'
'We cannot stay here without you,' Emily replied; 'we are your guests.'
'And,' said Julia, smiling, 'if there are guests, there must be a host. But
if you have business in London, of course you must go.'
'I was not thinking of myself,' said Hubert, 'but of you ladies. I was
afraid that you were already tired of me; that you might like to be left
alone; that you had business, preparations. I daresay I was all wrong; but
if Emily knew----'
'I'm sorry, Hubert; I did not mean to offend you. I'm very unlucky. You'll
forgive me.'
'I've nothing to forgive; I only hope that you'll never think again that I
want to get rid of you. I hope that you'll stop at Ashwood as long as ever
it suits you to do so. I don't see how I can say more.'
'I like to stop here as long as you are here,' Emily said, in a low voice.
'That is all I meant.'
'Then we're all of one mind, I don't want to go back to London. If you
don't find me in your way, I shall be delighted to stay.'
'Of course,' said Julia, 'we poor country folk can hardly hope to amuse
you.'
'I don't know about that!' exclaimed Emily. 'Where would he find any one to
play and sing to him in the evenings as you can?'
The conversation paused, and all were happier that morning, though none
knew why.
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