I felt rather aghast, for, to tell the truth, I only wonder when I love,--never when I am indifferent, as to most persons. As we were going out, I asked leave to come and practise on the morrow,--I felt I _must_ come. I wonder what I should have done had she refused me! "Certainly, Master Auchester." But she was looking after Laura. "Let me pin up that shawl, dear, and tie my veil upon your bonnet,--mind you wear it down in the street." The child certainly seemed to have put on her clothes in a dream, for her great shawl trailed a yard behind her on the floor, and did not cover her shoulders at all. Her bonnet-strings, now very disorderly indeed, were entangled in a knot, which Clara patiently endeavored to divide. I waited as long as I dared, but Davy was staying for me I knew, and at last he waved his hand. I could no longer avoid seeing him, and said to Clara, "Good-night." She smiled, but did not rise; she was kneeling before Laura. "Good-night, Miss Lemark." She only looked up. The large eyes seemed like the drops of rain after a drenching shower within the chalice of some wood anemone,--too heavy for the fragile face in which they were set, and from which they gazed as if unconscious of gazing. I thought to myself, as I went out, she will die, I suppose; but I did not tell Davy so, because of his reply when I had first spoken of Laura's illness. I felt very dispirited though, and shrank from the notion, though it still obtruded itself. Davy was very quiet. I recollect it to have been a white foggy night, and more keen than cold: perhaps that was the reason, as he was never strong in health. When I came to our door--how well I remember it!--I pulled him in upon the mat before he well knew what I was about. "Oh! Master Charles," exclaimed Margareth, who was exclusive porteress in our select establishment, "your brother has brought you a parcel,--a present, no doubt." "Oh! my goodness; where is Fred?" "They are all in the parlor. But, sir, won't you walk in?" "I beg your pardon," said Davy, absently. "Oh! no; I am going back. Good-night, Charles." "Oh, dear, Mr. Davy, do stay and see my present, please!" Davy did not answer here, for the parlor door opened, and my mother appeared, benign and hospitable. "Come in, come in!" she said, extending her hand, and I at least was in before she was out of the parlor. Fred was there, and Fred's wife--a pretty black-haired little matron, full of trivialities and full of sympathy with Lydia--was sitting by that respected sister at a little table. I ran to shake hands with Mrs. Fred, and knocked over the table. Alas! they were making bead purses, and for a few moments there was a restoration of chaos among their elements. Clo came from a dark corner, where she was wide awake over Dean Prideaux, and my mother had raised her hands in some dismay, when I was caught up by Fred and lifted high into the air. "Well, and what do I hear," etc. "Oh! Fred, where is my present?"