“At all events,” she replied, “let us not despair. Nothing palsies one’s faculties and energies like despair. Come, sit here by me, and let us coolly review our position, and see what we can do.”
She sat down on the couch, and he took his seat by her side.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE HEARTS OF CHEVALIERS.
They were about to commence conversation, when footsteps and voices were heard upon the stairs, and presently Emily and Wentworth, joyous and smiling, came into the library.
“Here we are again!” cried Wentworth, in his hearty voice, flinging his hat on the table, and running his hand through his clustering curls. “Here we are, in the height of felicity. Hallo, who’s that?” he exclaimed, catching sight of Tugmutton squatting in the corner. “Why, you ineffable young goblin, what are you doing there?”
Emily, who was laying off her bonnet and shawl, turned quickly in the direction he was apostrophizing, and laughed half-amusedly and half-wonderingly at the doleful visage of the boy.
“Why, what’s the matter with you, Charles?” she inquired.
“Well put,” cried Wentworth. “He looks as if he had a bad attack of the mulligrubs.”