"Oh!" exclaimed Elizabeth, "the doctor is here! I am sure my aunt is really very ill." At the same moment the side door opened, and the old lady appeared, and caught her niece in her arms. "He is here," said Magdalen--"arrived only a minute before you." "Who is here?" asked Bessie. "What do you mean?" "Come aside with me into my snuggery," said her aunt. "I have a word with you before I speak with your father, and in the parlour he will find Anthony." "Anthony! My brother!" with a joyful flash from Bessie; and she flung her arms round her aunt. "Oh, you dear--you good Aunt Magdalen! You have----" "Have done with this folly," said the Squire, angrily. "Are you still such a fool as to think that when I say a thing I shall change about? No--your brother is not in there, but your bridegroom." Miss Cleverdon put up her hand entreatingly to stop her brother, and hastily brought her niece into the adjoining room and shut the door. "What is the meaning of this?" asked Bessie, with some composure. She had now a suspicion that the visit concerned herself, and not her aunt. "My dear," said Magdalen, "do seat yourself--no, not in that chair; it is hard, and there is something wrong with the back--the bar comes exactly where it ought not, and hurts the spine--at least, I find it so. I never sit in it myself, never. Take that seat by the fireplace. I am so sorry there is nothing burning on the hearth, but, on my word, I did not expect to have you in here. I thought I might have spoken a word with you in the parlour before he came, or--but, bless my heart, Bess! I am so distracted I hardly know what I thought." Bessie shook down her skirt over her dark-blue petticoat, and seated herself where her aunt desired, then laid her hands in her lap, and looked steadily at Miss Cleverdon. "You are not ill, then?" she said. "Oh, my dear, ill! I have not slept a wink, nor had a stomach for aught. I should think I was indeed ill, but all about you. You must remember that the commandment with promise is that which refers to the submission of a child to the parent; but, Lord! Bess, I would not have you forced against your wishes. Your father's mind is made up, and he has met with a sore disappointment in the case of Anthony. I do think it will be a comfort to him, and heal over that trouble somewhat, if he finds you more pliant than was Anthony. But, Lord! Bess, nothing, I trust, hinders you--no previous attachment. Lord! I did at one time think that your heart was gone a-hankering after Luke." Bessie, who had become very pale, flushed, and said, "I entreat thee, aunt, not to have any fancies concerning me. I never gave thee grounds for any such opinion." "I know that, I know that, child. But, Lord! an old woman like me must have her thoughts about those she loves and wishes well for."