Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton were more grieved than surprised at the intelligence they had heard; but in what manner to act, what measures to take they knew not.  Grahame was expected to arrive in England on the morrow or the next day at the farthest, and his agony they dreaded to witness; they feared lest reports should reach him ere he was in any way prepared, and Mr. Hamilton determined on travelling instantly to Dover, that he might be there ready to receive him, and console to the best of his ability this mistaken but truly affectionate father.  Percy, rousing himself, entered with activity into all his father’s plans; but Mrs. Hamilton fancied that he too had some plan to follow up, which his absence two or three days from home confirmed.  Nor was it idle sympathy she felt; that same day she sought the residence of Lady Helen.

Scarcely ever did she enter that house without being struck by the melancholy pervading it.  Wrapped in her own pleasures, her own desires and amusements, Annie never cast one thought on her mother, whose declining health it would have been her duty to tend and soothe; indeed she scarcely ever entered her room, and believing her parent’s ailments were all fancy, made it a rule to take no notice of them.  Cecil liked not gloom and quiet, and his fashionable cousins occupied almost all his time.  He could not comprehend, much less return the deep affection his mother felt for him; and Lilla, whose naturally warm heart and right principles would have made her an affectionate attendant on her mother’s couch, was seldom at home to perform her part.  But already had Lady Helen felt the difference a year’s residence with Mrs. Douglas had made in her younger girl; already her indolent nature felt the comfort of her presence, and bitterly regretted when her short vacations were at an end, for then she was indeed alone.

On being admitted, Mrs. Hamilton fancied somewhat eagerly, the first person she encountered at Lady Helen’s was her young friend, clad, it seemed, for walking, with traces of anxiety and sorrow written on her countenance.

“The very person I was about to seek,” she exclaimed, in a voice of intense relief, springing down the stairs to reach her friend.  “Dearest Mrs. Hamilton, mamma—­Annie—­” The words choked her, and she burst into tears.

“Compose yourself, love, I know all; only tell me how your mother bears the shock,” whispered Mrs. Hamilton, instantly penetrating at once the truth, that either the report had reached Lady Helen, or she had received the intelligence direct from her daughter; and anxious to escape the curious eyes of the domestics, who were in the hall, she hastily yet kindly drew the weeping Lilla to the nearest parlour, and, closing the door, succeeded in hearing all she desired.  Lilla said, her mother, only an hour before, had received a letter from Annie, briefly announcing her marriage, and informing her they intended very shortly to embark for the Netherlands from Leith, thence to make a tour