Here Emily glided off to perform a hurried toilette.

‘And the little ones?’

’At Broomhill.  Mrs. Weston was so kind as to take them out of the way of the infection,’ said Lily.

‘Oh!  William, those Westons!’

‘Westons, what Westons?  Not those I knew at Brighton?’

‘The very same,’ said Lily.  ’They have taken the house at Broomhill.  Oh! they have been so very kind, I do not know what would have become of us without Alethea.’

‘Why did you not tell me they were living here?  And you like them?’

’Like them!  No one can tell the comfort Alethea has been.  She came to us and nursed us, and has been my great support.’

‘And Phyllis and Ada are with them?’

‘Yes, they have been at Broomhill these six weeks, and more.’

Here Emily came in and told William that his room was ready, and Rachel on the stairs wishing to see the Captain.

‘How well he looks!’ cried Lily, as he closed the door; ’it is quite refreshing to see any one looking so strong and bright.’

‘And more like Sir Maurice than ever,’ said Emily.

‘Ah! but Claude is more like,’ said Lily, ‘because he is pale.’

‘Well,’ said Jane, ’do let us in the meantime make the room look more fit to be seen before he comes down.’

The alacrity which had long been wanting to Lilias and Jane had suddenly returned, and they succeeded in making the room look surprisingly comfortable, compared with its former desolate aspect, before William came down, and renewed his inquiries after all the family.

‘And how is my father’s deafness?’ was one of his questions.

‘Worse,’ said Emily.  ’I am afraid all the younger ones will learn to vociferate.  He hears no one well but ourselves.’

‘Oh! and Alethea Weston,’ said Lily.  ’Her voice is so clear and distinct, that she hardly ever raises it to make him hear.  And have you ever heard her sing?’

’Yes, she sings very well.  I cannot think why you never told me they were living here.’

‘Because you never honour us with your correspondence,’ said Emily; ’if you had vouchsafed to write to your sisters you could not have escaped hearing of the Westons.’

‘And has Mr. Weston given up the law?’

‘No, he only came home in the vacation,’ said Emily.  ’Did you know they had lost two daughters?’

’I saw it in the paper.  Emma and Lucy were nice girls, but not equal to Miss Weston.  What a shock to Mrs. Weston!’

’Yes, she quite lost her health, and the doctors said she must move into the country directly.  Mrs. Carrington, who is some distant connection, told them of this place, and they took it rather hastily.’

‘Do they like it?’

‘Oh yes, very much!’ said Emily.  ’Mrs. Weston is very fond of the garden, and drives about in the pony-carriage, and it is quite pleasant to see how she admires the views.’