We need not lift the veil from the brief interview which the consideration of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton afforded to the lovers, it is enough that they were happy, happy in the consciousness not of present joy alone, but of duty unshrinkingly performed, of pain endured with unrepining fortitude; unalloyed in its purity indeed was their happiness, for it was the recompense of virtue.

When the tidings of what had passed were made known, there were few who did not feel as if some individual joy had been imparted.  The universal sympathy occasioned by the happiness of a being so generally beloved as Emmeline shed new animation over the little party.  And Ellen, the gentle affectionate Ellen, did not she rejoice?  She did, unfeignedly, sincerely, but there was a pang of bitterness mingled with it which she vainly struggled to subdue.

“Can you consent to live in the humble vicarage of my estate, Emmeline?” whispered the young Earl in her ear, as she relinquished the arm of Arthur, whom Edward, Percy, and Ellen were eagerly surrounding.  “You have often admired it.  Will it serve you for a home, think you? if not, name what alterations you will like, and they shall be done, even as if Aladdin’s wonderful genii had performed it.”

“Dearest Eugene,” said Emmeline, “I feel it is to you, to your generous pleadings in Arthur’s favour, I greatly owe this happiness.  Will you not let me thank you for that, instead of asking more?”

“No, little fairy, I will do no such thing, for I only spoke the truth, and that, Emmeline, ‘was but my duty,’ and demands no thanks or praise whatever; and as I have selected my friend Myrvin to supply the place of my late vicar, who was promoted last week to a better living, to see everything prepared for his comfort, and that of his wife, is also mine.”

“Nay, spare me, dear St. Eval; I will plead guilty of not giving Arthur his due, if you will promise me not always to torment me with duty.  I was unjust and unkind.”

“No, dearest Emmy, you were neither unjust nor unkind; you only said one thing and meant another, and as I know why you did so, I forgive you.”

Mrs. Cameron’s family and the other guests having departed, and only Mr. Hamilton’s own circle lingering in the drawing-room, some surprise was occasioned to all except Mrs. Hamilton and Percy, by Mr. Hamilton suddenly laying his hand gently on Herbert’s shoulder, and saying earnestly, though somewhat playfully—­

“One surprise and one cause for congratulation we might, I think, deem sufficient for one evening, but I intend being the happy messenger of another event, which may chance to be even more surprising, and certainly not less joyful.  I beg you will all offer Mrs. Hamilton and myself your warmest congratulations, for the same day that gives us a new son will, I trust, bestow on us an other daughter.  This quiet young man intends taking unto himself a wife; and as it may be some little time ere we can bring her home from France, the best thing we can do is to anticipate two marriages in one day.”