good deal, and the consciousness made him keep back from you; he owns that, and is very sorry.'
'Does he? dear Gerald!'
'He seemed to feel deeply that he had neglected you; but he said, and very truly, how much there had been against him,--no one, as he said, to make him mind; and the fellows would have laughed at him, if they had found out that he attended to his sister.'
'Ah! Johnny sowed that mischief long ago!'
'I hope it is not weakness. I do not think it is; for there was manliness in confessing all, and he seemed to feel the folly strongly.'
'Did he tell you about the debts?'
'Yes, and of his own accord. They are nothing in themselves; but he has been allowed too much money, has had little warning, and his title was against him too. So if we can break off the habit of extravagance, there is no great harm done. After all, you know, he is very young, and there is plenty of time to form his character. I am sure he has good dispositions of every kind, and if he has but resolution, he will be sure to do well,'
'I think there is resolution in his temper. Nothing shakes him when his mind is once made up.'
So Marian was very well satisfied on the whole about her brother, and she might justly be so by Edmund's account. There was nothing to disturb her happiness, and she only doubted whether she should be able to sleep for it. Her brother restored, as well as everything else!
When bed-time came, Mrs. Lyddell looked at her, as if expecting something more to be said than 'good night,' but nothing came,--nothing but the dancing light in the eyes. Clara followed her to the room, and stood gazing at her. 'Why, Marian,' at last she said, 'can't you tell me anything about it?'
'No; not till to-morrow.'
'O, that is too bad, Marian, when you heard all I had to tell directly.'
'I can't help it; I am not at liberty to tell other people's affairs.'
'Don't look so grand, Marian, pray. I am sure I thought this was your own.'
'So it is in a way.'
'In a way? Why, Marian, what an extraordinary girl you are! not your own affair! Well, if you are impenetrable, I can't help it; but it is not kind, when we all want to congratulate you.'
'Stop, stop, Clara!' exclaimed Marian, and now she did blush, 'will you be satisfied if I tell you that it is not what you suppose? You shall hear what it is to-morrow, and then you will see what nonsense you have been talking.'
'What?' cried Clara, 'you are not--'
'Don't say it, pray don't! Never was any one further from it. Now do go to bed, Clara, for I cannot tell you a word more, and keep your curiosity at rest for to-night.'
Marian took care not to be caught alone by Clara before breakfast the next morning, and almost immediately after breakfast, Edmund departed. Marian had been out into the hall with him to exchange some last words, and Mrs. Lyddell, meantime, was observing to Caroline that she never knew anything so strange; she thought it was due to herself, however unpleasant it might be, to claim some confidence from Miss Arundel, on such matters, while living under her care. Marian came back, however, with her innocent look of delight,--a look so unlike the bashfulness of a damsel in love, that Mrs. Lyddell felt again doubtful; and before she could speak, Marian had turned to Clara and said, 'Now I will tell you what makes me so happy. Edmund and Agnes Wortley are engaged, and I am to go and live with them.'
'Miss Wortley!' at once exclaimed Mrs. Lyddell and her daughters, in the
