"My darlings!" said Emily, "you must not say any more; and I have nothing to answer but that I love you all very, very much indeed."
"But we want you to love father too."
Unheard-of liberty! Emily had no answer ready; but now, as she had wondered what their mother would have felt, she wondered what John would have felt at this utter misunderstanding, this taking for granted that he loved her, and that she did not love him. A sensitive blush spread itself over her face. "Your father would not be pleased, my dears," she answered lovingly but firmly, "at your saying any more; he would think (though I am sure you do not mean it) that you were taking a great liberty."
CHAPTER XXX.
A CHAPTER OF TROUBLES.
"She's daft to refuse the laird of Cockpen."
Scotch Ballad.
And now John Mortimer had again possession of his ring. Emily had sent it, together with a little book that she had borrowed some time previously, and the whole was so done up in stiff paper that Miss Christie Grant supposed herself to be returning the book only.
"So you gave it to John, auntie," said Emily, when Miss Christie came back, "and told him I was going out, and he read the note?"
"Yes," answered Miss Christie curtly.