in her parents was such, that she ever submitted to their wishes with cheerfulness.  Mrs. Hamilton knew and sympathised in her feelings at leaving Oakwood.  She felt there were indeed few pleasures in London that could compensate to a disposition such as Emmeline’s for those she had left.  She had seen, with joy and thankfulness, the conquest of self which her child had so perseveringly achieved; and surely she was not wrong to reward her, by giving her every gratification in her power, and endeavouring to make her as happy as she was at Oakwood.  Emmeline was no longer a child, and these pleasures interfered not with the attention her parents still wished her to bestow on the completion of her education.  With all the innocence and quiet of a young child she enjoyed the select parties given by her mother with the same zest, but with the poetic feelings of dawning youth.  She absolutely revelled in the Opera, and there her mother generally accompanied her once a week.  An artist might have found a pleasing study in the contemplation of that young, bright face, as she sat entranced, every sense absorbed in the music which she heard, the varying expression of her countenance reflecting every emotion acted before her.  At such moments the fond mother felt it to be impossible to deny the young enthusiast the rich treat these musical recreations afforded.  A smile or look of sympathy was ever ready to meet the often uncontrolled expressions of delight which Emmeline could not suppress, for in thus listening to the compositions of our great masters, even those much older than Emmeline can seldom entirely command their emotions.  Natural as were the manners of Caroline in public, they almost resembled art when compared with those of her sister.  Mrs. Hamilton’s lesson on self-control had not been forgotten.  Emmeline generally contrived to behave with perfect propriety, except in moments of excitement such as these, where natural enthusiasm and almost childish glee would have their play, and her mother could not, would not check them.

With regard to Ellen, the thoughtless remarks of the world were indeed unfounded, as all who recollect the incidents detailed in former pages will readily believe.  Her health still continued so delicate as frequently to occasion her aunt some anxiety.  Through the winter, strange to say, she had not suffered, but the spring brought on, at intervals, those depressing feelings of languor which Mrs. Hamilton hoped had been entirely conquered.  The least exertion or excitement caused her to suffer the following day, and therefore, except at very small parties, she did not appear even at home.  No one could suspect from her quiet and controlled manner, and her apparently inanimate though beautiful features, that she was as enthusiastic in mind and in the delights of the Opera as her cousin Emmeline.  By no one we do not mean her aunt, for Mrs. Hamilton could now trace every feeling of that young and sorrowing heart, and