66 "Emma, Emma!" exclaimed he, in a low tone. "I know I'm a rugged, ugly fellow; but " and he paused and looked up into her face. Why don't you speak to me?" "I am too much surprised," answered she confusedly. "You understand me, Emma?" "I think I do," faltered she. "Am I-I- By Jupiter, I'm getting tongue-tied ! " muttered Sir John, "I'm stuttering and stammering as if I were about to confess having committed a murder, or some other deed equally revolting, instead of plainly stating what my feelings are; and asking you whether you can reciprocate them." “I—I don't know," returned Emma, "I wish you would speak to Mr. Ridly; I should, maybe, do wrong to reply to you without his permission or advice." "I will speak to him, Emma," said Sir John; "you are quite right to seek advice.-Yet," resumed he, affectionately taking her hand, "you must first tell me whether you can care for me? Whether my love and devotion can render your future life a happy one? Oh, Emma! I would not tempt you with my newly-acquired wealth-I would not have you barter your hand for gold and title!" "No, no!" murmured she shudderingly. "For myself alone would I be loved," he added, ardently gazing into her pure girlish face. "Miss Chipperton, the stage waits!" cried the voice of the prompter. The young girl sprang up, flung off the mantle, and darted upon the stage; and in another instant she was speaking, in passionate tones, the words of her part. Sir John stood at the wing and listened with rapt attention. Emma had just completed her eighteenth year, and a prettier specimen of gentle womanhood than fair Emma Chipperton was rarely met with. Even at Court, where the beauty of England is so brilliantly displayed, Emma would have shone brightly. Sir John thought and felt all this, as he gazed upon the actress; and he longed to remove her from a position so full of hardships, trials, and struggles. Should she marry a stroller, what would her life become? Sir John knew-and shuddered as he contemplated the probability of such a fate for her whom he loved so well. The next day Sir John waited on Mr. Ridly, to whom he communicated his wishes regarding Emma Chipperton. The worthy manager was delighted at so brilliant an offer for his ward, and at once promised his consent to her becoming Lady Craggsbridge. Surely you will consult Emma's wishes on the subject!" said Alice to her husband, when the new baronet had withdrawn. "Most surely I will, Alice," replied Ridly; "no force shall be used; she shall be free to act as she pleases; into your hands I place the whole affair. See Emma at once; tell her all, and learn her feelings about the matter in question." Very prompt and business-like, upon my word," said Alice, stooping over the back of the chair on which her husband sat, and kissing his brow. "Was it in that fashion you courted me?" "I wooed a woman, not a child!" rejoined he, returning his wife's caress. "I wish Craggsbridge were younger-I hate unequal matches-in reference to age; I speak not as to position." "True! there is a great disparity of years between them." said Alice. It was a very humble chamber, clean and remarkably neat: a cheerful fire burned in the tiny grate, and the apartment altogether presented a cozy, comfortable appearance. Emma was sitting by a table, on which lay an open play-book, most mysteriously marked, at which she glanced from time to time, while her nimble fingers were industriously employed in trimming, with coloured tapes, the bottom of a petticoat, which was intended to look like that of a Swiss peasant. "Thou know'st I love thee, Henri," muttered Emma, reading from the play-book. "Poverty has not changed my warm affection""_ -(stitch, stitch, stitch at the petticoat) "warm affection,"" repeated she, shaking her finger reprovingly at the canary, which hung in its wire cage on the opposite side of the chamber. "Dick! Dick! naughty bird! you will persist in singing your song of joy when I am studying how to be miserable. Now, if I give you a lump of sugar, will you hold your tongue, and let me study my part, eh ? 'Oh, Henri! the sorrow that lies in this poor breast of mine' she went on in a tone of grief, as she thrust a piece of sugar through the bars of the cage. quiet now, like a dear dicky-bird-'makes it weary and sore "Be Enter Alice unperceived: she steals behind Emma, and removes the book from which she is studying. "Makes it weary and sore'-" repeated Emma; "there! I always stick at the 'sore-always. Bless me! what have I done with the book?-'makes it weary and sore "Here, here it is!" said Alice, laughing. "How did you get into the room without my hearing your step?" "You were talking to Dick at the time I opened the door," rejoined Alice. "But, put away your study and needlework, and prepare to pay particular attention to what I am about to tell you." "What is the matter?" "Nothing, my child,—at least, nothing to frighten a body." "I am so nervous, you know, dear Alice; a word or look will set me trembling, since that terrible night of the fire, in which my darling parents perished." "Hush, Emma!" said Alice soothingly. "Why, how pale you are! sit down, dear; I have good news for younews that would drive many a girl frantic with joy." "Indeed!" exclaimed Emma, blushing crimson. "Ah! you guess. I see by the expression of your face that you anticipate my tidings.' "I think I do," faltered Emma. "Sir John "Has had an interview with your guardy-has proposed for you; and now you need only say yes, and you are Lady Craggsbridge." The young girl's head drooped upon her bosom, and for a few moments there was silence. “'Tis a grand offer, my child!" resumed Alice. "Twenty thousand a year and a title; it is a very grand offer, indeed!" "Yes," murmured Emma. 66 Yes," mimicked Alice; "your tone implies that not consider it such." Two big tears rolled down Emma's cheeks. "Be frank, my child," continued Alice, "and state to me your feelings respecting this proposal." "I do not know what they are," stammered Emma. "I have not yet thought about my own feelings." "You are aware of the advantages of such a marriage; therefore I need not point them out." "Indeed, indeed, I have not given the matter any serious consideration." "You should have done so. I advise you to do so now." "Let me have a day or two for reflection, dear Alice. I -I am confused at present. I. "You are free to act according to the dictates of your heart; nevertheless, my child, I beg you to ponder well before you decide. I wish, with all my soul, your heart were interested in the matter," she added, in a more serious tone; were it so, the prospect of your future life would be all happiness." Emma sighed deeply. "I am certain he loves you devotedly. No common affection would tempt a man to choose a wife whose position in life is so far removed from his own.' "I will think over it. Give me two days before I answer yes or no-just two days, I ask." I am "I am not urging an instant reply, dear Emma. only endeavouring to put things in their proper light. I fear your refusing Sir John, and therefore am desirous of impressing upon your mind the importance of weighing matters with especial care. Think, dear girl, of all the struggles of this sad and wearing existence of ours, and compare it with that which is now proffered by Sir John." "I have been accustomed to this sad and wearing existence. I have never known any other-I have never dreamed of any other." "And should not care for any other—eh ?" "I am very happy with guardy and you," urged she, rising and flinging her arms round Alice. "I am sure Sir John could never make me happier than I am at present." "The home which you share with us would appear beggarly when compared with the home of Sir John Craggsbridge." "How much "Your kindness, Alice, has ever made your abode seem to me the dearest spot on earth," said Emma. I owe you and guardy !" CHAPTER VI. THE following evening Sir John was, as usual, behind the scenes, in close attendance upon Emma. Mr. Ridly had informed him of the length of time required by the young girl, before her final answer could be given to his proposal. Alice repeated to the baronet the whole of the conversation that had passed between Emma and herself, and, with womanly tact, hinted that she feared Emma would refuse him. Sir John would not listen to Alice's fears. He would show Emma how much he loved her, he said. He was ready to make any sacrifice, or commit any folly for her sake. He loaded her with gifts; her every want was anticipated, and the faintest smile from her was esteemed by the baronet as a precious proof of advancement in her favour. "Well, I have seen strange things happen in my life," said Miss West, as she stood waiting for her entrance cue, at the opposite wing to that at which Emma and the baronet were conversing. "I was saying, Mr. Julius-how well I remember your name now, don't I?-I was saying that I had seen strange events in my time; but I really think that yonder is the very strangest of all." "What do you mean, Miss West ?" asked Julius. Why, can't you see what I mean?" exclaimed she. Oh, don't pretend to be so blind; direct your eyes to the opposite wing." "Well!" said Julius, uneasily. "Well!" echoed Miss West, in a mocking tone.. gracious! I didn't suppose it would be at all well!” "Good |
