Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/168

166 Surely some presentiment ought to have informed both Emily and Lady Mandeville of the event that day was to bring forth. It came not; and they set off for the gay shops of La Strada, as if only a few yards of riband had depended on that morning. They were all in the very act of returning to the carriage, when who should emerge from a small, mean-looking jeweller's shop but Edward Lorraine? Emily saw him first—how soon we recognise the object uppermost in the mind!—she did not, however, even attempt to speak—her cheek grew pale—her heart seemed to stop beating—she almost felt as if she wished him not to recognise them: the next minute they all met, and Lady Mandeville was the first to exclaim, "Mr. Lorraine! now what chance brought you here?" "A most fortunate one," replied Edward; and mutual and cordial greetings took place,—though there was something very satisfactory to Cecil Spenser in Emily's silence, and cold and distant bow. There are a great many false things in this world, but none are so false as appearances. "Of course you will accompany us home," said Lord Mandeville.