Florence was indeed a very sweet-tempered and engaging creature; but her mind was not equal to that of Lilias, and there was none of the pleasure of relying upon her, and looking up to her, which Lilias had learnt to enjoy in the company of her brother Claude, and of Alethea Weston. It was only that Lily’s own mind had been turned away from her former occupations, and that she did not like to resume them. She had often promised herself to return to her really useful studies, and her positive duties, as soon as her brothers were gone; but day after day passed and nothing was done, though her visits to the cottages and her lessons to Phyllis were often neglected. Her calls at Devereux Castle took up many afternoons. Florence continually lent her amusing books, her aunt took great interest in her music, and she spent much time in practising. The mornings were cold and dark, and she could not rise early, and thus her time slipped away, she knew not how, uselessly and unsatisfactorily. The three younger ones were left more to themselves, and to the maids. Jane sought for amusement in village gossip, and the little ones, finding the nursery more agreeable than the deserted drawing-room, made Esther their companion. Mr. Mohun had, at this time, an unusual quantity of business on his hands; he saw that the girls were not going on well, but he had reasons for not interfering at present, and he looked forward to Eleanor’s visit as the conclusion of their trial. ‘I cannot think,’ said Marianne Weston one day to her sister, ‘why Mr. Mohun comes here so often.’ Alethea told her he had some business with their mamma, and she thought no more of the matter, till she was one day questioned by Jane. She was rather afraid of Jane, who, as she thought, disliked her, and wished to turn her into ridicule; so it was with no satisfaction that she found herself separated from the others in the course of a walk, and submitted to a cross-examination. Jane asked, in a mysterious manner, who had been at Broomhill that morning. ‘Mr. Mohun,’ said Marianne. ‘What did he go there for?’ said Jane. ‘Alethea says he has some business with mamma.’ ‘Then you did not hear what it was?’ ‘I was not in the room.’ ‘Are you never there when he comes?’ ‘Sometimes.’ ‘And is Alethea there?’ ‘Oh yes!’ ‘His business must be with her too. Cannot you guess it?’ ‘No,’ said Marianne, looking amazed. ‘How can you be so slow?’ ‘I am not sure that I would guess if I could,’ said Marianne, ‘for I do not think they wish me to know.’ ‘Oh! nonsense, it is fine fun to find out secrets,’ said Jane. ‘You will know it at last, you may be sure, so there can be no harm in making it out beforehand, so as to have the pleasure of triumph when the wise people vouchsafe to admit you into their confidence; I am sure I know it all.’ ‘Then please do not tell me, Jane, I ought not to hear it.’