"You shall never quit me till you say, 'Papa, I wish to leave you for the home of another.'" "And that will never, never be, my own dear papa!" Christobelle embraced him with joyous gratitude, and smiled through her tears. "Then be happy, my child, and think no more of little Lord Selgrave. You, at least, shall not reproach me hereafter with weakness of character. Go and sleep sweetly, and prepare for to-morrow's journey." Christobelle received her father's blessing, and her heart was no longer sorrowful. He would watch over and protect her! She would not be driven to marry Lord Selgrave, and renounce her peaceful station by his side. She could live with him, and read to him for ever! She became calm, and her mother's angry glances faded from her recollection. Christobelle retired to her slumbers in peace, that night. CHAPTER XVIII. Bedinfield appeared a kingly residence. The mansion stood before the traveller's gaze, with its towers and battlements, grand and imposing to the view. Had Lady Wetheral accompanied her husband, she would have decided that happiness must reign uncontrolled in that most stately dwelling. There was grandeur and repose in the scene, as they advanced to the massive pile of building; and there was stately ceremony enforced, when they arrived at its portals. It was seven by the chapel clock, when Sir John Wetheral and his daughter entered the hall of Bedinfield, and a train of footmen in gorgeous livery bandied their names, till they were ushered into a vast apartment, richly carved in oak. It was untenanted: there was a vase of rare exotics upon a small silver table, which some hand had apparently quitted in haste, for some of the flowers had fallen upon the Persian carpet, and their stalks were wet and freshly gathered. Christobelle's young ideas had considered Wetheral Castle the criterion of elegance, and her eager curiosity examined with surprise the magnificent decoration around. The superb silver tables--the costly cabinets--the whole style of grand simplicity delighted her taste, and astonished her mind. She turned to her father with feelings of ecstasy. "Can there be any thing more grand than this, papa? Can any place be more superbly beautiful? Oh, look at that lovely cabinet--that row of cabinets--and those paintings! How happy Julia must be!" "Does all this create happiness, Chrystal?" "Oh no, that was a wrong word--but how _pleased_ Julia must be, looking at these things, and thinking they are her own! But why does not Julia come to us, papa? Did not she expect us to-day?" Sir John paused, as he was accompanying Christobelle in her passage up the apartment, and he addressed her with seriousness. "Chrystal, make no observations of any kind, and ask no questions of me, or of Julia. I expect great prudence from you. You are now my companion and friend, and you must learn to veil much surprise, by silence. Be very prudent, my child, and remark nothing to your sister."