I said, "I will just wait here, and you can let Miss Lee know that I want to see her."

He stared at me, but finding that I was not open to any impressions of awe, he left me.

I confess I felt uncommonly nervous. I sat down and tapped my foot upon the floor, then I stood up and looked at the pictures on the wall, then I walked to the window and watched a boy weeding one of the flower-beds, and at last I went to the door and listened. Distant sounds in the kitchen, those were all I could hear, and I thought the page had proved faithless, and was upon the point of seeking him out and expostulating, but a light footstep came along the passage at the top of the stairs, and the next minute Jessie had thrown herself into my arms, her face covered with blushes, as she exclaimed-" Oh! Ursie, isn't it too happy?

How thankful I was for her excitement, I really could not attempt to say. It saved me completely. I don't believe she in the least suspected any coldness on my side. She was so full of her own delight, that it never entered her thoughts that every one else was not to be delighted too.. And then Roger was to stay in England, and she was to live at Sandcombe, dear Sandcombe; she had never loved any place so well, and I was to be with her, and to be her sister. She was in a perfect ecstasy of happiness. I didn't know whether it was hard in me to think that this childish exuberance was not quite the tone I should have desired for Roger's wife, but of course I did not attempt to check her. All that I really had set my heart upon discovering was the full extent of her feeling for him. Even this it was not easy to obtain: she was surprised, grateful, flattered, and rather awestruck. "She could not have supposed it possible," she said, so good he was! so much respected, and so much older too! At first she could not believe it. Love him ?oh, yes !—she loved him better than any one else in the whole world, and she knew that I loved him so much too, and we should all live together, that was the delightful thing: and to have a home of her own would be so nice, though she should be very sorry to leave Mrs. Weir who had been so kind to her."

Oh dear! I don't know what there was in it all which

made by spirits sinks lower and lower, till at length even Jessie herself remarked that I looked grave, and inquired if any thing was the matter, and if I felt ill.

"No," I said, "not at all, only a little tired with my walk; and you know, Jessie, these are exciting days."

"Very. I lay awake for hours last night. It seems so very strange. Did you ever think, Ursie, that Roger could be fond of me?"

"We are all fond of you," I answered evasively.

"Yes, to be sure, and we have known each other all our lives. But then he is so superior. Do you know, I think I am a little afraid of him; and I told him so.

"You won't love him the less for that," I said; "and, Jessie, I will tell you this about Roger, there is nothing in the world that you need fear with him except not being open upon all points; you won't mind my saying that, will you? No, of course, we are sisters." But Jessie did not look quite comfortable.

"I don't know any one who can understand things, or make allowances as he can," I continued. "But then he must have full trust placed in him."

"He is strict," said Jessie.

"Strict with himself, and that makes him appear strict to other people. But only try him, Jessie. Say out every thing to him, and then see if all will not go smoothly."

She did not speak directly; when she did, it was merely to say that she was longing for Mrs. Weir to know every thing: Roger was so impatient for all to be settled, but she did not like to mention it herself.

Something-it was very trifling-in her manner, gave me the impression that she was turning away from a disagreeable subject. I had a strong inclination to pursue it whether she liked it or not. If I had loved her heartily, I should have done so, but I stood upon doubtful ground. So I only replied by a remark upon Mrs. Weir's health.

Jessie's face was bright again directly. Mrs. Weir, she said, was much worse than usual, and there had been a fuss with Mrs. Temple. She did not, of course, know what it was all about, but she had an idea that it had something to do with money and a letter from Miss Milicent. She had heard Mrs. Temple say there would be no money forthcoming, and

the only thing to be done was to leave Mr. Weir to go to ruin again his own way. And then Mrs. Weir had been very nervous, and cried a good deal, and Mrs. Temple had scolded her.

It was not a very hopeful condition of affairs, considering the communication I had to make. I should only be adding to the family disturbance. Yet I felt that in justice to Roger I must not delay.

"I must see Mrs. Temple, Jessie, dear," I said, "and tell her every thing: I promised Roger I would."

of that.

She blushed painfully. "Must you? I had not thought She will be angry, and-but it is very kind of you, Ursie; you always help me out of difficulties."

"And I must see her at once," I said, "if she is in the house."

Jessie was not quite in such a hurry; she looked, but did not move towards the door. "Will you go "" ? I added. "Yes; but, Ursie, Mrs. Temple is not very goodnatured, you know that."

"Better than you do, perhaps; though I don't see what her good or ill-nature can have to do with the present business."

"I don't think she has liked me quite so well lately; you know what I told you about the letters."

"I know every thing, dear Jessie; I know Mrs. Temple fifty times better than you do, only go now, and ask if I may speak with her.”

"And if she should say unkind things, you won't believe them," continned Jessie.

"I will believe nothing of which there is not proof," I said; "but one would think you were afraid of being accused of murder. If there is any thing to tell, why not say it to me now?"

"Oh! there is nothing; nothing, you misunderstand. It is all foolishness;" she exclaimed. "But Mrs. Temple was angry at my going over to Dene one afternoon, when Mrs. Weir let me take a walk, and she has been cross ever since, and then-" I think Jessie meant to say more, but at that instant Mrs. Temple entered the room, and Jessie hurried away without saying even good-bye.

VOL. II.-3*

CHAPTER LI.

I HAD not spoken to Mrs. Temple since the day when I had my interview with Cotton, and I was sure that she must have felt herself injured from the fact of my having seen Mrs. Weir then without her permission, to say nothing of my having been the recipient of Cotton's complaints. But possessing a clear conscience upon these points, I was able to look her boldly in the face, and I curtsied, and said that I hoped I had not come at an inconvenient time, but I had a little business with Jessie.

"It would be better, another time, if you were to send word beforehand when you wish for an interview," said Mrs. Temple, standing, and making me stand also. "Miss Lee is much engaged, and Mrs. Weir is not as well as usual."

"I am sorry, Ma'am," I replied, "but I had also something to say to yourself, if you could be so good as to spare me a few minutes."

She took out her watch.

"I have an engagement almost immediately, perhaps you will let your communication be brief."

"It is soon made, Ma'am," I replied.

"Jessie Lee is engaged to be married to my brother Roger, and as she will be wishing to leave Mrs. Weir almost immediately, I thought it better to let you know."

A cloud came over Mrs. Temple's face as though I had actually done her an injury. "Very singular!" she exclaimed; "Miss Lee gave me no idea of any plan of the kind. I have not been treated fairly."

"The engagement was only made yesterday, Ma'am," I replied; "we have taken the earliest opportunity of informing you."

"There was an agreement," continued Mrs. Temple, "and Miss Lee suits Mrs. Weir very fairly well. I consider that I had a right to expect more consideration."

"Jessie will, I have no doubt, be anxious to remain with Mrs. Weir, if possible, until some one is found to take her place," I replied; "but of course I can make no promise, as every thing must depend on my brother's plans."

"Your brother is a rash young man," said Mrs. Temple, looking at me searchingly. "I should recommend him to inquire before he commits himself to the step he contemplates. You may tell him so."

"My brother will, no doubt, be obliged to you for your advice, Ma'am," I replied; "but as he is past thirty, I imagine he considers himself able to judge in such a matter for himself. I should not, therefore, like to interfere." "Age may not imply wisdom," said Mrs. Temple. "Has your brother known this young woman long?"

"From her childhood, Ma'am," I replied, and turning from the unpleasant subject, I added: "May I ask how long think it will be before Jessie will be able to leave Mrs. Weir, without inconveniencing her?"

you

"I can't say.

Your brother has known this young woman long? Does he know her friends and acquaintances?" "Nearly all of them, I believe, Ma'am," I replied.

Nearly all, you believe. It would be better if it were quite all. I give the caution with no unfriendly feeling. Good morning. I must request you not to attempt to see Mrs. Weir, she is too ill."

I was not to be treated in that way,-and I followed Mrs. Temple into the hall. "Excuse me, Ma'am," I said, "but I can't hear hints given against Jessie. My brother's happiness is involved. If you would only be good enough to explain what you refer to."

"I give no explanations. I am not the person to bring forward accusations. Your brother will judge for himself when he inquires."

I had no power of detaining her, she sailed past me,—her pony-chaise was at the door, and she drove off, leaving me to my own conjectures. I went back to the little room, and sat for a few moments in thought. Then I rang the bell, and asked again if I might see Miss Lee. The message brought back was that I was to go up to Mrs. Weir's room.

I was in utter perplexity. Disobey Mrs. Temple's express wishes I could not, for she had a right to expect obedience—but if Mrs. Weir really wanted to see me, I might do her harm by refusing. I sent word to Jessie that she must do as I said-she must come to me, and almost before