"I should have known the sweet young lady anywhere,"
she answered; "so like the family, so pretty and so
genteel. Miss Emily, I wish you health to enjoy your new place."
Emily was as much puzzled as Henry had been with Miss Tilney's speeches. She said, "Thank you, ma'am," however, and walked away with Henry.
Their grandmother had slept later than usual; she had not rested well in the early part of the night, and had fallen asleep after the rest of the family were gone down.
She was not, therefore, present in the parlour; and when Henry came in, and had gotten his breath—for he and Emily had run to the house—he began to repeat some of the things which the maid had said to him, and to ask what they meant. Emily also repeated her speech to herself; and Lucy looked to her mother to explain these strange things.
"Cannot you guess, my children?" said Mrs. Fairchild, rather changing countenance; "but I had hoped that for a few days this business might not be explained to you. Our servants would not have told you, but I see that others will, so perhaps it is best that you should hear it now."
"What is it, mamma?" said all three at once; "nothing bad, we hope."
"Not bad," replied Mrs. Fairchild, "though it is what I and your dear papa had never wished for."
"Oh, do tell us!" said Lucy, trembling.