Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/136

134 attention on my part shall be wanting for your comfort; and if Mr. Sillery visits here, he shall meet at least with civility from me." "And if you can take him from your silly old aunt, you have my full consent," cried Mrs. Clarke. This was too much; and snatching her hand from Emily, Mrs. Arundel said, "Settle it all your own way;" and left the room, which shook with the door she slammed after her.

"She'll repent it, Miss Emily;—never mind, she'll repent it;" and with this consolatory prediction, Mrs. Clarke also departed. Emily saw no more of her aunt that evening. She was told Mrs. Arundel was engaged with a gentleman. Who it was, her niece could easily guess; and, mortified and harassed, she retired early to her room. Her maid's face was evidently full of news, but Emily was in no mood to listen; and the girl was dismissed, as discontented as the possessor of untold information could well be. Early the next morning she was awakened by the noise of wheels in the court-yard. Surprise at such an unusual sound made her unclose the window a little to discover whence it proceeded; and she was just in time to see