“And Mr. Grahame?”

“The shock rendered him almost distracted, for it was so sudden.  Lady Helen had become so altered lately, that she was devotedly loved both by her husband and child; she had been so long ailing, that both Lilla and her father fondly hoped and believed she would be spared to them still some years longer, though she might never entirely recover her health.  Mr. Grahame’s feelings are stronger than most people imagine, but his misfortunes have bowed him down even more than I could have believed possible.”

“They appeared so united and happy, that I do not wonder at it,” observed Mrs. Cameron.  “I have seldom seen such devotedness as Lady Helen received from both her husband and child; she always welcomed their affectionate attentions as if she felt herself undeserving of them.  I was interested in her, she bore her sufferings so meekly.”

“And poor Lilla, how is she?”

“She suffers much, but behaves admirably.  Ellen says her self-control is extraordinary, when we remember she was one of those beings who could never conceal a single feeling.  Her poor father seems to look to her now as his sole blessing and support; she soothes his sorrow so quietly, so tenderly, and ever tries to prevent his thoughts dwelling on the stigma which Cecil’s disgraceful conduct has cast upon his name.  I trust time will restore that calm tranquillity which he has enjoyed the last year, but I must own I fear it.  If this moody irritability continue, Lilla will have much to bear, but she will do her duty, and that will bring its own reward.”

A faint and scarcely audible sigh escaped from Emmeline as she spoke.  Mrs. Cameron, without noticing, asked when she expected her brothers to return home from London.

“Herbert takes orders next week, and they return together very soon afterwards.  He is, as you will believe, delighted at the near approach of an event which has been his guiding star since his boyhood.  I never saw him looking so well or so happy, and Percy shares his joy, and we shall have him near us, I am happy to say, for he will be the minister of our own dear parish, which, by Mr. Howard’s promotion, will be vacant about the time he will require it.  Mr. Howard says he thinks he should have turned rebel, and refused the presentation of a valuable living, with the title of archdeacon attached to his name, if any one but Herbert were to succeed him here; but as he leaves his flock under his care, he will not refuse the blessings offered him.  He does not go very far from us, if he had I should have been so very sorry, that even my brother’s succeeding him would not have satisfied me.”

There was a short pause, which was broken by Emmeline saying—­

“Speaking about Mr. Howard and Herbert has made me forget Percy, dear fellow.  You know how he has raved about the grand tour he is going to make, all the curiosities he is to see and bring home for me, even to the dome of St. Peter’s or the crater of Vesuvius, if I wish to see them.  He has taken my provoking remarks in good part, and sets off with Caroline and her husband in July.  My sister’s health has been so delicate the last three months, that she is advised to go to Geneva.  Her little boy grows such a darling, I shall miss him almost as much as his mother.”