Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.

WORDSWORTH.

4

Then her cheek was pale and thinner than should be for one

so young.

TENNYSON.

O, my lord, beware of jealousy.

Othello.

The next morning Janet had the satisfaction of finding her sister so much better, that, for a short time, she secretly indulged the hope of being allowed to take her home in the course of the day. When Dr. Norton came, however, he so peremptorily insisted on another day's rest, that there was nothing to be done but to yield to his decision. After a while she remembered that, even had it not been for the doctor's veto, she could not have been so ungracious towards Lady Rutherford, as to leave her just on this day, when, for the first time since her husband's death, she was about to receive visiters at the Park. Well it was only one more day; and then, she hoped, having done all that could be required or expected of her, she might, at last, rejoice in her release.

The greater part of the morning she spent in her sister's room, for Emily was now quite willing to see her there, and in her contrition for her behaviour of the previous day, assured her that she would much rather be nursed by her than by Miss Attwood. Janet was very glad to hear this, as it gave her a rational pretext for absenting herself from the library, where Lady Rutherford passed the morning, and where Sir Henry Western, who had ridden over early on the plea of business, transacted in about ten minutes, lingered hour after hour in vain expectation of Miss Mowbray's appearance. Later in the day, real business required his return to the Grange, and then Janet went out to drive with Lady Rutherford.

They went to Ashcombe, stopping to prepare Sarah for the return of her "dear young people," as she called them, on the following day, and after a short détour, returned through the lanes leading by Wood's End. Janet had now been this way so often, under Lady Rutherford's auspices, that it was with an emotion, almost as much of tender pleasure as of regret, that she cast her eyes upon her old home, nestled amid its overhanging trees, its green lawns, and dark glistening shrubberies. To-day, however, there was something more than usual to be seen; for, just as they came in sight of the cottage, a party, consisting of the three members of the Wyndham family, with Annie Campbell, accompanied by Mr. Bruce and Walter Crauford, emerged from the porch. They paused, as if in conversation, and then Mr. Bruce, with Mr. and Mrs. Wyndham and Edward, walked across the lawn towards the beds containing the American plants. Annie and Walter, however, remained behind, busily engaged in securing the young trailing shoots of an early rose-one of Janet's favourite roses -and twining them round the rustic pillar, whence they had fallen. They appeared very earnest, both in their employment and conversation, so much so, that they evidently did not perceive the approach of Edward, till he was close upon them; then, suddenly desisting, they walked away and joined the rest of the party.

Janet had no idea that this scene had been watched quite as attentively by her companion as by herself.

"Really," observed Lady Rutherford, presently, "the intimacy appears to be increasing, between Miss Campbell and Mr. Crauford, and I can see that Edward does not like it. I fear he has been very imprudent in permitting them to be so constantly together. Poor fellow he should have been more cautious, but I am very sorry for him!"

Janet said, "Yes, so am I;" though, in truth, she had little thought, at that moment, of any one's sorrows but her own.

"Now, Henry, pray be rational! You know very well, that I am only asking you