Deerbrook. Harriet Martineau

earlier than usual to-night; and Sophia added, that her cousins had been a good while in their own room.

      Hester was conscious that Mr. Grey cast a rapid, penetrating glance upon her as he drew his chair, and took his seat at her elbow.

      “What a clever book this is!” said Mrs. Grey.

      “Very entertaining,” added Sophia.

      “What is your opinion of it?” asked Mr. Grey of Hester.

      She smiled, and said she must read more of it before she could judge.

      “It is such a relief,” said Mrs. Grey, “to have a book like this in hand after the tiresome things Mr. Rowland orders in! He consults Mrs. Rowland’s notions about books far too much; and she always takes a fancy to the dullest. One would almost think it was on purpose.”

      Sydney liked the sport of knocking on the head charges against the Rowlands. He showed, by a reference to the Society’s list, that the book just laid down was ordered by the Rowlands.

      “Dear me! Sophia,” said her mother, “you made quite a mistake. You told us it was ordered in by Mr. Hope. I am sure, I thought so all this time.”

      “Well, I dare say we shall not be able to finish it,” said Sophia. “We have read only eight-and-twenty pages this evening. Papa! how shockingly Mr. Hope looks still, does not he? I think he looks worse than when he was here last.”

      “And I trust he will look better when we see him next. I have the strongest hopes that he will now gain ground every day.”

      “I am sure he seems to have gained very little yet.”

      “Oh, yes, he has; as I trust you will soon see.”

      Sophia was about to bewail Mr. Hope’s sickly looks again, when her mother trod on her foot under the table; and, moreover, winked and frowned in a very awful way, so that Sophia felt silenced, she could not conceive for what reason. Not being able to think of anything else to say, to cover her confusion, she discovered that it was bedtime—at least for people who had been gathering apples.

      Once more Mrs. Grey gazed over her spectacles at her husband, when the young people were gone.

      “My dear,” said she, “what makes you think that Mr. Hope is gaining ground every day?”

      “My dear, what made you tread on all our toes when I said so?”

      “Dear me, I only gave Sophia a hint, to prevent her saying dismal things before people. One does not know what may be passing in their minds, you know.”

      “And so you kindly show what is passing in yours. However, these young ladies may soon be able, perhaps, to tell us more about Hope than we can tell them.”

      “My dear, what do you mean?”

      “I saw a glance between them, a smile, when you were silencing Sophia. I believe you may prepare yourself for some news, my dear.”

      “I have no doubt of Hester’s state of mind—”

      “And I feel confident of Hope’s; so here is the case, pretty well made out between us.”

      Mrs. Grey was in raptures for a moment; but she then resumed her system of mysterious tokens. She shook her head, and owned that she had reason to think her husband was mistaken.

      “Well, just observe them the next time they are together; that is all.”

      “And my poor Hester looks wretchedly, Mr. Grey. It really makes my heart ache to see her.”

      “How differently people view things! I was just thinking that I never saw her so lovely, with such a sprightliness, such a glow in her face, as five minutes ago.”

      “Just this evening, she does not look so pale; but she is sadly altered—grievously changed indeed. Seeing this, is the only thing which reconciles me to parting with her. Now, Mr. Grey, I should like to know what sets you smiling in that manner at the poor girl.”

      “I was smiling to think how, as young ladies have been known to change their minds, it may be possible that we may have the pleasure of seeing Hester pick up her good looks again here, in spite of all that Morris says about her native air. I should not wonder that we may persuade her to stay yet.”

      Mrs. Grey shook her head decisively. She should have been very glad, a little while since, to hear her husband’s opinion that Mr. Hope’s views were fixed upon Hester; but now—. But men were always so positive; and always the most positive where they knew the least! A deep sigh from the one party, and a broad smile from the other, closed the conversation.