“Here she is—no, it’s our dear mamma,” exclaimed Wentworth.
“Your mamma it is, children,” said Mrs. Eastman, coming into the room, silver-gay, with her bonnet on. “I have just returned from Milton, and heard your voices, or rather John’s voice, as I came up-stairs. But, bless me, where did all these flowers come from? Why, the library is turned into fairy-land!”
“Ah, mamma,” said Emily, “we are all in fairy-land to-day, and the fairy-prince has done it, with the help of this fairy chevalier,” and she bent her head toward Harrington.
“Why, what has happened to you, children?” asked Mrs. Eastman, laughing softly, as she removed her bonnet.
“Now, mamma,” said Wentworth, fronting her with Emily on his arm, “I’m going to surprise you. Prepare to be surprised.”
“Well, I’m ready,” said Mrs. Eastman, gaily.
“Emily and I are to be married in October,” said Wentworth, suddenly.
“My dear children, I am more glad to hear this than I can say,” fondly replied Mrs. Eastman, kissing both of them. “But, children, you don’t surprise me at all,” she added, with smiling equability. “I saw that you were lovers some time since, and was expecting this.”
Mrs. Eastman might have also said that she saw they had quarrelled, and knew what was the matter with Emily during her night and day of sorrow, but she was discreet and did not.