"Marini is vague about artillery," she murmured. "Vague!" echoed Merthyr. "Say prudent. If he said we could lay hands on fifty pieces, then distrust him!" "God grant that this be not another pit for further fruitless bloodshed!" was the interjection standing in Georgiana's eyes, and then she dropped them pensively, while Merthyr recounted the patient schemes that had led to this hour, the unuttered anxieties and the bursting hopes. Still Emilia kept her distressfully unenthusiastic looks turned from one to the other, though her Italy was the theme. She did not eat, but had dropped one hand flat on her plate, looking almost idiotic. She heard of Italy as of a distant place, known to her in ancient years. Merthyr's transformation, too, helped some form of illusion in her brain that she was cut off from any kindred feeling with other people. As soon as he had finished, Merthyr jumped up; and coming round to Emilia, touched her shoulder affectionately, saying: "Now! There won't be much packing to do. We shall be in London to-night in time for your mother to pass the evening with you." Emilia rose straightway, and her eyes fell vacantly on Georgiana for help, as far as they could express anything. Georgiana gave no response, save a look well nigh as vacant in the interchange. "But you haven't eaten at all!" said Merthyr. Emilia shook her head. "No." "Eat, my Sandra! to please me! You will need all your strength if you would be a match for Georgey anywhere where there's action." "Yes!" Emilia traversed his words with a sudden outcry. "Yes, I will go to London. I am ready to go to London now." It was clear that a new light had fallen on her intelligence. Merthyr was satisfied to see her sit down to the table, and he at once went out to issue directions for the first step in the new and momentous expedition. Emilia put the bread to her mouth, and crumbled it on a dry lip: but it was evident to Georgiana, hostile witness as she was, that Emilia's mind was gradually warming to what Merthyr had said, and that a picture was passing before the girl. She perceived also a thing that no misery of her own had yet drawn from Emilia. It was a tear that fell heavily on the back of her hand. Soon the tears came in quick succession, while the girl tried to eat, and bit at salted morsels. It was a strange sight for Georgiana, this statuesque weeping, that got human bit by bit, till the bosom heaved long sobs: and yet no turn of the head for sympathy; nothing but passionless shedding of big tear-drops! She went to the girl, and put her hand upon her; kissed her, and then said: "We have no time to lose. My brother never delays when he has come to a resolve." Emilia tried to articulate: "I am ready." "But you have not eaten!" Emilia made a mechanical effort to eat.