"It would be well, if all those who have charge of young persons thought so!" exclaimed Miss Agnes. "But, oh, Miss Wyllys, I dread seeing my poor uncle! Charles writes me word that he is quite changed--pale and care-worn--so different from his usual look; he says my uncle has grown ten years older in the last week. And such a kind, indulgent father as he has been!" Tears filled Miss Wyllys's eyes. "Is his daughter Emmeline at home?" she asked. "Yes; and Emmeline seems more sobered by this terrible business, than Mrs. Hilson herself. She sent for me, thinking I might be of some service to Julianna, and persuade her to stay at home, and not return to Mrs. Bagman, as she threatens to do." A wagon was waiting to carry Miss Patsey to Longbridge, and Miss Agnes begging that she might not detain her, she set out on her painful duty. On arriving at her uncle's house, she almost dreaded to cross the threshold. She found Mr. Hubbard in the dining-room; he paid no attention to her as she opened the door, but continued walking up and down. She scarcely knew how to address him; the common phrases of greeting that rose to her lips seemed misplaced. He either did not see her, or would not notice her. She then walked quite near to him, and holding out her hand, said in a calm tone: "Uncle, I have come to see Julianna." The muscles of his face moved, but he made no answer. "I have come to stay with her, if you wish it." "Thank you," he said, in a thick voice. "Is there anything I can do for you?" "What can be done?" he said, bitterly, and almost roughly. "Do you wish me to stay?" "Yes; I am obliged to you for coming to see a woman of bad reputation." Patsey left him for the present. She found her cousins together; Emmeline's eyes were red, as if she had just been weeping; Mrs. Hilson was stretched on a sofa, in a very elegant morning-gown, reading a novel of very doubtful morality. Patsey offered her hand, which was taken quite cavalierly. "Well, Patsey," she said, "I hope you have not come to be a spy upon me." "I have come to see you, because I wish to be of service to you, Julianna." "Then, my dear child, you must bring his High-Mightiness, my jealous husband to reason," said the lady, smoothing a fold in her dress. Patsey made no answer, and Mrs. Hilson looked up. "If you are going to join the rest of them against me, why I shall have nothing to do with you; all the prim prudes in the world won't subdue me, as my good-man might have found out already." "Where is your husband?" asked Miss Patsey, gravely, but quietly.