It was a chill to the feelings of Flora, and her first glance of her sister-in-law was little calculated to re-warm them into interest. Emma Vernon might once have been pretty, at least something in her air conveyed the idea that she had--and perhaps still considered herself to be so; but she had a sallow, withered look on her face, an affected expression in her sleepy black eyes, a languid listlessness in her manner, which to Flora were almost repulsive. Coldness and indifference seemed conveyed in the very touch of her thin fingers, and the cheek which, half hidden by a profusion of black curls, she turned to receive Flora’s kiss. Slowly, very slowly, she descended from the carriage, leaning heavily on Mrs. Vernon and her daughter, and moving as though she were scarcely equal to the effort of placing one foot before the other. With many a pause, and many a sigh, she reached the lovely little boudoir which Mrs. Vernon, at considerable personal inconvenience, had appropriated to her use. [Illustration: Slowly, very slowly, she descended from the carriage.] Emma sank on the sofa, and in an affected voice exclaimed, "Take away those flowers--I can’t bear them!--take them away or I shall faint!" Flora hastened to remove the beautiful bouquet, while Mrs. Vernon offered a scent-bottle to the languishing lady. "I hope, dear Emma, that country quiet will soon restore you," she said soothingly. "Do open the window--there’s not a breath of air--this room is so small!" lisped the newly arrived. "How strange it is," thought Flora, "that she neither asks nor thinks about her children! Nothing but her own comfort seems to occupy her mind, and it does not appear very easy to please her. I will go and look after her little ones." Flora was followed into the passage by her mother, who looked a little troubled and anxious. "My dear child," said Mrs. Vernon, laying her hand on Flora’s arm, "what are we to make of the negro? I never calculated on Emma’s bringing a man-servant with her." "I’m sure I don’t know, mamma. It was very inconsiderate in her, I think. But everything seems so strange and confusing and uncomfortable, I am afraid--" she stopped in her sentence. "We must make the best of everything, my love. Just go and see that the poor dear children are comfortable in their nursery." Flora obeyed without reply. *CHAPTER VI.* *THE NURSERY.*