'How do you know that?' said Maynard. 'He kissed your hand very tenderly--did he not, Miss Douglas? and took advantage of the dark hour: that looks very lover-like.' Emma Douglas, who, in spite of her reason, was both embarrassed and flattered by Colonel Mordaunt's unexpected mode of taking leave, said not a word; but Mrs Wallington, in a voice hoarse with angry emotion, cried: 'It was very free in him, I think, and very unlike Colonel Mordaunt; for he was not a sort of man to take liberties but where he met with encouragement.' 'Then I am sure he would be free with you, sister, sometimes,' sarcastically observed Miss Maynard. 'Nay, with both of you, I think,' replied Maynard, who had not forgiven the laugh at his expense which they had tried to excite; on which an angry dialogue took place between the brother and sisters: and the Douglases, disgusted and provoked, retired to their apartment. 'There was something very strange and uncommon,' said Mrs Douglas, detaining Emma in her dressing-room, 'in Colonel Mordaunt's behaviour--Do you not think so, Emma?--If it should have any meaning!' 'Meaning!' cried the major: 'what meaning should it have? Why, my dear, do you think Mordaunt never kissed a woman's hand before?' 'But it was so _particular_.--Well, Emma, if it should lead to consequences!' 'Consequences!' cried the major: 'my dear girl, what can you mean?' 'Why, if he should _really love_ our Emma?' 'Why then I hope our Emma will love him.--What say you, Emma?' 'I say?--I--' she replied: 'really I never thought it possible that Colonel Mordaunt should have any thoughts of me, nor do I now;--but it is very strange that he should kiss my hand!' The major could not help laughing at the _naiveté_ of this reply, and in a mutual whisper they agreed how much they wished to see their sister so happily disposed of; while Emma paced up and down her own apartment some time before she undressed herself; and after seeming to convince herself, by recollecting all Colonel Mordaunt's conduct towards her, that he could not possibly _mean_ any thing by his unusual adieu, she went to sleep, exclaiming, 'But it is very strange that he should kiss my hand!' CHAPTER XXIV The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen. 'You left us very abruptly last night,' said Major Douglas. 'I did so,' replied Mordaunt with a sort of grave smile. 'Were you taken ill?' asked Maynard. 'I--I was not quite easy,' answered he: 'but, Miss Douglas, may I request the honour of seeing you alone for a few minutes?'