182 DISAPPROBATION. 



not?" returned she pettishly;" "I suppose then you don't 

 approve." 



" My approbation can be of very little import, if you possess 

 that of your own heart, and that of your husband. Under 

 what character, pray, does he attend you ? I suppose he plays 

 Oberon to your Titania ?" 



Emily's face reddened. Some strong emotion heaved her 

 bosom, and I saw that pride alone kept the starting tears from 

 overflowing. " Charles," said she, with an attempt at assum- 

 ed indifference, " will not be there at all ; I am to go with 

 Lady Forrester." 



We felt more vexed than ever, and wished to say something 

 which might yet hinder the young wife's intention ; but while 

 considering what that something should be, or whether, indeed, 

 our age and slight relationship gave a sufficient right to say 

 anything, we looked down for a moment on our still open 

 book. Of that moment Emily availed herself to effect an 

 escape, and on raising our eyes we only caught a glimpse of her 

 glittering wings as she glided through the doorway. .Our 

 first impulse was to recall her ; our next thought, to leave her 

 to herself. If her better nature still struggled, remonstrance 

 of ours, we considered, might only serve to set wounded pride 

 against it ; and wounded passions, like wounded bravoes, fight 

 most desperately. We saw no more of our young hostess till 

 the hour of dinner, to which we sat down tete-$-tete. Emily's 

 sweet face had regained all its usual expression of good 



