that were good would be withdrawn and if to these losses the loss of were to be added what would remain of cheerful or of rational society within their reach mr to be no longer coming there for his evening comfort no longer walking in at all hours as if ever willing to change his own home for theirs how was it to be and if he were to be lost to them for s sake if he were to be thought of hereafter as finding in s society all that he wanted if were to be the chosen the first the dearest the friend the wife to whom he looked for all the best blessings of existence what could be increasing s wretchedness but the reflection never far distant from her mind that it had been all her own work when it came to such a pitch as this she was not able refrain from a start or a heavy sigh or even walking about the room for a few seconds and ihe source whence any thing like consolation or composure could be drawn was in the resolution of her own better conduct and the hope that however inferior in spirit and gaiety might be the following and every future winter of her life to the past it would yet find her more rational more acquainted with herself and leave her less to regret when it were gone chapter the weather continued much the same all the following morning and the same loneliness and the same melancholy seemed to reign at but in the afternoon it cleared the wind changed into a softer quarter the clouds were carried off the sun appeared it was again with all the eagerness which such a transition gives resolved to be out of doors as soon as possible never had the exquisite sight smell sensation of nature tranquil warm and brilliant after a storm been more attractive to her she longed for the serenity they might gradually introduce and on mr s coming in soon after dinner with a disengaged hour to give her father she lost no time in hurrying into the there with spirits and thoughts a relieved she had taken a few turns when she saw mr passing through the garden door and coming towards her it was the first intimation of his being returned from london she had been thinking of him the moment before as unquestionably sixteen miles distant there was time only for the arrangement of mind she must be collected and calm in half a minute they were together the how d ye do s were quiet and constrained on each side she asked after their mutual friends they were all well when had he left them only that morning he must have had a wet ride yes he meant to walk with her she found he had just looked into the dining room and as he was not wanted there preferred being out of doors sh and th thought he looked nor cheerfully first possible cause for it suggested hy her ears was that he had perhaps been communicating his plans to his brother and was pained by the manner in which they had received they walked together he was silent she thought he was often looking at her and trying for a fuller view of her face than it suited her to give and this belief produced another dread perhaps he wanted to speak to her of his attachment to he might be watching for encouragement to begin she did not could not fee equal to lead the way to any such subject he must do it all himself yet she could not bear this silence with him it was most unnatural she considered resolved and trying to smile began � you have some news to hear now you are come bade that will rather surprise you h have ii said he quietly and looking at her of wh h nature h oh the best nature in the a wedding after waiting a moment as if to be sure she intended to say no more he replied � if you mean miss and frank have heard that how is it possible cried turning her glowing cheeks towards him for while she spoke it occurred to her that he might have called at mrs s in his way i had a few lines on parish business from mr this morning and at the end of them he gave me a brief account of what had happened was quite relieved and could presently say with a little more composure � u probably have been less surprised than any of us for you have had your suspicions i have not forgotten that you once tried to give me a caution i wish i had attended it � but with a sinking voice and a heavy sigh l seem to have been doomed to blindness ox for a moment or two nothing was said and she was of having excited any particular interest till she found her arm drawn within and pressed against his heart and heard him thus saying in a tone of eat sensibility speaking low � time my dearest time will heal the wound your own excellent sense your exertions for your father s sake i know you will not allow yourself her arm was pressed again as he added in a more broken and subdued accent the feelings of the warmest friendship � indignation � abominable scoundrel and in a louder tone he concluded with he will soon be gone they will soon be in i am sorry for her she deserves a better fate understood him and as soon as she could recover from the flutter of pleasure excited by such tender consideration replied � you are very kind but you are mistaken and i must set you right i am not in want of that sort of compassion my blindness to what 