They tried to give him the hearty cheers which he had once longed to hear, but it would not do. The cheer broke down into one universal sob; and brave, strong men, whose hearts might have been thought as tough as the oak planks on which they trod, turned aside to conceal their tears, or leaned against the bulwarks for support, as they wept like children. They loved him well, those gallant fellows, and they knew that he was going home to his young wife, from whom he had parted on his wedding-day, only to die! and they mourned not only for him, but for her, whose gentle beauty, in the short glimpses they had had of her, had been strongly impressed on their romantic fancies. “But if I am to be even a week at Southsea,” said Hilary, presently, “what is to become of my sisters? they are too young to be left there quite alone.” “I thought of that,” said her companion, eagerly, “and so did your brother; and we proposed――only perhaps, it would worry you to talk about it now”――leaving off abruptly. “Oh, no! indeed, their comfort is my first duty; I wish I could think of any thing; my mind is not very steady; but it is not like our old home now; it would have been nothing to leave them at the Vicarage.” “Well, I thought, if you approved, might they not go to Lady Rupert’s; I know she would like it; she is so fond of Gwy――of your sister.” Hilary raised her eyes, and gave him one look, so penetrating, so steady, that, had he not deserved her confidence, he could not have met the glance. “Are you in earnest, Lord Dunsmore?” “Earnest, yes――perfectly so, from my heart! but I do not wonder you ask, after what you saw in my brother!” Hilary looked down. “It seems hardly a time to speak of such things _now_,” continued he, eagerly and rapidly, his pale countenance glowing with emotion; “but yet, perhaps, after all, it might remove distrust and doubt, perhaps lighten your anxiety in some respects, if I am open. Let me tell you, then, my feelings, and see if you will trust _me_. I do love her, and I do hope to win her. Even before I went to Italy, I preferred her; but then I thought James did too; I thought he was in earnest, so I left; but that as much as other things took me abroad; and when the news reached me of his intended marriage, I own it was a relief which greatly assisted my recovery. Now I hope some day to gain her affections; and though I and you, and she, know I can not say she is the first object of my love, and I am some years older, perhaps she will not consider these as objections――perhaps I _may_ succeed in time. Now after this, will you let her and Nest come to Lady Rupert’s care?” “I will talk to Maurice, and――and my husband!” her voice faltered. “I have been, perhaps, abrupt, Mrs. Hepburn, but circumstances must be my excuse,” added he. “What will Lady Rupert say?” “She is my kindest, best friend; she delights in your sister, and would receive her as if she really stood in that relationship to herself.”