Again the ladies blushed, and the gentlemen smiled. But Emma's weakness had been temporary: she had convinced herself that Colonel Mordaunt's action had been nothing more than a tribute to what he fancied her generous defence of an unfortunate woman: and with an air of embarrassed dignity she gave him her hand to lead her into an adjoining apartment. 'This is very good of you,' cried Colonel Mordaunt: 'but you are all goodness!--My dear Miss Douglas, had I not gone away as I did last night, I believe I should have fallen down and worshipped you, or committed some other extravagance.' 'Indeed!--What could I say to excite such enthusiasm!' replied Emma deeply blushing. 'What!--Oh, Miss Douglas!'--Then after a few more ohs, and other exclamations, he related to her the whole progress of his acquaintance with an attachment to Adeline, adding as he concluded, 'Now then judge what feelings you must have excited in my bosom:--yes, Miss Douglas, I reverenced you before for your own sake, I now adore you for that of my lost Adeline.' 'So!' thought Emma, 'the kiss of the hand is explained,'--and she sighed as she thought it; nor did she much like the word _reverenced_: but she had ample amends for her mortification by what followed. 'Really,' cried Colonel Mordaunt, gazing very earnestly at her, 'I do not mean to flatter you, but there is something in your countenance that reminds me very strongly of Adeline.' 'Is it possible?' said Emma, her cheeks glowing and her eyes sparkling as she spoke: 'you may not mean to flatter me, but I assure you I am flattered; for I never saw any woman whom in appearance I so much wished to resemble.' 'You do resemble her indeed,' cried Colonel Mordaunt, 'and the likeness grows stronger and stronger.' Emma blushed deeper and deeper. 'But come,' exclaimed he, 'let us go; and I will--no, _you_ shall--relate to the party in the next room what I have been telling you, for I long to shame those d--' 'Fye!' said Emma smiling, and holding up her hand as if to stop the coming word. And she did stop it; for Colonel Mordaunt conveyed the reproving hand to his lips; and Emma said to herself, as she half frowning withdrew it, 'I am glad my brother was not present.' Their return to the breakfast-room was welcome to every one, from different causes, as Colonel Mordaunt's motives for requesting a tête-à-tête had given rise to various conjectures. But all conjecture was soon lost in certainty: for Emma Douglas, with more than usual animation of voice and countenance, related what Colonel Mordaunt had authorized her to relate; and the envious sisters heard, with increased resentment, that Adeline, were she unmarried, would be the choice of the man whose affections they were eagerly endeavouring to captivate.