?’

‘Sweet angel, I adore you!  I—’

‘Helen, I want you a moment,’ said the distinct, low voice of my aunt, close beside us.  And I left him, muttering maledictions against his evil angel.

‘Well, aunt, what is it?  What do you want?’ said I, following her to the embrasure of the window.

‘I want you to join the company, when you are fit to be seen,’ returned she, severely regarding me; ‘but please to stay here a little, till that shocking colour is somewhat abated, and your eyes have recovered something of their natural expression.  I should be ashamed for anyone to see you in your present state.’

Of course, such a remark had no effect in reducing the ‘shocking colour’; on the contrary, I felt my face glow with redoubled fires kindled by a complication of emotions, of which indignant, swelling anger was the chief.  I offered no reply, however, but pushed aside the curtain and looked into the night—or rather into the lamp-lit square.

‘Was Mr. Huntingdon proposing to you, Helen?’ inquired my too watchful relative.

‘No.’

‘What was he saying then?  I heard something very like it.’

‘I don’t know what he would have said, if you hadn’t interrupted him.’

‘And would you have accepted him, Helen, if he had proposed?’

‘Of course not—without consulting uncle and you.’

‘Oh!  I’m glad, my dear, you have so much prudence left.  Well, now,’ she added, after a moment’s pause, ‘you have made yourself conspicuous enough for one evening.  The ladies are directing inquiring glances towards us at this moment, I see: I shall join them.  Do you come too, when you are sufficiently composed to appear as usual.’

‘I am so now.’

‘Speak gently then, and don’t look so malicious,’ said my calm, but provoking aunt.  ‘We shall return home shortly, and then,’ she added with solemn significance, ‘I have much to say to you.’

So I went home prepared for a formidable lecture.  Little was said by either party in the carriage during our short transit homewards; but when I had entered my room and thrown myself into an easy-chair, to reflect on the events of the day, my aunt followed me thither, and having dismissed Rachel, who was carefully stowing away my ornaments, closed the door; and placing a chair beside me, or rather at right angles with mine, sat down.  With due deference I offered
