"Is this generous?" asked Isabel, with burning cheeks." "You don't mean to say that you refused him?" said Emily, turning her blue eyes full upon Isabel, "that would be too cruel." "Be quiet, Emily," implored Isabel. "I see how it is now. Oh, Isabel, how could you?" "Remember, Emily, I have told you nothing; you have found out my secret; keep it better than you did your brother's." "Oh, Isabel, I am sure I kept that well enough." "Not so well as you must keep this. I am very, very sorry, for I feel that I have not been sufficiently watchful, or you would I not have suspected it. And he would be justly angry if he knew." "Well, under the circumstances it would make no difference to you if he was." Isabel bit her lip and was silent, then said, "Emily, dear Emily, promise me that you will try to forget this conversation, and never mention it to any one." "But Isabel when was it." "I will answer no questions on that subject" more than enough has been said already. "What a rage Grace would be in, if she knew, well, well, I have my own ideas." "Have you indeed, and pray what would Grace be in a rage about if she knew," asked a well known voice close to them. Both young ladies started and crimsoned. "You see Emmy I could not resist that letter, so here I am for a few days." "Isabel was right" cried Emily triumphantly, "she said you would come quietly in, one of these days." "What made you think so," he asked. "I felt sure of it, I cannot tell why, but I had a presentiment that you would." "May I hope that the wish was the origin of the thought," he said in a low tone, as Emily turned to caress his dog, Hector. "Certainly" she answered laughing. "I would not have Emily disappointed on any account." "Such a true prophet ought to be rewarded, don't you think so Emily," said Everard presenting Isabel with the first and only flower of a rare foreign plant. "I cannot accept it," replied Isabel, "the reward is more than the prediction was worth." "Oh no, it is not, I am sure you earned it," cried Emily clapping her hands, and running off with Hector for a romp. "Surely you will not refuse a flower" said Everard. "But why that flower." "Because it is the best." "For that very reason, I cannot accept it." "You are over scrupulous Miss Leicester." "No, only prudent." He looked hurt, "you will not refuse" he urged. "I dare not accept it." "Why." "What would they think." "If the truth,----, that the flower I valued most, I gave to the one I loved best." "Are you not venturing on forbidden grounds" asked Isabel with glowing cheeks. "Isabel you are cruel." "I do not wish to pain you." "Then accept my flower." "No, were I to do so, I could only take it to your mother saying that you wished it preserved." "Would you do so Isabel," he exclaimed reproachfully. "I should be obliged to do so, if I took it." "Is it only this one you refuse." "Or any other equally valuable and scarce."