On telling this to Emily Eleanor was surprised to find that she was not listened to with much satisfaction.  Emily seemed to think it a piece of interference on the part of Mrs. Weston, and would not allow that it was likely to be the beginning of improvement in Ada.

‘The words were put into her mouth,’ said she; ’and they were an easy way of escaping from her present state of disgrace.’

‘On the contrary,’ said Eleanor, ’she seemed to think that she justly deserved to be in disgrace.’

‘Did you think so?’ said Emily, in a careless tone.

‘You are in a strange mood to-day, Emily,’ said Eleanor.

‘Am I?  I did not know it.  I wonder where Lily is.’

Lily was in her own room, teaching Phyllis.  Phyllis was rather wild and flighty that morning, scarcely able to command her attention, and every now and then bursting into an irrepressible fit of laughter.  Reginald and Phyllis found it most difficult to avoid betraying Marianne, and as soon as luncheon was over, they agreed to set out on a long expedition into the woods, where they might enjoy their wonderful secret together.  Just at this time Mr. Mohun returned.  He came into the drawing-room, and Lilias, perceiving that the threatened conversation with Emily was about to take place, made her escape to her own room, whither she was presently followed by Jane, who could not help running after her to report the great news that Emily was to be deposed.

‘I am sure of it,’ said she.  ’They sent me out of the room, but not before I had seen certain symptoms.’

‘It is very hard that poor Emily should bear all the blame,’ said Lily.

‘You have managed to escape it very well,’ said Jane, laughing.  ’You have all the thanks and praise.  I suppose it is because the intimacy with Miss Weston was your work.’

‘I will not believe that nonsense,’ said Lily.

‘Seeing is believing, they say,’ said Jane.  ’Remember, it is not only me.  Think of Rotherwood.  And Maurice guesses it too, and Redgie told him great things were going on.’

While Jane was speaking they heard the drawing-room door open, and in another moment Emily came in.

It was true that, as Jane said, she had been deposed.  Mr. Mohun had begun by saying, ’Emily, can you bring me such an account of your expenditure as I desired?’

‘I scarcely think I can, papa,’ said Emily.  ’I am sorry to say that my accounts are rather in confusion.’

’That is to say, that you have been as irregular in the management of your own affairs as you have in mine.  Well, I have paid your debt to Lilias, and from this time forward I require of you to reduce your expenses to the sum which I consider suitable, and which both Eleanor and Lilias have found perfectly sufficient.  And now, Emily, what have you to say for the management of my affairs?  Can you offer any excuse for your utter failure?’