you like.'

Hubert looked up quickly, hoping Mrs. Bentley would not answer, but before
he could make a sign she said--

'What do you mean, Emily? I did not know that Hubert was going to London.'

'You hardly expect me to believe that, do you?'

The servant was still in the room; but no look of astonishment appeared on
his face, and Hubert hoped he had not heard. An awful silence glowered upon
the dinner-table. The moment the door closed Hubert said, turning angrily
to Emily--

'Really, I am quite surprised, Emily, that you should make such
observations in the presence of servants! This has been going on quite long
enough; you are making the house intolerable. I shall not be able to live
here any longer.'

Emily burst into a passionate flood of tears. She declared she was
wretchedly miserable, and that she fully understood that Hubert had begun
to regret that he had asked her to stay at Ashwood. Everything had been
taken from her; every one was against her. Her sobs shook her frail little
frame as if they would break it, and Hubert's heart was wrung at the sight
of such genuine suffering.

'My dear Emily, I assure you you are mistaken. We both love you very much.'
He got up from his chair, and, putting his arm about her, besought her to
dry her eyes; but she shook him passionately from her, and fled from the
room.