glad to get him; and really she did not think Dr. Clarke was at all justified in speaking so lightly of Mrs. Arundel—she could not bear such ill-natured insinuations."
Amid a shower of similar sentences, the Doctor escaped, and his lady proceeded on her way.
People in general little know how much they are indebted to those matrimonial discussions. Many a storm has fallen softly on the offender's head, from a part having been previously expended on a husband or wife,—it is so convenient to have somebody at hand to be angry with;—and whether it was the quarrel with her husband, or the walk, that did Mrs. Clarke good, she certainly arrived at the Hall in a better humour than could have been expected. She was met at the door by Emily, whose slight confusion at encountering her was immediately interpreted mysteriously and favourably; and when the young lady evidently hesitated as she said, "I have left my aunt and Mr. Sillery in the breakfast-room," Mrs. Clarke was very near congratulating her future sister, who, however, disappeared too rapidly.
She found Mrs. Arundel in a lace cap, and a dress—black, it is true, but black silk! Had
