirers, the Countess smiled her thanks, and then Andrew, pressed to remain, said he was willing and happy, and so forth; and it seemed that her admirers had prevailed over her reluctance, for the Countess ended her little protests with a vanquished bow.  Then there was a gradual rising from table.  Evan pressed Lady Jocelyn’s hand, and turning from her bent his head to Sir Franks, who, without offering