“While they were engaged in music, Clare retired to superintend some domestic duty, and the colonel falling asleep, Emma and Lawrence were left alone, and proceeding towards the windows looking into the gardens, she stood nervously pulling the curtains and thus began, rather seriously:—
“‘You must not joke Clare to-day, Lawrence. I heard you, if I was making a noise at the piano. She was not well this morning. She has had unpleasant visitors, and it surprises me she is half so gay as she is. I don’t know what it is, but I think it was an old beau that displeased her; he insisted upon escorting her home, and after he went away she seemed very much vexed and annoyed.’
“‘That is easily accounted for: perhaps she is partial to him, and it is but natural she should feel annoyed at his hurried departure.’
“‘Nonsense, Edward; you know she has no such liking, or I should have discovered it long ago. It was a Captain Redgill, one of your old students, living now in Birmingham; you must know him well, and judging from his looks at parting, I’m sure his visit could not have proved very satisfactory or pleasant. What makes you look so solemn?’
“Lawrence did remember Redgill; he had occasion for never forgetting him, and remembering the past, he blushed scarlet.
“‘Nothing, Lady Bray. I was only thinking of a presentiment that has disturbed me all the morning, and which continually recurs, that some mischief will befal me ere midnight.’
GIVEN AWAY!!
SCENES,