The only drawback to Emmeline’s happiness was, that Lord and Lady St. Eval were obliged to leave England ere her marriage could be solemnized, the health of the latter prohibiting further delay.  They did not expect to be absent much more than a twelvemonth, and the Earl, laughingly, told Emmeline, if she would defer her wedding till then, he would promise to be present; to that, however, none of the parties concerned seemed inclined to consent, and St. Eval owned he would much rather, on his return, see her comfortably settled at the Vicarage, where preparations were rapidly advancing.  Percy, however, promised to defer his intended tour till his favourite sister should be Myrvin’s bride, and Edward, on leaving to join his ship, declared, if wind and tide were not very contrary, he, too, would take a run down and dance at her wedding.

A short time after the departure of the Earl and Countess, and Edward, Ellen received from the hand of her cousin Herbert a letter, which for the moment caused her some emotion.  She felt his eyes were fixed upon her with a peculiar expression, and shrinking from them, she was hastening to her own room to answer the letter there, when Herbert called after her—­

“Do not run away from me, Nelly; whatever be your answer, I am to be the bearer.”

Returning instantly, she asked, with cheek suddenly paled and lip compressed, “Are you then aware of the contents of this letter, Herbert; are you in Captain Cameron’s confidence?”

“To both demands I am happy enough to answer, yes, Ellen,” he replied, smiling archly.  “Captain Cameron has made me his father confessor, and in return, I have promised to use all my influence in his favour, to tell you what his letter may perhaps have but incoherently expressed:  that he loves you, Ellen, devotedly, faithfully; that he feels life without you, however brilliant in appearance, will be a blank.  I promised him I would play the lover well, and indeed, my dear cousin, his affection and esteem for you do not admit a single doubt.”

“I am sorry for it,” said Ellen, calmly, “very sorry, as it is not in my power to return those feelings, and consequently I am compelled to give him pain.  I am grateful, very grateful for the high opinion, the kind feelings, his letter expresses towards me.  I shall never cease to respect and value him as a friend, but more I cannot give.”

“Nay, Ellen, take time to consider of his offer; do not refuse him at once thus decidedly.  You say you respect him.  I know you admire his conduct, both as a son and brother, and as a man.  What objections are there so great as to call for this decided and instant refusal?”

“Simply because, as a husband, I can never love him.”

“Never is a long day, Ellen.  You surely have not so much romance in your composition as to refuse a young man possessing every virtue which can make a woman happy, merely because he does not excite any very violent passion?  Do you not know there are some dispositions which never love to the full extent of the word, and yet are perhaps happier in the marriage state than those who do?  Now you may be one of these, Ellen.”